Sarah Jane Lee Brock 1848-1923: Daughter of William Lee and Elizabeth Martha Thomas , Wife of Samuel Walker Brock

Sarah Jane Lee Early Life

Sarah Jane Lee is the fourth daughter of William Lee and Elizabeth Martha Thomas.  She was born in 1848 in Chesterfield, South Carolina.  

Around the time of her birth, the Moore’s Hotel in Cheraw was built.  It was touted as one of the best Hotels in the country.[1] 


[1] Newspapers.com – North Carolina Argus – 28 Nov 1848 – Page 3

Sarah Jane Lee  first appears in the 1850 census  as a two year old with her mother Elizabeth Martha Lee (37), father William Lee (34), William Poston (Farm Laborer), Brothers James Crawford Lee (12), John Thomas Lee (11), Samuel William Lee (9), and Henry Alexander Lee (6).  Sisters Hannah Lee (7),  Mary (4), Ann (3), and Eliza (0). [1]


[1] Year: 1850; Census Place: Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: M432_851; Page: 109B; Image: .

In the 1860 census Sarah Jane Lee is living with her family in Chesterfield.   She was twelve years old.   In the home are her mother and father William Lee and Elizabeth Martha Lee, both reported to be 51 years of age.  Siblings in the home are John Thomas (21), Samuel William (19), Ann Lee (14), Eliza (11), Charlotte (9).[1]   Sarah lost her mother, Elizabeth sometime after 1860 but before 1868.  There are no exact records of when she died.  After the death of her mother,  Sarah’s father William Lee remarried to Hannah Thomas.  Sarah has at least one half brother born of this union, Joseph Daniel Lee who was born in 1869.


[1] Year: 1860; Census Place: Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: M653_1217; Page: 101; Image: 205; Family History Library Film: 805217.

The family also owned one male slave age 52.[1]  The family reported on the 1860 Agriculture Census.  They reported 20 acres of improved land, 280 acres of unimproved acres.  The farm value was reported to be $2,500.  The value of farming implements and machinery was $16.  The Lees owned one horse, three asses or mules, three milk cows, seven sheep, six swine.  The value of livestock was $375.  The farm produced 120 bushels of Indian corn, three bushels of beans and peas, ten bushels of sweet potatoes.  The value of animals slaughtered for the year was $90.[2]


[1] 1860 U.S. Federal Census – Slave Schedules.

[2] Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Chesterfield, South Carolina; Archive Collection Number: AD261; Roll: 3; Page: 3; Line: 20; Schedule Type: Agriculture.

Sarah Jane Lee Brock Married Life

Sarah Jane  Lee married Samuel Walker[1] Brock around 1869.  Samuel Walker Brock was the son of  Squire H Brock and Rachel Parker of Chesterfield, South Carolina. 


[1]Samuel Brock’s middle name may have been Washington.  Usually on land transactions, the name given is SW.

Samuel served in Confederacy in the War Between the States Company C. Regiment of 1st Battalion of Reserves.[1]  In February 1864 a new law passed that stated all males between ages 17-50 were liable to serve within their state. Those that were 18-45 years old and already serving were to stay in their current military unit. Those men not serving, or under 18 and over 45, were required to either join an existing local defense unit or to form a new unit. Eight battalions were created and designated as the 1st- 8th Battalions, South Carolina Reserves. Later these units were referred to as the Battalions of Senior Reserves in order to separate them from the Regiments of Junior Reserves. By the summer of 1864, these units were organized and many of them serving in different areas. They were mustered into Confederate service on October 31, 1864. Some of the units disbanded before the end of the war and others were combined with other military units on April 9, 1865.[2]  In his pension application, Samuel Walker Brock said he was at home at the time of surrender. 


[1] Samuel Washington Brock Confederate Pension Application pg 1 (ancestry.com)

[2] 1st Battalion, South Carolina Reserves • FamilySearch.

Transcription:  State of South Carolina County of Chesterfield Honor Roll

To the County Pension Board:  The undersigned applies for enrollment under the Act of 1919.  I enlisted in Company C. Regiment of 1st Battalion of Reserves Captain S P Howell 3rd day of September, 1864 and served in that command until the end of War, 1865.  I was discharged from the service was at home at surrender and at that time was a member of Company C Regiment of 1st Battalion of Reserves.  My income and my wife’s from all sources is not in excess of $300.  The valuation of all my and my wife’s property does not exceed $1,000.  I was born the 15th day of November 1844.  I reside at Cheraw #1 in Chesterfield County, S.C.  I did not desert the service of this State nor of the Confederate States.  Not able to work. 

I have not been on the pension roll of South Carolina, nor any other State, nor of the United States.  Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 13th day of June 1919.

Seal M J Hough?                                                                       SW Brock

State of South Carolina

County of Chesterfield

Personally appeared before me, George A Malloy & F S Huntley who being duly sworn, each of them deposes and say that they know Samuel W Brock who is an applicant for a pension and they have read the said application:  that they know of their own knowledge that the applicant was a private in Company C of Bat Reserves and that he has rendered services as therein stated; that he has resided in this State for life.

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 15th day of June 1919

M J Hough

Probate Judge

Geo A Malloy

Company H Regiment 3rd Regt Co L

T S Huntley Coits Battery

Coits Battery

Transcription:  County of Chesterfield

We the undersigned County Pension Board of Chesterfield County do certify that we have made a careful examination of the Application of Samuel W Brock.  We are of the opinion  that the said applicant is entitled to a pension thereunder for the following reasons:

  1. That he was a bonafide soldier in the late war between the States as alleged in his petition. 
  2. That Neither he nor his wife have a income jointly estimated  in excess of $1,000 either of both

County Pension Board LL Shener

W D Craig

Samuel Brock was the son of  Squire H Brock and Rachel Parker Brock.  Squire died in 1888 in Chesterfield, South Carolina.  Rachel died in 1887 in Chesterfield, South Carolina.  His siblings were:

  • James Alhannon Brock 1829-1899 married Mary Jane White 1832-1861 and Georgianna Ann Boyt 1838-1918.  James had moved to Alachua County Florida by 1860. 
  • Mary Molcey Brock 1831-1852 married William Alfred Rivers 1828-1863.  Their son Squire James took the name Brock and was raised by his maternal grandparents Squire and Rachel.
  • Elizabeth Brock 1833-unknown Strickland?
  • Catherine Brock 1837-1917 married William Davis 1834-1892.  Catherine and William also moved to Jacksonville Florida.  He was a turpentine farmer.
  • Sarah Jane Brock 1842-1910 married Henry Alexander Lee 1844-1912.  Henry was the son of William Lee and the brother of Sarah Jane Lee Brock. 
  • John W Brock 1847- after 1855 married Mary Abigal Sellers? 1848-1907
  • William Manning Brock 1853-1917 married Inez Brock 1882-1970  He moved to Birmingham, Alabama but died in Charlotte, North Carolina

There are several Samuel Brocks in Chesterfield County.  His Uncle’s name is Samuel Brock.  He had a son Samuel Brock who died in the Civil War.[1]  These are sometimes confused.  That Samuel  was married to Anna Preslar who was a widow after the war.  Anna Preslar also had a son named Samuel Brock.[2]  One way to tell Samuel Brock in land records was that he always signed his name SW Brock.


[1] Carolina Family Roots: When the Puzzle Piece Doesn’t Fit…

[2] Carolina Family Roots: Chesterfield County SC Estates~Estate Folder #191 – Samuel W. Brock, Jr.

In  1871, Samuel Brock was gored by a bull but he recovered.  There is no way to know if it is Samuel Washington Brock.[1] 


[1] Newspapers.com – The Charleston Daily News – 21 Aug 1871 – Page 1.

On May 21, 1876, Squire H Brock, father of Samuel W Brock deeded him 77 1/5 acres on both sides of Wolf Branch for consideration of $50. [1]


[1] Chesterfield County, South Carolina  Register of Deeds Book 4 page 706.

In 1880, Sarah Jane Lee Brock was living with her husband in Cheraw, Chesterfield County.  She was 31 and he was 35.  They had the following children:   Mary Jane (10), James Edgar (8), Rose Ann (6), Samuel Arnold (4), William Washington (2).  Sarah’s oldest daughter is named Mary, possibly named for her sister Mary Lee Parker who probably died in 1869.[1]


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: Year: 1880; Census Place: Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: 1225; Family History Film: 1255225; Page: 287A; Enumeration District: 002; Image.

Squire H Brock died in 1888.  After his death. Samuel W Brock filed a complaint against his brother James Alhannon Brock who had moved to Florida.  The judge ordered the land to be sold at public auction.  Samuel Walker ended up buying the land at for $51.50.[1]


[1] Chesterfield County, South Carolina Register of Deeds. Book 15 page 174.

