1896, Hong Kong (China), Jonas Brook & Brother ...

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1896, Hong Kong (China), Jonas Brook & Brothers. Goat's Head 5 Cents Token. R! Condition: A nice AU+ Region: Hong Kong (China) Mint Year: late 1870s-1896. Reference: CCC -, WS-, Mitchiner -. R! Company: Jonas Brook & Brothers / T. J. Hirst Denomination: 5 Cents Token (Goat's Head Token) Material: Copper-Nickel Diameter: 15.8mm Weight: 1.37gm Obverse: Goat`s head token above five chinese characters. Reverse: Central star within inner circle. Two chinese stars at sides, four characters above, two below. For your consideration a scarce token, used in the late 1870-1890's by the British thread making firms of Jonas Brook & Brothers (established 1801) and T. J. Hirst, to advertise their product in Hong Kong. The Brook firm ceased to exist in 1896 when it was bought by J. & P. Coats Ltd. The Jonas Brook and Brothers Company was a British silk & thread manufacturer, that employed over 1,000 workers in the UK (Meltham, West Yorkshire) and overseas (Hong Kong) during the late 19th century. The Brook family originally came from New House Hall in Sheepridge, moving to Thickhollins towards the end of the 18th century. William Brook married Martha Smith at Bradford Parish Church - the daughter of a prominent Mirfield banker. Their sons Jonas, James and Joseph established their business in Meltham Mills, using a goat's head - the crest from the Brook's coat of arms - as their brand. The goat's head can still be seen on the old office building to the mill complex and their arms are emblazoned in St. James' Church, in Meltham Mills (which the family built) - a hawkes lure: motto "en dieu ma foy" (in God my trust). Meltham Mills Band also carry the Brook family coat of arms as their official logo. Edward Brook died in 1904 at Hoddom Castle, the house near Ecclefechan, south-west Scotland, which he had purchased in 1878. The Brook family were philanthropists and built housing in Meltham Mills for their employees, including the convalescent home. They also built Meltham Hall, Helme Church and owned an estate at Enderby in Leicestershire. William Brook is buried with his wife Martha in Meltham Church, but his descendants are buried in the crypt underneath St. James Church, Meltham Mills.

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