9-256   INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

SUSANNAH OLLIFF (1.5) is the daughter of John Shears Olliff and Johannah (Jackson) Olliff.  According to the 1846 pension application, Susannah Olliff married a Mr. Brooks.  According to Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley, “Williamson Brooks was born Dec. 25, 1800 in Edgefield District, South Carolina.  His wife Susie Olliff was born in 1800 in Wilkerson Co., Ga.”  It is known that Susannah’s father, John Shears Olliff, died in Bulloch County, Georgia in either 1801 or 1802, therefore, it more likely that Susannah was actually born in Bulloch County, Georgia.  In 1817, Susannah Olliff was mentioned as being a minor in her father’s estate records.  These estate records state:  “Three months schooling and boarding for two minor children of John Olliff, deceased, Susannah and Mary Olliff, March 15, 1817.”

According to Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley, Williamson Brooks married “Susie Olliff.”  Williamson and Susannah were married sometime between 1817 and 1823.  Susannah was known to have been single on March 15, 1817 and she had her first child on September 30, 1823.  Also, it is probable that Susannah Olliff married Williamson Brooks in Wilkinson County, Georgia.  It is known that Susannah’s sister, Mary Olliff, married in Wilkinson County in 1822 and that her brother, Benjamin Olliff, was living in Wilkinson County, in 1820.  Furthermore, it is known that her husband, Williamson Brooks was conducting business in Wilkinson County in 1825.  Williamson Brooks definitely married a woman named Susanna.  Two different Bible records list “Susanna Brooks” as the wife of Williamson Brooks and both state that Susanna was born on September 22, 1800.  Additionally, the 1850 census of Pike County, Alabama lists Williamson and Susanna Brooks with many of the children listed in the two different Bible records.  Williamson’s daughter, Sarah (Brooks) Shelburne, also used the Olliff family name when she named her daughter, Virginia Olliff Shelburne.

The marriage of Susannah Olliff to Williamson Brooks conflicts with the 1938 D. A. R. application by Annie (Olliff) Kennedy that indicates that Susannah Olliff married “Jordan Brooks.”  This account is definitely incorrect and there is much documentation that indicates that Susannah Brooks married Williamson Brooks who was the son of Jordan Brooks and Mary (Cruse) Brooks.  A marriage license clearly shows that Jordan Brooks married his second wife, Mary Jackson, on September 21, 1810 in Putnam County, Georgia.  Additionally, Jordan Brooks refers to his “second wife” in his will several times and mentions another time “wife May.”  This will was signed on October 5, 1835 and was recorded in Talbot County, Georgia on April 1, 1839.  This will not only mentions his son, “Williamson” but also mentions all other surviving children of Jordan Brooks.  This list of children provides an excellent match with the children of Jordan Brooks found the “Brooks Family History” written by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley.


Williamson Brooks
Ca. 1870
Courtesy of Alton Howell Brooks


OLLIFF FAMILY HISTORY   9-257

According to “Wilkinson County, Georgia Historical Collections,” it is known that Williamson Brooks traded with Beall and Patterson in Wilkinson County, Georgia in 1825.  From 1830 to 1840, Williamson Brooks was living in Talbot County, Georgia.  In January of 1842, Williamson and Susannah Brooks moved to Alabama.  In 1850, Williamson and Susannah Brooks were living in Pike County, Alabama.  Williamson and Susannah Brooks were the parents of eight children:

   Mary Jordan Brooks (1.5.1), b. September 30, 1823, Wilkinson County, Georgia
   John Clark Brooks (1.5.2), b. September 30, 1825, Georgia
   Wyatt Marion Brooks (1.5.3), b. January 24, 1828, Upson County, Georgia
   Allen Turner Brooks (1.5.4), b. June 27, 1830, Talbot County, Georgia
   Robert Wright Brooks (1.5.5), b. January 21, 1833, Talbot County, Georgia
   Sarah A. E. Brooks (1.5.6), b. September 17, 1835, Talbot County, Georgia
   Francis Asberry Brooks (1.5.7), b. August 22, 1837, Talbot County, Georgia
   Martha Eliza Brooks (1.5.8), b. June 22, 1840, Georgia


Front Row (Adults sitting):  Not known, James Wilkes Whittington
James Calvin Whittington, Mary Jordan (Brooks) Whittington
Sarah Ann (Brooks) Shelburne, Wyatt Marion Brooks, Robert Wright Brooks
Francis Asberry Brooks, Victoria (Glover) Brooks, Allen Turner Brooks
Helena (Luco) Brooks, Sarah (Shoemaker) Brooks
Back Row (Standing):  Third person Gaidye Whittington (man with moustache)
ninth person Julia (Whittington) Hollingsworth (right of woman with bonnet)
twelth person Suzie (Gates) Pommier (woman with black trim on jacket)
seventeenth person Sarah (Whittington) English (woman with white blouse)
eighteenth person Nancy (Whittington) Reese (woman with hands clasped)
nineteenth person Sarah (Reese) Houchins (left of young girl)
twenty-first person George Houchins (tall man)
twenty-fifth person Billy Beck (man with beard)
Brooks and Whittington Family Reunion (1891)
Courtesy of Alton Howell Brooks


Susannah (Olliff) Brooks died on September 11, 1851.  In 1860, Williamson and what appears to be a second wife, Mary Brooks (born 1808 in South Carolina), were living in Dale County, Alabama.  In 1870, a William Brooks (born 1800 in Virginia) and a Lucy Brooks (born 1812 in Virginia) were living in Austin County, Texas.  It is very likely that this was actually Williamson Brooks.  Williamson Brooks died on May 6, 1879 and was buried in the Geiger Cemetery near Sublime, Texas.  Williamson and Susannah Brooks are both direct ancestors of the authors.  Around 1,500 descendants (105 pages) of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks are contained in the book, “Brooks Family History” by Bernice and Robert Casey.  This 382 page book with hardback cover is available for $30.00 postpaid from Bernice (Brooks) Casey, 1002 Westwood Drive, Stillwater, OK 74074 or Robert Brooks Casey, 4705 Fred Eby, Jr. Lane, Austin, TX 78731.

References:  1)  Estate Records of John Olliff, Bulloch County, Georgia, March 15, 1817 (abstract by Dorothy Brannen);  2)  1830 and 1840 Censuses, Talbot County, Georgia;  3)  Revolutionary War Pension Application of John Olive (Olliff), Number R7788, 1846;  4)  1850 Census, Pike County, Alabama;  5)  1860 Census, Dale County, Alabama;  6)  1870 Census, Austin County, Texas;  7)  Geiger Cemetery, Sublime, Texas;  8)  “Brooks Family History,” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley, 1944;  9)  Family Bible of Williamson Brooks, in possession of Marion E. Brooks, El Campo, Texas;  10)  Family Bible of Williamson Brooks, in possession of S. Gregg Blair, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;  11)  D. A. R. application, Annie (Olliff) Kennedy, Number 298171, 1938;  12)  Ancestor Histories, Archibald Bulloch Chapter of the D. A. R., Statesboro, Georgia, 1981;  13)  “Wilkinson County, Georgia Historical Collections,” by Joseph T. Maddox;  14)  “Brooks Family History,” by Bernice and Robert Casey, 1982

9-258   INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

MARY JORDAN BROOKS (1.5.1) is the daughter of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks.  Mary was born on September 30, 1823 in Wilkinson County, Georgia.  On October 12, 1844, Mary Brooks married James Calvin Whittington.  James was born on May 20, 1820 in Charleston, South Carolina and is the son of Burrell Whittington, Jr. and Sarah (Shoemaker) Whittington.  James Whittington’s grandfather, Burrell Whittington, was a veteran of the Revolutionary War.  In 1850, James and Mary Whittington were living in Pike County, Alabama.  In 1854, James and Mary Whittington moved to Texas.  From 1859 to 1866, they were living in Austin County, Texas.  James and Mary Whittington were the parents of five children:

