Individual Details

Apprenticed to his brother Thomas Brookes, Mariner, of Ratcliff.
1718 Aug 07. Master: Thos: Brookes of Ratcliffe, Midd & Marriner. Apprentice: Rich'd son of Joseph Brookes dec'd

This may be too early to be the same Richard:
Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 1, 1729-1730. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1897.
24 Nov 1720 Warrant from the Lords of the Treasury to the Commissioners of Customs.
To accept 60# from Richard Brooks and his mate, Thomas Orange, as composition for running tobacco out of the “Amelia”in 1728.
With the usual warrant to the Attorney General to enter a noli prosequi to the case.
Prefixing:—Report from the Commissioners of the Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, dated 1780, November 20, on Brooks's petition to be admitted to compound.
Customs Book XIII. p. 139–40.
noli prosequi = Latin phrase meaning “will no longer prosecute” a formal notice of abandonment by a plaintiff or prosecutor of all or part of a suit or action

Convicted of Virginia tobacco smuggling in 1730.
Ancestry.com: Virginia Colonial Records 1607-1853
Survey Reports, Number 2306, Item 2159 [stamped], p. 2
p.139-40 24 Nov 1730
Treasury warrant to Customs Commissioners authorizing Richard Brooks convicted of smuggling tobacco and to take from the petitioner the sum of 50# as a composition for the offences specified in the report. The petitioner to tive his bond not to engage in smuggling and to pay prosecution costs. One moiety of said sum to Exchequer, another to the informers. Commissioner's report prefixed.

Richard was age 30 in 1735. He married 31 Jul 1735 in Stepney to Abigail Wheatley.

From the Parish records of St. Dunstan & All Saints Church of England:
1735 Jul 31 Capt. Rich. Brookes of Rat(cliffe), Mariner & Abigail Wheatly of the same, spinster, Lic.

His will was proved 18 March 1739/40. No issue named.
Richard Brookes of London Mariner. Will dated 14 Nov 1735
Proved by Abigail Brookes, widow and relict. Only legatee and sole executrix.

Birth	Abt 1705
Marriage	31 Jul 1735	Saint Dunstan, Stepney, Middlesex, England - Abigail Wheatley
Burial	13 Mar 1739/40	Stepney, Middlesex, England

Spouse

Abigail Wheatley ( - )

Father	Joseph BROOKES ( - 1718)
Mother	Unknown ( - )
Sibling	JONATHAN BROOKES (1710 - 1754)
Sibling	Elizabeth Brookes ( - )