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Note: James Winter Brooks was my Grandfather. He, like his father, and perhaps his own grandfather, was a shoemaker. Prior to his death in 1920, he had a store/shop at the "then-fashionable" center-of-town location at 1237 East 25th Street in Newport News, VA. Like most prestige urban locations of that time, the demographics for this area have changed considerably... not always for the better!
Cobblers have been vital trade craftsmen for centuries. "Foot coverings" were so important in the lives of men they often gave them magical powers in legends, mythes, songs and stories. The tales of "Puss in Boots," Cinderella" "Seven League Boots" and the "Winged Sandals of Mercury" are just a few examples of these wonderful stories woven around the importance of footware.
Shoemakers of the Middle Ages didn't pay much attention to the foot's shape. Decorations were the key! Thomas Beard, who came to Salem, Mass. in 1629 appears to be one of the first shoemaker in the Colonies. Colonial shoemakers traveled from farm to farm making and repairing shoes for everyone in the family. I expect my grandfather belonged to this "fraternity." By 1846, Elias Howe had patented a sewing machine. Five years later Howe's "sewing" device had been adapted by John Nichols to sew leather for making shoes. Between 1861 and 1865, Civil War needs created a great demand for leather shoes and boots. Manufacturers begin installing this leather-sewing machinery to handle the demand. The old "profit and loss" entrepreneur spirit was alive and well in Virginia.
Depending on your status often the most sought after gifts of these earlier time were a pair of shoes. Costs were so prohibitive, people bequeathed their footwear to family and loved ones. Hence the saying "following in your father's footsteps.
According to Essex County, VA court records, James Winter's father, Robert Brooks, it appears was also a cobbler. The 1850 Census for Essex County, VA (Roll 942, Page. 68) shows "Robert," age 58 and Mildred (maiden name Brizendine), age 49 living in this county. We believe these individuals to be James Winter Brooks's parents.
In 1891, my grandfather, James Winter Brooks sold his farm, his house and shoe shop in Center Cross, VA to his wife's brother,C. A. Taylor for $250.00.
This real estate transaction is recorded in the Essex County Deed Book #56, Pg. 143, Tappahannock, VA.
It reads: "Brooks, J.W. received of C. A. Taylor, Two hundred and fifty Dollars it being in full for the house and lot I own at Center Cross, Being the same Taylor, C.A. that I am now using as a dwelling and shoe shop and that I bought of W.G. Newbill for which there has been no deed, and this is to request the said Newbill to have the deed made to said C.A. Taylor instead of to me."
This recorded family information was found in Essex County Courthouse in Tappahannock, VA on July 23, 1999 by DeWitt Taylor Brooks of Richmond, VA while doing research on the Taylor and Brooks families.
Shortly following this property sale, James Winter and his wife Rosa Lee sailed downriver out of either Bowlers' Wharf, Tappahannock Landing or Wares' Wharf in 1892 for Newport News, VA.
In an interview with Tom Brennaman on his radio program in October 1946, Rosa Lee recalled her 54 year residency in Newport News with vivid memories of the time the cornerstone of the county courthouse was laid. She also remembered looking out of the front room window to watch the mule pull the fire wagons as they answered calls for help.
According to Essex County, VA court records, James winter's father, Robert Brooks, was also a cobbler. The 1850 Census for Essex County, VA (Roll 942, Page. 68) shows "Robert," age 58 and Mildred (maiden name Brizendine), age 49 living in the county. We believe these individuals to be James Winter Brooks's parents. Robert Brooks would then be Ashleigh Brooks's great-great Grandfather.
James must have been a rather good shoemaker. In 1907 his "seamless leaather boot" exhibit won a medal award from the Management of the Exposition. Charles Brooks adopted daugter, Betsy, now has the boot.
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