William Brooks - Patriot Bio
Sunday January 26 2020
The Brooks family migrated from England as early as 1640 with some members settling in Virginia. In 1752, Brooks descendants were living in Prince William County, Virginia. Five generations of the family of William Brooks lived and died in Thompson Valley.
William Brooks (A015114) was born on 3 Feb 1752. Records state that he was born in Fauquier County but Fauquier was formed in 1759. It is probable that his birthplace was Prince William County. His parents were William M. and Mary Ann (Bridges/Duncan) Brooks of Hamilton Parish.
William married Nancy Ann Locke on 5 Sep 1769. The daughter of John and Nancy Hardway Locke, she was born on 4 Dec 1749 in Fauquier County. Family tradition states she was related to the philosopher, John Locke. The couple had twelve children: John, Richard, Thomas, Polly, Margaret, Nancy, William, Sarah, Elizabeth, James, Mary and Levicy.
William served three separate enlistments during the Revolutionary War. Drafted in Oct 1777, while a resident of Culpeper County, he was a private in Capt. Waugh's Company. In Feb 1781, while a resident of Botetourt County, he was a private under Lt. Watterson in Capt. Woods Company. Here he saw combat in the battles of the Alamance and Whitsall's Mills and was sent home with his Captain. In Nov 1781 he served as a private in Capt. Hamilton's Company. He was discharged on May 1, 1782 at Richmond. William applied for and was granted a pension in 1832. His application states that he was a Botetourt rifleman who left after a skirmish at Wetzel’s Mill before the Battle of Guilford Court House. At a court martial to determine if the riflemen would receive credit for their service, 49 men testified that they had gone home to plant crops.
After his service in the Revolutionary War, it is likely William scouted the frontier and selected lands for surveys, taking possession in 1782 - one of 399 acres and one of 430 acres. At his death the land he held, 441 acres, was sold for $950.
There are many records showing William’s participation in county affairs. He and three of his sons signed the application for the formation of Tazewell County in 1793 and, in 1800, he served on the first grand jury in Tazewell County.
In August 1843, Nancy applied for a pension; at the age of 94. The Annals of Tazewell County, VA shows this court record: It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, that William Brooks, deceased, was a Revolutionary pensioner, that he departed this life on the 24th day of Jan 1841, leaving his widow, Anna Brooks, and the following being all his heirs and legal representatives, to-wit, John Brooks, William Brooks, Margaret Kirk, Elizabeth Stephenson, Nancy Clyburn, Sally Todd, Polly Brooks and Louise Asberry, it is ordered that the same be certified.
William died in the Thompson Valley of Tazewell County on 24 Jan 1841 and Anne died on 2 Oct 1843. Both are buried on the family farm in Thompson Valley. The NSDAR dedicated their graves, placing new tombstones in 1977. The farm remained in the family until the mid 1900’s.
My family line starting with my Grandmother (Generation 3):
Gen 3: Hazel Julia Brooks Betler Houchin
Gen 4: Richard Thomas Brooks & Landona Belle Curry
Gen 5: Luke Perkizer Brooks & Barbara Julia Rexroad
Gen 6: RIchard Locke Brooks & Judith Adkins
Gen 7: Richard Brooks & Margaret McClancy (Clancy)
Gen 8: William Brooks & Nancy Anne Locke
William Brooks (A015114) was born on 3 Feb 1752. Records state that he was born in Fauquier County but Fauquier was formed in 1759. It is probable that his birthplace was Prince William County. His parents were William M. and Mary Ann (Bridges/Duncan) Brooks of Hamilton Parish.
William married Nancy Ann Locke on 5 Sep 1769. The daughter of John and Nancy Hardway Locke, she was born on 4 Dec 1749 in Fauquier County. Family tradition states she was related to the philosopher, John Locke. The couple had twelve children: John, Richard, Thomas, Polly, Margaret, Nancy, William, Sarah, Elizabeth, James, Mary and Levicy.
William served three separate enlistments during the Revolutionary War. Drafted in Oct 1777, while a resident of Culpeper County, he was a private in Capt. Waugh's Company. In Feb 1781, while a resident of Botetourt County, he was a private under Lt. Watterson in Capt. Woods Company. Here he saw combat in the battles of the Alamance and Whitsall's Mills and was sent home with his Captain. In Nov 1781 he served as a private in Capt. Hamilton's Company. He was discharged on May 1, 1782 at Richmond. William applied for and was granted a pension in 1832. His application states that he was a Botetourt rifleman who left after a skirmish at Wetzel’s Mill before the Battle of Guilford Court House. At a court martial to determine if the riflemen would receive credit for their service, 49 men testified that they had gone home to plant crops.
After his service in the Revolutionary War, it is likely William scouted the frontier and selected lands for surveys, taking possession in 1782 - one of 399 acres and one of 430 acres. At his death the land he held, 441 acres, was sold for $950.
There are many records showing William’s participation in county affairs. He and three of his sons signed the application for the formation of Tazewell County in 1793 and, in 1800, he served on the first grand jury in Tazewell County.
In August 1843, Nancy applied for a pension; at the age of 94. The Annals of Tazewell County, VA shows this court record: It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, that William Brooks, deceased, was a Revolutionary pensioner, that he departed this life on the 24th day of Jan 1841, leaving his widow, Anna Brooks, and the following being all his heirs and legal representatives, to-wit, John Brooks, William Brooks, Margaret Kirk, Elizabeth Stephenson, Nancy Clyburn, Sally Todd, Polly Brooks and Louise Asberry, it is ordered that the same be certified.
William died in the Thompson Valley of Tazewell County on 24 Jan 1841 and Anne died on 2 Oct 1843. Both are buried on the family farm in Thompson Valley. The NSDAR dedicated their graves, placing new tombstones in 1977. The farm remained in the family until the mid 1900’s.
My family line starting with my Grandmother (Generation 3):
Gen 3: Hazel Julia Brooks Betler Houchin
Gen 4: Richard Thomas Brooks & Landona Belle Curry
Gen 5: Luke Perkizer Brooks & Barbara Julia Rexroad
Gen 6: RIchard Locke Brooks & Judith Adkins
Gen 7: Richard Brooks & Margaret McClancy (Clancy)
Gen 8: William Brooks & Nancy Anne Locke