JORDAN BROOKS (2)

At the publication of the first edition of “Brooks Family History,” Jordan Brooks was the oldest known ancestor of the authors.  At that time, it was believed that Jordan was related to the Robert Brooks family of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, however, the relationship was not known.  With the discovery of the 1783 Personal Property Tax list showing Jordan Brooks living in the same household as Robert Brooks, Sr., the authors became convinced that Jordan was a son of Robert Brooks, Sr.

There are numerous other legal documents linking Jordan Brooks to the children of Robert Brooks, Sr.  Jordan Brooks signed the Surety Bond for the marriage of Robert’s daughter, Nelly.  Additionally, Daniel Baugh, who married the Robert’s daughter, Lucy, witnessed many of Jordan’s deeds in Edgefield County, South Carolina and later lived in Putnam County, Georgia during the same time that Jordan did.  Furthermore, it is known that several of the children of Robert Brooks lived in Edgefield County, South Carolina during the same period that Jordan did.  Although Jordan was not mentioned in the will of Robert Brooks, Sr., neither was Robert Rose Brooks.  Robert Rose Brooks was proven to be the son Robert Brooks, Sr. in the 1780 consent certificate of marriage where Robert Brooks gave consent “to my son, Robert Rose Brooks.”  Robert Rose Brooks also followed Jordan to Edgefield County, South Carolina, the same counties in Georgia and later lived in Pike County, Alabama where Jordan’s son, Williamson later lived.

According to the 1830 census of Upson County, Georgia, Jordan was born between 1760 and 1770.  The 1783 tithable list indicates that Jordan Brooks must have turned sixteen around 1783 which implies that Jordan was probably born in the mid 1760’s.  “Brooks Family History” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley states that Jordan was born in Virginia.  Additionally, the 1900 Census record of John Wesley Brooks shows that John’s father, Jordan, was born in Virginia.  According to “Brooks Family History” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley, Jordan’s “first wife’s name was Mary Cruse.”  Because two of their oldest sons were born in Virginia in the late 1780’s and two of their daughters were born prior to 1790, Jordan Brooks probably married Mary Cruse in Mecklenburg County, Virginia in the early 1780’s.  Two Edgefield County, South Carolina deeds dated 1798 and 1807, confirm that Jordan’s first wife’s name was Mary.

The earliest known document of Jordan Brooks was the 1783 Personal Property Tax List of Mecklenburg County, Virginia where Jordan was living in the same household as father, Robert Brooks, Sr. and his brother, Robert Rose Brooks.  Jordan was also listed in the 1787 Personal Property Tax List.  The last reference of Jordan Brooks living in Virginia was where Jordan signed the 1787 marriage bond of his sister, Nelly.  Two 1850 Census records indicate that Jordan’s two oldest sons, Isham and Robert, were born in Virginia in the late 1780’s.

The earliest documentation of Jordan Brooks living in South Carolina is the 1790 census of Edgefield County, South Carolina.  Jordan is listed with his wife, two sons (born 1784 to 1790) and two daughters.  On June 5, 1795, Jordan paid William and Mary Coursey 40 pounds for 200 acres located in the Edgefield District of South Carolina.  This land was situated on Beaverdam Creek, a branch of Turkey Creek, a prong of Stephen’s Creek of the Savannah River.  On May 28, 1798, Jordan and Mary Brooks sold this 200 acres to William Terry.  On April 10, 1799, Jordan Brooks paid Roger Smith $140 for 72 acres located in Edgefield District, South Carolina.  This land was situated on Log Creek of Turkey Creek, waters of the Savannah River.  Jordan is enumerated in the 1800 census of Edgefield County, South Carolina.  Jordan (born 1755 to 1774) is listed with his wife (born 1755 to 1774), two daughters and two sons (born 1784 to 1790) and three daughters (born 1790 to 1800).  On February 7, 1804, Jordan Brooks bought 100 acres from Charles William in Edgefield District, South Carolina.  On March 18, 1805, Jordan paid Jesse Hill $6 for 18 acres located in Edgefield District, South Carolina.  On January 10, 1807, Jordan and Mary Brooks sold the land that they bought from Charles William and Jesse Hill.  Caleb Calloway paid $800 for this land.

According to the 1790 and 1800 censuses of Edgefield County, South Carolina, Jordan Brooks and Mary (Cruse) Brooks were the parents of two daughters and two sons (born 1784 to 1790) and three daughters (born 1790 to 1800).  Jordan’s will only mentions three daughters by his first wife:  Elizabeth Slaughter, Martha Perkins and Lucy Wilkinson.  “Brooks Family History” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley states that Jordan Brooks and Mary (Cruse) Brooks were the parents of three daughters:  Sarah who married Joel Jackson, Elizabeth who married Joe Slaughter and Patsy who married Lite Perkins.  This leaves one of their daughters unaccounted for.  According to Jordan’s will, “Brooks Family History” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley and various censuses, Jordan Brooks and Mary (Cruse) Brooks were the parents of ten children:

   Sarah Brooks (2.1), b. 1784 - 1790
   One Daughter, b. 1784 - 1790
   Isham Brooks (2.3), b. 1786, Virginia
   Robert Brooks (2.4), b. 1787, Virginia
   Elizabeth Brooks (2.5), b. 1790, Edgefield County, South Carolina
   Martha Brooks (2.6), b. 1794, Edgefield County, South Carolina
   Lucy Brooks (2.7), b. 1790 - 1800, Edgefield County, South Carolina
   Williamson Brooks (3), b. December 25, 1800, Edgefield County, South Carolina
   Allen Brooks (2.9), b. 1802, Edgefield County, South Carolina
   Wyatt Brooks (2.10), b. September 30, 1805, Edgefield County, South Carolina

Mary (Cruse) Brooks witnessed an Edgefield County, South Carolina deed on January 10, 1807.  On May 1, 1811, Jordan sold land in Putnam County, Georgia “except (for) twelve feet square in the Garden, containing the grave of the late Mrs. Jordan Brooks.”  A reproduction of this deed is included in the back of this book.  Because Jordan married a second time on September 21, 1810, Mary (Cruse) Brooks died in Putnam County, Georgia between 1807 and 1810.

“Brooks Family History” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley states that Jordan Brooks moved “to Putnam County, Georgia in 1808.”  In March of 1809, Jordan served on a Pettit Jury in Putnam County, Georgia.  On September 21, 1810, Jordan Brooks married a second time to Mary Jackson in Putnam County, Georgia.  A reproduction of this marriage license is included in the back of this book.  According to the 1850 census of Talbot County, Georgia, Mary (Jackson) Brooks was born in Georgia around 1779.  “Brooks Family History” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley states that Mary Jackson was “a sister to Joel Jackson” who married Sarah Brooks (1.1), Jordan’s daughter by his first marriage.  According to Mrs. C. L. Boiles, Mary Jackson was a widow and had two children by her previous marriage:  Isaac Jackson and Joseph Jackson.  It is unlikely that Mary had a brother whose last name was Jackson and that she married a man whose last name was Jackson, therefore, one of the above accounts must be in error.

Jordan Brooks and his family were probably listed in the 1810 census of Putnam County, Georgia, but these records were lost in the destruction of public buildings when the British burned Washington in 1814.  On May 1, 1811, Jordan and his new wife, Mary (Jackson) Brooks, sold 202½ acres to James Reese, Sr. for $1200.  This land was situated in Putnam County, formerly Baldwin County, Georgia and was originally granted to Joshua Loper on November 12, 1805.  Jordan Brooks is enumerated in the 1820 census of Wilkinson County, Georgia.  Jordan (born prior to 1775) is listed with his second wife (born 1775 to 1794), one son (born 1794 to 1802), one son (born 1802 to 1804), one son (born 1804 to 1810) and one son and three daughters (born 1810 to 1820).  “Sesquicentennial Pike County, Georgia” shows that Jordan Brooks was on the 1825 tax digest.  “History of Lamar County, Georgia” shows that in 1828 Jordan Brooks was a member of the Barnesville Methodist Episcopal Church in what was then Pike County, Georgia.

Jordan is listed in the 1830 census of Upson County, Georgia.  Jordan Brooks, Sr. (born 1760 to 1770) is listed with his wife (born 1770 to 1780), one son and one daughter (born 1810 to 1815), two daughters (born 1815 to 1820) and one son and one daughter (born 1820 to 1825).  On December 21, 1830, Henry Sims of Walton County sold 202½ acres of land to Jordan Brooks of Upson County.  On July 7, 1833, Jordan Brooks of Upson County, Georgia sold land to Williamson Brooks of Talbot County, Georgia.

