William Brooks 11 Aug 1820 to 29 Aug 1853 and Samantha Donaldson 16 Jul 1823 to 30 May 1897 (Tintype from Brooks Family Bible, sold on eBay 12 January 2008)

Biography

Early Life and Parentage

William Brooks was born August 11, 1820, in Georgia. Based on Eastern Cherokee claim records and a “bastard father” charge filed by his mother Catherine Brooks, William was the son of John Love and Catherine Brooks. This connection is documented in family genealogy files compiled by Robert Scott Davis and donated to the Hargrett Library at the University of Georgia.

Marriage and Family

William married Samantha Donaldson in December 1837. The ceremony was performed by Fielden Maddox, Samantha’s cousin on the Donaldson line. Both William and Samantha were members of the Haynes Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Loganville, Georgia.

Military Service in Cherokee Removal

At age 17, William enlisted on May 14, 1838, for service in the “Cherokee Removal,” which culminated in the infamous Trail of Tears. He served under Sheriff Brewster (1804-1876), who was activated as Captain at Fort Gilmer on May 7, 1838.

William’s service period coincided with the forced removal of Cherokees who had not voluntarily left their lands. US Army volunteers rounded up approximately 3,000 Cherokees during this brief but devastating period, completing the process by June 1838. William was discharged on June 24, 1838.

According to Samantha’s later pension application, William had blue eyes, light hair, and a fair complexion.

Family and Census Records

The couple’s household is documented in both the 1840 and 1850 censuses:

1840 Census (Gwinnett County, GA):

• William and Samantha (both aged 15-19 at marriage)
• One person employed in agriculture
• Total household: 2 persons

1850 Census (Gwinnett County, GA):

• William Brooks (28, born in Georgia)
• Samantha O. Brooks (27, born in Georgia)
• Elizabeth C. Brooks (9, born in Georgia)
• Eliza A. Brooks (6, born in Georgia)
• Reuben J. Brooks (3, born in Georgia)
• Mary T. Brooks (1, born in Georgia)

Death and Legacy

William died on August 29, 1853, near Draketown, Haralson County, Georgia, at the young age of 33. Samantha survived him by 44 years, living until May 30, 1897.

Historical Irony: Cherokee Claims

A profound irony marks this family’s history. While William participated in the Cherokee Removal, his daughters Elizabeth C. and Sarah Jane later filed Eastern Cherokee settlement claims that were ultimately rejected. They claimed Cherokee heritage through their Rutledge line, asserting that their great-grandfather Josiah Rutledge was half Cherokee. However, genealogical evidence shows Josiah was actually their grand-uncle who married Rachel Pope.

This connection brings us to the work of Michael Rutledge, a Cherokee Nation member (not through Rutledge ancestors), whose essay “Forgiveness in the Age of Forgetfulness” includes firsthand accounts of the Cherokee removal experience, including memories from Army private John G. Barnet and “Samuel’s Memory,” a Cherokee child’s recollections passed down through generations.

Research Documentation

Primary Sources:

• Samantha O. Brooks’ pension application for William’s Cherokee War service
• Eastern Cherokee claim records
• 1840 and 1850 U.S. Census records
• Family genealogy files by Robert Scott Davis (Hargrett Library, University of Georgia)

Genetic Evidence:

Direct male descendant yDNA testing (Kit #160872) matches two descendants of Ingram Love, supporting the connection to John Love as William’s father (matching kits #158993 and #41294 in the Love Surname Project).

Research Notes and Clarifications

Birth Date Discrepancy: William’s family Bible lists his birth as August 16, 1821, but this profile uses the August 11, 1820 date from Catherine Brooks’ official charge record, which is considered more reliable than the Bible record.

Parentage Clarification: Many researchers incorrectly assign William to parents Jabez Brooks and Sarah Sally Davis based solely on geographic proximity and age considerations. However, the documentary evidence and DNA testing support John Love as his father.

Military Service Details: While Samantha’s pension application initially stated William served in Hamilton’s Company, an auditor’s review confirmed he actually served under Sheriff Brewster. Interestingly, some details in Samantha’s application appear to belong to (James) Martin Brooks, one of Jabez Brooks’ sons, suggesting possible confusion in family military records.

This biography combines documented historical records with genetic evidence to present the most accurate account possible of William Brooks’ life and his complex connection to one of the darkest chapters in American history.