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.
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.
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.
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.
William H. Brooks Family Papers, Ms. Brooks, Brown University Library.
Items in the collection are arranged chronologically in 2 series:
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.
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:
Brown University Library catalog record for this collection:
Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Patriotic cover.
Patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope.
Filed with envelope and typed transcription.
Filed with envelope.
Filed with envelope.
Filed with envelope.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope with patriotic cover.
Filed with envelope.
Filed with envelope.