In 1880 Samuel and Sarah Jane’s neighbors were Leonard Davis and his wife Sarah Ann Brock Davis (cousin of Samuel).   Samuel’s neighbor on the other side was a 23 year old black sharecropper named Wash Jackson who was reported to have been born in North Carolina.  The 1880 agriculture schedule shows the production of the three farms.[1]


[1] Ancestry.Com. Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Archive Collection Number: AD270; Roll: 9; Page: 14; Line: 8; Schedule Type: Agriculture.

In 1892, Sarah Jane Lee Brock father William Lee died.  Sarah’s brother John Thomas Lee was the executor. William Lee had a small personal estate.[1]


[1] Chesterfield County, South Carolina Estate Records, Ca. 1865-1927; Author: South Carolina. Probate Court (Chesterfield County); Probate Place: Chesterfield, South Carolina.

In 1893  Samuel and Sarah’s  last known child, John Larence Brock was born.

 

On October 16, 1899 Samuel’s brother, Willie Manning Brock who lived in Alabama, deeded him the land he inherited when his father died.  He deeded him 155 acres on Meadow Branch for $300.[1]


[1]Chesterfield County, South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 16 Page 134.

Sarah Jane Lee Brock Later Years

In the 1900 census there are six children still at home with Samuel (age 55) and Sarah Jane Brock (age 57).  There are Samuel Arnold (24), Squire Kirby (19), Rachael Elizabeth (16), Minnie Catherine (14), Lucretia (11), and John L (7).  Sarah Jane Brock reported she had 12 children with ten living.[1]


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1900; Census Place: Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Page: 7; Enumeration District: 0017; FHL microfilm: 1241523.

The Brock’s nearest neighbor was widow Mary Deese McCrae (66) and her daughter Allice McCrae (38).   On the other side was his cousin Eli Brock who was married to Mary Jane White (daughter of John G White). 

Daughter Mary Jane Brock had married her cousin Joel Brock and had five children and five were living.  They were nearby neighbors of Sarah Jane and Samuel.[1] 


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1900; Census Place: Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T623_1523; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 17.

Son James Edgar Brock had married his cousin Rebecca Lee and he had one child.  They lived closer to the Lees than the Brocks.   Rebecca reported that she had two children and only one was living.[1] 


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1900; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T623_1523; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 21.

Daughter Rose Ann had married her cousin Albert Parker (Hannah Lee Parker’s son) and was living close to the Parkers.  She had three children but only two children were living.[1] 


[1] Year: 1900; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: 1523; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0021; FHL microfilm: 1241523,

Son William Washington Brock had married his  cousin Sarah Brock (daughter of Eli).  They were newly married and were renting a farm near Henry Lee and his wife Sarah Brock Lee. [1]  


[1] Year: 1900; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: 1523; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0021; FHL microfilm: 1241523.

On March 22, 1901, Samuel Brock sold Irwin Brock 40 acres on Old Pegues Road which was the old Squire H Brock homeplace for $160.[1]


[1]Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 17 Page 518.

On August 31, 1901, James B Colie and his wife returned a deed in consideration of $5 for land that was conveyed but returned to Samuel Brock.[1]

On April 14, 1903, Samuel Brock sold Henry Lee one acre of land on Meadow Branch for $5.[2]

On April 15, 1905, Samuel Brock sold his son John Larence Brock 40 acres on Wolf Branch for $100.[3] On January 7,  1908, Samuel Brock sold his son Samuel Arnold Brock 30 acres for $100 on Little Westfield Creek.[4]


[1] Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 18 page 82.

[2] Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 19 Page 643.

[3] Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 44, Page 153.

[4] Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 25 page 308.

In the 1910 census, there are three children in the home with 65 year old Samuel W Brock and Sarah and 62 year old Sarah Jane Brock.  They are Squire Kirby Brock (29), Lucretia Brock (21), and John L Brock (17).  Sarah reported she had 13 children, ten of whom were living.[1] 


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image:.

Their next door neighbor is a black farmer, Samuel Johnson and his wife Della and family.  Samuel Arnold Brock, their single son is also a next door neighbor.  Other close neighbors include son William Walker Brock, Mary Jane Brock and husband Joel, Rachel Brock and husband James (Jim) Copeland and Johnny Lee (son of brother John Thomas Lee) and Henry Alexander Lee, Sarah Jane’s  Lee’s brother who married Samuel Brock sister Sarah Jane Brock.

Mary Jane and Joel Brock had three more children in this decade   Two of their children have left home.[1]  Lora has married Charlie Benjamin Brock and is living with in-laws with her new husband.[2]  Tilman has married Mary Jane Brock, granddaughter of Mary Lee Parker and is living with his in-laws.[3] 


[1] Ancestry.Com.  Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image: .

[2] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

[3] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image.

James Edgar Brock and his wife Rebecca Lee brock have had five children in this decade.[1]


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 12b; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

Rose Ann Brock and Albert Parker had added three more children during the last ten years.[1] 


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

William Washington Walker and his wife Sarah Ann Brock added four children during the past ten years.[1]  The 1910 census was taken in April. Sadly, William Washington Walker Brock died in 1910 at the age of 32.  


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

Rachel Copeland has been married seven years to James “Jim” Copeland in 1910 and has three children.[1]


[1] Ancestry.Com. 1910 United States Federal Census.

Minnie Brock has married Charles Rivers and has lost one child but has no children living in 1910.[1]


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 22b; Enumeration District: 0032; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

On September 12, 1915, Sarah Jane Brock lost her daughter Rose Ann Brock Parker.  She was 40 and she died from Bright’s disease and hemorrhage from child birth.[1] 

On July 31st 1916, Samuel Brock sold Squire Kirby Brock 2 ½ acres for $20 on Meadow Branch for $20.[2] 

There are two children who passed away in 1918 in Emanuel County, Georgia.  They are the children of Minnie Brock Rivers and her husband Charlie Melton Rivers.  These two girls are Squire Youmans[3] and Missy Mae Rivers.[4]  Sarah Jane Brock Lee’s grandchildren were buried at Keas Methodist Church.  Squire died on January 4, 1918 and Missie Mae died on January 12, 1918.  They most likely died of flue.

On March 28 1913, Samuel Brock sold Squire Kirby Brock 36 acres of land for $600.[5]  There was some sort of mix up on land.  It was corrected in 1954 deed.

On August 4, 1916, Samuel Brock sold Parker school district one acre of land for $20.[6]


[1] Ancestry.Com. South Carolina Death Records, 1821-1955.

[2] Chesterfield County Register of Deeds Book 63 page 71.

[3] Find A Grave at Squire Youmans Rivers (1911-1918) – Find a Grave Memorial accessed July 2, 2024.

[4] Find A grave at Missie Mae Rivers (1917-1918) – Find a Grave Memorial accessed July 2, 2024.

[5] Chesterfield County Register of Deeds Book 37 Page 177.

[6] Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 44 Page 151.

On April 27, 1918, Samuel Brock sold Joel Washington Brock two acres for $40.[1]


[1] Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 47 page 210.

In July 1918, the folks of Brocks Mill were looking forward to celebrating the 4th of July with a good ripe water melon.  Joel Washington and Mary Jane Brock had heard from their son in France and things were seemingly going well.[1]


[1] Newspapers.com – The Chesterfield Advertiser – 3 Jul 1918 – Page 1.

In November 1918, Sarah Jane Brock lost her grandson William Samuel Brock, the son of her oldest daughter Mary Jane Brock, wife of Joel Brock.  William Samuel was still in France when died of pneumonia.  His body was returned to Brocks Mill in 1921.[1]

On Nov 3, 1919, Samuel Brock sold Joel Washington Brock 10 ½ acres for $210.[2]

On November 3, 1919, Samuel Brock sold his sold Squire Kirby Brock 7 ½ acres.[3]

On February 3, 1920, Sarah Jane Brock lost her youngest child. John Larence Brock.  He died from epileptic seizures which he had all his life.  John L Brock death certificate says he died February 3, 1920.[4]  Curiously the 1920 census which was taken supposedly on March 1st, lists him as being in the household of his mother and father.

On March 3, 1920, John Larence’s  sibling sold the land they had inherited from his death back to their father, Samuel for $100.[5] 

On April 17, 1920, Samuel Brock sold 40 acres for consideration of $800 to James Barney Copeland, his son-in-law.[6] 


[1] Newspapers.com – The Chesterfield Advertiser – 31 Mar 1921 – Page 1.

[2]Chesterfield County, South Caroling Register of Deeds Book 53 Page 153.

[3] Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 53 Page 155

[4]  Ancestry.Com. South Carolina Death Records, 1821-1955.

[5] Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds book 56 page 19. 

[6] Chesterfield County South Carolina Register of Deeds Book 55 page 224

In the 1920 census Sarah Jane Brock Lee is 70 years old.  Her husband Samuel reports he is 75.  There are only three members of the household listed.[1]  Her neighbors are her son Samuel Arnold Brock and his family and other the other side James Oscar Parker, the grandson of her sister Hannah Lee Parker.


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1920; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1690; Page: 23A; Enumeration District: 40.

Mary Jane and Joel Brock three oldest children have left home and are raising their own children by 1920.[1]  William Samuel Brock has died in World War I.  Daughter Nanny has one son and is living with her husband Gene Lee and with his sister Cora who was married to William Samuel Brock.  His surviving son who is six month old is in the home along with his grandmother, Cora’s mother, Sarah Jane White Lee, the widow of John Thomas Lee.  John Thomas Lee is the brother of Sarah Jane Lee Brock. 


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1920; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1690; Page: 23A; Enumeration District: 40.

Lora  Brock Brock and her family.  She and Charley now have five children.[1]


[1] Ancestry.Com.  Year: 1920; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1690; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 40.

Archie Tilman Brock and his family.  Archie Tilman and his wife Mary Jane now have four children.[1]


[1] Year: 1920; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1690; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 40; Image: .

Clem Brock and his family.  Clem and Emma Hayes Brock now have two boys.[1]


[1] Year: 1920; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1690; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 40.

Nannie Brock Lee and sister-in-law Cora Lee Brock, widow of William Samuel Lee are living together.[1]


[1] Year: 1920; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1690; Page: 26A; Enumeration District: 40; Image,

James Edgar Brock children are all still in the home and he has added five more children since 1910.[1] 


[1] Year: 1920; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1690; Page: 25B; Enumeration District: 40; Image:.

William Washington Brock wife Sarah Ann Brock has married Earl Teal and three of William’s children are still in the home.[1]  However, sixteen year old Pearl has married Charlie Walter Teal and set up housekeeping.[2]


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

[2] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

Albert Benton Parker has remarried since the death of Rosa Ann Parker.  He married Georgia Ada Rivers Saunders.[1]  All of Albert’s and Rosa’s children are still in the home except for the oldest Fannie.  Fannie Parker has married John Harman Sellers and now they have three children.[2] 


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

[2] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

Samuel Arnold Brock has four children added in this decade:[1]


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 13a; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

Squire Kirby Brock has four children added in this decade:[1]


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 13a; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

Racheal Elizabeth Brock Copeland and James “Jim” Copeland have added three more children.[1]


[1]Ancestry.Com.  1910 United States Federal Census

Minnie Brock Rivers and Charlie Melton Rivers had four children in the decade of 1910-1920.[1]  Two of the children passed away in Emanuel County Georgia and are buried at Keas United Methodist Church at Emanuel County, Georgia.  No Census records for 1920 were found.


[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1455; Page: 22b; Enumeration District: 0032; FHL microfilm: 1375468.

Lucretia Brock and James “Zannie” Brock have had three children who were born during the period. 

Sarah Jane Lee Brock died on May 8, 1923 of a perforated ulcer of the stomach.  She was 74 years old.[1] 

Her death certificate gives her mother and father as William Lee and Martha Lee.  William Lee died in 1892.  Elizabeth Martha Thomas died around 1868.  Sarah Jane Lee Brock is buried at the Brock Family Cemetery.[2]  According to Find A Grave, there are five people buried in this cemetery.  These are Squire H Brock and his wife Rachel Parker, Son, Samuel W Brock and his wife Sarah Jane Lee Brock.  Also buried there is John Larence Brock, son of Samuel and Sarah Jane.


[1] Ancestry.Com. South Carolina Death Records, 1821-1955.

[2] Find A Grave at Sarah Jane “Janie” Lee Brock (1849-1923) – Find a Grave Memorial accessed July 2, 2023. 

All of Sarah Jane Lee Brock siblings died before she died with the exception of half sibling Joseph Daniel Lee who died in 1944.

Those who passed before her were:

  • James Crawford Lee died 1907
  • John Thomas Lee died 1916
  • Samuel William Lee died 1915
  • Hannah Elizabeth Lee Parker died 1901
  • Henry Alexander Lee died 1912
  • Mary Lee Parker died 1869
  • Ann Lee Wilkerson died 1889
  • Eliza Lee Butler died 1900
  • Charlotte Lee White died 1891

In 1910, Sarah reported she had 13 children, 10 of which were living.  This means that she suffered the loss of three undocumented children.  Other children who died before she did were:

  • William Washington Brock who died in 1910 at the age of 32
  • Rose Ann Brock Parker who died in 1915 at the age of 40
  • John Larence Brock who died in 1920 at the age of 27

Grandchildren who died before Sarah were:

  • Infant son of James Edgar Brock and Rebecca Jane Lee who died in 1897
  • Infant son of James Edgar Brock and Rebecca Jane Lee who died in 1905
  • Fader Brock, two year old son of James Edgar Brock and Rebecca Jane Lee who died in 1909
  • Nellie Mae Parker, year old daughter of Rose Ann Brock and Albert Benton Parker who died in 1916
  • John Copeland, son of Jim and Rachael Brock Copeland passed away between 1910 and 1920. 
  • Squire Youmans Rivers, the seven year old daughter of Minnie Catherine Brock and Charlie Melton Rivers who died in January, 1918
  • Missie Mae Rivers, the three month old daughter of Minnie Catherine Brock and Charlie Melton Rivers who died in January, 1918
  • William Samuel Brock who died in November, 1918 at the age of 22 of pneumonia in France during World War I, son of Mary Jane Brock and Joel Brock

Great-grandchildren who died before Sarah were:

 Infant Daughter of Samuel James Parker and Beulah Mae Brock who died in December of 1922.

When Sarah Jane Lee Brock died on May 8, 1923, she was survived by her husband of fifty-three years, Samuel Walker Brock.   Her half  brother Joseph Daniel Lee who lived in Arkansas also was still living.

Her seven children who were still living were:

  • Mary Jane Brock and husband Joel Brock
  • James Edgar Brock and wife Rebecca Jane Lee Brock
  • Samuel Arnold Brock and wife Henrietta Atkinson Brock
  • Squire Kirby Brock and Ella Belle Liles Brock
  • Rachael Elizabeth Brock and husband James “Jim” Barney Copeland
  • Minnie Catherine Rivers and husband Charlie Melton Rivers
  • Lucretia Brock and husband James Alexander “Zannie” Brock

Sarah Jane Lee Brock left behind the following 55 surviving grandchildren:

  • Lora B Brock born 1890
  • Archie Tillman Brock born 1891
  • Thomas Clem Brock born 1893
  • Nancy Jane “Nannie” Brock born 1898
  • Beulah Mae Brock born 1901
  • Rayfield Brock born 1905
  • Jeanette Brock born 1909
  • Ira Marine Brock born 1898
  • Carrie Bell Brock born 1902
  • Archie Clyde Brock born 1903
  • Samuel William Brock born 1903
  • Caster Eugene Brock born 1903
  • Benjamin Edward Brock “Bennie” born 1909
  • Annie Elizabeth Brock born 1911
  • Bertha Inez Brock born 1912
  • Dessie Allie Brock born 1915
  • Minnie Lee Brock born 1917
  • James Robert Brock born 1918
  • Henry Allen Brock born 1920
  • Fannie Jane Parker born 1893
  • Samuel James Parker born 1900
  • Edward Clarence Parker born 1905
  • Walter Parker born 1908
  • Kenny Parker born 1910
  • Rose Ann Parker born 1910
  • Curtis Parker born 1913
  • Selcer Rene Brock born 1911
  • Edna Jane Brock born 1913
  • Ollie Brock born 1916
  • Samuel Wilson Brock born 1918
  • Alice Brock born 1921
  • Eva Brock born 1901
  • Pearl Vera Brock born 1903
  • Beatrice “Attie” Catherine Brock born 1906
  • Olin Clarence Brock born 1908
  • Willie Melton Brock born 1911
  • Ethel M Brock born 1913
  • Nora Lee Brock born 1915
  • Bytha Jane Brock born 1917
  • Annie Ruth Brock born 1920
  • Archie Copeland born 1904
  • Hannah Copeland born 1908
  • Gary Washington Copeland born 1909
  • Roland Copeland born 1913
  • Carrie Mae Copeland born 1916
  • James Pierce Copeland born 1918
  • Curtis Willie Copeland born 1922
  • Woodrow Wilson Rivers born 1914
  • Addie Bell Rivers born 1918
  • Minnie Irene Rivers born 1922
  • Gertrude Brock born 1913
  • Elmer Manning Brock born 1915
  • Edwin Bennett Brock born 1919
  • Ruby Mae Brock born 1921

