Family tradition including letters from family living in the mid 1800's state that Joseph brought this secretary with him to Cincinnati on a riverboat when he moved from Charleston in the very early 1800's. It has never left the family. The picture of the bottom of drawer 7 shows that it was made by Benjamin W(?) Brooks, September 27, 1806/7/8 (?). A further penciled incription shows it was repaired in Cincinnati in 1886. I have been told the design is English and that it was probably made by a young cabinetmaker who had been trained in England. If anyone has any futher insight or knowledge of Benjamin Brooks, please provide me any information you may have.
Revised July 2000
Copyright Bill Myers July 2000