George Washington Brooks (1808 - 1887)

Born 21 May 1808 in Chesterfield, Virginia, United States

Husband of Elizabeth Ann (Clayton) Brooks — married 19 Apr 1831 in Rodney, Jefferson, Mississippi, United States

Husband of Rachel Ann Jane (Rhodes) Brooks — married 10 Aug 1864 in DeWitt, Texas, United States

Descendants

Died 1 Feb 1887 at age 78 in Gonzales, Texas, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Chere Lee [send private message]

Biography

Burial

Harwood Cemetery, Harwood, Gonzales County, Texas, USA ^[1]

Research Notes

Will the real George W. Brooks stand up?

Historical research has significantly improved during the past several years with the advent of high-speed Internet access. Much information regarding Texas history can be found on-line. At least 10 manuscripts of survivors of the Massacre of Goliad can be found on-line. The manuscript of survivor, Dillard Cooper, describes his harrowing escape along with three other individuals: Zachariah S. Brooks, Wilson Simpson, and Isaac Hamilton. While researching Zachariah Brooks I discovered that he had a brother, George W. Brooks, who also escaped the Massacre. Using research tools available on the Internet, I discovered that there were two individuals claiming to be George W. Brooks. They will be identified as:

· Whitfield Brooks of Montgomery/Washington County; and
· George W. Brooks of DeWitt County.

Both men claim service in the Army of the Republic of Texas. In researching the background of George W. Brooks of DeWitt County, I came across documents which lead me to believe that Whitfield Brooks of Montgomery County may have filed a false pension application and false land bounty claims. It also appears that historians have incorrectly identified Whitfield Brooks as serving with Colonel James Fannin at Goliad.

George W. Brooks will be associated with his wife, Eliza Ann, and his brother, Zachariah S. Brooks. Zachariah S. Brooks is a well documented and an unquestionable survivor of the Massacre of Goliad. Both George W. and his brother, Zachariah S. Brooks, were members of Capt. Jack Shackelford’s Company, the Alabama Red Rovers.

Let’s start by examining the documentation of Whitfield Brooks, also known as George Whitfield Brooks. Census data and his pension claim indicate that he was born on May 25, 1824[1]. His pension application of 1875 indicates that he no longer wants to be know as "Whitfield Brooks", and that he wants to be now know as "Geo. W. Brooks".

The 1850, 1860, and 1870 Census of Montgomery and Washington County, Texas provides information regarding Whitfield Brooks.

The 1850 Census of Montgomery County[2] shows a “Whitfield Brooks,” age 28, who was born in South Carolina. His age suggests that he was born in 1822. His wife is shown as Elizabeth, age 25, and born in Alabama. No children are shown of this marriage. There are four households on the same page, all of whom indicate that they were from South Carolina. On line 28 is Samuel G. Brooks, age 45, with wife, Elizabeth, age 36. On line 37 is Milton Brooks, age 40, with no wife. Whitfield Brooks is shown on line 28, age 28, with wife, Elizabeth, age 25. On line 42 is John Brooks, age 20, born in Mississippi with no wife. It is reasonable to conclude that Whitfield is the son of Samuel, and nephew of Milton based on the ages of the individuals. John is probably a son of Samuel.

None of these individuals are shown on the 1840 Muster Rolls or any tax rolls in the early 1840s; therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that they all arrived in Texas between 1845 and 1850.

The 1860 Census of Washington County[3] shows a Geo. W. Brooks, age 32, and born in North Carolina. His age suggests that he was born in 1828. His wife is shown as Susan, age 23, and born in North Carolina. Three children are shown in the household, Thomas, age 8, George, age 4, and Frederick, age 1. All of the children were born in Texas.

The 1870 Census of Washington County[4] shows a Geo. W. Brooks, age 46, and born in South Carolina. His age suggests that he was born in 1824. His wife is shown as Susan; age 23 (probably should be 33). She indicates that she was born in Texas. On the next page, (Pg 24), line 1, is an 8 month old child named Whitfield Brooks.

