Lincoln CastleCopyright Jo Turner

Captain William Brocklesby, keeper of Lincoln Castle.

Born in about 1776. Died 18 March 1840, and buried in Lincoln Cathedral 'Late captain and adjutant in the Lincoln local militia and at the time of his decease Keeper of Lincoln Castle'. Here are some letters written by his daughter after his death.

DIED. On Wednesday morning the 18th inst., after a protracted and severe affliction, which he bore with Christian fortitude, Capt. W. Brocklesby, keeper of the Castle of Lincoln, in his 64th year ; he died universally respected and deeply regretted. Lincolnshire Chronicle, Friday 20 March 1840

Seems to have been adjutant and lieutenant in the Lindsey, Kesteven and Lincoln Local Militia in 1813, before commencing his civic career:

Mr. Brocklesby, of the bail of Lincoln, appointed to the office for licensing hawkers and pedlars, vacant by the decease of the late John Thomas Bell, Esq. Stamford Mercury, Friday 9 April 1819

Mr. Wm. Brocklesby, of the bail of Lincoln, has been appointed surveyor of the S. E. and S. W. division of the Lincoln turnpike-roads, vacant by the resignation of Mr. Gilbert.—There were ten candidates. Stamford Mercury, Friday 14 September 1821

THE LORD BISHOP of LINCOLN having given the Deputation of the Manor of Nettleham to Mr. William Brocklesby, and we the undersigned, Owners and Occupiers of Land within the said Manor, being desirous of preserving the GAME on the said Manor, request all gentlemen will refrain from shooting or sporting on the said Manor; and hereby give Notice, all unqualified persons and poachers will be proceeded against according to law. Robert Willson, Samuel Hird, Thomas Nicholson, John Procter, Thomas Peel, Mary Cooling, Robert Bunyan, E. Rudgard, William Clayworth, F. and C. Winn. Sept, 1821. Stamford Mercury, Friday 28 September 1821

The Commissioners appointed under the new Police Act for this city appear to be preparing for action: they have had several meetings during the past and present months, chiefly for appointing officers. The not unimportant station of Surveyor has been assigned to Mr. Brocklesby, with whose activity the public are already well acquainted. Stamford Mercury, Friday 5 September 1828

Mr. W. Brocklesby, surveyor of the highways, also surveyor under the commissioners of the new police act for this city, &c., is appointed by the Sheriff of the county to the office of gaoler of Lincoln Castle. Some observers conjecture that the above is not the only change in the administration of county business that will mark the shrievalty just commenced. Stamford Mercury, Friday 19 February 1830

The economy commenced by the new Sheriff, in the reduction of the salary of the gaoler of Lincoln Castle, has been followed in the same spirit by a vote of the trustees of the turnpikes in the Lincoln district. On Saturday, at a meeting, it was resolved that the surveyor to be appointed in the room of Mr. Brocklesby should be allowed the sum of 100/. a year, instead of 180/., which was the recent salary. Nevertheless, several candidates are mentioned for the office; and also for the surveyorship of the city, under the police commissioners. Stamford Mercury, Friday 26 February 1830

Married on 1 January 1805 at Newcastle to Francis Rook. She was buried 12 Dec 1849 at Lincoln Cathedral.

Issue six daughters and one son:

  1. Jane Brocklesby, second wife of George Steel. She was born in Sunderland in about 1806 (and was hence 34 years younger than her husband), and died 17 March 1859 at Grecian Terrace.

  2. Mary Theresa Brocklesby, born at Lincoln about 1811. Living at 3 Grecian Place, Lincoln, with her husband in 1851, and with her niece Charlotte Steel in 1861. Died at Glandford Brigg, 6 October 1866, and buried nearby at Wrawby, 9 October 1866.

    Married at St Peter in Eastgate, Lincoln, on 21 October 1845 to Robert Bunyan.

  3. William Brocklesby, born at Lincoln 17 February 1813 and baptised at St. Mary Magdalene 28 September 21 February 1813. Died unmarried at Brigg 28 September 1866.

    The remains of the late Mr. William Brocklesby, bank manager, who for 40 years had been connected with the Lincoln Bank, were interred in the cemetery on the 5th inst. The tradesmen along the route closed their shops, and many of them, and the personal friends of the deceased, followed the remains to the grave. Stamford Mercury, Friday 12 October 1866

  4. Frances Brocklesby, baptised 10 September 1815 at St. Mary Magdalene, Lincoln.

  5. Elizabeth Brocklesby, born at Lincoln about 1818 and baptised at St Mary Magdalene 18 April 1818. Lived in Kent with her husband, and died at Tunbridge Wells 10 July 1902.

    Married at St. Peter in Eastgate on 21 August 1845 to George Bartram of Hastings, brewer. He was born in 1817 and baptised at Reigate 18 July 1817, and died 8 May 1887 an Tunbridge Wells. Bartram's was a brewery in Tunbridge Wells.

  6. Frances Brocklesby, baptised 21 August 1819 at St. Mary Magdalene, Lincoln, and died unmarried 25 May 1869 at Brigg. Buried at Wrawby 25 May 1869. Living at Brigg with her brother in 1861, and of Mill Place, Brigg, when she died.

  7. Catherine Brocklesby, baptised 20 December 1822 at St. Mary Magdalene, Lincoln, and died at 3 Grecian Terrace 19 March 1855. Buried at St Margaret in the Close 31 March 1855.

    THE MISSES BROCKLESBY (Daughters of the late Governor of the Castle at Lincoln) announce to their friends and the public that they have taken the residence lately occupied by Joseph Moore, Esq., which they have denominated " Belle Vue House," Grecian terrace, Lincoln, where they intend to open a Boarding School for young Ladies immediately after the Christmas Vacation, and, with the aid of Masters, to teach the usual routine of a Female Education,— Prospectus of Terms may be had on application. In doing this, the Misses Brocklesby hope the friends of their late Father will countenance their undertaking, with the assurance that every exertion shall be used on their part to deserve success. Mrs. Brocklesby will manage the domestic arrangements; and it is needless to say that in her hands the young Ladies will be treated with the greatest care and kindness. Accommodation for Parlour Boaders. The House is capacious, airy, commands a beautiful view of the lower part of the City, Canwick, and the adjacent Country, has a good Garden, and stands retired, every Way qualified for such an Establishment Stamford Mercury, Friday 10 December 1841

    The school advertises in the Lincoln press until July 1845.