Brooks Surname

Brooks is an English surname, but there is no definitive proof of our family's whereabouts in England before their migration to the New World. The name is usually a derivation of the word brook, or a small stream. Many Brooks lines are also supposed to have been traced to a place in England called Brooksbank.

Recent DNA evidence has suggested that our earliest known Brooks, Henry Brooks (c.1592-1683) was likely from the area of Manchester, Lancashire, England. Please visit Christopher Brooks' excellent website, Tributaries, which provides well-researched genealogies on the many Brooks families of New England, and links to DNA results.

Henry Brooks was born circa 1592 in England. He died on April 12, 1683 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts ¹³.

DNA evidence has shown that Henry is likely closely related to a Richard Brooke who died in 1607 in Manchester, England. Henry was likely the son of John Brooke, who was a son of Richard Brooke of Manchester.

Henry emigrated with his family to New England at an unknown date, probably in the 1630's. He was first found living in 1639 in Concord, Massachusetts, when he was made a freeman. He was still living in Concord as late as 1641, when his son was born there. Sometime between 1641 and 1649, Henry and his family moved to Woburn, Massachusetts, where they remained. In Woburn, Henry was a landowner and was described as both a yeoman (farmer) and clothier. He wrote his will on July 18, 1682 (just 6 days after his third marriage).

For more information, please see Christopher Brooks' well researched page at Tributaries.

They had the following children:

1	Hannah Brooks was born circa 1622 in England. She died in 1692 in New London, New London Co., Connecticut. She married Thomas Fox on December 13, 1647 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 23. She married second Andrew Lester in 1661 in New London, New London Co., Connecticut. She married third Isaac Willey sometime between 1669 and 1692 in New London, New London Co., Connecticut.
2	John Brooks
3	Martha Brooks was born circa 1626 in England. She died on August 3, 1665 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 23. She married Thomas Bateman before 1645.
4	Mary Brooks was born circa 1630 in England. She died on February 24, 1671/72 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Richard Norcross on June 24, 1650 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
5	Sarah Brooks was born circa 1633 in England. She died before September 10, 1705 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married John Mousall on May 13, 1650 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on April 2, 1698 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. They had no children.
6	Timothy Brooks was born circa 1635 in England. He died before October 7, 1712 in Salem (now Cumberland) Co., New Jersey. He married first Mary Russell on December 2, 1659 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. She died on September 15, 1680 in Billerica, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married second Mehitabel Mowry, widow of Eldad Kinsley, circa 1680-1681 in Swansea, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.
7	Joseph Brooks was born on April 12, 1641 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 23. He died before 1682.
8	Isaac Brooks was born circa 1643 in Concord or Woburn, Massachusetts. He died on September 8, 1686 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He married Miriam Daniels on January 10, 1665/66 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.

They had no children.

They had no children.

John Brooks was born circa 1623 in England. He died on September 29, 1691 or September 29, 1692 ⁷ in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

Father: Henry Brooks
Mother: unknown

John was admitted as freeman in 1651.

They had the following children:

1	John Brooks was born on November 23, 1650 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on November 22, 1653 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
2	Sarah Brooks was born on November 21, 1652 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. She died in 1720 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Ephraim Buck on January 1, 1669/70 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. We also descend from this child. Her granddaughter Mary Buck (1712-1773) married Samuel Bixby.
3	Eunice Brooks was born on October 10, 1655 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. She married first James Parker circa 1672. She married second Samuel Carter.
4	Joanna Brooks was born on March 22, 1658/9 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. She died on Decdember 1, 1724 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married David Roberts on October 2, 1678 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
5	John Brooks
6	Ebenezer Brooks was born on December 9, 1666 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
7	Deborah Brooks was born on March 20, 1668/9 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. She died on February 12, 1703/4 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married John Richardson circa 1689 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
8	Jabez Brooks was born on July 17, 1673 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on January 30, 1746/7 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married first Rachel Buck on December 18, 1694 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married second Hepzibah Cutter on June 7, 1698 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

John Brooks was born on March 1, 1663/4 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts ^7,13. He died on August 7, 1733 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts ^7,13.

Father: John Brooks
Mother: Eunice Mousall

John was married there on December 30, 1684 to Mary Bruce. They lived in Woburn and had 11 children: Mary, John, Ebenezer, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, John, Abigail, Timothy, Isaac, and Nathan (see next generation). John died on August 7, 1733 at Woburn, Mass., and his wife died after 1734.

