Age at Death: 11 years, 3 months
Interment source:
Hay, Fred M. Cemetery Interments in Corpus Christi and Surrounding area.
NO HEADSTONE
Speculation
The listing of H. Gregory Brittain is based on the survey by Fred Hay. Unfortunately there is neither stone extant nor dates to indicate at least about when this young person lived and died. The only information provided is that H. Gregory Brittain died at the age of 11 years and 3 months. The other burial of a Brittain is that of “M. A. Brittainâ€, and this person reportedly died on 25 December 1852. Again there is no stone extant, but only a listing by reason of the D.A.R. survey. The only family named “Brittain†that was in Corpus Christi around 1850 is Henry Brittain and his son Alford. According to the 1860 census of Corpus Christi (p. 288A), Henry Brittain is a 37 year old native of England (born circa 1823). His son Alford is a 12 year old native of England ( born circa 1848). It is possible that H. Gregory is “Henry Gregory†and another son of the Henry Brittain listed in the 1860 census record of Nueces County. This could possibly mean that “M. A. Brittain†is the wife of Henry and mother of the boys H. Gregory and Alford. Unfortunately this has not been confirmed yet by any records in Nueces County (as of February of 2007). There is record of Henry purchasing property that fronts 150’ on Aubrey Street and 50’ on Tiger Street. This transfer of property from H. L. Kinney to Brittain in July of 1854 (volume E page 552) may mean that the Brittain family was one of those who responded to the advertisement of Kinney in Great Britain. This push to sell land was made about the time of the great fair of 1852 sponsored by Kinney to bring people to the south Texas area. The local newspaper, “The Nueces Valleyâ€, notes that Henry Brittain opened a shop in Mrs. Bryant’s concrete building and was engaged in repairing bedsteads, tables, chairs, and similar furniture (Nueces Valley of 10 October 1857). A later edition of the paper also announces that an “H. H. Brittain†ran for justice of the peace (issue of 27 March 1858). However, there is no listing for Henry or Alford Brittain in the 1870 census so it may mean that they left for another state at the time of the Civil War, or they may even have returned to England. A move is further indicated by the sale of the Brittain property by “Henry S. Brittain†(to Mussett) at the very beginning of January of 1860 (volume G page 487). It may be that Mr. Brittain was discouraged by the lost of a wife and son and decided to return to his homeland where he had other relatives and friends to help in raising his son Alford.
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell