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The family of Richard Brooks (Census 1881) are looking for information about him and his Hickling family – if you can help, please contact us.

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In the Hickling St. Luke’s Parish Registers (to 1905):

Baptisms:

• Sarah Anne Brooks – father Richard (boatman) –  mother Mary – 21^st September 1879 – born Q3 1879
• Elizabeth Brooks – father Richard (boatman) – mother Mary – bap. 19^th March 1882 – born Q1 1882
• Emily Brooks – father Richard (labourer) – mother – 26^th November 1899 – born Q4 1884
• Kate Brooks – father Richard Brooks – mother Mary – 5^th November 1899 – born Q2 1887

Marriages:

• BROOKS Richard to RIPPEN Mary: 26^th October 1878                                                      
• GUY Edward to BROOKS Elizabeth: 19^th June 1900 (likely to be daughter of Richard and Mary (Rippon) Brooks)

Marriage Certificate (certified copy):

• 1878 Marriage solemnized at Hickling in the Church of Hickling in the County of Notts
• Entry: 135
• October 26th
• Richard Brooks – age 20 – Bachelor – labourer – father’s name, James Brooks (publican)
• Mary Rippon/Rippin – age 21 – Spinster – father’s name. John Rippon (labourer)
• Both in residence in Hickling at the time of their marriage – married following Banns
• Richard signs and Mary gives her mark

Funerals:

• John William BROOKS – 10^th January 1867 – age 1 3/4yr. Scarlet fever
• (no surviving gravestones in the churchyard)

Census Records:

Census 1881 (Hickling)

• Richard Brooks – Head – Married – Male – 23 – 1858 – Labour – Enfield, Middlesex
• Mary Brooks – Wife – Married – Female – 24 – 1857 – Hickling
• Sarah A Brooks – Daughter – Single – Female – 1 – 1880 – Hickling

Census 1891 (Hickling)

• Mary Brookes – Head – Married – Female – 34 – 1857 – Housekeeper – Hickling
• Sarah A Brookes – Daughter – Single – Female – 11 – 1880 – Scholar – Hickling
• Elizabeth Brookes – Daughter – Single – Female – 9 – 1882 – Scholar – Hickling
• Emily Brookes – Daughter – Single – Female – 6 – 1885 – Scholar – Hickling
• Kate Brookes – Daughter – Single – Female – 4 – 1887 – Scholar – Hickling
• Sarah Jane Cray – Boarder – Single – Female – 10 – 1881 – Scholar – Hose, Leicestershire

Census 1901 (Hickling)

Household (1)

• Mary Brooks – Head – Married – Female – 45 – 1856 – Charwoman – Hickling
• Kate Brooks – Daughter – Single – Female – 14 – 1887 – Hickling

Household (2)

• John White – Head – Married – Male – 70 – 1831 – Grazier – East Leake, Notts
• Caroline White – Wife – Married – Female – 77 – 1824 – Willoughby, Notts
• Mary White – Daughter – Single – Female – 43 – 1858 – East Leake, Notts
• Frank P Brooks – Boarder – Single – Male – 25 – 1876 – Wheelwright – Norfolk
• (see news clippings, below – Frank marries Eliza Rose from Hickling in 1901 but this is the only census return that records him in Hickling)

From the Wadkin Archives:

Reflections of Yesteryear:

• (p.18) The children of both Sunday schools felt extremely proud the day they were considered old enough to join the adult choirs in their respective Churches. Mr. Alwyn Shelton ran a choral society which he conducted with Miss Hilda Brooks (later Mrs. Harold Burnett) playing either the organ or piano. Selections from ‘The Messiah’ and ‘The Crucification’ amongst others were sung in both Church and Chapel. The Society also sung at Nether Broughton, Kinoulton, Long Clawson and Willoughby Churches. A Band of Hope, again run by Mr. Shelton, met in the Chapel schoolroom.