The pension application of Whitfield Brooks provides contradictory information regarding this individual. His claim, submitted November, 1870, was filed in Washington County which tends to confirm the census data previously discussed. He indicates that he enlisted in the Army of the Republic on December 12, 1835. This, coincidently, is the same date that the George W. Brooks claims that he enlisted. Whitfield Brooks indicates that he was discharged March 17th, 1836. This, again, is the date that George W. Brooks claims that he was discharged. It is worth noting that Colonel James Fannin surrendered March 19, 1836 and executed March 26, 1836. The donation[5] of George W. Brooks indicates that he “was in advance guard with Col. Horton on March 19, 1836” during the period of Colonel Fannin’s ordeal. The name on the donation is very clear – “George W. Brooks” – not “Whitfield Brooks” or "George Whitfield Brooks".

On his 1875 pension application, Whitfield Brooks indicates that he has “lived in Texas” from birth which is contradictory to the census data above. The census data indicates that Whitfield Brooks was born in South Carolina. Whitfield Brooks' pension application indicates that he was born on May 25, 1824. This date is confirmed by the census data above. Based on this birth date, his age at the time Colonel James Fannin was captured would have been 11 years of age. The pension application makes no mention of being a member of Capt. Jack Shackelford’s Company, the Alabama Red Rovers.

Because of the age (11) of this individual, it reasonable to assume that this Whitfield Brooks was not at Goliad and, consequently, could not have participated in the Texas Revolution.

Ms. Kathryn Stoner O’Conner, author of “Presidio La Bahia”, in her treatise of the massacre identifies "George Whitfield Brooks" as a participant of the Battle of Goliad. Page 110 of her treatise indicates that George Whitfield Brooks was “in advance guard with Col Horton on March 19, 1836” during the Goliad Massacre. She did not verify the name shown on the 1838 donation as being that of George W. Brooks, not Whitfield Brooks.

Now, let’s examine George W. Brooks. It should be noted that Brooks' family tradition suggests that the “W” is an abbreviation for “Washington”. No proof of “Washington” has been found.

Census data consistently indicate that George W. Brooks was born in 1808 in Virginia. His headstone in Harwood Cemetery, Harwood, Texas, indicates that he was actually born on May 21, 1808. He married Eliza Ann Clayton on April 19, 1831 in Jefferson County, Mississippi. Both George W. Brooks and Eliza Ann are listed in Stephen F. Austin’s “Old 300” arriving in Texas on May, 1831. This data can be found in Volume 1, Pg 103. He indicated that his age was 23 and Eliza Ann’s age was 16. They arrived from Mississippi. George W. Brooks will later indicate that he was at the Battle of Velasco[6] on 26 June 1832 along with Colonel William B. Travis. Somewhere between 1832 and 1835, George W. and Eliza Ann went back to Alabama, returning to Texas in June, 1835 and are, again, listed in Austin’s “Old 300” (Volume 2, Pg 41). In the 1835 entry, W. B. Travis serves as his agent and pays his “fees”.

“The Index to MILITARY ROLLS of the REPUBLIC of TEXAS 1835 – 1845”[7] indicates that among the members of Capt. Jack Shackelford’s Company, the Alabama Red Rovers were George W. Brooks and Zachariah S. Brooks. The Index indicates that Zachariah S. Brooks escapes the massacre and that George W. Brooks was “was in advance guard with Col. Horton on March 19, 1836”. This is perhaps the most convincing indication that Whitfield Brooks was NOT present at Goliad. George W. Brooks' pension application has an attachment indicating that Zachariah S. Brooks was his brother. No association with Whitfield Brooks can be found.

The survival account of Dillard Cooper[8] clearly indicates that Zachariah S. Brooks was with him during the foray and successfully escape.

The 1850 Census of Montgomery County[9] shows George W. Brooks, age 43, and born in Virginia. His wife, Eliza Ann, is also shown in the 1850 Census of Montgomery County (Line 39). Her age appears to be 30. They are shown with eight children all of whom were born in Texas. One of their sons was Beverly Baker Brooks. Another son is shown as George W., Jr.

Since both Whitfield Brooks and George W. Brooks appear in the 1850 census of Montgomery County, perhaps they knew each other and shared backgrounds and experiences.

The 1860 Census of DeWitt County[10] shows Geo. W. Brooks, age 52, born in Virginia. His wife, Eliza Ann, is shown on the following line, age 45, born in Louisiana. Six children are shown. One child, Beverly Baker Brooks, is married to Eliza (Jane Ainsworth). She has a child, Creed Taylor, by a previous marriage.