They had the following children:

1	Mary Brooks was born and died on December 4, 1685 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
2	John Brooks was born on December 30, 1686 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on January 2, 1686/7 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
3	Ebenezer Brooks was born on December 30, 1686 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on December 31, 1686 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
4	Mary Brooks was born on April 1, 1688 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. She died on May 26, 1712.
5	Elizabeth Brooks was born circa 1690 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She died on April 14, 1724 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Timothy Winn.
6	Sarah Brooks was born on August 14, 1692 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
7	John Brooks was born on November 28, 1694 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
8	Abigail Brooks was born on August 19, 1697 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. She died on October 12, 1697 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
9	Timothy Brooks was born on February 14, 1699/00 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on October 13, 1786.
10	Isaac Brooks was born in 1703 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on August 24, 1719 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
11	Nathan Brooks

Nathan Brooks was born on November 1, 1706 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts ^7,13. He died on January 5, 1750/1 ¹³ or January 6, 1750/1 ^7,15 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He is buried in the Old Burial Ground, Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

Father: John Brooks
Mother: Mary Bruce

They had the following children:

1	Nathan Brooks was born on November 6, 1727 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on January 26, 1758 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
2	Isaac Brooks was born on July 31, 1729 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on March 23, 1768 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He married Joanna Holden.
3	Jonathan Brooks was born on August 26, 1731 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on December 30, 1733 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
4	John Brooks
5	Jonathan Brooks was born on February 21, 1734/5 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died in 1807.
6	William Brooks was born on March 3, 1736/7 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on October 11, 1804 in Lyndeboro, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
7	Sarah Brooks was born on March 1, 1738/9 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
8	Seth Brooks was born on April 1, 1740 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
9	Zachariah Brooks was born on April 20, 1742 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13. He died on February 2, 1792 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
10	Mary Brooks was born on March 1, 1743/4 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
11	Elizabeth Brooks was born in 1746 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 13.
12	Samuel Brooks was born on July 16, 1747 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

John Brooks was born on May 6, 1733 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts ¹³. He died on May 6, 1776 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire ¹⁶. He is buried in the a Congregational Church Cemetery, Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.

Father: Nathan Brooks
Mother: Sarah Wyman

John left his family as a youth and moved to Hollis, New Hampshire. There he married Mary Kemp on January 5, 1757. They had 5 children: Mary, John, Nathan (see next generation), Abigail, and Ruth. John continued living in Hollis where he died on May 6, 1776. His widow afterwards moved to nearby Hancock, New Hampshire, where she died on February 12, 1829.

Father: Zerubbabel Kemp
Mother: Abigail Lawrence

Mary's paternal grandmother Mary Lacey Kemp, her great-grandmother Mary Foster Lacey and her great-great-grandmother Ann Foster were all convicted witches in the Salem Witchcraft Trials.

1	Mary Brooks was born on December 3, 1757 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 9.
2	John Brooks was born on August 24, 1760 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 7,9. He died on June 12, 1851 in Hancock, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 7.
3	Nathan Brooks
4	Abigail Brooks was born on December 6, 1770 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 9. She died on January 5, 1771 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. She is buried in the Congregational Church Cemetery, Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
5	Hannah Brooks was born on August 20, 1772 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 9. She died after 1850, probably in Licking Co., Ohio. She married John Powers on November 28, 1793 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
6	Ruth Brooks was born on January 15, 1775 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 9. She died in 1790 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.

Nathan Brooks was born on August 26, 1767 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire ^7,9,10. He died on March 1, 1826 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio ^1,7,10. He is buried in the Old Colony Burial Ground, Granville, Licking Co., Ohio.

Father: John Brooks
Mother: Mary Kemp

Nathan was born and raised in the town of Hollis, where his father died when he was only eight years old. He was afterwards raised by his mother and step-father Nehemiah Woods. In 1795, Nathan married a young woman named Sarah Morse and the two settled immediately in the nearby town of Hancock, New Hampshire. They did not remain there long. In 1802, the family moved to Westford, Chittenden County, Vermont ⁷. In 1817, Nathan and his family moved yet again to Licking County, Ohio ⁷.

Nathan spent the remainder of his life in the vicinity of Granville, Ohio. It seems that the family lived and farmed on land in McKean Township, not far from the village of Granville. Nathan died in 1826 and was buried in the Old Colony Burial Ground at Granville. His tombstone was standing and recorded in 1886, but has disappeared by 2004.

Father: Daniel Morse
Mother: Ruth Morse After the death of her husband in 1826, Sarah lived with the family of her daughter Mary Brooks Thurston in Licking County, Ohio. She moved with them to Delaware County, Ohio in the 1830's and again to Garden City, Minnesota in 1856. In the early 1860's, she moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, probably to live with her son Cyrus.

1	Nathan Brooks was born on September 10, 1796 in Hancock, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 5,7. He died on October 20, 1854 7 or October 29, 1854 5 in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio . He is buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio. He married Mary Fay Pratt on March 25, 1821 in Licking Co., Ohio 6,7. (She was born on March 18, 1804 in New Hampshire 5 and died on December 26, 1861 in Ohio 5. She is buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio.) They had the following children: John L. F. Brooks (1822-1823) Frank Brooks (1825-1855) Philena H. Brooks (c. 1828-1854) md. Robert Scott Gilchrist Ann M. Brooks (1832-1917) md. Robert Scott Gilchrist Sarah Elvira Brooks (c. 1835-1889) md. Jesse Hower Mary Brooks (c. 1838-1889) md. Seneca Brown Thrall
2	Sarah Brooks was born on July 25, 1798 in Hancock, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 8. She died on August 25, 1800 in Hancock, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 8.
3	Sarah Brooks was born on February 15, 1801 in Hancock, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 7. She died on March 22, 1884 in Kingman, Kingman Co., Kansas 7. She is buried in the Corinth Cemetery, Chariton Co., Missouri. She married David Chadwick on August 6, 1818 in Granville, Licking Co., Ohio 7. (He was born on November 19, 1793 in Fletcher, Franklin Co., Vermont and died on December 1, 1868 in Keytesville, Chariton Co., Missouri. He is buried in the Corinth Cemetery, Chariton Co., Missouri.) They had the following children: George M. Chadwick (1819-1902) md. Harriett Grubb Taylor Samuel P. Chadwick (1821-1849) Benjamin Franklin Chadwick (1823-1880) md. 1st. Ann M. Madden md. 2nd. Sarilda C. Royal Gilson Chadwick (1825-1903) md. 1st. Margaret E. Wyatt md. 2nd. Kate Schmidt Sarah Elizabeth Chadwick (1827-1860) md. John Hardiman Walker Julia Ann Chadwick (1829-1893) md. James M. Rucker Julius Judson Chadwick (1832-1843) Harrison Brooks Chadwick (1834-1849) Mary Ellen Brooks (1836-1919) md. William C. Huggins Frances Amelia Chadwick (1838-1889) md. Benjamin Franklin Taylor Cynthia Rose Chadwick (1840-1905) md. John Henry Dunham Ruthie Idale Chadwick (1844-1877) md. George W. Allen
4	Mary Morse Brooks
5	John Brooks was born on July 25, 1805 in Westford, Chittenden Co., Vermont 8. He died on August 30, 1809 in Westford, Chittenden Co., Vermont 8.
6	Miles Brooks was born on May 4, 1808 in Westford, Chittenden Co., Vermont 8. He died on August 29, 1809 in Westford, Chittenden Co., Vermont 8.
7	Cyrus Brooks was born on February 8, 1811 in Westford, Chittenden Co., Vermont 7. He died on April 21, 1902 in St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota 8. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota. He married first Mary Eleanor Davenport on September 9, 1838 in Ohio 7. (She was born circa 1817 in Ohio and died on January 18, 1852.) They had the following children: Mary Ellen Brooks (1839-1889) md. Asahel F. Parker Cyrus Adrian Brooks (1842-aft. 1920) md. Adaline V. Campbell Olivia Davenport Brooks (1844-1910) Edward Coulson Brooks (1846-1939) md. 1st. Carrie M. Roland md. 2nd. Ida H. Hanks Henry Merrick Brooks (1850-1865) He married second Laura Ann Lampson, widow of George Elliott, on April 27, 1853 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 7. (She was born on February 9, 1813 in New Haven, Addison Co., Vermont and died on August 6, 1903 in St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota. She is buried in the Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota.) They had no children.
8	Harrison Brooks was born on April 13, 1813 in Westford, Chittenden Co., Vermont 7. He died on February 28, 1881 in Clarion, Wright Co., Iowa 7,8,11. He is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion, Wright Co., Iowa. He married first Dulcena A. Watson on June 18, 1837 in Macon Co., Illinois 12. (She was born circa 1821 in Kentucky and died on March 16, 1849 in Bloomington, McLean Co., Illinois.) They had the following children: Mary Frances Brooks (1839-1904) md. Alexander L. Kennedy William Wallace Brooks (1842-1917) md. Jennie Hannah Smith Sarah Ellen Brooks (1844-1917) md. William Henry Harrison Beaman Caroline W. Brooks (1848-1849) He married second Sarah Eveline Young on October 28, 1850 in Bloomington, McLean Co., Illinois 12. (She was born circa 1834 in Indiana and died on September 16, 1898 in Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington. She is buried in the Fairmount Cemetery, Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington.) They had the following children: Emma Adeline Brooks (1851-1905) md. 1st Robert L. Morton md. 2nd Peter J. Amandus Jarren Ancel Edward Brooks (1857-1916) md. Ida Mae Woodward Omar Harrison Brooks (1861-1943) md. Caroline M. Overacker Lizzie Rea Brooks (c. 1876-1961) md. Frederick B. Ames
9	Ancel Brooks was born on January 24, 1816 in Westford, Chittenden Co., Vermont 7. He died on July 25, 1906 in Washington Court House, Fayette Co., Ohio 17. He is buried in the Greenfield Cemetery, Greenfield, Highland Co., Ohio. He married first Ann Smith on May 10, 1838 in Highland Co., Ohio 18. (She was born on December 30, 1814 20 in North Carolina and died on January 26, 1845 in Highland Co., Ohio 20. She is buried in the Auburn Cemetery, Penn Twp., Highland Co., Ohio.) They had three known children: Joseph Benson Brooks (1841-1924) md. 1st. Maggie M. Brisbin md. 2nd. Ora Elnora Himiller infant male Brooks died in infancy James Brooks died in infancy He married second Caroline W. Himiller on April 20, 1847 in Ross Co., Ohio 19. (She was born circa 1826 in Ohio and died in 1897 20, probably in Highland Co., Ohio. She is buried in the Greenfield Cemetery, Greenfield, Highland Co., Ohio.) They had one child: Anna C. H. Brooks (1852-1933) md. Harry V. Rodgers

