The Regulator Movement

Last weekend I drove to Siler City, North Carolina to attend a lecture on The Regulator Movement of Chatham County, North Carolina, given by Mr. John H. Emerson. The lecture was sponsored by the Chatham County Historical Society and took place at the Rives Chapel Church in Siler City, North Carolina.  Tours of the church and the nearby Old Tick Creek cemetery, where the Regulator James Emerson was buried, were given prior to the lecture.  I did not make it to the church in time for the cemetery tour, however I made it inside the hall in time to get a good seat. I think attendance was higher than they expected because the organizers had to set up more chairs. The lecture itself ran for just about an hour. The Chatham County Historical Society had some books and pamphlets on a table at the back of the room that we could visit after the lecture. Another gentleman also had some weapons on display for us to look at.

The Regulator Movement is said to be the precursor and possibly even the first battle of the American Revolutionary War.  What started out as a peaceful movement enacted to change the policies governing land and property taxation and to rid the colony of corrupt politicans, ended in a gun fight at the Battle of Alamance Creek.

I decided to attend this lecture for a couple of reasons: My ancestor, Henry Williams, was living in nearby Caswell County, NC during this time (1766-1771) and was believed to have been in the Caswell County Militia. I think he may have had some involvement in the Regulator Movement. There’s been some confusion about his involvement in the Revolutionary War (see previous post here) and I was hoping to clear it up by learning about his possible role in the Regulator Movement.

I also wanted to have any excuse to drive out that way. Siler City is on the outskirts of Randolph County, North Carolina. My Godwin family settled in Randolph County in 1800 in the small community of Seagrove. Seagrove is about a 20 minute drive West of Siler City. A few weeks ago I took my first trip out to Randolph County to visit the Genealogy room in the Randolph County public library located in downtown Asheboro. You can read about my visit on my other blog here. I hope to make more trips out there to take in more of the scenery.

I did not learn any new information about my ancestor, Henry Williams, believed to have been an officer in the Revolutionary War.  There was a copy of William Powell’s book, The Regulators in North Carolina: A documentary history, 1759-1766 on one of the tables.  I did not find any mention of my ancestory, Henry Williams, in it. This was not surprising as I had already read much of the book in 2006 when I wrote a paper on the Regulator Movement for my North Carolina History Class.

A Mr. Brooks Gilbert opened up his family home, originally owned and  occupied by Isaac Brooks, also a Regulator, to the lecture attendees.  His home is located at 1958 Ike Brooks Rd, which was just a quick turn off of the Rives Chapel Church Road in Siler City. Isaac Brooks was a descendant of John and Susan Brooks, whose descendants meet every August in Siler City for a huge family reunion.  I have yet to find a connection between this Brooks family and my own of Caswell County, North Carolina, however I believe both families came from the same part of Virginia prior to their migration to North Carolina.  This Brooks family even has a highway named after them!  More to come about my visit to Isaac Brooks’ House.

Henry Williams – A Revolutionary War Soldier?

Many researchers of my Henry Williams have indicated that he was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, citing page 71 of William S. Powell’s book When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County, North Carolina 1777-1977  (Durham, NC: Moore Publishing Company, 1977) as their source. This is the only source I can find indicating that Henry Williams was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  I did not find a pension application for him or his widow or heirs in Heritage Quest’s Revolutionary War database.

Maybe Henry Williams was in the Caswell County militia and maybe he was active in that militia during the Regulator Movement (of which William S. Powell also wrote a book about – The regulators in North Carolina: a documentary history, 1759-1776).  However, I do not believe he saw duty during the Revolutionary War.  His brother, Colonel James Williams, was instrumental in the War.  He was living in the 96th District of South Carolina at the time.  In 1780, James Williams travelled to Caswell County, NC to visit his brother. It was there he wrote his will and transferred much of his property and possibly his slaves to his brother’s house for safe-keeping from the Tories. That Henry Williams was at home with his family, instead of away at war also indicates to me that he did not participate in the War.