   Julia Ann Whittington (1.5.1.1), b. November, 1846, Alabama
   Gaidye Z. Whittington (1.5.1.2), b. 1847, Alabama
   Sarah S. Whittington (1.5.1.3), b. November, 1855, Texas
   James Wilkes Whittington (1.5.1.4), b. February, 1859, Texas
   Burrell W. Whittington (1.5.1.5), b. February, 1861, Austin County, Texas

From 1867 to 1902, James and Mary Whittington were living in Colorado County, Texas.  James Calvin Whittington died on August 21, 1902 and Mary (Brooks) Whittington died on April 23, 1903.  Both were buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery near Weimar, Texas.  It is not certain what Mary J. (Brooks) Whittington’s middle name actually was.  According to Susie (Brooks) Danforth, it was Jordan but according to the 1900 Census, it was Jane.

References:  1)  1850 Census, Pike County, Alabama;  2)  1860 Census, Austin County, Texas;  3)  1880 and 1900 Censuses, Colorado County, Texas;  4)  Tax Rolls, Austin County, Texas, 1859 to 1866;  5)  Tax Rolls, Colorado County, Texas, 1867 to 1901;  6)  Family Bible of Williamson Brooks, in possession of Gregg Blair, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;  7)  “Brooks Family History,” by Susie (Brooks) Danforth, 1946;  8)  Interview, Alton Howell Brooks by Robert Casey, January, 1981;  9)  Interview, Virginia (Wade) Beard by Robert Casey, July, 1982;  10)  Interview, Elizabeth (Gibson) Scott by Robert Casey, October, 1982

JOHN CLARK BROOKS (1.5.2) is the son of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks.  John was born on September 30, 1825 in Georgia.  In January of 1848, John Brooks married Sarah Ann Shoemaker (born 1831 in Tennessee).  In 1850, John and Sarah Brooks were living in Pike County, Alabama.  From 1858 to 1861, they were living in Austin County, Texas.  From 1867 to 1880, John and Sarah Brooks were living in Lavaca County, Texas.  John and Sarah Brooks were the parents of at least eight children:

   Amanda Maude Brooks (1.5.2.1), b. November, 1849
   Mary L. Brooks, b. 1852, Texas
   Levi W. Brooks (1.5.2.3), b. November 3, 1854, Texas
   John Calvin Brooks (1.5.2.4), b. June, 1860, Austin County, Texas
   James Robert Brooks (1.5.2.5), b. April 20, 1864, Lavaca County, Texas
   William E. Brooks, b. 1867, Lavaca County, Texas
   Eugene O. Brooks, b. May 5, 1870, Lavaca County, Texas
   Alonzo Webb Brooks (1.5.2.8), b. May 26, 1871, Lavaca County, Texas

OLLIFF FAMILY HISTORY   9-259

John Clark Brooks served as First Lieutenant in the Confederate Army from 1862 to 1863.  John served under Captains Daniel and Martin (Company A) and Colonel Elmore (Second Regiment).  John Clark Brooks died on January 28, 1891 and Sarah (Shoemaker) Brooks died in 1921.  Both were buried in the Geiger Cemetery near Sublime, Texas.  It is not certain what John C. Brooks’ middle name actually was.  According to Susie (Brooks) Danforth, it was Clark but according to Noma (Brooks) Grunewald, it was Calvin.  Mary Brooks married Lon Bray.  Eugene Brooks died on October 29, 1873 and was buried in the Geiger Cemetery.

