In the glorious year of 1833, in the northwest mountains where the shadows are known to creep, Walker County was etched into this great state, as if God himself with his finger drew that beautiful staircase on the east and the inclined sloping boundary on the west.

At this time and days before, Jacob Reed Brooks was industriously placing his unforgettable mark as he seized the day in other parts of this state. His life encompassed all aspects of adventure, beginning with his valiant fight in the War of 1812.

Jacob Brooks developed 12 years later a ferry across the Chattahoochee River that opened a route from the Carolinas to Alabama for those who sought a life west. As this settlement was taking place, the conflict between the settlers and the natives began to escalate over the claim of property, and Brooks’ life once more proved magnificent as he was appointed Indian agent of Cobb County as protector of the lives and property of the American Indians. Later, he served as a state representative for Dekalb County and as the first state senator for Cobb County.

Perhaps the greatest success of Jacob R. Brooks was in circa 1837, when he with his family moved to the impressive and majestic land of Walker County.

As if living by the familiar creed of “seek and ye shall find,” it is evident in Jacob’s life of wonders that he sought after and finally found his treasure when he gazed upon Pigeon Mountain for the first time. Jacob and his family finally settled near Kensington, Ga., and lived out his days in one of the most beautiful places on earth before passing to the great beyond in the early spring of 1872.

The previous treasures of this man’s incredible existence are well worth researching, however, it is this latter event which brings Jacob Brooks to our attention this day.

Jacob Reed Brooks was laid to rest in the quiet fields off of what we now know as Hwy. 193 in the Kensington and Cassandra area. In the wonderful 1987 publication Walker County Georgia Cemeteries published by the Walker County Historical Society, it states that Mr. Brooks earthly eternal resting place was on A.J. Stoker’s property.

However, it seems the land may have now passed to another generation, and this researcher, so far away, has been unable to locate the new grantee. I am researching this on behalf of the great-great-granddaughter of Jacob Brooks, who simply desires a photograph of the gravestone of such an interesting figure in Georgia history.

It is my hope that the great people of Walker County can provide this and show her why her ancestor loved his mountain home so dearly. If anyone can provide a photograph of the gravestone or the contact information of the property owner, this information would be priceless.

Please contact me at the Thomaston Upson Archives at 706-646-2437 or email me at cburgess@upsoncountyga.org.

When that guaranteed time of our departure arrives, it seems we all desire to be remembered. Therefore, allow us not to forget Jacob Brooks by finding his hallowed place, lest he should be forever lost, and we too follow in his footsteps.

Walker County native Claude Burgess works at the Thomaston-Upson Archives in Upson County, Ga. Part of his job is to answer historic questions that sometimes lead to amazing stories.