The 1870 Census of DeWitt County[11] shows Geo. W. Brooks, age 62, born in Virginia. His first wife, Eliza Ann, dies in 1861, and he marries Rachel Ann Rhode in 1862. Rachel is shown in this census, age 29, born in Mississippi.

The 1880 Census of DeWitt County[12] shows George W. Brooks, age 72, born in Virginia. His second wife, Rachel, is shown, age 38, born in Mississippi.

These are the facts of two different individuals claiming to be George W. Brooks, both claiming to be survivors of the Massacre of Goliad. Since the Massacre of Goliad occurred about 175 years ago, much has been published regarding the survivors and, obviously, cannot be “unpublished”. The data presented in this historical review of the Massacre of Goliad was obtained from various sources available “on-line” using the Internet.

[1] Pension application, George Whitfield Brooks, Montgomery County, Texas, dated August 13, 1870.

[2] 1850 Census of Montgomery County, Page 306, Line 28

[3] 1860 Census of Montgomery County, Sheet 173, Pg 69, line 20

[4] 1870 Census of Montgomery County, Sheet 62, Pg 23, line 29

[5] Donation of George W. Brooks, dated June 21, 1838

[6] DeWitt County Association minutes, April, 1875

[7] https://supsites.tshaonline.org/military/rep_cont.htm

[8] http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/goliaddiverse.htm

[9] 1850 Census of Montgomery County, Pg 42, Line 38

[10] 1860 Census of DeWitt County, Pg 17, Line 24

[11] 1870 Census of DeWitt County, Pg 1, Line 21

[12] 1880 Census of DeWitt County, Pg 4, Line 15

Spouse 1  

Elizabeth Ann Clayton

Born: 1815 in Pointe Coupe, LA

Died: 1861 in Old Clinton, De Witt Co TX

Marriage: 19 Apr 1831 in Rodney, Jefferson, MS

Children

Mary Catherine Brooks F 1833 in Montgomery Co TX

Francis A Brooks F 15 Sep 1836 in Ft Bend, TX

Beverly Baker Brooks M 1839], TX

Andrew Jackson Brooks M 1841, TX

James Madison Brooks M 10 Jun 1843 in Montgomery Co TX

Sarah A Brooks F 10 Jun 1843 in Montgomery Co TX

George Washington Brooks M 24 Jul 1844 in Montgomery Co TX

Josephus Brooks M 1845 in Montgomery Co TX

Ann Anthora Brooks F 1847 in Montgomery Co TX

Alpha Omega Brooks M 1 Jun 1850 in Montgomery Co TX

Old Texas Brooks M 9 Mar 1852 in Montgomery Co TX

Charlotte N Brooks F 1857 in Montgomery Co TX

Spouse 2  

Rachel Ann Rhode/Roach

Born: 7 Aug 1841, MS

Marriage: 10 Aug 1864 in Clinton, De Witt Co TX

Children

John Pinckney Brooks M 1865 in Dewitt Co TX

Charles D Brooks M 1867 in Dewitt Co TX

Coletta Minerva Brooks F 1871 in Dewitt Co TX

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61675332/george-washington-brooks: accessed 06 December 2023), memorial page for George Washington Brooks Sr. (21 May 1808–1 Feb 1887), Find A Grave: Memorial #61675332, citing Harwood Cemetery, Harwood, Gonzales County, Texas, USA; Maintained by Shannon (contributor 47385008).

• "Mississippi, County Marriages, 1858-1979", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D96Q-7YT2 : Tue Oct 24 00:00:11 UTC 2023), Entry for George W. Brooks and Eliza N. Clayton, 19 Apr 1831.

• "United States Census, 1850", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLL-NB5 : Wed Oct 04 17:43:40 UTC 2023), Entry for G W Brooks and Eliza Ann Brooks, 1850.

• "United States Census, 1860", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFN-B4J : Thu Oct 05 15:29:22 UTC 2023), Entry for Geo W Brooks and Eliza Ann Brooks, 1860.

• "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MV-ZBQ : 22 January 2020), George W. Brook, 1864.

• "United States Census, 1870", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGR-ZYM : Wed Oct 04 09:01:42 UTC 2023), Entry for Geo W Brooks and Rachael Brooks, 1870.

• "United States Census, 1880", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFNT-RCH : Thu Oct 05 17:23:18 UTC 2023), Entry for W. George Brooks and A. J. Rachel Brooks, 1880.