References:  1)  1850 Census, Pike County, Alabama;  2)  1860 Census, Austin County, Texas;  3)  1870 and 1880 Censuses, Lavaca County, Texas;  4)  Tax Rolls, Austin County, Texas, 1858 to 1861;  5)  Tax Rolls, Lavaca County, Texas, 1867 to 1875;  6)  Civil War Pension Records, J. C. Brooks;  7)  Geiger Cemetery, Sublime, Texas;  8)  “Brooks Family History,” by Susie (Brooks) Danforth, 1946;  9)  Interview, Noma (Brooks) Grunewald by Robert Casey, January, 1981

WYATT MARION BROOKS (1.5.3) is the son of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks.  Wyatt was born on January 24, 1828 in Upson County, Georgia.  In 1850, Wyatt was living in Pike County, Alabama with his sister, Mary (Brooks) Whittington.  On September 27, 1855, Wyatt Brooks married Louisa Jane Atkinson.  Louisa was born on October 14, 1836 in Texas and is the daughter of John Atkinson and Maria (Bachman) Atkinson.  From 1853 to 1880, they lived in Austin County, Texas.  Wyatt and Jane Brooks were the parents of only one son:

   John Williamson Brooks (1.5.3.1), b. December 26, 1856, Austin County, Texas

Louisa (Atkinson) Brooks died on August 20, 1894 and was buried in the Atkinson Cemetery, one mile west of Bellville, Texas.  In 1910, Wyatt Brooks was living in Austin County, Texas.  Wyatt Marion Brooks died on December 9, 1913 and was buried in the Atkinson Cemetery.

References:  1)  1850 Census, Pike County, Alabama;  2)  1860, 1870, 1880 and 1910 Censuses, Austin County, Texas;  3)  Tax Rolls, Austin County, Texas, 1853 to 1870;  4)  Family Bible of John Atkinson;  5)  “Brooks Family History,” by Susie (Brooks) Danforth, 1946;  6)  Interview, Alton Howell Brooks, by Robert Casey, January, 1981;  7)  Additions and Corrections, by Alton Howell Brooks, August, 1981

ALLEN TURNER BROOKS (1.5.4) is the son of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks.  Allen was born on June 27, 1830 in Talbot County, Georgia.  In 1852, Allen moved to Crockett in Houston County, Texas.  He then moved to Austin County, Texas and then on to Washington County, Texas.  On March 15, 1855, Allen Turner Brooks married Helena Luco in Brenham, Texas.  Helena Luco was born on April 21, 1836 in Oldenburg, Germany and is the daughter of John Luco (originally spelled Luckoff) and Annie Sophia (Voglesang) Luco.  In the early 1840’s, Helena and her parents sailed with the Fisher colonists from Bramahaven, Germany to Texas.  While at sea, Helena’s sister, Annie, died of yellow fever and was buried at sea.  After John Luco died when Helena was only nine, she lived with Dr. McLean and received medical training at John Sealy Hospital.  At the age of eighteen, Helena began practicing medicine at Brenham, Texas.  From 1853 to 1913, she helped deliver more than 5,000 babies in Texas.

9-260   INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

After Allen and Helena Brooks were married, they moved to Fayette County, Texas.  From 1856 to 1858, they lived in Bastrop County, Texas.  From 1861 to 1864, they lived in Austin County, Texas.  On April 6, 1862, Allen Turner Brooks enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company A, Elmore Regiment.  Allen was on furlough when his Company participated in the Battle of Galveston.  Because of an eye infection, he continued his military service by hauling freight from Indianola to Houston.  In 1868, Allen and Helena Brooks moved to Hays County, Texas and settled on the Blanco River about four miles west of Wimberley.  After a flood in 1869, he moved to a place on Dry Cypress Creek about one mile from Jacob’s Well.  In April of 1870, Allen Turner Brooks was taken to San Antonio for treatment of an eye infection.  After removal of one eye, he was blind for more than three years.  He later regained enough vision to travel and work without assistance.  In 1870 when Allen was hospitalized for this eye infection, his children were living with their uncle, Francis Asberry Brooks, in Hays County, Texas.  From 1868 to 1900, Allen and Helena Brooks lived in Hays County, Texas.  Allen and Helena Brooks were the parents of eight children:

   John Williamson Brooks (1.5.4.1), b. January 30, 1856, Bastrop County, Texas
   Robert Franklin Brooks (1.5.4.2), b. November 28, 1858, Bastrop County, Texas
   Wyatt Turner Brooks (1.5.4.3), b. September 1, 1861, Austin County, Texas
   Francis Asberry Brooks (1.5.4.4), b. May 31, 1864, Austin County, Texas
   Willis Jordan Brooks, b. October 31, 1869, Hays County, Texas
   Sarah Amelia Brooks (1.5.4.6), b. November 22, 1872, Hays County, Texas
   Susie Sophia Brooks (1.5.4.7), b. May 9, 1876, Hays County, Texas
   Allen Batteus Brooks (1.5.4.8), b. November 15, 1879, Hays County, Texas

On January 5, 1912, Allen Turner Brooks died at his daughter’s (Sarah) home in Blair, Oklahoma.  On June 26, 1921, Helena (Luco) Brooks died at her son’s (Robert) home in Blair, Oklahoma.  Both were buried in the Blair Cemetery.  Willis Jordan Brooks died on September 9, 1880 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery near Wimberley, Texas.

References:  1)  Civil War Pension Records, Allen Turner Brooks;  2)  1870, 1880 and 1900 Censuses, Hays County, Texas;  3)  Wimberley Cemetery, Wimberley, Texas;  4)  “Brooks Family History,” by Susie (Brooks) Danforth, 1946;  5)  “Wimberley Legacy,” by Williedell Schawe, 1963, Pages 67 - 69

ROBERT WRIGHT BROOKS (1.5.5) is the son of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks.  Robert was born on January 21, 1833 in Talbot County, Georgia.  In 1860, Robert Brooks was living near his brother, John Brooks, and his sister, Mary (Brooks) Whittington, in Austin County, Texas.  On December 19, 1867, Robert Brooks married Amelia Ogg in Montgomery County, Texas.  Amelia was born on August 11, 1842 in Georgia and is the daughter of John Thomas Ogg and Martha (Fulscher) Ogg.  In 1870, Robert and Amelia Brooks were living in Washington County, Texas.  From 1880 to 1900, they were living in Lee County, Texas.  Robert and Amelia Brooks were the parents of at least six children:

OLLIFF FAMILY HISTORY   9-261

   Lucy Theophilus Brooks (1.5.5.1), b. December 13, 1867, Texas
   William H. Brooks, b. July 31, 1870, Texas
   Robert E. Brooks (1.5.5.3), b. 1873, Texas
   Francis Asbory Brooks (1.5.5.4), b. April 15, 1875, Texas
   James M. Brooks, b. April 25, 1878, Texas
   Grover W. Brooks, b. November 14, 1884, Lee County, Texas

In 1879, Robert W. Brooks was Master of the Masonic Lodge in Giddings, Texas.  Robert Wright Brooks died on December 21, 1907 and Amelia (Ogg) Brooks died on April 13, 1924.  Both were buried in the Giddings City Cemetery.  Willie H. Brooks died on October 30, 1890 and was buried in the Shady Grove Cemetery in Lee County, Texas.  James M. Brooks died on November 19, 1889 and also was buried in the Shady Grove Cemetery.  Grover Brooks never married.  Grover Brooks died on April 20, 1962 and was buried in the Giddings City Cemetery.

References:  1)  1860 Census, Austin County, Texas;  2)  1870 Census, Washington County, Texas;  3)  1880 and 1900 Censuses, Lee County, Texas;  4)  Giddings City Cemetery;  5)  “Brooks Family History,” by Susie (Brooks) Danforth, 1946;  6)  “Montgomery County, Texas Marriages, 1838 - 1894,” by the Montgomery County Genealogical Society, Page 6;  7)  “History of Lee County, Texas,” 1974, Pages 65 and 422;  8)  Letter, Howard T. Lee to Robert Casey, August 9, 1982;  9)  Interview, Jimmie Rene Ogg by Robert Casey, September, 1982

SARAH ANN ELIZABETH BROOKS (1.5.6) is the daughter of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks.  Sarah was born on September 17, 1835 in Talbot County, Georgia.  On January 4, 1855, Sarah Brooks married William P. Gates.  William Gates had previously married Elzeny S. Gates on July 25, 1847 and had two children:  Elizabeth Catherine Gates (born January 8, 1849 and died on January 29, 1873) and Mary Elzeny Gates (born January 2, 1851 and died January 23, 1875).  Elzeney S. Gates died on October 8, 1852.  William and Sarah Gates were the parents of three children:

   Theodosia E. Gates (1.5.6.1), b. October 5, 1855, Texas
   John Hiram Gates, b. August 18, 1857, Texas
   Susanna W. Gates, b. January 4, 1859, Texas

William P. Gates died on August 21, 1858.  On October 22, 1861, Sarah (Brooks) Gates married a second time to George Frank Shelburne.  Frank and Sarah Shelburne lived at Hempstead, Texas.  Frank and Sarah Shelburne were the parents of seven children:

   Nancy Ann Shelburne (1.5.6.4), b. August 30, 1862, Texas
   Franklin Bell Shelburne, b. April 23, 1864, Texas
   George Clinton Shelburne, b. August 19, 1866, Texas
   Calpurnia May Shelburne (1.5.6.7), b. May 4, 1868, Texas
   Virginia Olliff Shelburne, b. January 23, 1871, Texas
   Claude Clement Shelburne, b. January 30, 1873, Texas
   Sarah Jane Shelburne, b. October 18, 1874, Texas

9-262   INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

George Frank Shelburne died on April 4, 1888.  Sarah (Brooks) Shelburne died on August 6, 1914 and was buried in the Hempstead Cemetery.  John Gates died young on February 20, 1858.  On December 24, 1879, Susie Gates married Edward S. Hodge and they had one son:  -  William Edward Hodge, b. November 27, 1880 and d. April 17, 1888.  On September 28, 1899, Susie (Gates) Hodge married a second time to Jules Pommier (born June of 1863 in France).  Jules and Susie Pommier had no children.  In 1900, Jules and Susanna Pommier were living in Waller County, Texas where Jules was a tailor.  Jules Pommier died on March 11, 1926 and Susie (Gates) Pommier died on April 8, 1947.

Franklin Shelburne died on May 21, 1888.  George Shelburne died on May 17, 1916.  Virginia Shelburne died on July 17, 1876.  Claude Shelburne died on November 11, 1881.  In 1900, Sallie Shelburne was living in Waller County, Texas with the Thomas Sutters family and was employed as a dressmaker.  On November 29, 1903, Sally Shelburne married George W. Campbell and they had one son:  -  George W. Campbell, Jr. who died as a child on August 17, 1917 by accidently hanging himself with a rope.  George W. Campbell, Sr. died on July 18, 1916.  Sally (Shelburne) Campbell later married a Mr. Colby.  Sally (Shelburne) Colby was buried in Brenham, Texas.

References:  1)  1860 and 1880 Censuses, Austin County, Texas;  2)  1900 Census, Waller County, Texas;  3)  Family Bible of Sarah (Brooks) Shelburne, in possession of Kathryn Ann (Kluna) Cheek;  4)  “Brooks Family History,” by Susie (Brooks) Danforth, 1946

FRANCIS ASBERRY BROOKS (1.5.7) is the son of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks.  Frank was born on August 22, 1837 in Talbot County, Georgia.  On September 17, 1868, Francis Asberry Brooks married Rhoda Hill in Texas.  Rhoda Hill was born on July 6, 1846 in Arkansas and is the daughter of John (Isaac) Hill and Mary Ann (Reed) Hill.  From 1870 to 1880, they lived in Hays County, Texas.  Frank and Rhoda Brooks were the parents of seven children:

   Julia Elvira Brooks (1.5.7.1), b. June 27, 1869, Hays County, Texas
   James Maderson Brooks (1.5.7.2), b. September 29, 1870, Hays County, Texas
   Benjamin W. Brooks (1.5.7.3), b. August 22, 1872, Hays County, Texas
   Francis Martin Brooks (1.5.7.4), b. January 28, 1874, Hays County, Texas
   Robert Wesley Brooks (1.5.7.5), b. January 1, 1876, Hays County, Texas
   Ernest Brooks (1.5.7.6), b. March 28, 1878, Hays County, Texas
   Thomas A. Brooks, b. November 14, 1882, Hays County, Texas

On May 30, 1883, Rhoda (Hill) Brooks died of consumption and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery.  On January 6, 1884, Francis Asberry Brooks married a second time to Victoria Alabama (Glover) Deck.  Victoria was born on July 16, 1840 in Mobile, Alabama and is the daughter of G. N. Glover.  Victoria (Glover) Deck had twelve children by her previous marriage.  Frank and Victoria Brooks also were the parents of one son:

OLLIFF FAMILY HISTORY   9-263

   Sylvester Wyatt Brooks (1.5.7.8), b. February 18, 1885, Hays County, Texas

Francis Asberry Brooks died on July 28, 1897 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery near Wimberley, Texas.  Victoria (Deck) Brooks died on March 16, 1918 in San Antonio, Texas.  Victoria was a great story teller and she knew the Bible by heart.  Many of her sons and grandsons were ministers, elders and deacons in the Church of Christ.  Thomas A. Brooks died on December 20, 1882 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery near Wimberley, Texas.

References:  1)  1870 and 1880 Censuses, Hays County, Texas;  2)  Wimberley Cemetery, Wimberley, Texas;  3)  Certificate of Death, Victoria A. Brooks, 1918;  4)  Family Bible of Williamson Brooks, in possession of Gregg Blair, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;  5)  “Brooks Family History,” by Susie (Brooks) Danforth, 1946;  6)  Family Group Sheet of Francis A. Brooks, by Bernice Casey, 1976;  7)  Letter, Austin Brooks to Bernice Casey, November 29, 1979;  8)  Interview, Eunice Watson by Robert Casey, January, 1981

MARTHA ELIZA BROOKS (1.5.8) is the daughter of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks.  Martha Eliza was born on June 22, 1840 in Georgia.  In 1856, Eliza Brooks married John H. Burnett.  John and Eliza Burnett were the parents of two children:

   Joann Burnett, b. 1864
   John H. Burnett, Jr.

John H. Burnett and Martha (Brooks) Burnett were divorced around 1865 in Austin County, Texas.  It is interesting to note that “Wimberley’s Legacy” states that Martha “was a widow” when she married Willis Ferguson and “History of McLennan, Falls, Bell and Coryell Counties, Texas” states that “Mrs. Burnett died in 1864" prior to John Burnett’s second marriage in 1867.  John H. Burnett, Sr. married again in 1867 to Mahala Davis and they had six children:  Maggie Burnett, Abbie E. Burnett, James H. Burnett, Willie Burnett, H. J. Burnett and Lillie M. Burnett.  On February 26, 1867, Eliza Brooks married a second time to Willis Haden Ferguson in Washington County, Texas and immediately moved to Hays County, Texas where Willis had bought land.  Willis and Eliza Ferguson were the parents of three children:

   Susan Olive Ferguson (1.5.8.3), b. March 31, 1868, Texas
   Robert Willis Ferguson (1.5.8.4), b. March 4, 1870, Texas
   Joseph William Ferguson (1.5.8.5), b. May 4, 1871, Texas

