In his introduction, Robert remembered that as a six-year-old he was taken to visit a 7'6" high gravestone in upper Cross Stone graveyard.
The large ornate grave to Samuel Brooks had carved waves with an anchor. By the time Robert's adult interest in his ancestor was rekindled, the grave had weathered and broken and been replaced by a ground stone.
Samuel was born in 1831 to John and Charlotte Brooks of York Street in Todmorden. From a young age, his sole ambition had been to go to sea.
His parents worried, but at 15 years of age, Samuel was engaged in the fruit trade between Liverpool and Naples on the "Patriot" schooner. The relatively short sea journeys were safer and healthier than many other ships of that time.
Samuel received his apprenticeship education in seamanship from the Captain. He travelled many thousands of sea miles during those times.
Robert said that in those days many ships were lost at sea through disaster or misadventure. Samuel Brooks next joined "The Bessie" sailing past the infamous Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America.
The crew nearly starved, then on the second voyage the Captain and the Chief officer died. Samuel, aged only 20 years, brought the ship safely back to England. He then enrolled at a Maritime College to gain his Master's Certificate.
We heard harrowing tales of life aboard ships crossing the Atlantic. Emigrants had become a new form of cargo, but many died as diseases spread in the cramped steerage accommodation. There were horrific conditions below deck, especially in bad weather.
In 1854 Samuel Brooks joined the "Liverpool and Philadelphia Company" set up by William Inman and the two Richardson brothers. Their ships were built in Glasgow and named after cities, such as the "City of Glasgow".
Robert said that Samuel sailed on their propeller driven vessels which used less coal and had more cargo space. Sails could help to stabilise the steam ships. During the Crimean War the government requisitioned the company's ships, one being used as a hospital ship to move the wounded. However the Richardson brothers were Quakers, not able to accept warfare, so they resigned.
Meanwhile back in Todmorden, Samuel Brooks married Harriet Holden from Myrtle Street at Cross Stone Church. He was at sea much of his life and they had no children.
Samuel was made up to the rank of Captain in 1859. During the next decade, Samuel was transferred to various ships of the Inman line on the transatlantic crossings from Liverpool via Queenstown in southern Ireland to New York.
Captain Brooks became highly respected on the voyages which then took around 12 days.
By 1875 the "City of Berlin" became known as a floating hotel, and thus travel at sea for pleasure began. The Americans liked to do the Grand Tour in Europe. Sea trips were thought to be good for ladies "with damaged emotions, left at the altar".
It was suggested that ladies should put weights into the hems of their long skirts to avoid embarrassing the sailors during windy weather!
William Inman died in 1881 and Samuel decided to retire because of his rheumatism. However he soon returned to sea, to captain the "Arizona". He finally retired in 1894.
Robert said that Captain Brooks had been a popular person. He had a strong will and supreme intelligence, travelling the world during the 19th century.
He made friends with many famous people and kept an autograph book - it certainly exists, but Robert knows not where.
Captain Samuel Brooks died in Birkenhead in 1904, but he is buried at Cross Stone graveyard here in Todmorden.

- The next meeting of Todmorden Antiquarian Society is on Tuesday, January 26, at 7.30 pm in Todmorden Town Hall Court Room. The speaker will be Noel Coates on "The Railways of East Lancashire." Visitors are most welcome.