After James’ death during the Battle of King’s Mountain in October 1780, Henry Williams, his brother and executor of his estate, reported an accounting of $25,000 that had been given to his brother, James Williams from the State of North Carolina to use to raise militia in Caswell County and surrounding counties to fight against the Tories. James’ son John Williams testified that this money was used to rally troops who were taken to King’s Mountain with him.  There is no mention of Henry Williams’ active participation in the rallying or marching of said troops. [Source: Graves, William T., James Williams: An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry, San Jose: Writers Club Press, 2002, p. 56]

The Author, William S. Powell, did not provide any sources or a bibliography to his book aforementioned. He did, however, note that all notes, chapter materials, and source material was given to the Gunn Memorial Library in Yanceyville, NC.  I therefore intend to visit this library and review his notes to see what source he used for his list of Caswell men who saw action in the Revolutionary War.

The Will of Daniel Williams, Granville Co., NC (1759)

Here is the will of Daniel Williams of Granville Co., NC. Daniel Williams was married to Ursula Henderson. They were the parents of my Henry Williams of Caswell Co., NC. I found two other Williams wills in Granville Co but I am not sure how they connect if at all to my Daniel Williams family. They are William Williams and Thomas Williams.

Williams, Daniel–wills to wife 3 negroes loaned to her for her lifetime, 12 cattle, one horse, feather bed and furniture, household goods, which I do not give away herafter, and at her death to be equally divided between my seven children: Merya Goodman, Henry Williams, John Williams, James Williams, Joseph Williams, Mary Mitchell, Daniel Williams; to my son-in-law Benjamin Goodman, 200 acres of landing being the land whereon he now lives at Capt. Mitchells line; to son John Williams, 350 acres which I purchased of Richard Bullock; to sons James and Joseph Williams, 800 acres of land in Halifax county, Virginia to be equally divided between them; to son Daniel Williams, 400 acres being land and plantation whereon I now live; to daughter Marya Goodman, for her lfietime, 3 negroes and, at her death, to go to her children; to son Henry Williams, 2 negroes and the use of a mullatto fellow to serve to age 21 years; to son John, 3 n3groes; to son James, 3 negroes; to daughter Mary Mitchell, 4 negroes; to son Daniel, 4 negroes; to my wife Ursula William, I lend for her lifetime 6 sheep, 12 hogs and, at her death, to be divided to my seven children; to my youngest children, James, Joseph, Mary Mitchell, and Daniel Williams, all rest of cattle, sheep, and hogs to divide between them; to son James, a horse and a feather bed and furniture; to son Joseph, a stallion, a feather bed and furniture; to daughter Mary Mitchell, a horse; to son Daniel Williams a horse and a mare, a feather bed and furniture; to son James Williams, land on Anderson swamp containing 400 acres; to son Joseph, land on Hico road and branches of Island creek—400 acres; my executors are to sell my crop of tobacco and pay my debts and to get 8000 ten penny nails and 8000 eight penny nails and give them to James and Joseph Williams and whereas Henry Williams and Marya Goodman have had pewter bought for them, it is my desire that John, James, Joseph, Mary Mitchell, and Daniel are to have pewter bought for them in equal amount by my executors and if any surplus from these sale, to be divided in eight parts for my wife and children; after wife’s death, all that is left to be divided to them.Exrs: my wife, Ursula Williams, John and James Williams

Wts: Luke Waldrup, William Sims

Source: Abstracts Of Granville County, NC, Unrecorded wills, 1746-1771, by Zae Gwynn

Page 64–Nov. 15, 1759–proved Dec. court 1759

Caswell County, NC Land Grants – WILLIAMS

Henry Williams
File no. 1127, 100 acres, Entry no. 1184, entered 1 Nov 1780; Grant no. 1086, issued 27 Nov 1793; Book 81, p. 258; Located on Nats fork of Country Line Creek.

File no. 435, 700 acres, Entry no. 728, entered 17 Mar 1779; Grant no. 596, issued 13 Oct 1783; Book 53, p. 21, Located on the waters of Stony Creek.

File no. 37, 127 acres, Entry no. 65, entered 9 June 1778; Grant no. 37, issued 3 Mar 1779; Book 35, p. 37; Located on the waters of Stony Creek.

File no. 66, 216 acres, Entry no. 252, entered 4 Sept 1778; Grant no. 66, issued 3 Mar 1779; Book 35, p. 66; Located on some sm branches of Shaws, Toms, and Stoney Creek.

