Richard Brooks, of Hanover County

There are scant records remaining from Hanover County from this period, but Richard Brookes will (dated 8 Oct 1731/proved 5 Jul 1734) is one of them. In it, he names his wife, Mary, and five children: William, Robert, Richard, Sarah, Massilina. He disinherited his son, William, with one shilling and left his estate to his wife and remaining four children. There is no record of his wife's maiden name, but many believe that she was Mary Gibson, daughter of Thomas Gibson, who names his daughter as "Mary Brook" in his own will in 1734 - and this is likely correct. Richard Brookes or Brooks' sons, Robert & Richard II, had family ties & land records with the Gentry family and it is assumed that Richard Sr was a contemporary of Nicholas Gentry I (hence the estimated DOB of about 1660). To date, Richard's birth & parents are not known and any parents attached to him are pure speculation.

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L6Y3-T1Z

Notes for Richard Brookes: From: Hanover Co., VA Court Records 1733-1735, p 103-4 WILL OF RICHARD BROOKES

IN THE NAME OF GOD, Amen, I Richard Brookes of Hanover County in Virginia, being by the blessing of God of perfect and sound memory but considering the uncertainty of this life, I do with good consideration make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following: First I give and resign my soul to God my Creator trusting only in the word of Jesus Christ my Saviour for full remission of all my sins and my body to be decently buried and my Estate I give and dispose of as follows: First it is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral charges be duly paid. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son William Brookes, one Shilling. Item. I give and ordain all the residue of my Estate not yet disposed of to be equally divided between my loving wife Mary and my four children Robert Brookes, Richard Brookes, Sarah Brookes and Massilva Brookes and what other children more shall be hereafter lawfully born unto me by my present wife Mary Brookes, and I do make this my last will and Testament revoking and annulling all former will or wills Testament or Whatsoever either in writing and spoken and do make my last will and Testa-ment and no other and do constitute and appoint my loving friends Abraham Venable and Edward Nix to be Executors of this my last will and Testament and no other, Witness my hand and seal this Eighth day of October, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty One. Signed, Sealed publicly and Ordered) In presenne of us Steven Clemont, Sarah I (or J) aroir, Diary Banks, John Wright

At a Court held for Hanover County the fifth day of July 1734 This will of Richard Brooks deceased was this day processed in Open Court by the oaths of Stephen Clement, Sarah lanon (7), and John Wright three of the witnesses thereto and admitted to record.

Test. Aug. Graham CC

From: THE BROOKS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA & NORTH CAROLINA (Selke’s data) REF: Hanover Co., VA Court Records, 1733-1735

P. 104: (Admin. Bond)- We Edward Nicks, Abraham Venable Gent. and John Dowell are firmly bound unto Nicholas Meriwether Gent first Justice in the Commission of the Peace in Hanover Co. in the sum of £200 sterling. 5 July 1734. Condition: if the above bound Edward Nicks Exor. of the last Will and Testament of Richard Brookes dec'd. do make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all goods chattels and Credits of the sd deceased and deliver the Legacies contained in sd. Testament then this obligation be void. Edward Nix Abraham Venable 5 July 1734 ack. by Edward Nix and Abraham Venable Gent.

P. 108: An Inventory of the Estate of Mr. Richard Brooks Lately Deceased 5 cows & calves, 4 young stears, 1 hiffer 11.05; 2 yearlings 1 Barren Cow 1.11.6; 28 young hoggs 4.19; 59 1/4 lbs. old pewter, 1 durz. and 5 spoons 2.62 1/4; 37 1/4 lbs. do., 1 old Tankard 2.8; 64 1/2 lbs. old iron, 1 Cros cut saw .10.4 1/2; a parcell of old Tools with other lumber .13.9 1/3; 2 brass Candlesticks, 2 Brass Cocks .4 18 old brass .16; 1 Tinn Pail, 1 pare stilards, 1 pare money scales .08.6; old Earthen ware, 2 stone juggs, 1 draw box .08; 2 frying pans, 2 pare pottramills 1 hook .13; 5 iron pots, 3 pare pothooks 2.1.11; 1 featherbed, 1 do, 1 warming pan 5.11; 2 trays, 1 furkin, a parcill of Lumber 1.0.3; 2 old boxes 1 qt Kettle, 2 old chests .16.6; 4 leather chears 2 old do .14.6; 2 meel sifters, 1 meel bagg, 1 claw hammer .4.4; 1 grindstone 1 hone, 1 milk pale, 1 old fire lock .14 Total £ 38.4.11

We have appraised the Estate of Mr. Richard Brooks dec'd 31st day of July 1734. Pouncey Anderson, Thomas Johnson 2 Aug. 1734 returned and recorded. REF: Hanover Co., VA Court Records, 1733-1735