THE HOLLIES Owners and Occupiers (continued):

1876-1880
Henry Clay Quinby, a Dentist probably practising in Duke Street and living at 21 Rodney Street, was owner and occupier for a few years.

1881-1909
Thomas Brocklebank junior (1848-1911) Merchant and Shipowner, born at Springwood, Allerton, bought the house in 1881 and was here until 1909. In the 1881 census he appears with his wife Agnes Lydia, aged 34, daughter of the eminent Midland Railway Manager Sir James J. Allport. They were married in 1872 and the children Aubrey, 7; John Jasper, 5; Annie, 3 and Robert Allport 2 were recorded. (They were later to have Stephen, and Agnes-&-Evelyn, twins). Their living-in staff were 7 including a Governess; also a Coachman John Stanley with his wife & family in the Lodge, and Gardener Thomas Carling with his wife and child in the Cottage.

The firm of Brocklebanks was established at the end of the 18th century. In Whitehaven early Brocklebanks were shipbuilders, and they built ships in Liverpool too. There came a time when T. & J. Brocklebank possessed the largest private fleet in the world. With the introduction of steam and iron, they ceased to build for themselves, but the firm with immense capital was second to none in its commercial reputation as an employer of men (from Orchard.) When The Hollies was advertised "to be Sold" in May 1879 it was described: -

"Detached Residence ... with two cottages, stabling for 6 horses, coachhouse, shippon, poultry house, orchard house, vineries, storehouse, cucumber house, peach house, melon house, gardens, pleasure grounds, small croft, the whole comprising 4 acres of freehold land - Drawing and Dining Room each 27 ft. x 18 ft, Morning Room and Billiard Room each 27ft x 18 ft., Smokeroom, 11 Bedrooms, 2 Dressing Rooms 2 Bathrooms.
Apply to Mr, S. Waterhouse, Cook Street, Liverpool."

In 1906 Sir Thomas Brocklebank (1814-1906) created First Baronet in 1885, died at the age of 92. His son Thomas junior succeeded him and continued to live at The Hollies until c.1909. He moved to 13 Abercromby Square and died in 1911, leaving £538,681.

continued . . .