John Williams
Five land grants entered between 1778-1780

Nathan Williams
File no. 1192, 90 acres, Entry no. 1434, entered -, Grant no. 1154, issued 18 Dec 1799; Book 105, p. 270; Located on the waters of S. Fork of County Line.

———————

Related Posts:

Land Grants for Caswell County, North Carolina BROOKS Families

Land Grants for Granville County, North Carolina Williams Families

Elizabeth Williams Estate Files 1814

I collected wills and estate records of the Caswell County, North Carolina WILLIAMS family members. The call number of the file box that had loose papers of estate records was:
C.R. 020.508.102.

The first folder I pulled was labelled: “Elizabeth Williams, 1814.”

I believe this folder contains estate records of two separate Elizabeths, one who died in 1813 and one who died in 1816. The following information is a summary of the pages enclosed in the folder.

(1) Elizabeth Williams, 1814:

Administrators bond, Nathan WILLIAMS 10 January 1814:
Nathan WILLIAMS, John HENSLEE, and Quintonn ANDERSON are bound onto Solomon GRAVES, chairman of the county court of Caswell in the sum of four hundred pounds to be paid to said chairman Solomon GRAVES, sealed this 10th day of January 1814.

Nathan WILLIAMS has been appointed administrator of all the singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of Elizabeth WILLIAMS dec’d, do make and cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of the deceased which have or shall come to the hands or possession of the said Nathan WILLIAMS…promises to make a true account and administer according to law…signed and sealed by Nathan WILLIAMS, John HENSLEE, Q. ANDERSON; test A. MURPHEY Clk.

———–

An inventory of the estate of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd, returned to January court 1814, on oath by the administrator, Nathan WILLIAMS, and ordered to be recorded in book F, folio 395 by A. E. MURPHEY, clk:

An inventory of property Elizabeth WILLIAMS Decd leased and purchased of the 15th October 1813:

Two Negro men Viz: Sampson and Jacob
one bed and furniture
two cows and calf
two yewes and lambs
one pewter dish
two pewter basons
1/2 dozen pewter plates
one earthen dish
two earthen pans
two earthen mugs
one black walnut chest
one woman’s saddle
one iron pott and one iron skillet
fifty pounds that was willed but not received
returned by me Nathan WILLIAMS, admr.
———-

A list of a sale of the estate of Elizabeth WILLIAMS decd on the 24th day of January 1814, (Ordered to be recorded in book F folio 418, Test A. E. MURPHEY, Clk, April court 1814):

To Elizabeth WILLIAMS:
iron pot, $1.61
iron scillett, $0.71
earthan dish, $0.33 1/3
earthan pan, $0.11
mug, $0.41
walnut chest, $6.00
2 ewes? of lambs, $3.60
cow and calf, $13.30
Negro man Sampson, $101.53
$127.60 1/3

To Charles BROOKS: (Elizabeth WILLIAMS’ son in law)
1 earthen pan, $0.15
1 pewter bason, $2.00
1 pewter bason, $1.00
1 womans saddle, $2.00
1 bed and furniture, $29.00
$34.15

To James GRAVES:
1 small mug, $0.10
1 countepin? $4.00
Cow and calf, $10.25
$14.35

To Zachariah NEAL: (Married Rebecca RICE, dau of Susannah WILLIAMS Brooks and Wm H. RICE)
1 bed quilt, $6.75
$6.75

To Nathaniel L. RICE:
1 pewter dish, $1.10
Sheat?, $2.50
$3.60

To Hosea MCNEILL:
1/2 dozen pewter plates, $3.40
$3.40

To John HENSLEE:
1 Negro boy Jacob, $513.10
$513.10

Total: $702.95 1/3 by Nathan WILLIAMS, Administrator
——————
The following documents were included in the same file, but probably from another Elizabeth WILLIAMS, possibly the same Elizabeth who purchased items from the estate of Elizabeth WILLIAMS in 1814. This woman died between Jan 1814 and Jan 1816.

