meltham mills was the former site of jonas brook and brothers, a silk mill complex that employed over 1,000 workers 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.