Sarah Jane Lee Brock left behind the following 22 great-grandchildren:

  • George Elmore Brock born 1911
  • Edward “Ed” Brock born 1913
  • Annie Mae Brock born 1916
  • Robert Brock born 1917
  • Bessie Clara Brock born 1919
  • Mike Hezekiah Brock born 1920
  • Perry Funderburk Brock born 1910
  • Alma Elizabeth Brock born 1913
  • Mary Belle Brock born 1915
  • Earle Brock born 1916
  • Robert William Brock born 1918
  • Therrell Gardner Brock born 1915
  • Thomas Hildreth Brock born 1918
  • Clarence William Brock born 1918
  • Joseph Elbert Lee born 1919
  • Sylvia Christine Lee born 1922
  • Katherine Irene Brock born 1923
  • Weldon Dewitt Sellers born 1915
  • Edna Sellers born 1918
  • Viola Mae Sellers born 1920
  • Almeta “Bobbie” Sellers born 1922
  • Bruce Teal born 1922

Samuel Walker Brock died February 5, 1924.[1]  He is buried at Brock Family Cemetery with his wife Sarah Jane Lee Brock and his mother and Father Squire H Brock and Rachel Parker.[2]  His son John Larence Brock is buried at this small family cemetery. 


[1] South Carolina Death Records, 1821-1955.

[2] Find A Grave at Samuel Washington Brock (1844-1924) – Find a Grave Memorial accessed June 3, 2023. 

The inventory of his estate was listed in his estate filing.  He had $921.24 in the bank and $1,126.00 at home in his house.  He also owned a twelve year old mare mule and a milk cow.  He owned a one horse wagon and about 25 chickens.  He had 50 bushels of corn on hand and 500 bushels of fodder.  Finally he had household and kitchen furniture worth about $50.  He owned 56 acres of land worth $35 dollars an acre for a total of $1,960. The seven surviving children got $228.47 each.  The six children of Rose Ann Brock Parker got $38.08 and the five children of William Washington Brock got $45.70.  The siblings decided Minnie Catherine Brock Rivers should get the milk cow.  Squire Kirby Brock got the 56 acres of land for which he paid $1,000 dollars for. [1]

$250 in 1924 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $4,446.30 today, an increase of $4,196.30 over 99 years.  Samuel Washington Brock left the world with more than he had when he came in.  However, Samuel and Sarah’s legacy is the large productive family that they left to future generations. 


[1] Ancestry.Com.  Chesterfield County, South Carolina Estate Records, Ca. 1865-1927; Author: South Carolina. Probate Court (Chesterfield County); Probate Place: Chesterfield, South Carolina.

Conclusion

Sarah Jane Lee Brock was born in Chesterfield County.  She lived with her husband Samuel Walker Brock in the Court House Township in the Brocks Mill Community there. She had 13 children in 23 years.  Ten of her children lived to adult hood.  Three of them passed away before she died.  Her husband, Samuel Walker lived a year after her, passing away in 1924.

The seven children of Samuel Walker and Sarah Jane Lee Brock who survived them all lived in the Chesterfield Brocks Mill community where they passed away.  Grandchildren ventured out to areas surrounding Chesterfield including Marlboro County, South Carolina, Richmond County, North Carolina, Hartsville, South Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, Monroe, North Carolina, Wadesboro, North Carolina. High Point/Archdale, North Carolina and Aberdeen, North Carolina.  A few went beyond North Carolina and South Carolina to Chicopee, Massachusetts, Los Angeles, California, Pima, Arizona, South Bend, Indiana, and Kalamazoo, Michigan

Samuel Walker Brock was a farmer.  He owned his own land.  His sons followed in his footsteps and they too farmed and owned their land.  His daughters married farmers.  Some of them were sharecroppers.  As farming proved unprofitable, Brock descendants moved to other professions.  During the depression, many turned to the Works Progress Administration as evidenced by their World War II draft registrations.  Many operated their own businesses.  Some of those were:  Brock’s Produce, Bargain House, Brock’s Grocery, J W Morris and Son Grocery, Copeland’s Grocery, White Poultry Company, Busy Bee Home Improvements, Lee Construction, North Cheraw Grocery, Baker’s Food Center, Brock Repair, and Addison Moore Painting Contractor.  Some worked in construction.  Many were carpenters and others worked as heavy equipment operators.   Others worked in specialized trades such as HVAC technician, auto mechanics, beauty shop operators, telephone operators, environmental services, information technology, machinists, welders for race cars, millwrights for the sawmill industry, loggers, and printing.  Many Brocks worked in manufacturing.  This was primarily textiles and they worked for such large companies as Burlington Industries, JP Stevens, Sacony, Chesterfield Manufacturing, Hoechst Fibers, and Cannon Mills.  Other manufacturers they worked for were Crown Cork and Seal, furniture manufacturers such as Rose Furniture in High Point, container and box manufacturers, garment manufacturers, and automated molded plastics.  Many Brock descendants were in the transportation industry.  They drove trucks for Stanley tools,  Estes Express,  Roadway Trucking, and CC & M Trucking.  One delivered bread and was known as “Bread Man.”  Another delivered for Carolina Ice and Fuel in Marlboro County.  Some worked for the railroads including CSX Railroad, and Seaborn Airline Railroad.  A few of the Brocks worked in public safety with jobs as security officers, emergency communications operators, correctional officers, fire engineers, deputies, and magistrates.  A few had white collar jobs such as comptroller for Marlboro Electric Company, Vice President for Human Resources at Spartanburg Community College, Post Office Clerks and Managers, teachers,  basketball coach, Internal Revenue Agent, and newspaper publisher for The Garner Times in North Carolina.   There were a few retail workers who worked at such jobs as a  Walmart greeter and Kimbrell Furniture store manager.  The Brocks also had a talent for music and a calling for the ministry.  They played the piano and taught music, sung at church as the Brock’s Quartet.  Many were called to be ministers.  One Minister of Music recorded music at Nashville and another produced Church musicals.  His church (Berea First Baptist church in Greenville, South Carolina) had the largest musical program in South Carolina and was the fourth largest in the nation.

Samuel Walker Brock was in the First Battalion of South Carolina Reserves.  None of his sons participated in the military.  However, one of  Sarah Jane Lee and Samuel Walker Brock’s grandson died of disease in France during World War I.  William Samuel Brock passed away of influenza, followed by pneumonia.  His son Clarence William Brock, Sr. served in World War II along with fourteen other Brock descendants.  Annie Ruth Brock was a member of SPARS during World War II.  This was the women reserves of the Coast Guard who helped guard the coast during the war.  Clarence William Brock, Jr. served two tours of Vietnam.  At least seven other Brock descendants served in the Viet Nam War.  Ronnie Brock, a National guardsman lost his life in 1971 undergoing training exercises.  At least one Brock descendant served during the Persian Gulf conflict. 

Most of the descendants of Sarah Jane Brock and Samuel Walker Brock were Baptist.  A goodly amount of them attended Brocks Mill Baptist Church.  Sarah Jane and Samuel were buried in a small family cemetery on Brock owned land.  Others are buried at the old Brock Cemetery on Mulberry Road or at the Brocks Mill Baptist Church Cemetery on Brocks Mill Road.

Sarah Jane Lee Brock died of perforated ulcer of the stomach. Most of her descendants died of heart disease,  stroke, lung disease, and cancer.  Her great great grandson, James Calvin Brock had the distinction of being the longest living heart transplant when he died in 2023.  Sarah’s son John Larence Brock died as the result of epilepsy which he had all his life.  Five of Sarah Jane Lee Brock’s female descendants died of childbirth or pregnancy complications.  There are records of at least thirty infant or childhood deaths in the Brock family.  Two of those were in 1918 and were attributed to the flue.  Others give colitis, improper feeding, pneumonia, prematurity, and birth defects as the cause  There are at least three adult deaths that are related to COVID, probably more.  Vehicular deaths are the most common accidental death in the Brock family.  There were at least eleven of these.  One accident killed three members of the Ollie Sellers family including Ollie, her brother, and her daughter.  Other accidental deaths include accidental drowning in the Pee Dee River, getting trapped in a grain car, accidental carbon monoxide poisoning from trying to keep warm while working on a car, and one incident of domestic violence (gunshot) . 

Sarah Jane Lee Brock had a large family who mainly stayed in Chesterfield County.  Many of her family married Brock and Lee cousins.  This makes analysis of the DNA of her descendants very difficult because of the endogamy.  The Chesterfield roots are very deep and the branches of the family tree are extremely twisted. 

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