Third Generation


10. Christopher BROOKES27 was born in February 1755 in Gloucester County, Virginia.1,28 He served in the military in 1777 at Pay record from the Hillsborough Treasury Office in Revolutionary War. He died about 1781 at the age of 26 in Caswell County, North Carolina.27

I think this name in the Kingston Parish Records of Gloucester Co VA must be Christopher although it isn't clear in the record - transcribed as .....her Brookes. Apparently part of the name is unreadable.

I believe this person to be Christopher Brookes found in Caswell County with other members of this family.

Christopher Brooks received payment from the Hillsborough Treasury Office as found in "North Carolina Revolutionary Army Accounts" by Wynette Parks Haun. c1992.

From the Court Minutes of Caswell County: Book 2, 1781-1788; Dec 1781:
Court held Monday, 3rd day of December 1781; First entry (no page number - immediately following Index.
Susannah Brooks resigned her administration of the Estate of Christopher Brooks Deceased to Henry Williams & her resignation was ordered to be filed, at same time Henry Williams was Apptd Admr & Entered into Bond with Nathl. Williams Security in the sum of five Hundred pounds Specie.

Copies from received from NC Archives: Adminstrators Bond in the amount of 500 pounds, dated 4 Dec 1781 signed by Henry Williams and Nath'l. Williams in presence of A. Murphey to bind Henry Williams as Administrator of Christopher Brooks, Deceased. Caswell County March Court 1782 - Inventory of estate of Christopher Brooks returned by Henry Williams, Administrator, and ordered to be recorded. Sold by David Shelton, Sheriff 24 Jan 1782. Buyers included Susannah Brookes, Henry Williams, William Holderness, Nath'l Williams, John Pane, Thos. Brookes.

Caswell WB A, p.186
March Court 1782 Inv of estate of Christopher Brooks by Henry Williams, Adm.
Copy of Inventory is in the North Carolina Probates at Ancestry. There is also a report of the sale which is very faded - total received just over 90#'s.

TN Land Entries
#3989 25 Nov 1783 Warrant 312 Cr.William Brooks, heir of Sgt. George Brooks, 1,000 acres delivered to Henry Williams; 84 months; file #13. Grant to Christopher William Brooks. [Vol 3, p.336] [for grant see file #104 in Davidson Co; warrant not mentioned in Glasgow land fraud]
[Christopher William Brooks is believed to be the son of Christopher Brooks who died in 1781 and his wife Susannah Williams, daughter of the above Henry. We know from the records of Christopher Brooks that Henry Williams was administrator of his estate. The logical explanation is that Sgt George Brooks, his uncle, had also died during the Revolution - under the laws of Primogeniture still in effect during the War, if George had no issue, any bounty land would revert to his eldest brother, and if he were also deceased but had sons, the brother's eldest son would then inherit.]

Christopher BROOKES and Susannah WILLIAMS were married.29 Susannah WILLIAMS1,30, daughter of HENRY WILLIAMS and ELIZABETH [WILLIAMS], was born about 1762. She died before 1795 at the age of 33.31

After the death of Christopher Brooks, Susannah married William Higgason Rice [1784]. He was a first cousin to William & Anna Rice who had married Susannah's siblings. William Higgason Rice remarried to Sally Gooch in 1795 after the death of Susannah.

Caswell WB F, p.7
Dec Court 1808
26 Dec 1808 Appraisal of negroes left to children of William H. Rice and Christopher Brooks by the last will of Henry Williams by Jethro & John H. Brown. Division to Rebecca Rice, Henrietta Rice, Elizabeth Rice, James Scott [married to Polly Rice], Samuel Watt [married to Marcy Rice], Christopher Brooks. All children of Susannah - James Y. Rice, son of Susannah & Wm H. seems to have been omitted from this division.

Christopher BROOKES and Susannah WILLIAMS had the following children:

+38

i.

Christopher Williams BROOKS.