William Brooks

Clinton D. Portis and Sarah A. Portis were married October 20, 1849, in Gibson Co., TN.

The 1850 U. S. Census taken on September 5, 1850, shows Copina Moss (age 45) born in North Carolina, is the Head of Household, and is living in the 6th Ward, St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO. Among others living at this address are: William Brooks (age 25) born in Virginia, a Carpenter; and Matilda Gilligan (age 50) born in North Carolina.

The 1850 U. S. Census taken on September 4, 1850, shows James Gordon (age 45) born in Kentucky, is a Miller, and is living in the 6th Ward, St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO. Living with him are: Sarah Gordon (age 34) born in Kentucky; Margaret Gordon (age 12) born in Missouri; Elizabeth Gordon (age 10) born in Missouri; Mary Gordon (age 2) born in Missouri; Jacob Gilligan (age 12) born in Indiana; Andrew Bears (age 22) born in New York, a Laborer; Andrew Wolker (age 22) born in Indiana; Jane Wolker (age 24) born in North Carolina; Benjamin Wolker (age 5) born in Indiana; Robert Teves (age 25) born in New York, a Carpenter; Margaret Wade (age 19) born in North Carolina, a Seamstress; as well as five others.

The 1850 U. S. Census taken on December 16, 1850, shows Ricks Portis (age 50) born in born North Carolina, and with Real Estate of $300 is a Shoe Maker, and is living in the 10th Civil District, Henry Co., TN. Living with him are: Mary Portis (age 29) born in Alabama; Lucy Portis (age 18) born in North Carolina; Marion Portis (age 11) born in Tennessee; and Sidney Portis (age 5) born in Tennessee.

The 1850 U. S. Census taken on July 25, 1850, shows John Deane (age 42) born in Massachusetts, with No Occupation Listed, is living in New Rochelle Twp., Westchester Co., NY. Living with him are: Otelia Deane (age 28) born in England; Ann Bolger (age 36) born in England; Margaret Bolger (age 30) born in England; Margaret B. Deane (age 4) born in New York; Ann G. Deane (age 2) born in New York; and Mary McCafrey (age 40) born in Ireland.

William Henry Brooks (age 26), a bachelor, and Margaret Ann "Mary" Wade (age 21), a maiden, were married May 4, 1852, in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO.

Virginia "Jennie" Brooks was born April 28, 1856, in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on June 8, 1860, shows Ricks B. Portis (age 59) born in North Carolina is a Shoe Maker, and is living in Breton Twp., Washington Co., MO, with Post Office at Potosi, MO. Living with him are: Nancy Portis (age 36) born in Kentucky; Susan Portis (age 8) born in Tennessee; Ellen Portis (age 5) born in Missouri; Stephen P. Portis (age 2) born in Missouri; and John Connell (age 40) born in Ireland.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on August 19, 1860, shows John Deane (age 42) born in Massachusetts and with Real Estate of $200,000 and Personal Estate of $40,000 is a Farmer, and is living in Potosi and Breton Twp., Washington Co., MO, with Post Office at Potosi, MO. Living with him are: Otelia Deane (age 33) born in England; Margaret Deane (age 13) born in New York; Anna Deane (age 11) born in New York; Fanny Deane (age 9) born in New York; John Deane (age 7) born in Blank; Thos. McEvany (age 50) born in Ireland, a Laborer; James Jones (age 30) born in Ohio, a Laborer; Patrick Doyle (age 30) born in Ireland, a Laborer; and John C. Matthews (age 30) born in Tennessee, a Laborer.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on June 11, 1860, shows Fred Hattenhash (age 29) born in Prussia, and with Real Estate of $5,000 and Personal Estate of $2,000 is a Grocer, and is living in the 10th Ward, St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO. Living with him are: William H. Brooks (age 32) born in Virginia, a Ship Carpenter, Mary Brooks (age 39) born in North Carolina; Alice Brooks (age 7) born in Missouri; Virginia Brooks (age 4) born in Missouri; Charles Brooks (age 1) born in Missouri; Mitty Gillikins (age 65) born in North Carolina, a Mid Wife; and Sarah Brown (age 5) born in North Carolina.

William H. Brooks was born January 2, 1861, in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO.

Odelia (Boulger) Deane died March 31, 1862, in Potosi, Washington Co., MO. Buried in Saint James Cemetery, Potosi, Washington Co., MO.

Elizabeth Brooks was born January 15, 1865, in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO.

John Deane died August 12, 1866, in Potosi, Washington Co., MO. Buried in Saint James Cemetery, Potosi, Washington Co., MO.

