Papers (1832, 1883-1921) including letters, marriage and death records, school census.
John Wilkes Brooks was born November 16, 1856, the son of Edwin and Martha Brooks. He married Susan Elizabeth "Lizzie" Fields on March 25, 1884. Six sons and four daughters survived him at his death, April 4, 1921.
Most of this collection consists of letters (1883-1888) to or from Lizzie Fields Brooks, the majority of which were written during the Brooks' courtship. In the correspondence there is mention of a Methodist revival in La Grange, N.C. (1884), tremors from an earthquake, land rent, and the price of cotton (1886). Two letters mention illness (1886, 1888). Also included are records of Brooks, Hardee, and Moore family deaths (1843-1863); a marriage license (1832) for James Nelson and Annice Moore; a 1907 census of school children for Greenville Township, Pitt County, N.C.; a photograph of Red Banks School, with its pupils and teachers; and a 1921 memorial for John W. Brooks.
For additional information, see Collection #370.
Gift of Mrs. Rachel Brooks Hord
Processed by C. Crews, February 1991
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.