Jacob Brettell
Encyclopedia
Jacob Brettell was an English Unitarian
minister.
, Nottinghamshire
, on 16 April 1793. His grandfather was an independent minister at Wolverhampton
, and afterwards assistant to James Wheatley at the Norwich
Calvinistic methodist tabernacle
.
His father, Jacob Brettell, became a Calvinistic preacher at the age of seventeen, and after serving various chapels became an independent minister at Sutton-in-Ashfield in 1788. Here he renounced Calvinism
, and in 1791 opened a separate meeting-house. In 1795 he became assistant to Jeremiah Gill, minister of the 'presbyterian or independent' congregation at Gainsborough
, and on Gill's death, 1796, he became sole minister. He also kept a school (see notice by a pupil, E. S. Peacock, in Notes and Queries, 2nd series, xi. 378). He died 19 March 1810.
His only son, Jacob, had been placed at Manchester College, York, in 1809. A public subscription, aided by the vicar of Gainsborough, provided for his continuance at York
till 1814. He became Unitarian minister at Cockey Moor (now called Ainsworth
), Lancashire
, in July 1814, and removed to Rotherham
in September 1816. He resigned in June 1859 from failing health. Brettell is described as a good scholar and effective public speaker. He was a strong liberal, and took an active part in the anti-corn-law agitation, being an intimate friend of Ebenezer Elliott
(1781–1849), the corn-law rhymester. His poetry shows taste and feeling. His later years were tried by adverse circumstances. He died 12 January 1862.
Some of his hymns are in Unitarian collections. A harvest hymn, 1837, in which he calls the Almighty 'bright Regent of the Skies,' is in James Martineau
's collections of 1840 and 1874 (altered in this latter to 'Lord of earth and skies'). Besides these, he contributed some hundreds of uncollected pieces, being hymns and political and patriotic pieces, several of considerable length, to the Christian Reformer, Sheffield Iris, Wolverhampton Herald and other periodicals.
, Lancashire
, and had four sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Jacob Charles Cates Brettell, born 6 March 1817, was partly educated for the Unitarian ministry at York, became a Roman Catholic, and went to America, where he was successively classical tutor at New York, minister of a German church, and successful member of the American bar in Virginia
and Texas
; he died at Owensville, Texas
, 17 January 1867.
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
minister.
Life
Brettell was born at Sutton-in-AshfieldSutton-in-Ashfield
Sutton-in-Ashfield is a market town in the Ashfield district of Nottinghamshire, England, with a population of around 43,000. It is situated four miles west of Mansfield, close to the Derbyshire border.-Geography:...
, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, on 16 April 1793. His grandfather was an independent minister at Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
, and afterwards assistant to James Wheatley at the Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
Calvinistic methodist tabernacle
Tabernacle
The Tabernacle , according to the Hebrew Torah/Old Testament, was the portable dwelling place for the divine presence from the time of the Exodus from Egypt through the conquering of the land of Canaan. Built to specifications revealed by God to Moses at Mount Sinai, it accompanied the Israelites...
.
His father, Jacob Brettell, became a Calvinistic preacher at the age of seventeen, and after serving various chapels became an independent minister at Sutton-in-Ashfield in 1788. Here he renounced Calvinism
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
, and in 1791 opened a separate meeting-house. In 1795 he became assistant to Jeremiah Gill, minister of the 'presbyterian or independent' congregation at Gainsborough
Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Gainsborough is a town 15 miles north-west of Lincoln on the River Trent within the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. At one time it served as an important port with trade downstream to Hull, and was the most inland in England, being more than 55 miles from the North...
, and on Gill's death, 1796, he became sole minister. He also kept a school (see notice by a pupil, E. S. Peacock, in Notes and Queries, 2nd series, xi. 378). He died 19 March 1810.