Sarah M. "Sadie/Sallie" Brooks: Born May 31, 1870, in St. Louis, St. Lois Co., MO.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on July 27, 1870, shows Wm. H. Brooks (age 43) born in Virginia, is a Ship Carpenter, and is living in the 10th Ward, St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO. Living with him are: Margrt. Brooks (age 39) born in North Carolina, who is Keeping House; Alice Brooks (age 17) born in Missouri; Virginia Brooks (age 14) born in Missouri; Chas. Brooks (age 11) born in Missouri; to Virginia; Wm. H. Brooks (age 8) born in Missouri; Elizabeth Brooks (age 5) born in Missouri; Mary Brooks (age 2) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents; Sarah Brooks (age 1 1/2 May) born in Missouri; and Meta Gillilen (age 73) born in North Carolina.

William Henry Brooks and Margaret Ann "Mary" (Wade) Brooks were divorced about 1870 in St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO.

William Henry Brooks (age 44), a divorcee, and Susan Anne "Annie" Portis (about age 18), a maiden, were married October 16, 1870, in Potosi, Washington Co., MO.

Orphred Hamilton Brooks Jr. was born March 7, 1875, in Montgomery City, Montgomery Co., MO.

Walter Hughes "Huey" Brooks was born November 25, 1876, in Potosi, Washington Co., MO.

John B. Deane (born about 1853 in New York) and Nancy Ann Portis were married January 5, 1879, in Washington Co., MO.

William Henry Brooks died January 19, 1880, from suicide, due to internal injuries from a fall into a quarry, City of St. Louis, MO, at age 54. Buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, Normandy, St. Louis Co., MO.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 9, 1880, shows James O. Eaton (age 56) born in Missouri to North Carolina-born parents, is a married Farmer, and is living in Concord Twp., Washington Co., MO. Living with him are: his wife, Lee Jane Eaton (age 43) born in Missouri to Missouri-born parents, who is Keeping House; his daughter, Ida C. Eaton (age 10) born in Missouri to Missouri-born parents; his son, Al. Roe Eaton (age 4) born in Missouri to Missouri-born parents; his Hired Help, Susan Brooks (age 28) born in Missouri to Missouri-born parents, a widowed or divorced Hired Help, who Helps Keeping House; and the son of Hired Help; Walter Brooks (age 3) born in Missouri to Missouri-born parents.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 21, 1880, shows John Swan (age 22) born in Scotland to Scottish-born parents is a Farmer who is disabled with water in the chest and is living in Grant Twp., Tama Co., IA. Living with him is his wife, Elisabeth Swan (age 20) born in Scotland to Scottish-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there is his unmarried half-brother, George McDonald (age 25) born in Scotland to Scottish-born parents, a Farmer.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 17, 1880, shows James D. Boyes (age 32) born in Illinois to Canadian-born parents is a Coal Dialer and is living in Beloit, Mitchell Co., KS. Living with him is his wife, Clarinda E. Boyes (age 27) born in Canada to English and Canadian-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are his two children, both born in Canada to Illinois and Canadian-born parents: Anna Boyes (age 2); and James E. Boyes (age 1).

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 11, 1880, shows Mary Ann Brooks (age 48) born in North Carolina to North Carolina-born parents, is a widowed Head of Household, and is living at 2813 12th Street, Montgomery Street, City of St. Louis, MO, who is Keeping House. Living with her are: her unmarried daughter, Lucy A. Brooks (age 25) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents, at Home; her unmarried daughter, Jennie Brooks (age 22) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents, at Home; her unmarried son, Charles Brooks (age 20) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents, a Cooper; her unmarried son, William Brooks (age 18) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents, an Office Boy; her daughter, Elizabeth Brooks (age 15) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents; her daughter, Mary Brooks (age 12) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents; and her daughter, Salley Brooks (age 9) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents. Leigh Larson note: Please note that there are two entries for Mary Brooks in 1880.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on November 8, 1880, shows Mary Brooks (age 49) born in North Carolina to North Carolina-born parents, is a widowed Head of Household, and is living at 923 Montgomery Street, City of St. Louis, MO, who is Keeping House. Living with her are: her unmarried daughter, Alice Brooks (age 24) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents, a Seamstress; her unmarried daughter, Jennie Brooks (age 22) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents, a Seamstress; her unmarried son, Charles Brooks (age 20) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents, who Works for Cooper; her unmarried son, Willie Brooks (age 18) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents, a Laborer; her daughter, Lizzie Brooks (age 15) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents; her daughter, Mary Brooks (age 12) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents; her daughter, Sallie Brooks (age 10) born in Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina-born parents; and her married husband, Wm H. Brooks (age 54) born in Virginia to Virginia-born parents, who Works for Ship Carpenter. Leigh Larson note: Please note that there are two entries for Mary Brooks in 1880.

Mary Adelaide "Bertha" Swan was born February 6, 1881, in Grant Twp., Tama Co., IA.

The 1882 City of St. Louis, MO, City Directory shows Brooks Annie, wid. William, r. 910 Jefferson av.

Susan Anne "Annie" (Portis) Brooks died July 29, 1882, at the Female Hospital, City of St. Louis, Mo, due to post partum complications and peritonitis, at about age 30. Buried in The Evangelical Protestant Cemetery Association of the Church of the Holy Ghost, or Holy Ghost Cemetery, City of St. Louis, MO.

http://beckerarchives.wustl.edu/?p=collections/findingaid&id=8704&q=&rootcontentid=60910#scopecontent

Among the many cemeteries opened and closed in this city, three of the more interesting were opened by Pastor Frederick Picker and the members of his two congregations.
The first cemetery, whose proper name was The Evangelical Protestant Cemetery Association of the Church of the Holy Ghost, or Holy Ghost Cemetery, was located on twenty acres bound by Compton Ave, Louisiana Ave, Wyoming and Arsenal Street in South St. Louis. The first burial took place in 1846. By 1884, there had been over 24,000 burials. As Pastor Picker founded the Holy Ghost cemetery and conducted many burials during the 1849 & 1854 cholera epidemics, the grounds were commonly refered to as Picker's Cemetery. Again, more confusion was caused because some death records called the grounds Picker's Cemetery and some Holy Ghost Cemetery. It's difficult to date the closing of Holy Ghost cemetery as some records indicate that the City had forbidden further burials in 1893, and in 1902 there was a petition by the Tenth Ward Alderman to order the discontinuial of burials. However, burial record shows large numbers of burials in 1889 and more in 1905. Some of the bodies were removed from Holy Ghost while the cemetery was deteriorating; others were moved in mass, in 1916 and possibly earlier. What is in evidence is that the property was still owned by the Holy Ghost congregation in 1916 by a building permit dated October 19, 1916. As far as possible, all lot owners were notified and given a deadline. Many bodies were moved to Zion, New St. Marcus, Bellefontaine, St. Peter's Evangelical, and Independent German Evangelical Protestant (now Gatewood Gardens) cemeteries. When the Holy Ghost Cemetery property was sold to developer Richard C. Spackler in Jan. 1917, all remaining bodies were moved to Zion cemetery, 7401 St. Charles Rock Rd. Another permit dated April 10, 1922 permits a 3 story school to be constructed on the site. Though large numbers of remains were removed, it is unlikely that all were, and there are probably some remains left under the grounds of the high school and residences now located on the property. There have been no records of these removals known to exist.

Pastor Picker left the Holy Ghost Church in 1856 with about seventy families and established the Independent Evangelical Protestant Congregation. Shortly after Pastor Picker founded his new congregation, it was decided that they needed their own cemetery. This second cemetery was on the south side of Gravois near River Des Peres. The cemetery, which opened on April 25, 1856, was New Picker Cemetery. After Pastor Picker's death, the third cemetery was opened by the congregation in 1881, across the street on the north side of Gravois. The cemetery on the South side of Gravois was then well established, the cemetery on the North side of Gravois was called "New" Picker Cemetery, the first one having been the "Old".

This has caused a great deal of confusion over the years. Thus there are two "Olds" and two "News" but only three cemeteries. The two cemeteries on Gravois located across from each other were sold by the Independent Congregation and went through several owners. The cemetery suffered from neglect. In 1986 the State Attorney General's office filed suit against three prior owners, accusing them of depleting the perpetual card fund. The case was settled in 1988, but the cemetery was still uncared for. In 1996, it became necessary for the City of St. Louis to assume ownership because of unpaid taxes, and the City's forestry division now keeps the grounds maintained.

Old Picker Cemetery

See Guide to German Evangelical cemeteries in St. Louis City and County

Location: 7133 Gravois

Was Holy Ghost Cemetery

Inscription Source: Microfilm 74 - SLCL.

Inscription Source: OC-Mo SLGS Vols. 3 and 4. StLMO:, 1982.

Inscription Source: HEADSTONES AT OLD & NEW PICKER'S CEMETERIES - 1997

NOTE: Many bodies were re-interred to Zion, New St. Marcus, Bellefontaine, St. Peter’s Evangelical, and Independent German Evangelical Protestant ( now Gatewood Gardens) cemeteries.

NOTE: From Greg Myers: "OLD " Picker Cemetery also called Picott Cemetery is long gone (operated from 1845 to 1898), it use to be where now Roosevelt High School is (Gravois & Compton & Wyoming up to about Arsenal & Compton over to Louisana & Arsenal and down to Louisana and Wyoming). Some bodies were moved to " NEW " Picker, others to other places, and some left. (I went to Roosevelt High School and once in awhile a human bone would surface in the football field over the years and also in some of the backyards of houses along Arsenal, I guess from the pressure of the activity and games above the remains .... worked them upward over the years). Most headstones were destroyed and used for the foundation, etc. "NEW" Picker now called GATEWOOD GARDENS is located right next to Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery (Catholic) at Gravois and Hampton. The records are hard to find, and care taker after care taker have been in trouble for not keeping to cotracts and upkeeping this cemetery. hope this helps .

NOTE: The following is a quote from St. Louis Post-Dispatch South Section by Joan Little, Reporter for the Post-Dispatch, February 3, 2000 "St. Louis officials would like to hear from people with family members buried at the Gatewood Gardens Cemetery on Gravois Avenue. And those who know they have relatives buried there but don't know the location may be able to find out. The cemetery is at 7135 Gravois. City officials are trying to account for all of the graves in Gatewood Gardens, which has had a troubled past. The authority is concentrating on trying to improve and update the cemetery's grave records, which were in some disarray, officials say. The task is somewhat daunting since the cemetery dates to at least 1877 and there are 20,000 graves in the city's records, says, Clay. People seeking information or those who have information about a grave at the cemetery may call the city at 622-3400 extension 244, says Clay". (This article was post on the Metro Maillist by Don Gastorf)

NOTE: Many bodies were re-interred to Zion, New St. Marcus, Bellefontaine, St. Peter’s Evangelical, and Independent German Evangelical Protestant ( now Gatewood Gardens) cemeteries.

NOTE: From Greg Myers: "OLD " Picker Cemetery also called Picott Cemetery is long gone (operated from 1845 to 1898), it use to be where now Roosevelt High School is (Gravois & Compton & Wyoming up to about Arsenal & Compton over to Louisana & Arsenal and down to Louisana and Wyoming). Some bodies were moved to " NEW " Picker, others to other places, and some left. (I went to Roosevelt High School and once in awhile a human bone would surface in the football field over the years and also in some of the backyards of houses along Arsenal, I guess from the pressure of the activity and games above the remains .... worked them upward over the years). Most headstones were destroyed and used for the foundation, etc. "NEW" Picker now called GATEWOOD GARDENS is located right next to Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery (Catholic) at Gravois and Hampton. The records are hard to find, and care taker after care taker have been in trouble for not keeping to cotracts and upkeeping this cemetery. hope this helps .

NOTE: The following is a quote from St. Louis Post-Dispatch South Section by Joan Little, Reporter for the Post-Dispatch, February 3, 2000 "St. Louis officials would like to hear from people with family members buried at the Gatewood Gardens Cemetery on Gravois Avenue. And those who know they have relatives buried there but don't know the location may be able to find out. The cemetery is at 7135 Gravois. City officials are trying to account for all of the graves in Gatewood Gardens, which has had a troubled past. The authority is concentrating on trying to improve and update the cemetery's grave records, which were in some disarray, officials say. The task is somewhat daunting since the cemetery dates to at least 1877 and there are 20,000 graves in the city's records, says, Clay. People seeking information or those who have information about a grave at the cemetery may call the city at 622-3400 extension 244, says Clay". (This article was post on the Metro Maillist by Don Gastorf)

The stones were read in 1997 by Carmella Kranz and her friend Penny Lemon. The cemetery is now known as Gateway Gardens. Carmella says it took them 10 days to read the stones in both Old and New Picker's cemeteries. They started this because when they wanted records for Old Pickers, no one knew who had them. If Carmella comes up with an obituary thay says the deceased was buried in Old Pickers or New Pickers, she adds them to the list.

The following is taken from "OLD CEMETERIES St. Louis County, MO. Volume III" by the St. Louis Genealogical Society, 1984.

"The original "Old Picker's" -- named for the minister who founded the cemetery (Holy Ghost E & R) was located in the Kansas-Wyoming-Louisiana-Arsenal area in south St. Louis. A 20-acre plot, it was opened in 1845 and many victims of the great cholera epidemic of 1849 were interred there. The last burial there was in 1901, but it was not until 1916 that the last bodies were moved.

"New Picker" (actually our present Old Picker) was opened in 1862. It was sometimes called The Independent Evangelical Protestant Cemetery but was always more familiarly known by its nickname.

Subsequently another cemetery was opened on Gravois, across the road from "New Picker," which then, inevitably became "Old Picker." This cemetery is still in existence but was not in very good condition in the early part of 1983."

John Deane died on 12 August 1866, and is buried in St. James Catholic Cemetery in Potosi.

Isaac Portis: Born 1790 in North Carolina; Died 1850 in North Carolina (about age 60).

Rhoda Portis: Born 1791 in Nash Co., NC; Died Unknown.

Elijah Goodwin Portis: Born June 28, 1803, in Nash Co., NC; Died May 18, 1885, in Union, Newton Co., MS (age 81).

William Norphlet Portis: Born 1804 in Nash Co., NC; Died February 7, 1853, in Hardeman Co., TN (about age 48).