According to Jordan’s will, “Brooks Family History” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley and various censuses, Jordan Brooks and Mary (Jackson) Brooks were the parents of six children:

   One Daughter, b. 1811 - 1815
   Francis Asberry Brooks (2.12), b. 1815, Georgia
   Susan J. Brooks (2.13), b. 1816, Georgia
   Helen Brooks (2.14), b. 1819, Georgia
   Roseany Brooks (2.15), b. 1820 - 1825, Georgia
   John Wesley Brooks (2.16), b. February 4, 1822, Georgia

Jordan Brooks signed his will on October 5, 1835 in Talbot County, Georgia.  It was proven on April 1, 1839, therefore, Jordan Brooks died in Talbot County, Georgia in the early part of 1839.  A reproduction of Jordan’s will is included in the back of this book.  Mary (Jackson) Brooks is enumerated in the 1840 census of Talbot County, Georgia.  Mary Brooks (born 1770 to 1780) is listed with two daughters (born 1810 to 1820) and one son and one daughter (born 1820 to 1825).  In 1850, Mary (Jackson) Brooks is listed with her daughter, Susan (Brooks) Turner, in Talbot County, Georgia.  Also in 1850, another Mary Brooks is listed with her son, Francis Brooks, in Marion County, Georgia.  Because censuses in different counties were taken at different times, both could be Mary (Jackson) Brooks.

References (General):  1)  “Brooks Family History,” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley, 1944;  2)  Letter, Mrs. C. L. Boiles to Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr., April 3, 1976

References (Virginia):  3)  Personal Property Tax Lists, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, 1783 and 1787;  4)  Marriage Bond, Frederick Jones and Nelly Brooks, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, signed by Jordan Brooks, 1787;  5)  Revolutionary War Pension Application Number S10422, Robert Brooks

References (South Carolina):  6)  1790 Census, Edgefield County, South Carolina;  7)  Deed, William and Mary Coursey to Jordan Brooks, 200 acres, Edgefield District, South Carolina, Volume 12, Page 222, July 5, 1795;  8)  Deed, Jordan and Mary Brooks to William Terry, 200 acres, Edgefield District, South Carolina, Volume 15, Page 440, May 28, 1798;  9)  Deed, Roger Smith to Jordan Brooks, 72 acres, Edgefield District, South Carolina, Volume 16, Page 617, April 10, 1779;  10)  1800 Census, Edgefield County, South Carolina;  11)  Deed, Jesse and Mary Hill to Jordan Brooks, 18¼ acres, Edgefield District, South Carolina, Volume 26, Page 462, March 18, 1805;  12)  Deed, Jordan and Mary Brooks to Caleb Calloway, 132 acres, Edgefield District, South Carolina, Volume 29, Page 431, January 10, 1807

References (Georgia):  13)  Superior Court Minutes, Putnam County, Georgia, Book A, Page 27, March 1, 1809;  14)  Marriage License, Jordan Brooks to Mary Jackson, Putnam County, Georgia, September 21, 1810;  15)  Deed, Jordan and Mary Brooks to James Reese, Sr., 202½ acres, Putnam County, Georgia, May 1, 1811;  16)  1820 Census, Wilkinson County, Georgia;  17)  “Sesquicentennial Pike County, Georgia, 1822 - 1972,” 1972;  18)  “History of Lamar County, Georgia,” by Mrs. Augusta Lambdin, 1932;  19)  1830 Census, Upson County, Georgia;  20)  Deed, Henry Sims to Jourdan Brooks, 202½ acres, Talbot County, Georgia, Book B, Page 115, December 21, 1830;  21)  Deed, Jordan Brooks to Williamson Brooks, Talbot County, Georgia, Book C, Page 193, July 7, 1833;  22)  Will, Jordan Brooks, Talbot County, Georgia, written on October 5, 1835, proven on April 1, 1839;  23)  1840 and 1850 Censuses, Talbot County, Georgia;  24)  1850 Census, Marion County, Georgia

SARAH BROOKS (2.1) is the daughter of Jordan Brooks (2) and Mary (Cruse) Brooks.  Sarah is the only known daughter or son of Jordan Brooks who is not listed in Jordan’s will which was written in 1835.  However, censuses indicate that Jordan Brooks and Mary (Cruse) Brooks had other daughters (born 1784 to 1800) and “Brooks Family History” clearly shows that Jordan Brooks had a daughter named Sarah who married Joel Jackson.  Because Sarah married in 1808, it is believed that she was born between 1784 and 1790 in either Virginia or South Carolina.  “Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia” show that Sarah Brooks married Joel Jackson on March 24, 1808 in Putnam County, Georgia.  According to “Brooks Family History,” Joel and Sarah Jackson were the parents of at least six children:

   Carter Jackson
   Andrew Jackson
   Jasper Jackson
   Newton Jackson
   Joel Jackson, Jr.
   William Jackson

In 1820, a Joel Jackson is enumerated in the census of Wilkinson County, Georgia near Jordan Brooks (1).  Joel (born prior to 1775) is listed with another male (born prior to 1775), his wife (born 1794 to 1804), one son (born 1804 to 1810) and two sons and one daughter (born 1810 to 1820).  According to “Franklin County, Georgia Records,” a Joel Jackson participated in the 1820 Land Lottery and was listed as a “fortunate drawer,” receiving Lot Number 260, District Number 27 in Early County, Georgia.  In 1830, a Joel Jackson is listed in the Franklin County, Georgia census.  Joel (born 1780 to 1790) is listed with his wife (born 1800 to 1810), one daughter (born 1815 to 1820), one son and one daughter (born 1820 to 1825) and one son and one daughter (born 1825 to 1830).  There was also a Joel H. Jackson who married Unity Whitehurst.  Unity was mentioned as the wife of Joel Jackson in the 1826 will of her father, Lanfair Whitehurst.  This Joel Jackson died prior to January 17, 1827 when his property was inventoried.  Unity Jackson, Andrew P. Jackson, Mary Jane Jackson and Joseph Jackson received payments from Joel Jackson’s estate.

References:  1)  “Brooks Family History,” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley, 1944;  2)  “Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia, 1807 - 1860,” by E. F. Hull;  3)  1820 Census, Wilkinson County, Georgia;  4)  1830 Census, Franklin County, Georgia;  5)  “Franklin County, Georgia Records,” by Frances Wynd;  6)  “Wilkinson County, Georgia Historical Collections,” by Joseph T. Maddox;  7)  Will of Lanfair Whitehurst, Wilkinson County, Georgia, probated 1827;  8)  Talbot County, Georgia Court Records

ISHAM BROOKS (2.3) is the son of Jordan Brooks and Mary (Cruse) Brooks.  Isham was born in 1786 in Virginia.  On October 3, 1811, Isham Brooks married Lezina (Daniel) Jordan in Putnam County, Georgia.  Lezina (Daniel) Jordan was born in 1788 in North Carolina and is the daughter of Nathan Daniel.  Lezina married Levi Jordan in Hancock County, Georgia on December 26, 1805 and they were the parents of two children:  Wiley Jordan who died young and Sallie Jordan who married Robert Patrick.  Levi Jordan died in 1809 and Lezina then married Isham Brooks in 1811.  From 1811 to 1840, Isham and Lezina Brooks lived in Putnam County, Georgia.  In 1850, Isham and Lezina Brooks were living in Talbot County, Georgia.  Isham and Lezina Brooks were the parents of six children:

   Jordan Cruse Brooks (2.3.1), b. 1812, Putnam County, Georgia
   Joseph Daniel Brooks (2.3.2), b. May 21, 1814, Putnam County, Georgia
   Isaac Turner Brooks (2.3.3), b. October 15, 1818, Putnam County, Georgia
   William Franklin Brooks (2.3.4), b. 1820, Putnam County, Georgia
   Robert Brooks (2.3.5), b. September 23, 1825, Putnam County, Georgia
   Alexander Sidney Brooks (2.3.6), b. 1828, Putnam County, Georgia

Isham Brooks died on August 23, 1852 in Talbotton, Georgia.  Isham’s obituary in the “Columbus Enquirer” states the following:  “As an instructor of youth, a pursuit to which our deceased brother gave many years of his useful life, he accomplished much good.  He was attentive, laborious, faithful and competent, and it was his pleasure as it was his pride to have given direction to the early studies and mental training of some of the most distinguished men in Georgia.”  In 1860, Lezina (Daniel) Brooks was living with her son, Joseph Brooks, in Talbot County, Georgia.  In 1870, Lezina (Daniel) Brooks lived in Talbot County, Georgia and died there at her grandson’s, Alfred Patrick, on May 20, 1873.

References:  1)  Marriage License, Levi Jordan to Lezina Daniel, Hancock County, Georgia, (License is located in Clarke County, Georgia records);  2)  Court Minutes, Estate of Levi Jordan, Putnam County, Georgia, Book A, Page 21, July 22, 1809;  3)  1820, 1830 and 1840 Censuses, Putnam County, Georgia;  4)  1850 and 1860 Censuses, Talbot County, Georgia;  5)  Will of Isham Brooks, 1851, Talbot County, Georgia;  6)  Obituary, Isham Brooks, “Columbus Enquirer,” Page 3, September 14, 1852;  7)  Obituary, Mrs. Lazina Brooks, “The Southern Christian Advocate,” Volume 33, Page 132, August 20, 1873;  8)  “Brooks Family History,” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley, 1944;  9)  “Brooks and Kindred Families,” by Ida (Brooks) Kellam, 1950, Page 70;  10)  Letter, John Sheftall to Robert Casey, July 10, 1980

Home of Isham Brooks

JORDAN CRUSE BROOKS (2.3.1) is the son of Isham Brooks and Lezina (Daniel) Brooks.  Jordan was born in 1812 in Putnam County, Georgia.  On December 18, 1832, Jordan Brooks married Caroline Linch in Putnam County, Georgia.  Caroline was born in 1814 and was the daughter of Lewis Henry Linch and Amy (Mosely) Linch.  In 1850, Jordan and Caroline Brooks were living in Putnam County, Georgia.  In 1860, they were living in Muscogee County, Georgia.  Jordan and Caroline Brooks were the parents of at least eight children:

   W. Wilkins Brooks, b. 1838, Georgia
   Robert C. Brooks (2.3.1.2), b. 1839, Georgia
   Isham R. Brooks (2.3.1.3) , b. August 29, 1843, Putnam County, Georgia
   Amanda Vandalia Brooks (2.3.1.4), b. October 26, 1846, Putnam Co., Georgia
   Alexander Sidney Brooks (2.3.1.5), b. May 14, 1847, Georgia
   Martha E. Brooks (2.3.1.6), b. July, 1851, Georgia
   Araminta Frances Brooks (2.3.1.7), b. May, 1854, Georgia
   Adelaide Macon Brooks (2.3.1.8), b. May, 1860, Georgia

Jordan Brooks enlisted on July 12, 1861 as a private in the Confederate Army.  He served in Company F, 37th Regiment of the Georgia Volunteer Infantry originating from Muscogee County, Georgia.  Jordan was discharged for ill health on November 27, 1861.  In 1867, Isham R. Brooks returned taxes for his mother indicating that Jordan Cruse Brooks died before then.  Wilkins Brooks served in the Civil War and died as a result of the war.  Wilkins died of pneumonia in Columbus, Georgia on March 29, 1862.  Jordan Cruse Brooks is buried in an unmarked grave in the Midway Church Cemetery in Muscogee County, Georgia.  Caroline (Linch) Brooks died after 1880.

References:  1)  Will of Isham Brooks, 1851, Talbot County, Georgia;  2)  “37,000 Early Georgia Marriages,” by Joseph T. Maddox and Mary Carter;  3)  1850 Census, Putnam County, Georgia;  4)  1860 Census, Muscogee County, Georgia;  5)  “Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia, 1807 - 1860,” by E. F. Hull;  6)  Letter, John Sheftall to Robert Casey, July 10, 1980;  7)  “Brooks Family History,” by Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr., June 12, 1980;  8)  Letter, Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr. to Robert Casey, July 27, 1981;  9)  Letter, Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr. to Robert Casey, July 24, 1982

ROBERT C. BROOKS (2.3.1.2) is the son of Jordan Cruse Brooks and Caroline (Linch) Brooks.  Robert was born in 1839 in Georgia.  On October 22, 1859, Robert Brooks married Sophia Evaline Phillips (born 1838 in Georgia) in Muscogee County, Georgia.  In 1860, Robert and Evaline Brooks were living next to his father’s family in Muscogee County, Georgia.  Robert and Evaline were the parents of two children:

   Mary Brooks, b. 1860, Georgia
   Jefferson Brooks, b. 1862, Georgia

Mary “Mollie” Brooks married a Mr. Willet and they had one daughter:  Kate Willit.  Robert C. Brooks died in the Civil War on August 2, 1863 at Old Marion, Mississippi.  In 1870, Evaline (Phillips) Brooks was living with her two children in Chattahoochee County, Georgia.

References:  1)  1860 Census, Muscogee County, Georgia;  2)  1870 Census, Chattahoochee County, Georgia;  3)  “Brooks Family History,” by Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr., June 12, 1980