Scrapbook of Hickling:

• (p.45) Coal was brought along the canal on barges and tipped into the Wharf Yard then re- loaded on to horse drawn carts. Following this, coal came by rail trucks and tipped at Old Dalby Station or occasionally Widmerpool, then collected by horse and cart. Delivery often took several days. Coal merchant was Mr. Harry Brooks from Hose and Mr. Malcolm King of Long Clawson who delivered on a specific day of the week. Today three coal merchants deliver in the village:- Mr. John Grice from Hickling Pastures, Mr. Ernest Tinsley, Long Clawson (one time assistant to Mr. M. King) and Mr. Henry Coy from Harby who bought Mr. H. Brooks’s business. In 1885 Mr. Bill Collishaw was a coal merchant and warfinger.
• (p.73) Over the years there were a number of assistant teachers some of whom are listed below:- Miss. Hilda Mary Brooks who came from Ilkeston (and later married Mr. Harold Burnett) was mainly an infant teacher during the period 1911 – 1919 along with Miss. Maud Camm from Widnerpool. Miss. Amy Croft – February 1923 until August 1924 when she left to get married. Miss. Hart lodged at Mrs. Harriman’s at ‘The Wharf’ – 1924. Miss. Dorothy Power – October 1924 until April 1935 – lived at ‘The Wheel’. Miss. D. Wakerly from Willoughby came in 1935.

Maggie’s Memories:

• (p.23) The first Headmaster I remember when I started going to the Hickling Council School when I was five, was Mr. Tayborn and soon after he introduced a new Headmaster, Mr. John William Pepper of Sutton in Ashfield. I don’t remember much of the first year or so but I have a School photograph in one of my scrap books showing we ‘babies’ as we were called, on the front row, and the older children at the back (where the rest of the school was I don’t know), also on the photo is Infant Teacher, Miss Brooks and Pupil Teacher Miss Elsie Copley, several on the photograph are no longer living, and it is sad to think of them, but we must remember the happy days when attending school altogether. We infants had one of the small class rooms, and in winter there was a coal fire, and oil lamps for lighting (central heating was unheard of). The Teacher sat in a high chair with a high wooden desk and lid, a blackboard and easil, one large window and a small sky window. A fireguard was always used. We had small desks for about four children, and along the wall was a grooved shelf to hold pencils etc. The piano was kept in the ‘Big Room’ and we infants joined the older children each morning for prayers and to sing hymns. The infants and girls used one of the porches and the boys the other one, the boys also had their own playground. The porch had rows of pegs for coats etc. and in the centre of the porch was a wooden cross bar. If it was raining at playtime we stayed in the porch and would swing on the bar. Miss Brooks (from Ilkeston) was the first infant teacher I remember (she married Mr. Harold Burnett of Hickling and died several years ago).
• (p.25) Headmaster Mr. Pepper was called up on active service and the Infant Teacher Miss Brooks deputised, we also had Mrs. Scott who was Head Mistress then until War ended, she was a middle aged person with white hair. Mrs. Scott had a peculiar way of punishment, we were made to stand inside the fire guard (no fire in the grate) our backs to the other children with hands on our heads, we did wonder if this was a way to make us feel prisoners.
