Bryant, Thomas Henry (1873-1952)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1928

Early years

Thomas was born in 1873 at Brynmawr, Breconshire, to parents John and Caroline. Caroline was a half-sister of Rev James Whittock. John was a Sunday School teacher and superintendent. He worked as a coal miner (1881) and later as a carter (1891).

Early in his life the family moved to Midsomer Norton and Thomas became a Christian worker at the age of thirteen in the Wesleyan circuit and grew within the Christian Endeavour movement. He began to preach in his teens and later became a Lay Agent for the Western Valley Mission. Recommended for the ministry, Thomas secured a high place on the Reserved List and was stationed at Andover.

Thomas trained as a shoemaker before entering the ministry.

Ministry

Thomas served as Christian Endeavour Secretary in the Bristol and South Wales districts.

Whilst at Cardiff, Thomas gave the address in Llandaff Parish Church at the Peace Celebrations in 1918.

His obituary records that Thomas was an able administrator, never slothful in business, a diligent pastor, a wise counsellor and a gracious comforter to his flock. Despite domestic sorrow and tragedy, Thomas kept the faith, and forced those dark bitter experiences to yield up their hidden treasures of light and sweetness.

Family

Thomas married Margaret Hannah Williams (abt 1886-1906) in the summer of 1902 at Newport Monmouthshire. Margaret died as a result of childbirth.

  • Arthur Henry (1906-1979) – a PM Minister

Thomas married Sarah Letitia Brookes (1877-1941) in the summer of 1908 at Gloucester. Gloucestershire. Sadly Sarah became paralysed and speechless circa 1919. Birth records identify two children.

  • Doreen Lilian Maud (1912-1973)
  • Stanley Cuthbert (1919-1992) – a civil servant

Thomas died on 12 March 1952 at Midsomer Norton, Somerset.

Circuits

  • 1897 Western Valley
  • 1898 Andover
  • 1901 Gloucester
  • 1902 Bath II
  • 1905 Rhymney Valley
  • 1908 Aberdare
  • 1914 Normanton
  • 1917 Cardiff I
  • 1922 Gloucester
  • 1927 Lydbrook
  • 1931 Lydney & Pilowell
  • 1935 Aberdare
  • 1941 Supernum
  • 1942 Midsomer Norton (Ac)
  • 1944 Midsomer Norton (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1928/126

Methodist Minutes 1952/144

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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