Brignell, James

James Brignell

Mr J. Brignell was the General Superintendent for the Western Counties Railway in 1883.

If the Death Certificate I found is correct than James Brignell died at 90 years 11 Months old in 1938. He was born in 1847 and was 36 years old when he was General Superintendent. His occupation is listed as "Retired Assistant Superintendent" and for the type of business he worked for listed as "Railway Man"

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Information from the Desbrisay Museum:
James Brignell was born 7 December 1847 in Brecon, South Wales, son of Dr. William Brignell and Anne Price. Brignell received his early education in the National Schools of Wales and finished his education at a private school. At age 16, he entered the service of the Mid Wales Railway Co. as office boy in the office of the auditor remaining with that company for six years, and working up to the position of chief clerk, serving under three auditors. Eventually Brignell immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1872 and worked with the Windsor and Annapolis Railway as clerk to the city agent. In 1894, Brignell moved to Bridgewater as Superintendent of the Nova Scotia Central Railway. In 1906, he was auditor of the Halifax and South Western Railway, which included the Nova Scotia Central Railway and the Coast Railway. Brignell held this position until his retirement in 1923, being 58 years in active railway service.

Brignell married twice, firstly on 30 April 1878 in the Church of England in Halifax to Charlotte Emily Spike (1849-1903) of Halifax, and they had two sons, William W. and J. Grantham A. Brignell. After the death of his first wife, Brignell married again on 5 August 1911 in the Church of England in Bridgewater to Bertha Bailey (died 28 March 1936), daughter of Henry Bailly, Registrar of Deeds.

From 1908 to 1918, Brignell was boarding at a home on Pleasant Street, Bridgewater. By 1924, Brignell had a home on Alexandra Avenue and lived there until his death in 1938.

James Brignell served as Bridgewater's 11th mayor from 1924 to 1930. In 1930 he was appointed honorary member of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. Brignell served his community as a Member of Council, on the Bridgewater Board of Trade in January 1900, and took an active interest in the Dawson Memorial Hospital as Commissioner and secretary-treasurer serving from 1929 to 1934.

James Brignell died 24 November 1938 and a service was held from Holy Trinity Anglican Church. Burial was in Camp Hill Cemetery, Halifax next to his first wife, Charlotte.

Gallery

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  Portrait of Mr. Brignell at age 88.

References

Death Certificate