Ah - candle snuffers makes more sense. In February 1823 the warehouse of Powell and Brookes, snuffer makers in the neighbourhood of Rockingham street, was broken into, and all the finished articles ready for delivery the following Saturday, were taken. John Bage, the culprit was apprehended and committed for trial. At the 1841 census a William was a snuffer manufacture at Rockingham street with wife Ann and children John (7), Edward (5) and a servant. This William was born in 1804 son of William (a snuffer maker) and Ann, so probably another brother of John, Henry but Alfred is likely to be this William's son, as this man married Ann Mornhill in May 1826. In September 1842 one of the workmen of Messrs Brookes, candle snuffer manufacturers, was sentenced to three months imprisonment for stealing a quantity of iron and steel from his employer. In September 1846 William Brookes of Brightside Bierlow, snuffer manufacturer, was a member of the Grand Jury dealing with theft and asault cases.
This site's Directory records show William Brookes manufacturer at premises including 29 Rockingham street between 1833 and 1852 and that he also made sugar & nail nippers, nutcracks & Garden shears.
In 1841 a William Brookes snuffer maker aged approx 60 was living at Rock street (brightside Bierlow) with wife Ann and son Edward (20 a clerk). This site's Directory section shows William Brookes senior having qualifying property (warehouse and shops on Rockingham street) but home address Rock street.
So I think William and Ann had children William (married Ann), John and Henry, with a grndchild Alfred.
Although not a direct line through Henry Brooks, my husband's line goes back through Emma Brooks, daughter of William Brookes and Ann Blacktin. She was born 28 Nov 1806 / baptised 28 Dec 1806. She married John Shaw, Wire Ropes manufacturer in 1830 in Ecclesfield.
Thank you for your email, it looks as though our husbands have some shared ancestors, if you need any more information, please feel free to contact.
Regards
Freda