James Brighton was baptised on 23 Jun, 1774 in Starston, Norfolk^a1, the only son of Elizabeth Brighting★. His father is not known. He is Ian's 5x great grandfather.

He married Rebecca Pritty (1771–1846)★ on 17 Sep, 1794 at Church of St Peter & St Paul, Brockdish^b1 . They had seven children.

• Rebecca★ baptised on 14 Mar, 1795 in Brockdish, Norfolk^c1,b2.
• James Brightwen born on 11 Apr, 1796 in Mendham, Suffolk^d1. Married Mary Andrews on 4 Jan, 1821.
• Phebe born on 16 Nov, 1797 in Mendham^d2. Buried on 1 Oct, 1807 at St. Mary's Church, Redenhall with Harleston^e1,c2 at the age of nine.
• Thomas born on 8 May, 1799 in Mendham^d3. Married Sarah Adams on 2 Aug, 1822^c3. Buried on 22 Mar, 1856 at All Saints Church, Mendham at the age of fifty-six.
• John born on 1 Mar, 1801 in Mendham^d4. Buried on 12 Mar, 1801 at All Saints Church^f1 aged 11 days.
• Cecilia born on 29 Jul, 1802 in Redenhall with Harleston, Norfolk^c4. Buried on 15 Mar, 1804 at St. Mary's Church^c5 at the age of one.
• Eliza born on 9 Feb, 1808 in Redenhall with Harleston^e2. Married John Booty in 1823 and William Squire in 1829.

Although James was baptized as James Brighting, at some point around 1800 to 1810 he changed his surname to Brooks. His mother, Elizabeth, had married John Brookes shortly after he was born so it's a good assumption that James adopted his step father's name. It may also be the case that John was his real father and his change of name may have been a way of legitimising any claim on John's estate. However James' name change didn't happen until he reached adulthood. He married as Brighten and his first five children were baptised with the surname Brighton or Brighten. Rather confusingly his first son was baptised as James Brooks Brighton (later known as James Brightwen Brooks). By 1822, the name Brighton still remained as a vestige for his children. Thomas's sons Edwin and Walter were recorded as "Brooks alias Brighton" in their baptism entries. By the time of his death in 1858 James' full name was recorded as James Brighton Brooks. ^{e1,e3,c5,e4,g1,g2,n1}

In September 1845, James decided to auction off all his farming stock, equipment, and many personal possessions through Howlett & Lenny of Wisset. The auctioneers placed an advertisement in the Suffolk Chronicle on the 20th, detailing the items for a sale scheduled for the 24th in Mendham. The listing included two carts and horses, ploughs, harrows, harnesses, two milk cows, a fat hog, and various pieces of furniture. By this time, James was seventy-five years old and had resolved to end his farming career. This decision was likely influenced by the death of his grandson, John Booty Brooks, the previous year. John had been living with the elderly couple and was probably expected to take over the farm. Additionally, James' wife, Rebecca, was almost certainly exhibiting signs of the illness that would claim her life the following year, rendering her unable to assist with farm duties. Unable to manage the farm alone, James had no choice but to sell up. ^k1,m1,m2

James was recorded in the 1851 census in Mendham^p1.

James died at the age of eighty-three on 24 Jan, 1858 in Mendham. His death was attributed to "old age"^m3.^m3

He was buried seven days later in Weybread, Suffolk^f2

Timeline

1774

23 Jun

Baptised in Starston, Norfolk^a1.

1794

3 Aug

Banns were read to marry Rebecca Pritty★ at Church of St Peter & St Paul, Brockdish^b3.
Recorded as residing in Brockdish, Norfolk^b3.

17 Sep

Married Rebecca Pritty★ at Church of St Peter & St Paul^b1.
Recorded as residing in Brockdish^b1.

1795

14 Mar

Daughter, Rebecca Brooks★, baptised in Brockdish^c1,b2.

1796

11 Apr

Son, James Brightwen Brooks, born in Mendham, Suffolk^d1.

1797

16 Nov

Daughter, Phebe, born in Mendham^d2.

1799

8 May

Son, Thomas, born in Mendham^d3.

