52 ANCESTORS in 52 WEEKS: #6, Thomas BROOKS, 1679-1732

Following the challenge of writing 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, issued by Amy Johnson Crow, here is my 6th installment.

Thomas BROOKS is my 7th great-grandfather through my mother's mother's mother's line.  His father, Henry BROOKS, was the original immigrant, known to be in Wallingford (CT) by 1670, from research in the publication "Genealogy and Family History of the State of Connecticut".   Note that Wallingford originally included Cheshire Connecticut. It is known that Henry died after 1713 in New Haven CT, as his name is still listed that year as a proprietor of Wallingford. Henry arrived in Wallingford with his brother, John, who later moved with his family to Fairfield county (perhaps). 

The region where the Brooks were raised was originally termed Cheshire, for their home in England. I have done little research on Henry, except to note his marriage to Hannah Blakely/Blakelee 21 Dec 1676, married by William Jones, Justice of the Peace in Wallingford (taken from Town Records of Wallingford).  Hmmm. The Blakely/Blakelee families - another line of early settlers to research!

"The Genealogy of the families of Henry and John Brooks, who emigrated from Cheshire, England, about A.D. 1660, and from whom the present town of Cheshire, Ct., received its name" is another history book with information on the BROOKS family, and I need to search looking for further details in this and other publications, which can be analyzed.  The Town Records of Wallingford provide many details of the late 1660s births, marriages, deaths.  Note that there is also a Brooks Surname project for DNA research.

Thomas was born 27 Mar 1679, several years after his parents' marriage, and I have not added his siblings at this point in time.  Have you noticed that research is never done-? 

On 25 Mar 1702, by John Alling, Thomas married Martha HOTCHKISS, who was b. 14 Dec 1683 in New Haven CT.  Their first child Stephen BROOKS, is listed as being born scarcely 2 months later. Much of this information has been published by the NEHGS Register.
Children:
 - Stephen* [direct line], b.28 May 1702, m.6 May 1725 Waterbury CT to Hannah BARNES; d.16 May 1773 
 - Mary, b.14 May 1704; m. Nathaniel Bunnel, Feb 1726
 - Thomas, b.14 Feb 1706; m. Desire, bef Feb 1732 [1st child]
 - Enos, b.15 Feb 1708; m. Tamer Wooster, bef Apr 1735 [1st child]
 - Cornelius, b.10 Sep 1711; m. unknown
 - Martha, b.21 Feb 1714; m. Samuel Coles
 - Mehitible, b.23 Apr 1716; m. Edward Gaylord, 16 Aug 1733
 - Benjamin, b.23 Apr 1720; m. unknown
 - Henry, b.2 Mar 1723; m. Mary Cooper, 4 Dec 1745
 - Thankful, b.19 Dec 1725; m. Nathan Gaylord, 30 May 1745

In 1723, a Congregational church formed, members meeting at the homes of Thomas Brooks and John Hotchkiss.  Thomas was on the committee which arranged to settle Mr. Hall as their first minister in December 1723.  Thomas Brooks seems to have been a very active member of the community, and well respected. Several of his sons were active in the Revolutionary War (Stephen, Enos, for example).

When the youngest child, Thankful, was only 7 years old, Thomas died of smallpox, 20 July 1732.  He and his wife, Martha, who d. after 1755, are buried in Hillside Cemetery, Cheshire, New Haven, CT. 

A very clear image of his headstone may be seen on FindAGrave, with added details by the helpful person who uploaded the photos and memorial, another 7th greatgrandchild.

If you have additional information or have questions, do contact me via calewis at telus dot com, and comment below.  I'm always thrilled to see comments and answer questions.