• (p.28) During the 1914-18 War men who were not on active service did some kind of drilling (don’t know if it was similar to the Home Guard in the 1939 war) a notice board was fixed on the old tailor’s shop shutters, now demolished, with instructions of times to meet etc. written in white chalk, for devilment a number of we schoolchildren would rub the instructions off the board and eventually were found out and reported to the deputy Head, Miss Brooks, she made each one of us stand before her and ‘Whack’ a stroke of the cane, when she had caned the last child she went into the small class room and burst into years and the caning didn’t do us any harm, would do some of the hooligans good today.
• (p.31) The Highlight of the Sunday School was most certainly the Sunday School Anniversary and always held on the last Sunday in June (which traditionaly was Hickling Feast weekend) I don’t know officially how old the anniversary platform is, but was in use before I went to school and is still used and in as good condition, the platform was made by the local joiner at the firm of Burnett & Son, and sadly no longer in existence, it is stored in the 10ft over the Classroom. The platform was always filled with children, the young ones sitting on the bottom row and my goodness how proud we felt when at last we reached the top row, we never had recitations in those days, just special anniversary hymns, and we each had to open our mouths and sing. Mr. Shelton was our conductor and Mrs. Burnett nee Brooks organist, the girls each had a new dress and white socks with a wide hair ribbon tied in a large bow on our hair, the boys had new suits, and always their would be solos and duets by some of the boys and girls. I am told the very first year myself and Katie Spencer sat on the platform, we fidgeted around until we both fell off. As we grew older we went into the Choir and what a proud day that was the choir was full to capacity and the overflow sat on the front pews of the congregation. It was traditional that our choir sang ‘Worthy is the Lamb, from Messiah’ at the evening S.S.A. service also the evening hymn ‘The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended’ which is still sung each year.
• (p.59) COAL and MERCHANTS Coal was brought in Barges on the Canal at one time and tipped on to the Wharf Yard, and then re-loaded on to horse and cart. After the barges, came railway trucks of coal. Often a truck of coal was shared by two families; the coal would arrive at Old Dalby Railway Station and sometimes Widmerpool, and then the horses with heavy carts would be backwards and forwards sometimes several days, especially if there were two trucks to be emptied, I can remember loads of coal being tipped on to the road and then being taken to the coal house by wheelbarrow. Granny Simpson’s coal merchant as I remember was Mr. Harry Brooks then Mr. Malcolm King of Long Clawson came to Hickling and other villages, first with horse and dray then a coal lorry, in those days the Coalman always delivered on a specific day each week, now one must order fuel either by phone or post and it will be delivered. There have been a number of different coal merchants with customers here over the years, another custom completely changed. When I first married I remember giving as little as 1/6d, one shilling and sixpence for cwt. of coal, now it is £2 or more anthracite dearer. Our present Coal Merchant is Mr. Ernest Tinsley who was assistant to Mr. M. King and took over the business after he retired.

Note: Leonard Brooks is referenced in the Wadkin photographs; he is a member of the Home Guard and he is also labelled as giving a photograph of Cromwell Cottages.

Newspaper cuttings (originals, below):

• Aug 21^st 1897: 20^th August 1898: Mr F Brooks is an official at the Hickling Horticultural Show.
• Aug 20^th 1898: the Hickling Horticultural Show – “100 yards flat race for girls under sixteen (open) – 1^st prize, workbox, E Brooks …”
• Aug 26^th 1899: “slow bicycle race (open) – 1^st, walking stick, H Brooks …” Officials include Mr F Brooks.
• Nov 11^th 1899: “Sewing Meeting – On Wednesday afternoon, the first of a series of sewing meetings to be held during the winter onths, in connection with the Wesleyan Society, took place in the large vestry. A public tea was provided in the schoolroom at 4.30, given by, and under the management of, bachelors, the following eligible young gentlemen presiding at the tea tables, viz:- Messrs F Brooks, G Parr, A Shelton and F Shelton. In the evening an entertainment …”
• (undated) Donation to the Daily Guardian Shilling Fund for wounded soldiers and widows and orphans – Mr F Brooks 5s … Mrs Brooks 6d
• (undated) Cricket, Hickling vs Hose – J. Brooks, b Shelton – 1
• (undated) Cricket, Hickling Married v. Single – F. Brooks (single) b G. Squires 0
• Aug 4^th 1900: Guy – Brookes – At the Parish Church, Hickling, on the 16^th inst. (by the Rector), Mr Edward Guy, of Owthorpe, to Miss Elizabeth Brookes, second daughter of Mr Richard Brookes, of Hickling.
• Aug 25th 1900: Horticultural Show – Mr F Brooks listed as an official.
• July 1901: Hickling v. Upper Broughton – F Brooks b A Shelton 0
• Aug 24^th 1901: Cricket, Hickling v. Upper Broughton – C. Munks, c Brooks b White 7 and H Brooks, b Covel 2
• Sept 14^th 1901: An interesting wedding was solemnised in the Wesleyan Chapel on Tuesday afternoon last, in the presence of a numerous attendance of friends. The contracting parties were Mr Frank P Brooks of Hickling and Miss Eliza Rose, second daughter of Mr William Rose of Hickling. Both are well known in the village, the bride having been for some time a member of the Wesleyan choir, while the bridegroom has been actively engaged in Sunday School work. Shortly before half-past two o’clock, the bridegroom entered the Chapel accompanied by Mr Charles Tyers of Nether Broughton, who acted as best man. He was shortly followed by the bride, who was escorted and subsequently given away by her brother, Mr Thomas Rose. She was attired in a French grey cashmere dress, trimmed with silk, chiffon and lace insertions, with a cream toque, and carried a handsome bouquet of flowers. The bride was attended by Miss Laura J Brooks, sister of the bridegroom, and Miss lily Rose, niece, as bridesmaids. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. George B Glover, circuit minister, of Long Clawson, while Mr Alwyn F Shelton presided at the organ. As the party left the Chapel, copious showers of confetti and rice greeted them, and, amid the good wishes of their friends, they proceeded to the home of the bride’s parents, where a number of friends were entertained in honour of the event. On the day following Mr and Mrs FP Brooks left Hickling for Harpley, Norfolk, where the honeymoon will be spent. There was a large number of handsome and useful presents.
• Oct 12^th 1901: Mrs FP Brooks is mentioned in connection with the Chapel Anniversary and Harvest Festival
• Oct 11^th 1902: Mrs F Brooks helps with the flowers for the Chapel Harvest Festival, the Chapel was, “… prettily though not profusely decorated with flowers, fruit, vegetables, corn, and foliage …”
• Jan 3^rd 1903: The Carol Singers – The following persons canvassed the village on behalf of the carol singers, viz Messrs Chas. Hodson and F. Brooks. The amount realised was £3 11s. 9d. After deducting the cost of refreshments provided for the carol-singers during Christmas morning, and hire of room, the sum collected was equally divided between the Church and Wesleyan Methodist Chapel Choirs, the amount given to each choir fund amounting to £1 7s.6d. The carol singers desire to express their thanks to the public for their generosity and also to the collectors for their efforts.
• Feb 28^th 1903: At a concert, Mr H Brooks sang a comic song, “I Wink at the Girls on the Sly” and Mr A Brooks sang a comic song, “You Get More Like Your Dad Every day”.
• (22^nd July 1905) End of the Law Suit – At the Nottingham and Notts Assizes on Tuesday, before Mr Justice Wills. Wm. Brooks, corn, coal and coke merchant, of Widmerpool and Old Dalby, Leicestershire, sought to recover £117 from Samuel Marshall, farmer, of Hickling, and Mary Elizabeth Marshall, of West Bridgford for goods sold and delivered. Mr Marriott (instructed by Messrs Atter & Son of Melton Mowbray) appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Stevenson (instructed by Mr N Elborne) was for the female defendant. Up to May 1903 the defendants lived at Manor House, Hickling. For twenty or twenty-five years plaintiff had supplied Mr Marshall with corn, maize etc but six or seven years ago he learnt that the defendant had given a bill of sale to another creditor. Naturally, said Mr Marriott, after that he declined to give Mr Marshall credit but in an interview the defendant said Mrs Marshall who had considerable private property, had always paid the account, and would continue to do so. Mrs Marshall was present and assented. In October 1902 she did pay £75 on account but in 1903 she separated from her husband and disputed liability for the goods which up to that time had bee supplied. The plaintiff gave evidence that but for Mrs Marshall’s undertaking to pay, the goods would never have been supplied. In cross-examination the plaintiff said he had many times received money direct from the hands of Mrs Marshall, Mr Marshall being present at the time, and, on being re-examined, he repeated emphatically that he would not have supplied any further goods if the wife had not told him that she would be responsible for payment. He denied that this action was taken under a collusive arrangement between himself and Mr Marshall. William Spencer of Kinoulton said that for twenty two years he was in the employ of Mr Brooks as book-keeper. He remembered seeing a letter from Mrs Marshall to Mr Brooks telling him to go to Mr Elbourne and he would be paid some money. Either the same day or the next an entry was made in the books of £75 having been received from Mr Elbourne. Mary Elizabeth Brooks (plaintiff’s daughter) gave similar testimony. Mr Stevenson, in defence, mentioned that Mrs Marshall had sacrificed practically the whole of her property to pay her husband’s creditors and Mr Brooks had benefitted along with the others, but her husband and the older children continued to live in an extravagant and heedless way and eventually she separated from him in a perfectly friendly way taking the seven younger children with her. Although the present debt had been in controversy for two years, it had never been suggested until that day that Mrs Marshall had ever offered to pay, and she would deny that any conversation such as that alleged ever took place. She did not know, indeed, of the bill of sale until some years later. His friend, continued Mr Stevenson, had been very indignant because it was suggested that was a collusive action. Collusive however was a very broad term and it was very significant that although the plaintiff was ostensibly trying to secure this money from Mr and Mrs Marshall he went on supplying Mr Marshall with goods down to May this year long after the writ was issued. It was admitted he was a friend of Mr Marshalls and facts spoke louder than words. It was litigation of a character which ought never to have been entered into and of a character which cast suspicion upon the evidence with which it was sought to bolster it up. In the witness box Mrs Marshall refuted the evidence of the plaintiff by saying that she never undertook to be responsible for her husband’s debts and denying that she ever handed money to Mr Brooks. Mr EN Elborne (brother-in-law of Mrs Marshall) spoke as to the realisation of her property to pay various debts of her husband and was being examined by Mr Stevenson as to various conversations with Mr Marshall when Mr Marriott objected and said that such conversations were inadmissible. Mr Stevenson: Yes, they are. Mr Marshall is one of the defendants; it’s a joint action. The Judge: Joint rubbish. (laughter) To a certain extent it is a fight between husband and wife. In summing up, his Lordship said that neither the evidence of the plaintiff nor that of the defendant was entirely satisfactory and he was glad to know that the issue rested with a Nottingham special jury, for if he might say so, he had always found the businessmen of Nottingham an excellent tribunal, and he had every reason to confide in them. After an absence of half-an-hour, the jury sent a note to the judge inquiring whether the verdict of the majority would be accepted. Mr Stevenson said that he must follow the rule of all defendants in this matter. His Lordship: I thought you would. Mr Marriott: After what my friend has said, it relieves me of any responsibility. The jury shortly afterwards returned into Court and gave a verdict for the plaintiff. Judgement was accordingly entered against Mrs Marshall for £117 with costs.
• 1967: Church Whist Drive, Miss S Brooks listed as a winner.
• 16^th Feb 1968: Church Whist Drive, Miss Susan Brooks listed as a winner.
• 1968: Church Whist Drive, Mrs N Brooks of Nether broughton listed as a winner.
• (undated) Conservative Association Whist Drive; Mrs Brooks listed as a winner
• 1970: A Brooks won a prize for bottled fruit at the Belvoir Legion Branch Show.
• April 1978: Mrs Brooks gave a thanks on behalf of visitors to the Jubilee Club.
• August 1978: Get-together at club’s fifth birthday party. Members of Hickling Silver Jubilee Club were guests at Nether Broughton Forget-Me-Not Club’s fifth birthday party in the parish-room. The chairman, Mrs Brooks, welcomed everyone and a buffet supper was enjoyed. A birthday cake decorated with tiny blue forget-me-nots made by Mrs Walker was cut by the chairman. There was community singing and a bingo session. Raffle winners were Mrs J Wadkin, Mrs N Woodford, Mrs Hopkinson, Mrs M Richardson, Mr G Green, Mrs N Brooks, Mr G Walker, Mrs V Wabey, Mrs W Burton, Miss Clark, Mr Brian Doughty and Mrs Clark.