Thomas Brooks & Betsey Hard Brooks
Thomas Brooks
Birth: May 20, 1837
Place: Derbyshire, England
Death: February 23, 1907
Place: Wayland, Allegan Co., Mi
Burial: Wayland Cemetery, Wayland, Mi
Wife: Betsey Ann Hard
Marriage: 1861
Place: Leighton Twp., Mi
Occupation: Farmer
Thomas Brooks was born to John Brooks and Elizabeth Merchant Brooks on May 20, 1837, in Derbyshire England. He came to America with his family on May 4, 1842, aboard The George Washington. View the Brooks family entrance into America. I know, at least part of the family, lived in Middleville, New York in 1950 (see John and Elizabeth's info) Thomas can found in Walker Twp, Kent Co., Michigan in 1860. Thomas(22) is listed as a farm laborer, living with Jonathan(38, farmer) and Betsey(30, wife) Blair and their 3yr old son, Frank E. Blair. There is an additional domestic help living there too, Thyira? Erwing(20,f). This census states that Thomas was born in England, Jonathan and Betsey were born in New York, and Frank and Thyira? born in Michigan. Thomas married Betsey Ann Hard in 1861 in Leighton Twp, Mi. Their first child, Clemma was born in 1864 or 1863. (I originally had 1864 for the year that she was born, but I'm not sure where that came from. I think just word of mouth in the family. But as I was preparing to write this, I noticed that if she was born in 1864, Thomas Brooks could not have been her father because he was in the civil war at that time. Then after reexamining the census's Clemma was listed on and comparing the age to the month and year it was taken, it appears that she was actually born in 1863.) According to the 1890 veterans schedule, Thomas Brooks enlisted as a Private in Company H, 21st Infantry Regiment Michigan on August 11, 1862, and was discharged January 2, 1865, serving 2yrs, 6ms, and 10days. An additional Civil War record reads that same information, including that he was transfer on September 1, 1864 in Mississippi. (read more about the 21st Infantry-Mi) The 1870 census shows Thomas(32, head), Betsy(25), Clemma(possibally 7), and Wade(3) living in Wayland, Allegan Co, Michigan. Thomas's occupation is listed as a farmer, Betsey has an occupation listed, but I can't make it out, I think it just says Keeps House. It also says Thomas's real estate value is $2000 and personal value is either $1550 or $550; that Thomas was born in England, while the rest in Michigan; and that Clemma attended school that year. In 1880 they are living in Tallmadge Twp, Ottawa Co., Michigan. Thomas(42), Betsey(38), and Wade(13). Thomas is still working as a farmer, Betsey is listed as house keeper, and Wade attends school. This census also states that Thomas and both parents were born in England, Betsey was born in Michigan, while her father was born in Vermont and mother in Mass. Thomas Brooks passed on February 23, 1907, from La Grippe in Wayland, Allegan Co., Michigan. He is also buried in Wayland, Mi.
Betsey Ann Hard
Birth: 1845
Place: Michigan
Death: August 19, 1911
Place: Wayland, Allegan Co., Mi
Burial: Wayland Cemetery, Wayland, Mi
Husband: Thomas Brooks
Occupation: House wife
Number of Children: 2 known
Betsey Ann Hard was born in 1845 to Jehial Hawley Hard and Matilda Barker Hard in Michigan. She was the eighth of ten children known. She married Thomas Brooks in 1861. Her life with Thomas is written above. Betsey Brooks died August 19, 1911 in Wayland, Michigan. She is buried along side her husband.
Thomas and Betsey Brooks's Children:
Documents I have on this family: