Hey George,
I'll tell you what I can. Of course it is easy to say "yes" or "no" to a question like this but I don't think the answer is either. I've been in touch with all three branches and they are distinctive people. But I come away with the feeling that there weren't so many lines drawn in the sand where the children were concerned. As one of the W. T. Carter line told me--"it wasn't so much choosing his father over his mother as it was a young boy naturally needing a father figure around." Even today Elizabeth Brooke is very close to her relatives and the general family reminiscenses about old times together (among the children) are good. But--there are some hints that elements of the other side exist. I won't presume to know all of the emotions and reasons behind what I'm about to transcribe but the contrast of what is written is worth considering:
(Taken from the Last Will and Testament of Lucile Polk Brooke)
SECOND: I hereby ratify and confirm the gift and bequest I have made in my lifetime of all of my jewelry, and all my silver, glass, china, and all my household furniture and furnishings absolutely, to my daughter, ELIZABETH M. BROOKE.
THIRD: I give and bequeath--merely as a token of my love--the sum of Five thousand Dollars to my daughter, LUCILE CARTER REEVES, absolutely, if she survives me, or if she predeceases me, I give and bequeath the said sum absolutely in equal parts or shares to her children who survive me.
FOURTH: I give and bequeath--merely as a token of my love--the sum of Five thousand Dollars to my son, WILLIAM T. CARTER, II, absolutely, if he survives me, or if he predeceases me, I give and bequeath the said sum absolutely in equal parts or shares to his children who survive me.
FIFTH: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real, personal and mixed, of whatsoever nature and character, and wheresoever situate, including any and all estates over which I may have a power of appointment, I give, devise and bequeath absolutely and in fee simple to my executors and trustees hereinafter named, IN TRUST, nevertheless, for the following purposes:
(a) to pay all of the net income to my husband, GEORGE BROOKE, if he survives me, for his life, and at his death, or if he predecease me, then at my death, to pay the income to my daughter, ELIZABETH M. BROOKE, if she survive me, until she becomes forty years of age, at which time to pay, assign, transfer and convey the principal of my residuary estate, absolutely and in fee simple, to my daughter, ELIZABETH M. BROOKE."
There is much more--it is quite a long will--but the above gives a clue as to the contrast in what Elizabeth was to receive vs. the Carter siblings. Still it is worthy of note that she appointed her son, William Thornton Carter, II, as co-executor of her will, and that inarguably proves the esteem and trust she held for him even as she was dying (her will was written October 25th, 1934 and she died October 26th). And the fact that he served as co-executor seem to indicate a great degree of love for her--he was gaining very little materially by assuming the responsibility.
I hope this at least covers a little of what you wanted to know.
My best,
Phil
