In Memoriam – William J. Brooks

Photo by Mark Engelbrecht

William J. Brooks was my 2nd Great Grandfather and is the closest ancestor I know to have been killed in the line of duty.  On this Memorial Day, I honor him and his service to our country.

William J. Brooks, son of Bartlett Brooks and Monima Williams, was born in South Carolina in 1835.  He married Sarah Jane Miller (1836-1923) and together they had four children – Albert Preston (1857-1935), John B (1859-1935?), Frances Maria (1860-1936), and William W. (1862-1934).  On July 1, 1862, shortly after William W. was born, William enlisted for a 3 year term in Co. G, 3rd Regt., So. Carolina Volunteers in Columbia, South Carolina.

Photo by Matthew Straubmuller

I don’t know much about William’s service in the Civil War until his company, commanded by Captain R.P. Todd, entered the conflict at Fredericksburg, Virginia where 163 men, including William, were killed.  Killed.  December 13, 1862.  Died in a hospital.  And that’s about all I know.  I don’t know how, I don’t know when, I don’t know exactly where.  All I know is killed.

Which might be all Sarah knew when she met with the War Department on February 10, 1863 in order to secure the money that William never received for serving his country.  5 months and 13 days fighting for his country which netted Sarah a grand total of $98.13.  Four small children, one of whom was my Great Grandmother, to raise with $98.13. 

I do know that Sarah came from an affluent family so I doubt that she was homeless but I can’t imagine the heartache and trials she faced as she went on with her life.  As the story goes (correct me if I’m wrong, cousin Terry) William left his pocket watch with his friend, John H. Anderson, and asked that it be delivered to his wife, Sarah, in the event of his death.  A romance blossomed between the two and they ended up marrying and having three more children.

William J. Brooks is buried in Dials Cemetery, Laurens County, South Carolina.

SNGF: Maternal Grandfather's Paternal Line

Photo by daveynin

It's time for Saturday Night Genealogy Fun!  Okay, so it's Sunday but play along with me.  Thanks to Randy Seaver for the genealogy fun. 

The challenge is this:

Find a living male person in your database from your maternal grandfather's patrilineal line who could take a Y-DNA test. Answer these questions:

1) What was your mother's father's name?

2) What is your mother's father's patrilineal line? That is, his father's father's father's ... back to the most distant male ancestor in that line?

3) Can you identify male sibling(s) of your mother's father, and any living male descendants from those male sibling(s)? If so, you have a candidate to do a Y-DNA test on that patrilineal line. If not, you may have to find male siblings, and their descendants, of the next generation back, or even further.

Here's mine:

1)  My mother's father was Earle Laurence Martin (1900-1986) born in Fresno, California.  He was the youngest of eight children (3 boys, 5 girls).

2)  Earle's father was Robert Lewis Martin (1855-1929) born in Laurens County, South Carolina.  He had two brothers, George Asbury Martin (1849-1920) and James A Martin (1853-1923). 

3)  Robert's father was Lewis Saxon Martin (1820-1903) born in South Carolina.  He had five brothers, William Martin (1830-1917), Harrison Martin (1832 - ), James Martin (1836 - ), Edmund Martin (1838 - ), Leander Martin (1842 - ).

4)  Lewis' father was George Asbury Martin (1798-1850) born in Laurens County, South Carolina.  He had six brothers, Daniel Martin Jr. (1765 - ), Berry Martin (1774 - ), John Martin (1777-1843), Drewry Martin (1784 - ), John Martin (1784 - ), Herbert Martin (1796-1858).

5)  George's father was Daniel Martin (1746-1829) born in New Kent, Virginia.  He had two brothers, Shadrick Martin (1729-1800) and William Martin (1745 - ).

6)  Daniel's father was William Martin (1726-1784) born in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent, Virginia.  He had no brothers.

7)  William's father was Thomas Martin (1698 - ) born in St. Peter's, New Kent, Virginia.  He had six brothers.

8)  Thomas' father was William Martin (1687-1709) born in New Kent, Virginia.  I have no record of any siblings.

9)  William's father was Abram Martin (1642-1711) born in Galway, Ireland. 

What this tells me is that I have a lot of research on this branch of my family before I can even think about a Y-DNA test.

Before I do that, though, I'd like nothing more than a photo of Earle Martin, my maternal grandfather.  He and my grandmother divorced when my mother was only about 10 and, thus, he wasn't really a part of our lives.  To my knowledge, I only met him once when I was about 10-12 years old and I don't even remember what he looked like.  :-(