Born on the ship "Volunteer" which sailed from Ireland to America with his family.

John married Hester Bennett, Nov 1812, in South Carolina. They had 13 known children:

-William Crawford Brooke (1813-1898)
-Malicia Brooke (1815-1885)
-Narsissus Brooke (1817-1894)
-James Madison Brooke (1818-1898)
-John Franklin Brooke (1819-1847)
-Elijah Brooke (1821-1895)
-Jasper Newton Brooke (1823-1823)
-Nathaniel Norman Brooke (1825-1924)
-Mary Ann Brooke (1827-1919)
-George Washington Brooke (1829-1912)
-Thomas Jefferson Brooke (1831-1914)
-Francis Marion Brooke (1833-1880)
-Margaret Susanna Brooke (1837-1912)
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Obituary of John Prescott Brooke

John P. Brooke, son of John Brooke and Mary Prescott, his wife, was born on the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 26th, 1795, while his father was fleeing from Knox Co., Ireland, that he might enjoy the liberty of conscience that was forbidden by the high Church of England.

He was married to Hester Bennett in South Carolina, Nov. 1812; from South Carolina he moved to Hall Co., Ga., thence to Cherokee Co. He served two terms in the Legislature from Hall Co., and was colonel of the Militia, also Inspector general of Hall, Habersham, and Raburn counties; also two terms in the Legislature from Chrokee Co., and was Sheriff of Cherokee Co., for several terms. He joined the Baptist Church at New Bethel in 1846 and ever lived a devoted member and an earnest advocate of Baptist principles up to his death, which occurred Sept. 30th, 1880, aged 85 years, 7 months, and 4 days.

For several years he had been unable to labor, and he devoted most of his time in reading the Word of God and other religious literature. He truly delighted in the law of the Lord and it was his meditation day and night. He possessed an unusual memory which he retained up to his death. He requested his pastor, Elder R. B. Brooke, to preach his funeral sermon and selected the text from Rev. 14:13 - "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." He was carried in the church, at the Sixes and the discourse delivered to a large congregation of relatives and friends; after which his remains were laid in the grave to rest. He left his aged companion and a large family of children and grandchildren to the number of over two hundred, to mourn his loss. He was beloved and admired by all who knew him. The church feels that it has sustained an irreparable loss, but bows with submission to the will of God believing our loss is his eternal gain.

The church at New Hightower, does therefore resolve,
1st. That in the death of our aged brother, the church has lost one of its brightest and most devoted member.
2nd. That we tender our sympathy to his companion, our sister, and the relatives of our brother.
3rd. That a copy of this obituary and these resolutions be spread upon our church book and a copy be sent to the Index.

Done by order of the church in conference, April 16th, 1881.
R.B. Brooks, Moderator. W.C. Smith, clerk of the church.
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Reference "Our Southern Heritage" by Pierson for additional detail.