Robert Brookhouse

Birth: December 8, 1779, Salem MA

Death: June 10, 1866, Salem MA

Burial Location: Linden Ave, Lot 994, Grave 1

Robert Brookhouse began his working life pursuing the career of a craftsman and an artist. He ended that life as a philanthropist whose contribution has lasted to this very day. He married Martha Farley on March 16 1805 in Salem.

From 1800 until 1819, Brookhouse worked as a silversmith. He had a shop on Essex Street. On March 23, 1819, he sold the business to his former apprentice, Edward Farley. Robert Brookhouse then became a trader in general goods. He made a fortune in the West Africa cowhide trade in the 1830’s and 1840’s. His firm was the Robert Brookhouse Company.

Once he had made his fortune, Brookhouse began to use his money like many other Salem men, to see what he could do to help those less fortunate. In 1840 he endowed the Carpenter Street Home for Orphan Children. He was also one of the founding trustees for Harmony Grove Cemetery.

In March of 1854, Brookhouse bought the Crowninshield House on Derby Street for $5,000.00. He intended for it to be an “Old Sailor’s Home.” For some reason the plans for a sailor’s home did not work out. Brookhouse donated the building to the Association for the Relief of Aged and Destitute Women. The gift was accepted by the Association in June 1861. The purpose of the home was declared to be “to provide quality support to senior women and to encourage them to live active and satisfying lives.”

Robert Brookhouse served on the first governing board, along with John Bertram. Robert Brookhouse’s son was one of the three Vice Presidents of that board. The work that Robert Brookhouse started still continues today.

Sources Consulted:

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/234944759/robert-brookhouse
• Pem.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/301 Robert Brookhouse
• https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~silversmiths/genealogy/makers/silversmiths/113932.html