Queensland Architects Database

Brookes, Benjamin

BROOKES, Benjamin (1830–1876) was born at Manchester, England, son of William Brookes and Elizabeth Oakden (who died at or soon after his birth), and an uncle of CW BROOKES. After arriving in Brisbane c1854, he was a farmer at Moggill before in March 1858 with his elder brother William he took over the ironmongery business of James Sutherland. Following Separation, he returned to England to represent W & B Brookes, residing at Birmingham. The firm prospered during the boom years of the early 1860s and when copper coins were in short supply, they, like many firms issued their own copper tokens, in their case with the Queensland Coat of Arms and kangaroo and emu supporters valued at a penny and struck in London by WJ Taylor. Following the financial crisis in 1866, the firm was dissolved, and Benjamin Brookes returned to Queensland taking up farming at Copper’s Plains. In the early 1870s he went to work for J & G Harris and lived at South Brisbane. In 1874 as an amateur architect, he designed a new Baptist Chapel in Vulture St, a ‘pretty little edifice’ built of wood with a tasteful porch. He died suddenly at his home.

Employment

1870s
J&G Harris, Brisbane

Migration and Travel

?1852
10 Sep 1852, arr Port Phillip from London, passenger on “Thomas Lowry”
1862
14 Oct 1862: dep Poty Phillip, Vic for London, passengers on “Kent”

Genealogy

[F] William Brookes (1793–1867) b. c1793, Lancaster, Eng; d. 22 Nov 1867, Upper Brook St, Chorlton on Medlock, Manchester, Eng.

[M] Elizabeth Oakden/Oakton (c1799–1830) b. c1799; d. 9.12.1930, Manchester, Eng.

  • [C/B] George Oakden Brookes (1819–1853) b. Mar 1819, Manchester, Lancashire, Eng; d. 24 May 1853, on board “East of Charlemont”, enroute to Sydney, NSW.
  • [C/G] Mary Dinah Brookes (1821–1852) b. 9 Mar 1821, Manchester, Lancashire, Eng; d. 21 Aug 1852, Tilston, Cheshire, Eng
  • [C/B] Thomas Brookes (1824–1825) b. Mar 1824, Manchester, Lancashire, Eng; d. 12 Mar 1825, Manchester, Eng
  • [C/B] William Brookes (1825–1898) b. 14 Oct 1825, Hanging Ditch, Manchester, Lancashire, Eng; d. 16 July 1898, Eagle Junction, Brisbane, Qld
  • [S]Mary Anne Evans (1826–1890) b. 18 Apr 1826, Manchester, Lancashire, Eng; d. 14 July 1890, “Oakden”, Bowen Bridge Rd, Brisbane, Qld
  • [5C/1-2G]
  • [5C/2-2G]
  • [5C/1-3B]
  • [5C/2-3B]Charles William BROOKES (1861–1918) b. 25 Jan 1861, Brisbane, Qld; d. 7 Oct 1918, Brisbane, Qld.
  • [5C5-5B]
  • [C/B] Benjamin BROOKES (1830–1876) Birth 12 Dec 1830, Manchester, Lancashire, Eng; d. 3 May 1876, Brisbane, Q
  • [S, 1858, Nth Brisbane] Margaret Stewart (1834–1901)

References

Queenslander, 23 May 1874, 3; Obituary, Week, 6 May 1876, 16.