Bryan, Thomas Marshall (1845-1920)

Christian Messenger 1908

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912

Transcription of ‘Sketch’ in the Christian Messenger

Mr. Thomas M. Bryan is on the better side of 60 years of age. He is a native of Clay Cross, Derbyshire, where he has resided all his life. His life has been most strenuous. Punctuality, constancy, ardent application to work, have shaped his career. He is a master of detail.

His start in life was not the best; he has more than overcome his early disadvantages, and has won his present position by fidelity to purpose. He is rate and income tax collector for the district, and an official of the Clay Cross Works. He takes his share in the public life of the town. In politics he is a conservative. Nonconformity has his support, and Primitive Methodism is the church of his choice. For this he is probably indebted to his mother, who was a stalwart of our church, and closely associated with its early struggles. In our Church at Clay Cross he is a trustee and Society Steward. He is in touch with every department of the Church’s work, and takes a general interest in all the Societies comprising the Circuit.

The easy financial position of the Church owes much to his initiative. The system of collections dispenses with any special appeal or effort to provide monies. His custom differs from that usually adopted in our Churches. He calls a special Leaders’ meeting per quarter. Every members name is called over, and contributions noted. Members not complying with the rule are visited by a deputation from the meeting. As a result the Society boasts fewer non-paying members than most churches in the connexion. Also to save the trouble of explanation the Leaders are specially alert in the collecting of Class monies.

Mr. Bryan takes a lively interest in the Centenary Movement, and to provoke a generous Circuit response, he has promised a generous Circuit response, he has promised a certain per cent. on all monies raised.

M. Dobinson.

Family and other information

Thomas was born abt 1845 at Codnor, Derbyshire, to parents Paul and Isabella. Paul was a coal miner. Thomas was baptised on 9 March 1845 at Codnor and Loscoe, Derbyshire.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Thomas.

1861 coal miner
1871 machine clerk
1881 railway machine man
1891 assistant overseer
1901 collector of rates and taxes
1911 collector of poor rates.

Thomas married Sarah Allard (1837-1911) on 9 September 1866 at St Werburgh, Derby, Derbyshire. Census returns identify seven children.

Mary (b1866) – a dressmaker (1891)
Marshall (1868-1942) – a colliery superintendent (1920)
Kenndal (1870-1951) – collector of king’s taxes (1911)
Thomas (1871-1937) – a colliery weighman (1911)
Gertrude Sarah (b1875) – married Robert Frederick Hirst, a confectionary commercial traveller, in 1904
Ethel (b abt1877) – married Robert Clare Robinson, town postman, in 1901; assistant school teacher (1911)
Emily Hester (Esther) (1880-1947) – married James Hubert Merry, a school teacher, in 1907

Thomas died on 18 March 1920 at Clay Cross, Derbyshire.

References

Christian Messenger 1908/198

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912/498 (Sarah)

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers