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James Briggs (1834-1921) - Unitarian Minister
James Briggs was my great-great-grandfather.
James Briggs, son of a coal carrier, must have been an extraordinary character.
He was a unitarian minister and alderman in Crewe, Cheshire, and in 1880-1881 was mayor of Crewe.
He also owned a cotton mill in Crewe.
Three watercolours painted by James:
Mont Blanc
Netherlands?
Netherlands?
The first painting is of Mont Blanc, but where are the other views?
The last picture shows a flag with blue, white and red horizontal stripes.
If this is the flag of the Netherlands, then it is flying upside down.
James and Betsie, his wife, named their children after people that they admired. Three of their children were:
Herbert Lincoln Briggs - named after Abraham Lincoln who had been assassinated
shortly before Herbert's birth.
Waldo Emerson Briggs - named after Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82), the poet and essayist.
RWE's views were controversial - a transcendentalist in philosophy, rationalist in religion and a
bold advocate of spirtual individualism
He had been the pastor of a Unitarian Church in Boston, but he was forced him to resign because of
his controversial views.
Miltonia Briggs - Undoutedly named after John Milton who died 1674. Miltonia was always known as Millie.
It is said that James also had twin boys who were born on Christmas day and died young.
They were named Noel Briggs and Christmas Briggs!
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