William R. Brooks (1795 - 1866)

Born 31 May 1795 in Clinch Valley, Tazewell, Virginia, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Eleanor (Cooke) Brooks — married 23 Jul 1823 in Giles Co, Virginia

Descendants

Died 5 May 1866 at age 70 in Craney, Wyoming, West Virginia, USA

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Biography

William Brooks was born in Appalachia, in Virginia.

William Brooks was born 31 May 1795 in Clinch Valley, Tazewell County, Virginia. He is the son of Richard Brooks and Margaret Clancy.

William married Eleanor Cooke on 23 July 1823 in Giles Co., Virginia.^[1]

Marriage Record

Name: William Brooks

Gender: Male

Spouse Name: Eleanor Cooke

Spouse Gender: Female

Marriage Date: 23 Jul 1823

Father: Richard Brooks

County: Giles

State: Virginia

FHL Film Number: 31740

Reference ID: pg30

William settled on the Clear Fork of the Guyandotte River. He was by occupation a farmer as well as a builder of log houses. It is stated that he taught (about 1820) the first school in Wyoming County, Virginia, present day West Virginia.

William was one of 14 Justices who organized the Wyoming Co, West Virginia government and member of first board of education, of which he was president. Logan County gave him funds to build the first school in Wyoming County. A small log school house on his farm in the "Old School House Hollow." His father, Richard, at 75 yrs. taught for 3 months that year for $12.50 a month.

Eleanor and William had 12 children and 84 grandchildren. Descendents of this branch of the family are said to excel in mechanics, smithing, carpentry and cabinet making etc. Many of the younger generation are active in educational affairs as teachers in grade or high school. Others hold positions of trust or responsibility.^[2]

1850 District 71, Wyoming County, Virginia U. S. Federal Census

William Brooks

Gender: Male

Birth: Circa 1795 Virginia, United States

Residence: 1850 Wyoming county, Wyoming, Virginia

Age: 55

Schedule: Population

Township: Wyoming county Schedule: Population

County: Wyoming Series: M432

State: Virginia Family: 18

Date: 1850 Image: 8

Relation to head Name Age

Head (implied) William Brooks 55

Father (implied) Richard Brooks 74

Wife (implied) Elener Brooks 44

Son (implied) William R Brooks 21

Daughter (implied) Malinda Brooks 19

Daughter (implied) Jane Brooks 17

Daughter (implied) Peggy Brooks 14

Son (implied) Andrew J Brooks 12

Son (implied) James M Brooks 9

Daughter (implied) Elenor Brooks 7

Son (implied) Jessee B Brooks 5

Daughter (implied) Fanny Brooks 2

Margret Brooks 43

1860 Wyoming County, Virginia U. S. Federal Census

Name: William Brooks

Age: 64

Birth Year: abt 1796

Gender: Male

Birth Place: Virginia

Home in 1860: Wyoming, Virginia

Post Office: Craney

Dwelling Number: 336

Family Number: 294

Occupation: Farmer

Real Estate Value: 600

Personal Estate Value: 600

Household Members:

Name Age

William Brooks 64

Eleenor Brooks 55

James M Brooks 19

Ellenor Brooks 17

Jessee B Brooks 14

Francis Brooks 11

Franklin P Brooks 8

William R. Brooks passed away in 31 March 1866 in Wyoming County, West Virginia. He is buried in Brooks Cemetery, Crany, Wyoming County, West Virginia.^[3]

West Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1985 Name: William Brooks Probate Date: 27 Apr 1866 Probate Place: Wyoming, West Virginia Inferred Death Year: Abt 1866 Inferred Death Place: West Virginia Item Description: Will Books, Vol 1-4, 1851-1950

William Brooks wrote his last will and testament on 15 December 1865. First, I bequeath to my wife Ellen a gray mare. 2. All household and kitchen furniture. 3. All Real and Personal Estate to be divided at his Death. 4. All the Bees 5. All property not used to be sold to pay debts. 6. I William Brooks do make my wife Ellen my Soul Executor. Given under my hand and Seal this Fifteenth day of December 1865. Signed William Brooks
Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of us.
Isaac Q. Brooks
James M. Brooks
Thomas C. Bailey

Recorders office of Wyoming County West Virginia, March 19th 1866.
I James Cook, Recorder of said County, do hereby certify that the written will of William Brooks Dec'd was presented in my Said office, and proved by the oaths of Isaac Q. Brooks, James M. Brooks + Thos. C. Bailey subscribing witnesses thereto, to be the bone fide last will and testament of said William Brooks dec'd and was admitted to record. Given under my hand this day and year above written.
James Cook, Recorder^[4]

Note

Richard was added as a middle name without a source. There was another child, his brother, with the name Richard. Unless a source is found the middle name has been changed back to initial R.

Sources

1. ↑ Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940
2. ↑ History of the Brooks Family, 1933
3. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #187978506
4. ↑ West Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1985

• 1850 Wyoming County, Virginia U. S. Federal Census
• 1860 Wyoming County, Virginia U. S. Federal Census