1801

1 Mar

Son, John, born in Mendham^d4.

12 Mar

Son, John, buried at All Saints Church, Mendham^f1.

1802

29 Jul

Daughter, Cecilia, born in Redenhall with Harleston, Norfolk^c4.

1804

15 Mar

Daughter, Cecilia, buried at St. Mary's Church, Redenhall with Harleston^c5.

1807

1 Oct

Daughter, Phebe, buried at St. Mary's Church^e1,c2.

1808

9 Feb

Daughter, Eliza, born in Redenhall with Harleston^e2.

1845

24 Sep

Sold some property in Mendham^k1.

1846

7 Jul

Wife, Rebecca, died at the age of seventy-five in Mendham^m1.

10 Jul

Recorded as living in Mendham^m1.
Occupation recorded as yeoman^m1.

1851

30 Mar

Recorded in the 1851 census residing in Mendham^p1.
Occupation recorded as late farmer^p1.
Economic status recorded as Pauper.

1856

22 Mar

Son, Thomas, buried at All Saints Church.

1858

24 Jan

Died at the age of eighty-three in Mendham^m3.
Occupation recorded as former farmer^m3.

31 Jan

Buried in Weybread, Suffolk^f2.
Recorded as residing in Withersdale, Suffolk^f2.

Other Information

Other names and variations

• James Brighton Brooks^m3,f2
• James Brooks^{m1,e2,p1,k1,c2,e1,e3,c5}
• James Brighting^a1
• James Brighten^c1,b1,c4,b3
• James Brighton^{b2,d1,d2,d3,d4,e3,e3}

Research Notes

Brighting, Brighten and Brooks #

Here’s a brief timeline of references to Brighten/Brighton and Brooks. It suggests that the change of name happened in about 1802 for James and later for his children

• 1794, Brockdish – Banns for a marriage between James Brighten and Rebecca Pritty (Parish Church)
• 1795, Brockdish – Baptism of Rebecca Brighton, dau. of James Brighton & Rebecca Pritty
• 1796, Mendham – Baptism of James Brooks Brighton, son of James Brighton & Rebecca Pretty
• 1797, Mendham – Baptism of Phebe Brighton, dau. of James Brighton & Rebecca Pretty
• 1799, Mendham – Baptism of Thomas Brighton, son of James Brighton & Rebecca Pritty
• 1801, Mendham – Baptism of John Brighton, son of James Brighton & Rebecca Pritty
• 1801, Mendham – Burial of John Brighton, infant
• 1802, Redenhall – Baptism of Cecilia Brooks (Brighten crossed out), dau. of James Brooks & Rebecca Pritty - original is just written as Brighton with no mention of Brooks.
• 1804, Redenhall – Burial of Celia Brooks aged 1 year
• 1807, Redenhall – Burial of Phebe Brooks, dau. of James and Rebecca Brooks, aged 9
• 1808, Redenhall – Baptism of Eliza Brooks, dau. of James Brooks & Rebecca Pritty
• 1819, Weybread – Baptism of George Brooks, illegitimate son of of James’ daughter Rebecca Brooks
• 1821, Diss - Marriage of of James’ son James B Brooks and Mary Andrews
• 1822, Weybread – Baptism of John Booty Brooks, illegitimate son of Eliza Brooks
• 1822, Starston – Marriage of James’ son Thomas Brighton (of Weybread) and Sarah Adams (of Starston)
• 1823, Mendham – Baptism of Edmund Brooks alias Brighton, son of Thomas and Sarah Brooks alias Brighton
• 1822, Weybread – Marriage of James’ daughter Eliza Brooks and John Booty
• 1825, Mendham - Baptism of Walter Brooks alias Brighton, son of Thomas and Sarah Brooks alias Brighton
• 1828, Mendham – Baptism of Sophia Brooks, dau. of Thomas and Sarah Brooks
• 1830, Mendham – Baptism of Elizabeth Brooks, dau. of Thomas and Sarah Brooks
• 1833, Mendham – Baptism of James Brooks, son of Thomas and Sarah Brooks