Guide to the William H. Brooks Family Papers, 1861-1865

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2014

Collection Overview

Title:	William H. Brooks Family Papers
Date range:	1861-1865
Creator:	Brooks family
Extent:	56 items
Abstract:	The William H. Brooks Family Papers consist almost exclusively of correspondence from the period 1861-1865. While most of the letters are primarily concerned with family matters and relationships, some portion of the content relates the military activities of William H. Brooks and Jesse S. Comac, who enlisted in the Union Army at the rank of private early in the war. Camp life and battle scenes are described.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.Brooks

Scope & content

The William H. Brooks Family Papers date from the period 1861-1865, and include 41 autographed letters, 33 envelopes (15 with patriotic graphics), 1 express company receipt, and 1 pocket copy of the New Testament. Of the 41 letters, 30 deal almost exclusively with personal and familial affairs, and are chiefly from William H. Brooks, Jesse S. Comac and other soldiers to members of the Brooks family. The rest devote a substantial part of their contents to events and places that have historical significance with regard to the Civil War. Some letters describe the camp routines of Union forces. The correspondence also depicts scenes of the campaigns and battles leading up to the Battle of the Wilderness in Virginia.

The highlight of this collection is the set of envelopes with patriotic emblems and designs, some of which are in very good condition with original colors preserved.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Brooks, Abram
• Brooks, Henry
• Brooks, Mary
• Brooks, William H.
• Comac, James
• Comac, Jesse S.
• Kearny, Philip, 1815-1862
• Van Riper, Jonathan

Subject Organizations

• United States. Army. New Jersey Infantry Regiment, 11th (1862-1865
• United States. Army. New Jersey Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865
• United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 65th (1861-1865

Subject Topics

• Wilderness, Battle of the, Va., 1864

Geographical Names

• Little Falls (N.J.)
• Paterson (N.J.)
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--African Americans
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives

Occupations

• Soldiers

Document Types

• bibles
• envelopes
• Letters (Correspondence)
• Receipts (Financial records)

Subject Topics

• Military

Subject Topics

• Social Life and Customs

Arrangement

Items in the collection are arranged chronologically in 2 series:

• Series 1. Correspondence
• Series 2. Printed material

Biographical/Historical note

Little is known about the Brooks Family of Little Falls, New Jersey. William H. Brooks was evidently the son of Henry and Mary Brooks, and brother of Abram Brooks. It is unclear what relationship Jesse S. Comac had to the Brooks family. His father James lived in Philadelphia; Jesse's letters, and those of his father, indicate a lower level of literacy than those of William to his own parents. Jesse's letters refer to William Brooks as a friend, and to Mrs. Brooks alternately as a dear friend, "Mother" and "Aunt Mary." Evidently, the bonds between Jesse and the Brooks family, whatever the biological connections, were grounded in deep affection. The letters indicate that the connections were close and involved mutual affection and responsibility.

The fate of William H. Brooks, Jesse S. Comac and other soldiers who wrote letters to members of the Brooks Family is unknown. There are no materials in the collection which give any indication of their lives after the Civil War ended.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Alternate form:	Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid.
Preferred citation:	William H. Brooks Family Papers, Ms. Brooks, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The William H. Brooks Family Papers were given to the Brown University Library in 1971 by Mrs. Edgar F. Rohde, a direct descendant of Ella Brooks, the sister of Henry Brooks and aunt of William H. Brooks.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-12-05

Additional Information

Related material:	Further information on the military service of William H. Brooks and Jesse S. Comac can be found in the Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System site, maintained by the National Park Service:Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System
Location/Existence of copies:	Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid.
Other information:	Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: William H. Brooks Family Papers

Inventory

---