John Brooks 1790-1818

Melancholy shipwreck – 

"The Schooner Independence, of Sandusky, John Brooks, master and owner, John Chambers, seaman, cleared from the mouth of the Black River, on Saturday the 14th, instant for Detroit, loaded with corn for John S.Reid, Esq. who sent his son Cornelius Read, to Assist Captain Brooks, and dispose of the corn--

The vessel was capsized in a gale—the cargo lost, and every soul on board drowned. The wreck drifted on shore on Monday the 16th inst. near the mouth of the Black River, (Lake Erie, Ohio area) with her foresail and jib standing; her mainmast had been carried away in the gale.

Capt. Brooks bore an irreproachable Character. He left a wife and two children residing near Urbana, Champaign County, (Ohio) to lament the loss of an affectionate husband and tender father."

Evening Post
New York, New York
Wed. December 9, 1818 pg 2

John Brooks b 1790 married Cinderella Munson

parents of 

Charles Brooks b 1816

father of 

George Andrew Brooks b 1846

father of 

Charles Daniel Brooks b 1869

father of 

Carl McKinley Brooks b 1896

father of 

Shirley Brooks

Dear John,   With such scant information about you and your life it is amazing the personality that is revealed. It is a joy to read that your character was irreproachable and that you were an affectionate husband and tender father.  That speaks volumes. I  found that you were only about 28 years old when you left this earth.  So young, but you accomplished so much.  The owner of a schooner in 1818? Such a young age.  I am impressed, but I also wonder.  How did you earn the money for such a purchase?  Where did you learn to sail? Were you in the military? At the very least you were an adventurous spirit and hard worker.   You must have been a prince charming too.  After all you did marry Cinderella. (Cinderella Munson b 1793)        Until we meet again. I will continue to seek clues as to your life and family.                                          Affectionately,                                                                                                                                            Your 5th Great Granddaughter, Teri