Martha Eliza (Brooks) Ferguson died on May 18, 1871 and was buried in the Wimberley Cemetery.  In May of 1872, Willis Ferguson married again to Mrs. Susan (Moon) Driskill (born July 31, 1842) and they had two children:  Lillie Lila Ferguson (born March 11, 1873) and Tula May Ferguson (born May 7, 1881).  Susan Driskill was the widow of William Rufus Driskill and they had at least three children:  Joseph William Driskill (born 1862), Josephine “Dollie” Driskill (born 1864) and Susan E. “Bettie” Driskill.  In 1880, Willis Ferguson and his second wife were living in Hays County, Texas.  In 1900, Willis H. Ferguson was living alone in Hays County, Texas.  Willis Ferguson died on August 26, 1901 and Susan (Moon) Ferguson died on December 27, 1903.  Both were buried in the Wimberley Cemetery near Wimberley, Texas.  Joann Burnett drowned in the Blanco River in the summer of 1872.  John H. Burnett, Jr. died prior to 1867.

9-264   INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

References:  1)  1880 and 1900 Censuses, Hays County, Texas;  2)  “Brooks Family History,” by Susie (Brooks) Danforth, 1946;  3)  “History of McLennan, Falls, Bell and Coryell Counties, Texas”;  4)  Wimberley Cemetery, Wimberley, Texas;  5)  “Wimberley’s Legacy,” by Willie Dell Schawe, Pages 79 - 83;  6)  Letter, Ruby Gilbert to Robert Casey, September 5, 1982


OLLIFF FAMILY HISTORY   9-265

MARY OLLIFF (1.6) is the daughter of John Shears Olliff and Johannah (Jackson) Olliff.  Mary was born around 1801 in Bulloch County, Georgia.  In 1817, Polly Olliff was mentioned as being a minor in her father’s estate records.  These estate records state:  “Three months schooling and boarding for two minor children of John Olliff, deceased, Susannah and Mary Olliff, March 15, 1817.”  According to the 1846 pension application, Mary Olliff married a Mr. Robinson.  According to the 1938 D. A. R. application, Mary “Polly” Olliff married Allen Robinson on January 17, 1822.  This account is supported by the book, “Early Records of Wilkinson County, Georgia” which states that Polly Olliff married Allen Robinson on January 17, 1822 in Wilkinson County, Georgia.  However, “Wilkinson County, Georgia Historical Collections” gives a slightly different account of who Polly Olliff married.  It states that “Alexander T. Robertson and wife Polly Oliff” were early members of the Myrtle Springs Primitive Baptist Church.  It also shows that “the 1840 census showed Alexander Robertson, wife Polly Oliff.”

References:  1)  Estate Records of John Olliff, Bulloch County, Georgia, March 15, 1817 (abstract by Dorothy Brannen);  2)  Revolutionary War Pension Application of John Olive (Olliff), Number R7788, 1846;  3)  D. A. R. application, Annie (Olliff) Kennedy, Number 298171, 1938;  4)  “Early Records of Wilkinson County, Georgia,” by Harold Heard, Page 51;  5)  “Wilkinson County, Georgia Historical Collections,” by Joseph T. Maddox, 1978, Pages 56 and 527

JOHN OLLIFF (11) is possibly the father of John Shears Olliff who is the author’s oldest proven Olliff ancestor.  This connection was stated in the sketch “Looking Back” by Dorothy Brannen.  This sketch by Dorothy Brannen further states that John Olliff married Mary Shears, daughter of Benjamin Shears.  Therefore, John and Mary Olliff were the parents of at least one son:

   John Shears Olliff (1), b. 1752

Until the connection between John Olliff (11) and his son, John Shears Olliff (1) is better documented, sketches on the descendants of John Olliff (11) will remain in this section as input to further research.  John Shears Olliff married Johannah Jackson.  For additional information on the descendants of John and Johannah Olliff, see the sketch of John Shears Olliff (1).

Reference:  1)  “Looking Back,” by Dorothy Brannen