Brining, Adolphus (1840-1919)

Christian Messenger 1911

Transcription of ‘Sketch’ In the Christian Messenger

MR. ADOLPHUS BRINING is one of those characters who by quiet patient and devoted services have done much to build up our beloved Church. Born in Leeds in 1840, he was in youth associated with the Church of England, but having relatives connected with our Quarry Hill Church, he was induced, in 1868, to join the Society. Becoming a prayer leader and a tract distributor, he would distribute about six dozen tracts every Sunday, He also assisted the Bank Society, and when a school-room was built in 1870, became a trustee and transferred his membership to that place. In 1877 Bourne Chapel was erected, and as a trustee he has known something of the struggles and anxieties occasioned by a crushing debt.

For thirty years our brother has been a Class leader at “Bourne,” Leeds First Circuit, and prior to this, he was for two years assistant leader. In 1884, Bourne Church experienced a mighty revival, when some 400 persons were converted. Bro.Brining’s ‘class alone then numbered 170 members, and sometimes as many as 100 were in attendance at once. The class contained several original characters, and many striking testimonies have been heard, and much of the old glory experienced. Mr. Brining still believes in the Class meeting as a means of grace, and thoroughly enjoys one of the old-fashioned order.

For thirty-eight years our brother has been engaged in Sunday schoolwork at Bourne, having served two terms of seven and fourteen years respectively as superintendent. On his retirement, two years ago, he was presented with the Connexional Diploma of Honour, framed, and also a framed photograph of himself.

F.E. THISTLETHWAITE

Family and other information

Adolphus was born on 29 April 1840 at Leeds, Yorkshire, to parents Thomas and Susanna. Thomas was a shoemaker.

Adolphus was baptised, as an adult, on 24 February 1860 at St Mary, Leeds.

Census returns provide the following information about his occupations.

1861 mechanic slider
1871 machine fitter
1881 fitter in iron foundry
1891 mechanic – fitter
1901 engineer/mechanic fitter
1911 fitter

Adolphus married Christiana Batty (1839-1867) on 13 June 1863 at St perter, leeds, Yorkshire. Census returns identify two children.

Benjamin (1864-1945) – a bootmaker (1891); a lamplighter (1911)
George Alfred (1865-1887) – a fitter in iron foundry (1881)

Adolphus married Sarah Craven (abt1843-1919) in early 1869 at Leeds, Yorkshire. Census returns identify eight of nine children.

Walter (abt1870-1948) – a baker and flour confectioner (1911)
Christiana (1871-1953) – married John William Hemmingway, a house painter (1911), in 1896
Herbert (1874-1948) – a shoemaker
John William (1877-1954) – a soap boiler (9111)
Arthur (1878-1966) – a printer compositor
Alice Maud (1880-1891)
Albert (abt1881-1961) – a house painter
Clara (1887-1947) – married Frederick Carter in 1916

Adolphus died during the third quarter of 1919 at Leeds, Yorkshire.

References

Christian Messenger 1911/55

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers