Robert Brooks was a resident of Biddeford (Saco) at least as early as 1728 and was an early purchaser of land in nearby Narragansett #1 (Buxton, ME). A large home, built by Brooks in Saco in 1742, is still standing at 144 Ferry Road. It is considered the oldest existing house in Biddeford/Saco.

He and ten others signed a petition from there dated May 26, 1742, in which they complained to the Massachusetts governor that most of the original grantees, or the purchasers of their rights, had not settled the land as required, thus leaving those few who had settled to great expense, deprivation and danger. The petitioners asked that all lots of the absentee owners be forfeited and given to other, more willing, settlers. This stirred most of the delinquents into action; the first meeting house went up and more settlers moved in. Those who still had not paid taxes on their land saw it sold off to new owners. In this way, Robert Brooks may have had a hand in David Martin's acquisition.