A life in letters: Brackenridge, Alexander (1854-1919)

One of my paternal great-grandfathers. Alexander Brackenridge was born in Maybole in Ayrshire on 21st October 1854, the child of John Brackenridge, a postman who was born c1811 and Euphemia Brackenridge (maiden surname Currie) who was born c1818.

Most of the information about Alexander comes from an obituary in the January 1920 issue of The Christian Worker, a Brethren periodical. It describes John Brackenridge as being ‘familiarly known in the village and throughout the countryside as “The Maybole Post”’ and as being ‘a faithful witness for Christ, in a time when less of the Gospel in its simplicity was heard than it is now.’

At the time of the 1861 census, the family lived in South Vennel, Maybole. Alexander was 6. He had four brothers, Matthew (15) who had been born in Ireland and was an apprentice tailor; William John (13) an apprentice shoemaker; James Murdoch (3); and Robert (1).

Ten years later, Alexander, along with his parents and James and Robert were still at the same address. 16-year-old Alexander is described as ‘an engineer.’

Clearly Alexander was brought up in a Christian environment, but when he was fourteen, on 5th July 1869 (a Saturday) ‘through the personal testimony of a local blacksmith he was brought to decision for Christ and confession of His Name.’  John Brackenridge was in the habit of preaching on the street corners and young Alexander was sufficiently confident in the faith to which he had committed himself to take his stand with them.

At some point, according to the obituary, he moved in connection with the engineering trade to Stranraer where he joined in ‘happy fellowship’ with a group of Christian Brethren ‘being much helped on in the truth during his sojourn there.’

Back in Maybole following a significant number of evangelical conversions in 1875-76, a Brethren Assembly was formed in the town in 1877 (or, as the obituary puts it in the contemporary language of the movement ‘a few believers began to gather in the Lord’s name outside all denominations.’) Alexander, presumably on his return from Stranraer was part of this small gathering before moving in connection with his work to the east end of Glasgow, where he ‘gave himself heartily to the work of the Lord in connection with the assembly in Bridgeton, then in its infancy.’

When Caldwell, Young and Company opened a silk factory in Larkhall, Alexander Brackenridge was according to the obituary ‘sent there as one of their staff’ which implies that he had previously worked for the company at their Glasgow premises.

An 1888 Glasgow Directory contains the following description of the firm, for which Alexander was to work until his retirement.

The manufacturing house whose well-known name appears above was founded as far back as the year 1850 in Glasgow, under the style of James McAulay & Co., and nearly five years ago assumed the title under which its operations are now conducted. The present premises,[at 178 Buchanan Street] comprising a commodious suite of rooms on the first floor, and constituting offices, salerooms, and warerooms, with a large and valuable stock, have been occupied for the past two years. Previous to the removal to this convenient address the business had been for twenty years carried on in St. Vincent Place.

The personnel of the present firm includes Messrs. J. R. Caldwell and George Young, two gentlemen of high standing and recognised ability in connection with the important industrial branch to which their attention is now so vigorously and successfully directed, and both of whom have been connected with the firm for thirty years.

Caldwell, Young & Co. have erected an extensive and well-equipped factory at Larkhall, Lanarkshire, and are the only Scottish silk manufacturers, who have a factory of their own. Their operations are conducted upon a large scale, and embrace the manufacture and printing of silk handkerchiefs and other classes of silks for all the markets of the world. These goods are made in all classes and qualities, from the best and most expensive down to the commoner and cheaper grades, and their production calls into requisition the services of a large staff of skilled silk-weaving-and printing operatives, whose labours are assisted by a valuable plant of improved modem machinery.

Two years ago Messrs. Caldwell, Young and Co. inaugurated a metropolitan depot at 2, Angel Court, Friday Street, London, E.C., and important branches are also controlled at 10, Lever Street, Manchester, at 6, Faubourg Poissonniere, Paris, and at Rangoon. The house is thoroughly representative of every department of the industry it so well and creditably exemplifies, and its manufactures have acquired an international reputation, leading to a universal and constantly increasing demand. The business is capably and enterprisingly conducted upon principles which have won and retained the confidence of an influential home and export connection, and their wholesale and shipping trade takes effect directly and indirectly in every quarter of the globe.  

On 31st December 1880, then living at 70 Low Millar Street, Larkhall he married Catherine Paterson Hastie whose address at that time was 587 Dalmarnock Road, Glasgow but who had been born in Cambusnethan in Lanarkshire, the 20-year-old daughter of James Hastie, a ploughman and his wife Janet. The wedding took place in Glasgow ‘at Milton Registry Office by Declaration.’ The best man was James Brackenridge, presumably Alexander’s brother, and Jessie Hastie, presumably Catherine’s sister was bridesmaid.

The 1881 Census showed the young couple living at Millar Street, Larkhall. Alexander was involved in Christian work in connection with the local Brethren. ‘He gave of his best in shepherding and feeding the flock, and in ministering the Word, in many of the surrounding towns, where his ministry was always welcome.’

His particular ministry was in developing Brethren Sunday School work in Larkhall which was until his involvement began ‘a very feeble affair.’ Says the obituary:

Under his wise and godly care, this work grew amazingly, until Muir Street Hall, capable of seating well over 300, was crowded out. On application, the local School Board granted the use of one of the day schools, and here the work advanced by leaps and bounds, not alone in numbers, but in fruit of the Gospel, very many of the scholars being brightly converted to adorn the doctrine, in lives of godly walk and diligent service. Outlying villages were next reached, schools begun, followed up by continuous evangelistic work, on which the Lord set His seal. When, owing to declining health, Mr Brackenridge had to retire from the active superintendency of the work, there were – and still are – five good Sunday Schools in connection with the assembly in Larkhall, with a weekly attendance of over a thousand scholars. There has been splendid work done, on the simple lines of the Word, which Mr Brackenridge clung to closely all the years.

Among the children attending the Sunday Schools would have been Alexander and Catherine’s own offspring.  The 1891 census found the family living at Burnside Place in Larkhall. There was Jessie (7); James (4); Euphemia (3) – my grandmother; and Catherine (3 months). The household was completed by Catherine senior’s mother Janet, then aged 58. She stayed in Larkhall, possible in her own accommodation until her death at the age of 74 on 4th November 1907.

By the 1901 census, the family were living in Victoria Street, Larkhall. Jessie was working as a ‘Telegraphist’ and James as a ‘Clerk, Factory.’ Young Catherine was now known as ‘Katie’, and Alexander (7) – who would be Sir Alexander Brackenridge – had joined the family. Sadly Catherine Brackenridge died at the age of fifty, following an operation for a stone in the bladder on 23rd July 1910 at a Nursing Home at 121 Hill Street, Glasgow.

The 1911 census records the remainder of the family still under the one roof, though now in Montgomery Street, Larkhall. Jessie (27) was a ‘Post Office Assistant’, James (24) a ‘Railway Clerk’, Euphemia (22) a ‘Book Keeper’ and Alexander (17) an ‘Assistant Warehouseman’. William was 8. An occupation is not mentioned for Kate – presumably she was keeping house following her mother’s death.  I met Jessie (who was living at that time in Larkhall) and Kate (who stayed in Kilbirnie) when I was a child – seen through my young eyes they appeared redoubtable, severe, and very old. Sir Alexander I met once to my knowledge.

After some years of failing health, Alexander Brackenridge died at ten to eight in the evening on 25th November 1819 at 52, Union Street Larkhall from chronic prostatitis and pneumonia. As the Christian Worker put it ‘the tired but happy worker passed peacefully to his rest.’