(2) Elizabeth Williams, 1816:

Administrators Bond, 8 January 1816, Nathan WILLIAMS, Henry WILLIAMS, and William LEA, bound unto Solomon GRAVES, chairman in the sum of five thousand pounds, in the county of Caswell, this 8th day of January 1816…Nathan WILLIAMS is appointed administrator of the singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd. Signed and sealed by Nathan WILLIAMS, Henry WILLIAMS, William LEA; A. E. MURPHEY, clk.

Sales estate 12 Jan 1816, (not included in the estate file) of Elizabeth WILLIAMS returned to April Court, 1816 and recorded in Book G, p. 179: Buyers were Henry WILLIAMS, Nathan WILLIAMS, etc., 12 Jan 1816 (Katherine Kerr Kendall’s Abstracts of Caswell County Will Books, p. 11).

Sales estate 29 Jan 1816 (not included in the estate file) of Elizabeth WILLIAMS returned to April Court 1816 and recorded in Book G, p. 180, Sales to: George Brooks, William H Rice, Nathaniel L Rice, Sally Brooks, Samuel Fielder, James Shepherd, John Penix, Williamson Rice, Devreu Hightower, Christopher Brookes, etc… 29 Jan 1816 (Katherine Kerr Kendall’s Abstracts of Caswell County Will Books, p. 11-12).

Inventory of Property, 7 Apr 1816 (not included in the estate file) of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd by N. WILLIAMS adm. returned to April court 1816, and recorded in Book G, p. 168: A memo on Nathan WILLIAMS; bonds on George Brooks, Susannah Rice, Henry WILLIAMS, Benjamin Spencer (this bond is doubtful). 7 Apr 1816 (Katherine Kerr Kendall’s Abstracts of Caswell County Will Books, p. 11).

An inventory of account of bonds and cash (Jan Court 1817) found in possession of Elizabeth WILLIAMS dec’d at her death, by Nathan WILLIAMS, adm., returned to court on oath by the administrator and ordered to be recorded, Test Azariah GRAVES, Clk, January Court, 1817. Recorded in book G p. 354, Test A. GRAVES, clk:

Cash on hand: $55.72
one bond on Henry WILLIAMS due 21 Nov 1807, $7.75
one bond on Nathan WILLIAMS due 25 Dec 1815, $89.75
one bond on George BROOKS and Nathan WILLIAMS due Mar 1810 for $200.00
one bond on Susannah RICE due 25 Dec 1815 for $60.00
one account on Benjamin CANTRAL for $2.50
One account on Nathan WILLIAMS for $164.84 & 1/4; total of $580.56 & 1/4;

One note on Benjamin SPENCER due on demand dated 26 Dec 1794 for the sum of 26 pounds, 3 sh., 10 3/4 pence; considered of no value in consequence of insolvency and non residence;

One note on Daniel WILLIAMS due on demand dated 17 Dec 1787 for the sum of 7 pounds considered of no value in consequence of being ______ long since;

The above statement I hereby certify contains all cash bonds and account which I found in the possession of Elizabeth WILLIAMS, decd. Sworn to Nathan WILLIAMS, adm.

——————–

WILLIAMS family, Granville Co., NC

Today I combed through the Granville Co., NC usgenweb files looking for information on the Williams family. My ancestor, Henry Williams, was not from Granville Co.; he was from Caswell Co., NC. However, his father, Daniel Williams lived in Granville Co., NC along with many of Henry’s siblings.

Here is what I found:

• The wills of Thomas Williams (1761), William Williams (1763), and Daniel Williams (1759)

• Marriage record of Charles Williams to Hannah Clewall, 23 Feb 1797; This Charles Williams was probably a son of William Williams and is mentioned in his will.

• Revolutionary War Pension files for Samuel F. Williams, son of William Williams, and Solomon Williams.

• History of Granville Co., NC including Judge Henderson and John Williams. This Williams – Henderson connection intrigued me because Daniel Williams married Ursula Henderson.

• Orphan accounts of Granville Co., NC: Elinor Armsby to Daniel and Ursula Williams to learn housewifery, 22 Mar 1759; Samuel Wheeler to James Williams to learn carpentry, 21 Mar 1758.

All of this information was copied and saved to my “Daniel Williams.doc” file.