Mary Morse Brooks was born on June 12, 1803 at Westford, Chittenden County, Vermont ^2,7,8. She died on May 11, 1876 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota ². She is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.

Father: Nathan Brooks
Mother: Sarah Morse

In 1817 (when she was about 14) she moved with her family to Licking County, Ohio ⁷. There, she met and married Reuben H. Thurston in 1827. From 1827 to 1829 they lived near Granville in Granville Township. Then from 1829 to 1837/8, they lived in neighboring McKean Township, also near Granville. Then in 1837 or 1838, they moved to Berlin Township, in Delaware County, Ohio, where they lived near the city of Delaware.

Mary's husband was a successful farmer in Ohio. Reuben was a member of the Ohio Abolitionists, with the goal to abolish slavery. He is also said to have discredited the Christian Bible, and there is no record of Mary or her children attending any church. In the Spring of 1856, Mary and her family moved out west and settled at Garden City, in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where they remained ²². In Minnesota, Mary apparently owned some real estate in her own name, as she was taxed for it in 1864.

For information on their children, see his page.

1. Bryant, Charles W., Copies of Epitaphs of the Old Colony Burial Ground. Licking County Historical Society, 1886
2. Thurston, Brown. Thurston Genealogies, 1635-1892, Second Edition. Brown Thurston: Portland, ME, 1892.
3. Morse, J. Howard. Morse Genealogy. NY, 1903.
4. Assorted US Federal Census Records
5. Online cemetery index, Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, OH. http://greenlawn.delaohio.com/greenlawn/Greenlawn/index.htm.
6. Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958. http://beta.familysearch.org
7. Hayward, William W. The History of Hancock, New Hampshire, 1764-1889. S.W. Huse & Co., Lowell, MA, 1889.
8. Research of Natalie Coulson Brooks Friendly, via Morris O. Brooks and Christopher Brooks
9. Worcester, Samuel T. History of the Town of Hollis, New Hampshire, from its settlement to the year 1879. A. Williams & Co., Boston, 1879.
10. Leonard, Levi W. The History of Dublin, NH. Town of Dublin, Dublin, NH, 1920
11. Online cemetery indexes, Iowa graves Survey - WPA. http://iowawpagraves.org
12. Illinois Marriages, 1790-1860. ancestry.com
13. Vital Records of Woburn, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1873. Tan Book, 1890.
14. Vital Records of Groton, Massachusetts, to the year 1849. The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1926.
15. Tombstone inscriptions, Old Burial Ground, Woburn, MA
16. Tombstone inscriptions, Congregational Church Cemetery, Hollis, NH
17. Ohio Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997. Familysearch.org
18. Marriage register, Highland Co., OH, 1838, Pg. 3, #3037. Familysearch.org
19. Marriage register, Ross Co., OH, 1847, Pg. 297. Famiysearch.org
20. Research of Lynnette Davis at stevedd628@hotmail.com
21. Marriage register, Licking Co., OH, Vol. 1 Pg. 251. Familysearch.org
22. Obituary of Reuben H. Thurston, Mankato Free Press, Apr. 1880
23. Concord, Massachusetts Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1635-1850. Beacon Press, Boston, 1895.