From an undated newspaper clipping in "The LaFayette Sun", written by Walter B. Wood, Jr.:

In the winter of 1834-35, Mr. James Brooks came to this county and settled on the plantation some few miles northeast of LaFayette, which he owned up to his death, although he, with his family lived up until his death, at his home within the (city) limit of LaFayette. Uncle Jim Brooks, as he was commonly called, was a man of marked character. He had nothing of the "yes, yes" man about him. He was engaged in the Indian War and came out of it with a character of a true and brave man. He had nothing of the negative about him, but was positive in all his characteristics. Uncle Jimmy's most marked characteristic was his personal bravery. Convinced that he was right, no earthly power could move or affright him. In considering his character I've often thought of Burn's couplet -

The fear of Hell is a hangman's whip,
To hold the wretch in order.
But where you feel you're honor grip,
let that, aye, be your order.

Uncle Jimmy could have fought a whole regiment in defense of what he deemed his honor. With him, as it was with General Jackson, the expression "By the eternal" meant an end of all controversy. He was also an impetuous man. An instant will illustrate. In his early years he had belonged to the Methodist church, but in after years had changed his church relations and joined the Primitive Baptist church.
James Brooks, it is said, entertained more company at his home in LaFayette, than any man who ever lived here. He was a brother-in-law to Jesse Robinson and W.W. Carlisle, as well as Abel Robinson - all of whom settled in Chambers County during the first years of its history. The four families became like so many Banyan trees, with knees in every neighborhood, all of whom had their headquarters at the hospitable home of Uncle Jimmy in LaFayette. These three families became a power in this county and held that power for years. Their united efforts were never defeated except on the single occasion when E.H. Muse, the nominee of the Know Nothings, defeated Mc Taylor.....
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1850 Chambers County, (Lafayette) AL Census:

#HH455

James Brooks 53M Farmer R$12,000 (39-Slaves, 2 runaways) Born GA
Malinda Brooks 28F Born GA
Martha Brooks 11F Born AL
James Brooks 9M Born AL
Mary Brooks 8F Born AL
Andrew Brooks 7M Born AL
Frances Brooks 5F Born AL
Zach Taylor Brooks 3M Born AL
William Brooks 1M Born AL
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1860 Chambers County, (Lafayette) AL Census:

#H58

James Brooks 62M Farmer R$8,000 P$62,000 (11-Slaves) Born GA
Melinda Brooks 38F Born GA
James Brooks 19M Born AL
Andrew Brooks 15M Born AL
Fannie Brooks 14F Born AL
Zach Brooks 12M Born AL
William Brooks 11M Born AL
Susan Brooks 7F Born AL
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1870 Chambers County, (Lafayette) AL Census:

#H165

James Brooks 72M Farmer R$1,400 P$1,500 Born GA
Malinda Brooks 49F Keeping House Born GA
Zach F. Brooks 22M Farmer Born AL
Wm. J. Brooks 21M Tinner Born AL
J. M. Coggins 24 Tinner Born AL
Martha Cook 34F Domestic Work Born GA
Joseph Williams 14F Farm Hand Born AL
John Daily 12M Farm Hand Born TX
Jno. Devaughn 20M Handling Tinware Born AL
Jno. Kellam 25M Handling Tinware Born AL
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