His only son, Jacob, had been placed at Manchester College, York, in 1809. A public subscription, aided by the vicar of Gainsborough, provided for his continuance at York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
till 1814. He became Unitarian minister at Cockey Moor (now called Ainsworth
Ainsworth, Greater Manchester
Ainsworth is a small village—effectively a suburb—within the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the western fringe of Bury, northwest of Radcliffe, and east of Bolton...
), Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, in July 1814, and removed to Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
in September 1816. He resigned in June 1859 from failing health. Brettell is described as a good scholar and effective public speaker. He was a strong liberal, and took an active part in the anti-corn-law agitation, being an intimate friend of Ebenezer Elliott
Ebenezer Elliott
Ebenezer Elliott was an English poet, known as the Corn Law rhymer.-Early life:Elliott was born at the New Foundry, Masbrough, in the Parish of Rotherham, Yorkshire. His father, was an extreme Calvinist and a strong Radical, and was engaged in the iron trade...
(1781–1849), the corn-law rhymester. His poetry shows taste and feeling. His later years were tried by adverse circumstances. He died 12 January 1862.
Works
Brettell published:- Strictures on Parkhurst's Theory of the Cherubim. Against John ParkhurstJohn Parkhurst (lexicographer)-Life:The second son of John Parkhurst of Catesby House, Northamptonshire, he was born in June 1728. His mother was Ricarda, second daughter of Sir Robert Dormer. He was educated at Rugby School and Clare Hall, Cambridge, where he proceeded B.A. 1748, M.A. 1752, and was elected Fellow...
, presumed his. - The Country Minister, a Poem, in four cantos, with other Poems, 1821, (dedicated, 12 July 1821, to Viscount Milton, afterwards fifth Earl Fitzwilliam).
- The Country Minister (Part Second). A Poem, in three cantos, with other Poems, 1825.
- The Country Minister; a poem, in seven cantoCantoThe canto is a principal form of division in a long poem, especially the epic. The word comes from Italian, meaning "song" or singing. Famous examples of epic poetry which employ the canto division are Lord Byron's Don Juan, Valmiki's Ramayana , Dante's The Divine Comedy , and Ezra Pound's The...
s: containing the first and second parts of the Original Work : with additional Poems and Notes, 1827, (called 2nd edit.; Brettell's minor pieces are chiefly translations). 5. 'Sketches in Verse, from the Historical Books of the Old Testament,' 1828 (one of these, on Balak and Balaam, was printed in 'Monthly Repository,' 1826, pp. 360–7). - "Staneage Pole" (poem, dated SheffieldSheffieldSheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
24 February 1834, printed in Christian ReformerChristian ReformerThe Christian Reformer was a British Unitarian magazine edited by Robert Aspland....
, 1834, pp. 182–4). - The First Unitarian, 1848, (controverting the opinion that 'Cain was the first Unitarian;' Brettell thinks Cain was 'the third Unitarian in strict chronological order').
Some of his hymns are in Unitarian collections. A harvest hymn, 1837, in which he calls the Almighty 'bright Regent of the Skies,' is in James Martineau
James Martineau
James Martineau was an English religious philosopher influential in the history of Unitarianism. For 45 years he was Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy and Political Economy in Manchester New College, the principal training college for British Unitarianism.-Early life:He was born in Norwich,...
's collections of 1840 and 1874 (altered in this latter to 'Lord of earth and skies'). Besides these, he contributed some hundreds of uncollected pieces, being hymns and political and patriotic pieces, several of considerable length, to the Christian Reformer, Sheffield Iris, Wolverhampton Herald and other periodicals.
Family
He married, on 29 December 1815, Martha, daughter of James Morris of BoltonBolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, and had four sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Jacob Charles Cates Brettell, born 6 March 1817, was partly educated for the Unitarian ministry at York, became a Roman Catholic, and went to America, where he was successively classical tutor at New York, minister of a German church, and successful member of the American bar in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
; he died at Owensville, Texas
Owensville, Texas
Owensville is a former community in Robertson County, Texas, United States. Owensville was located on Farm to Market Road 46 five miles northwest of Franklin.-History:...
, 17 January 1867.