WILLIAMS family, Lunenburg Co., VA

In 1757, Daniel Williams, planter, of Granville Co., NC deeded a tract of land consisting of 420 acres in Lunenburg Co., VA to his son, Henry Williams “for love and affection.” Henry and his wife Elizabeth lived in Lunenburg Co., VA through 1762. In 1764 Lunenburg Co was divided to form Mecklenburg Co., VA in the south. Henry and Elizabeth Williams were then listed as living in Mecklenburg Co., VA between 1765-1770; therefore this land must have laid in the area that was originally Lunenburg that became Mecklenburg Co., VA in 1764. The Willliams family removed to Orange Co., NC, then Caswell Co., NC about 1770.

Today I searched for Henry Williams in the USGenWeb Lunenburg Co., VA archive files for deeds and court records. Although I did not find any references to Henry Williams, my ancestor, I did find a family record file of Reverend John Williams, that was submitted by JoLee Gregory Spears. Reverend John Williams of Lunenburg Co., VA was a 1st cousin of my ancestor, Henry Williams.

JoLee’s family record contained a link to Reverend John Williams and Henry Williams’ grandfather, John Williams, the Wealthy Welshman published by Scott K. Williams.

This website was a wealth of information regarding the history of the Williams Family in America. Scott K. Williams’ two significant references were the following:

1) “Williams 300 Years of Leadership in America: A History of the Descendants of John Williams of Llangollen, Wales” by Lewis James Williams, 1997. This book can be found at the State Library of North Carolina.

2) The transcript of the Williams Family Bible written by John Drayton Williams, son of Washington Williams, grandson of Gen. James Williams; In 1910 Barbara A. McClung copied John D. Williams’ family bible that he wrote in 1845 which she borrowed from William D. Williams, Jr (Greenville, TN). If I’m not mistaking, this transcription by Barbara A. McClung is housed in the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection at the Knox Co., TN Library and is copied in several rootsweb files online.

I am very excited about all the great publications references I have come across this week on my Williams family. Now I just have to find enough records to prove that Henry Williams is really my ancestor!!! I’m not sure of what the genealogy netiquette of saying this is, but proving that Henry Williams’ daughter, Susannah Williams Brooks Rice was married to Christopher Brooks, and that they were the parents of my ancestor, Christopher Williams Brooks, would disprove existing publications listing George Brooks as C W’s father.

With a little help from my new-found friend in TN, I hope to solve this mystery soon.

James WILLIAMS, 96th District, SC

In my previous post, I mentioned that my ancestor, Henry Williams of Caswell Co., NC had a brother, Colonel James Williams of the 96th District, SC who died in the Revolutionary War. I received the book I ordered “James Williams: An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry” by William Graves in the mail this week to confirm this relationship. Graves’ book gives an excellent account of the life of Colonel James Williams and includes familial activities and history based on primary sources of letters, wills, estate, and court records.

The author of this book confirms that my ancestor, Henry Williams, was in deed the brother of Colonel James Williams and says that Colonel James Williams transferred much of his assets, including his slaves, to his brother’s house for safe keeping from the Tories shortly before he died (p. 25-27).

Details of his whole estate were recorded in both Caswell Co., NC and in the 96th District, SC. This was a great find. As a side, my ancestor, Henry Williams, was also a Colonel in the Revolutionary War; Henry Williams’ great-grandson, Iverson Lea Brooks later became a General in the War between the States.

To Do:

1. Copy the Will of James Williams from the Caswell Co., NC Will folders at the State Archives [If not located, look for will recorded in Caswell Co Will Book A, p. 113, December Court 1780]
2. Copy the estate files of James Williams from the loose papers in the estate of James in Caswell Co., NC at the State Archives
3. Go through and index the Land Grants issued the Williams family in Granville Co., NC before 1800. - Updated: A summary of Land Grants was posted here.

James Williams of the 96th District, South Carolina, con’t

WILLIAMS family (Caswell Co., NC)

Last week I combed through some more WILLIAMS family entries in Katherine Kerr Kendall’s Abstract of Caswell County, NC Will Books, 1777-1843 that is posted online at ancestry.com. I found some correlations between my Henry Williams and his brother James Williams. Henry Williams administered the estate of James Williams who wrote his will in 1780 in Caswell Co., NC, having sought refuge from his home town of 96th District, SC.
Evidently this James Williams was a pretty famous Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Colonel James Williams died at the battle of King’s Mountain, Oct 1780 and is buried in Gaffney, SC.
I ordered the book “James Williams: An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry” by William Graves hoping to learn more about his family to see if he really was a brother to my Henry Williams.

Charles Brooks, Caswell Co., NC

I first ran across Charles Brooks in the ancestry.com online version of Katherine Kerr Kendall’s abstracts, “Will Books of Caswell Co., NC, 1777-1814 & 1814-1843.” According to the Will Book Abstracts, Charles Brooks wrote his will in Caswell Co., NC 7 Oct 1815 and mentioned his wife, Sally Brooks and “brother-in-law” Nathan Williams and son George Brooks to execute his estate. Charles Brooks’ will was proved in Caswell Co., NC in January court 1816.

Charles’ wife, Sally Brooks, was the daughter of Colonel Henry Williams. In his will written 1785, Henry Williams listed his daughter “Sally Brooks” as an heir (and son Nathan Williams). Sally Williams Brooks was the sister of Susannah Williams Brooks, wife of Christopher Brooks.

The following is a brief summary of who Charles Brooks was, however there is no indication about who his parents were. I hope to add more about that later. Kay Haden’s Rootsweb Family Tree File listed Charles Brooks as one of the sons of Thomas Brookes and Mary Blacknall. She also has Christopher Brookes (md. Susannah Williams) and George Brookes as brothers of Charles Brookes. They were both mentioned in the Kingston Parish Registry of Gloucester / Mathews Co., VA as sons of Thomas and Mary: “_______her Brookes”, baptized February 1755, son of Thomas and Mary; and “George Brookes,” born May 8 and baptized 12 Jun 1757, son of Thomas and Mary (p. 14).

Charles Brooks

Charles Brooks was born between 1756-1765 (1800 & 1810 Census reports) and died in Caswell Co., NC between 15 October 1815 when he wrote his will, and Jan 1816, when his will was proved. He married Sally or Sarah Williams, daughter of Henry Williams before 1785 (mentioned in father’s will of 1785 as Sally Brooks). Sarah or Sally was born between 1766 and 1770, according to the 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, & 1840 Census reports and died about January 1841 in Caswell Co., NC. (Sarah’s son George posted bond for administration of his mother’s estate on 4 Jan 1841).

There is no marriage recorded in Caswell Co., NC between Charles Brooks and Sarah/Sally Williams (Caswell Co marriage bonds, online, USGenWeb). If they married before 1777, the marriage bond could have been filed in Orange Co., NC (Caswell was formed from Orange Co., NC in 1777), or other neighboring counties (Orange was split to form Guilford, Chatham and Wake Counties in 1771; Caswell County in 1779); A search of the online archives for these counties did not bring up a marriage record. Based on the ages reported by the census reports for Sally and Charles Brooks, they were probably married between 1776-1785. They did not have any children older than 15 years listed on the 1800 census report, so that puts the birth of first child (still living) at about 1785, so probably their marriage date was more likely around 1785.

Charles was not listed on the 1777 Tax List, so he was probably not yet 21 or still living at home. He was listed on the 1784 tax list, however, he was not taxed for any land; Although he was listed on the 1784 tax list and the 1800 census report, he was not listed on the 1790 census report for any counties in NC.

Charles Brooks did not file for any land grants in Caswell Co. NC. (The grantor / grantee indexes on microfilm were not clear enough to see if there were any entries for Charles) To Do: I need to search the Deed book abstracts by Kendall to see if he bought or sold any land in NC - update 8/1/07: There were several entries in the deed book abstracts for Charles Brooks: 15, 53, 55, 57, 67, 87, 116, 136, 153, 166, 182, 188, 196, 252, 262, 292, 321, 339, 348, 356, 362. This blog entry will be updated as copies are obtained of these entries.

Charles and Sally Williams Brooks had 15 known children who were born between 1785 (1800 Caswell Co., NC census) and 1816 (when Sally Brooks deeded all of her property to her 15 children listed by name. Caswell Co., NC Deed book R, p. 273-4):

1. Blacknell Brooks
2. Patsy Brooks
3. George Brooks
4. Ursley Brooks
5. Polly Brooks
6. Elizabeth Brooks
7. Henry Brooks
8. Susannah Brooks
9. Jane Brooks
10. Sally Brooks
>11. Frances Brooks
12. Rebekah Brooks
13. Dolly Brooks
14. Henrietta Brooks
15. Melinda Brooks

According to the 1800 census report, there were 3 male children and 6 female children under the age of 15 living in the home.

Timeline of Events for Charles and Sally/Sarah Brooks:

8/1/07: Updated from Katherine Kerr Kendall’s Caswell County, North Carolina Deed Books, 1777-1817, Abstracts:

1779

Deed Book A, p. 254, State of NC, No. 30, to Thomas Brooks, 570 acres on both sides of Moon’s Creek and McCorkles Creek of Moon’s. 3 Mar 1779. chain carriers were Wm. Holderness and Chas. Brooks. (Caswell Co., NC Deed Books, 1777-1817, Abstracts, Katherine Kerr Kendall, p. 15)

1784
1784 Tax List, St. David’s District, Charles Brooks, 0 ac, 1wp, 0 bp (Will Book Abstracts, p. 139)

1785
Henry Williams mentions daughter Sally Brooks in his will written 12 April 1785, Caswell Co., NC

Caswell Co., deed book C, p. 105, 10 July 1785, William Holderness of Caswell Co., to William Page of same, for 161 pounds, 266 acres on Moon’s creek adjacent Robert Embry, Thos. Brooks, Henry Cobb, William Adkins. Witnesses: Tho. Brooks Sen., Charles Brooks. (Caswell Co., NC Deed Books, 1777-1817, Abstracts, Katherine Kerr Kendall, p. 67)

1794

Caswell Co. deed book H, p. 396-7: Thomas Brooks of Caswell Co., NC to Charles B. Brooks of same, for 100 pounds, 200 acres on Moon’s Creek adjacent Page, Swift. 18 Feb 1794. Witnesses were William Holderness, Jonathan Brooks, and Ann Brooks. (Caswell Co., NC Deed Books, 1777-1817, Abstracts, Katherine Kerr Kendall, p. 153)

1795
“Charles B. Brooks” bought items from the estate of Thomas Brooks Jun., 18 Feb 1794. Other buyers included Jane Brooks, Edmund Williamson, Will Page, Sen., Armstead Flippin, Jonathan Brooks, and Azariah Graves. The sales report was given by Jane Brooks, and Armistead Flippin, administrators. (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall p. 48 – Will Book C, p. 116, April Court 1795).

Charles Brooks also bought items from the estate of Henry Williams, 22 Sept 1795. Other buyers included William Rice, Elizabeth Williams, Malon Stacy, Samuel Dickie, Humphrey Roberts, Richard Oldham, Thomas Slade, Eli Stacy, Joseph Williams, Nathan Williams, William H Rice, David Gooch, James Yancey, and George Poe. Report given by William Rice, executor. (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall p. 50 – Book C, p. 140, October court 1795).

* I am not sure if this is Colonel Henry Williams, Charles Brooks’ father-in-law, or a son of Henry Williams. Colonel Henry Williams died in 1786 and this estate sale was in 1795, which is 10 years after his death. I will check the estate records to see if this was included in Colonel Henry Williams’ estate

1799
Charles Brooks bought items from the estate of Mary Simpson. (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, abstracts by Kendall, p. 65 – Will Book C, p. 388, April Court 1799).

1800
“Chas Brooks” was enumerated on the 1800 Caswell Co., NC Census report (Hillsboro), p. 148: In the household, there were 1 male under 10 years of age, 2 males between 10-15 years, 1 male between 26-44 years (Charles), 4 females under the age of 10, 2 females between 10-15 years, and 1 female between 26 – 44 years of age (wife); Both Charles and his wife were born bet. 1756-1774.

1801
Charles Brooks purchased items from the estate of Macksfield Henslee. (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall, p. 78 – Will Book D, p. 79, October Court 1801).

1803
Charles Brooks purchased items from the estate of John Brown dec’d, 22 Nov 1798. Report given by John H. Brown. (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall, p. 85 – Will Book D, p. 162, April Court 1803)

1810
Charles Brooks purchased items from the estate of Joseph Bush. Other buyers included Maryann Bush, Zenas Bush, Thomas Harrelson, Betsy Flemming, John Simmons, Archibald Rice, Stephen Ingram, … Thomas Holderness, Hosea McNeill, etc (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall, p. 118- Will Book F, p. 109, April Court 1810)

Charles Brooks was enumerated on the 1810 Caswell Co., NC Census Report, p. 48: In the household, there was 1 male between the ages of 10-15, 1 male between the ages of 16-25, 1 male over 45 years of age, 5 females under the age of 10, 2 females between 10-15 years, 3 females between 16-25 years and 1 female between 26- 44 years of age. Charles was born before 1765; His wife was born between 1766-1784.

1815
“Charles H. Brooks” wrote a will 7 Oct 1815 and mentioned wife Sally Brooks to raise all children and brother-in-law Nathan Williams and son George Brooks to execute the estate.

Charles Brooks died in Caswell Co., NC between 7 Oct 1815 and Jan 1816.

Is there a copy of his will filed in Caswell County Will folders at the NC State Archives?

1816
Charles’ will was proved Jan court 1816: “Charles H. Brooks,” will written 7 Oct 1815, wife Sally Brooks to raise children and dispose of estate at her discretion. Exec: Brother in law Nathan Williams, son George Brooks. Wits: Henrietta Rice, Jesse Payne. (Will Book abstracts, p. 9)
(Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall, p. 9 – Will Book G, p. 134, Jan court 1816).

George Brooks purchased 1 sorrel mare and 1 bay horse from the estate of Charles H. Brooks, 29 Jan 1816. (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall, p. 10 – Will Book G, p. 159, April Court 1816).

Nathan Williams and George Brooks, executors of the estate of Charles Brooks, submitted a statement of property of Charles Brooks, deceased. There was a note against Edmund Rice that was due 1815. (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall, p. 11 – Will Book G, April Court 1816)

Sally Brooks, George Brooks, William H. Rice, Samuel Fielder, Nathaniel Rice & others purchased items from the estate of Elizabeth Williams, 29 Jan 1816.
(Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall, p. 11 – Book G, p. 180, April Court 1816).

Sally Brooks of Caswell Co., to beloved children Blacknell Brooks, Patsy Bush, George Brooks, Ursley Brooks, Polly Brooks, Elizabeth Brooks, Henry brooks, Susannah Brooks, Jane Brooks, Sally Brooks, Frances Brooks, Rebekah Brooks, Dolly Brooks, Henrietta Brooks, Melinda Brooks, for love and affection, all her property after her decease or intermarriage. If 3 youngest are under 12, brother Nathan Williams and son George Brooks should be execs; each to have 15/17 part exept a colt known as Medley. 21 Mar 1816. Wits: Gregory Hightowner, John Walterfield. (Caswell Co., NC Deed Book R (1777-1817), p. 1816, 273-4)

1820
1820 Caswell Co., NC Census Report:
Sarah Brooks household: 1 male 16 to 26; 1 female under 10, 3 females 10 to 16, 2 females 16 to 26, 1 female 26 to 45, 1 female over 45 years; 6 slaves. Sarah Brooks was born before 1775.

1826
Salley Brookes was a “debtor” to the estate of Dr. Edward Foulkes, per ledgers A, B, and C, accounts dating back to 1818. This list is 6 pages long. Also included as debtors were people from other counties. (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall, p. 79 – Will Book L, p. 52, April Court 1826).

1830
1830 Caswell Co., NC Census Report:
Sarah Brooks, 1m 30-40; 1f 15-20, 1f 20-30, 1f 60-70; + 9 slaves
Sarah was born bet. 1760-1770.

1840
1840 Caswell Co., NC Census Report:
Sarah Brooks, 1f 5-10 (probably a granddaughter), 1f 20-30, 1f 70-80
Sarah Brooks was born between 1760-1770.

1842
In the January court 1842, George Brooks reported on the Inventory of negroes of Sarah Brooks, deceased, which were sold to Richard Jones, Saml. Moore, Henry W. Brooks, & Henry Cobb. (Caswell Co., NC Will Books, Abstracts by Kendall, p. 155 – Will Book O, p. 317, Jan court 1842).