Moses Brain (c1811-1887) (General)

by rodders , Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 20:28 (1984 days ago) @ probinson

Thank you to all those who have replied so far, here are some more facts:

The parish records available on this site indicate that Cornelius married Sophia Bennett on 22 September 1831 at Hempstead, Gloucester. They are the parents of Thomas Bennett Brain, who was baptised on 20 October 1833 at Ruardean Congregational Church. Thomas Bennett was the owner of the Euroclydon and also Trafalgar Colliery.

Trafalgar colliery near Cinderford, which was in production in 1860, was developed by the Brain family and was the only large mine in the coalfield run by free miners in the later 19th century. The colliery, which in 1882 became the first in England to have electric pumps, took over the workings of Strip And At It colliery to the north, and a short tramroad through a tunnel connected the pitheads. See https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/glos/vol5/pp326-354.

The Ross Gazette, dated Thursday 2 December 1869 records the following:
THE LATE CORNELIUS BRAIN, Esq. - Our obituary records the death of one of our esteemed coal proprietors, Cornelius Brain, Esq., a gentleman deservedly respected and beloved in the Forest of Dean, and by all who had the privilege of his acquaintance. For the last two or three years his declining health and extreme bodily affliction has been borne by him with Christian firmness and resignation to the divine will. He had on the 24th ultimo attained the age of 65, and on the following morning expired at the Quabbs, Drybrook. His absence will be deeply felt. It may be truly said of him that he was a kind master, a firm friend, and a genuine Christian. His remains were interred in the burial ground of the Independent chapel, Mitcheldean, on Tuesday, the 30th November, and on Sunday morning next, the Rev. J. Lander intends his discourse to have special reference to the solemn event.

Details of the Will:
Surname Forename Role Relationship Year
ADAMS Francis Hamp Beneficiary Friend 1870
BRAIN Cornelius John Beneficiary Grandson 1870
BRAIN Thomas Bennett Executor Son 1870
BRAIN William Blanch Executor Son 1870
BRAIN Sophia Beneficiary Wife 1870
WILCOX William Witness 1870
ROOTES William Rudge Witness 1870
BRAIN Alfred James Probate Extract 1870
ADAMS Sarah Elizabeth Hamp Beneficiary 1870