Alfred Burrell Sr. My Grandfather

Alfred Burrell Sr.

Compiled and Edited by W. Craig Burrell

Key Points

Born: 30 June 1871, Norwich, Norfolk, England

Parents: Alfred Jesse Burrell and Charlotte Nevilia Brett

Spouse: Emma Louisa Cogman, Married 11 April 1898, Norwich, Norfolk, England

Emigrated to Utah: 7 May 1937

Death: 24 August 1962, Salt Lake City, Utah

Preparing for Independence

            Alfred Burrell Senior, son of Alfred Jesse Burrell and Charlotte Nevilia Brett was born on 30 June 1871 at St. Mary’s Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, England. He had one sister named Alice Maria who was three years older than him and a brother (Alfred) who lived only three days. When he was thirteen months old, his father died. His mother had to go to work leaving him in the charge of his maternal grandmother, Sarah Clark Brett. Grandma Brett had been widowed and had later married a chair maker named Henry I. Meeke. His shop was next to Sarah’s little bake shop. When they lost their spouses they decided to join forces.

            Grandma Brett was very good to Alfred, and he spent much of his childhood in her home. Raising canaries was very popular in the Norwich area. Alfred became very fond of these little birds and started raising them while he was quite young. One room in the attic of Grandma Brett’s home was devoted to raising canaries. He became an expert in raising these little birds and was very particular in caring for them. The birds responded to his kind nurture providing him much satisfaction and an extra income.

            Alfred described his schooling and employment. “I attended St. Augustine School until I was the age of twelve. I worked at the Norfolk Chronicle Printing office for a short time. Later I worked for a grocer until I was fourteen. Then I worked at a biscuit factory for two years. At the age of sixteen I worked for Howlett and White Boot Factory where I learned shoe making.”

            Alfred took up smoking as a young man. Working in the confinement of the boot factory did not agree with him. He was in the early stages of Tuberculosis. A doctor warned him to get work in the outdoors. “At the age of eighteen on my birthday, I started working as an engine cleaner for the Great Eastern Railway. Later I became a fireman and at the age of thirty nine years I became a certified Engine Driver. I continued in this capacity until I retired just before my emigration to America.”

            Alfred returned to live with his mother and sister Alice while in his teenage years at 5 Greenhills Road in Norwich. Charlotte had married William Brown, who the children and grandchildren all called Uncle Billy.

Alfred Burrell Sr.

            Alfred wrote about his life at that time, “My only ideal in life was to work to be independent.”  Even though he worked hard, he still had a cheerful outlook on life.

            Dan Lubbock Jr. grew up as a neighbor to William and Charlotte Brown. He told Bert this about Alfred. “When your father was dressing in his bedroom, we always knew it, for he was always singing. I would say that his favorite song was, ‘Just a Song at Twilight’ which he would sing loud enough to be heard several houses away, invariably that was his song.”

Courtship and Marriage

            Alfred met his future wife Emma at the home of George and Margaret Seaman Goff. After they became acquainted they often enjoy an evening in the front room of Emma’s parents. Emma’s sister Alice and her husband Bob Davy provided lively company. Alice could play anything on the piano, and they sang together. Bob was a real comedian full of fun and jokes. Emma’s little sister Kitty would also creep in to provide entertainment.

            Alfred was accustomed to a quiet family life with his mother and sister. However, Emma grew up in a multitalented family that filled their home with music and laughter. Being exposed to such crazy antics as her brothers played on him was more than he could take. He was often convulsed with laughter.

            Alfred and Emma were married on the 11 April 1898. They moved into a house on No. 12 Malvern Road. They resided there until they moved to Yarmouth in 1911 for a two year period when Alfred needed to be there for his work. They returned to Norwich and resided at 51 Vincent Road until the move to America.

Arthur, Herbert, Alfred Sr. Gladys
Doris, Alfred Sr., Emma Loisa, Wilfred

            This note was written by Alfred describing his life while raising his family. “Having raised a family of six children on a meager salary, it is not hard to believe that with no special talents I had to learn to do many things. I kept my children’s shoes in good repair. I had to learn to paint and paper the walls; also do some carpenter work. Just off of the Pumstead road, I rented 15 rod of ground where I grew vegetables and flowers. In our back garden I raised chickens and Chinchilla rabbits. These things helped to reduce the grocery bills. Since I came to America, I have continued to raise chickens and rabbits, and at the present time I am raising Canaries. Above all I have enjoyed my activities in the Church and the association of the members of the church from time to time.”

            Wilfred, Alfred’s youngest son, would often talk of how tender hearted his father was. Alfred raised rabbits and chickens for family consumption; however, he did not have the heart to slaughter the animals. He would employ a neighbor to do the task.

Embracing the True Gospel of Jesus Christ       

            Mormon missionaries began visiting Charlotte and Alice Burrell during the time period when Alfred was courting Emma. Alice was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 15 April 1898, and Charlotte was baptized five months later on 30 September 1898. Alfred had favorable thoughts about the Church, however, Emma was set against it.

            The issue of religion was laid aside in the Alfred Burrell home for several years. Emma attended the Church of England on special occasions like Easter and Christmas. As their boys became older, they were often sent to The Episcopal Parish of St. Matthews for these special events. The local Vicar came by the house on occasional calls. On one of these visits he was shocked to find that Emma’s oldest two sons, Alfred Jr. and Herbert had not been christened. The Vicar made it very clear to Emma that if the boys were to die they would immediately go to hell because of her neglect. Emma thought afterwards, “Why would anyone be sent to hell for my neglect?”

            Grandma Charlotte and Aunt Alice became very devout members of the Norwich Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On one occasion Young Alfred and Herbert spent a Saturday night with Grandma Charlotte. They attended church the following Sunday with Alice and Charlotte. After that a conscious effort was made to expose the boys to church activities.

            Herbert Burrell wrote. “Alfred and I enjoyed these efforts, especially when it was a picnic out into the surrounding countryside in a Wagonette or Charabang drawn by one or two horses. The young Elders used every possible means of inducing the youngsters to remember these trips and outings with their sports, races, prizes and candy until Sunday school, stables and horses became almost synonymous.”

            Herbert recorded his mother’s reaction to this. “She evoked that these fishermen were using ‘Sprats to catch the Mackerel.’ She was cautious about it all. This must have been somewhat of a precarious time for our ‘peace loving’ father, who would do almost anything to avoid trouble. He suggested to both his mother and sister that they be careful about the religious question and not to involve his wife in it if possible.”

            Alfred Sr. wrote about his feelings at this time. “I began to see this gospel was true. I tried to persuade my wife to listen to their teachings, but could not interest her. After an Elder Grover had visited us, she said it sounded alright, and if she knew for sure it was true she would accept it, but she could not believe it.”

            “After his visit to us, Elder Grover told my mother. ‘No man on earth could convert Emma, but she would come into the church by the hand of the Lord.’  Many little incidents in her life from then on reminded her of the words of Elder Grover, and the things he had taught her. Finally she began to wonder if this was indeed the truth that the Mormon Elders were preaching. One night when alone in the house, she knelt down and asked the Lord if he would show her in some way if it was really true. She would accept it if only she knew.”

            “Not long after that she had a wonderful dream which she felt sure was an answer to her prayer. We straightway applied for baptism and were baptized 22 May 1907 at the Swan Baths, Norwich, Norfolk England.”

            The Church became a major part in Alfred’s life. He wrote about his church callings. “About 1918 I was called to the office of counselor in the Norwich Branch Presidency to President George Southgate. In 1919 I was called to the office of Branch President with Brother James Hook and Brother Frederick Tuttle as my counselors. This office I held until 1935 when I was called to the office of District President of the Norwich District. I continued in this office until my emigration to America in May of 1937.”

            Alfred wrote about something special that happened when he was Branch President. “On the 20 November 1934, the Church of Jesus Christ Chapel in Park Lane, Norwich was registered for solemnizing marriages. It was the first LDS Chapel in England to be registered for that purpose. I received a Minister’s Certificate on 1 June 1935 and performed the first marriage. The Wilmot couple resided in London and came to Norwich to be married. My daughter Doris played the organ, the only pipe organ owned by the Church in England at the time…”

Immigration to Utah

            The immigration to America was summarized in this paragraph written by Alfred. “On 7 May 1937 my wife Emma, my son Wilfred, my daughter Doris and I left Norwich, Norfolk, England with the intent of immigrating to America. We left Norwich and by way of London reached Southampton. That Saturday morning, May 9, we were to leave Southampton on the Manhattan Liner for our trip across the ocean. We spent an enjoyable trip on the water with the exception of my son Wilfred who was sick most of the time. My son Bert (Herbert) met us when we arrived at the island of Manhattan at New York. It was good to see him after so many years. Our trip from New York to Salt Lake seemed long and a little tiresome; so you can imagine the joy when we arrived in Ogden in the early hours of a Friday morning. It was with great joy that we met the rest of our children and grandchildren.”

            Alfred, Emma and family stayed with Bert’s family in Ogden at first. Then they moved to Salt Lake where Wilfred and Doris found employment. Alfred rented a little house on O Street. After four months he purchased a home at 1211 Eighth East. 

            This was a wonderful time for Alfred and Emma. They were reunited with their family. Herbert had left England on 15 September 1920. He now was living in Ogden with his wife Bertha who was pregnant with their third child, Bretta. Their daughter Joyce was nine years old and their son Gordon was six.

            Alfred had moved to Utah after Herbert. He was there with his wife Alene, six year old Dorene, three year old Elaine, two year old Dorene and their baby boy, Ronald.

            Gladys had immigrated to Utah on 4 August 1923. She was living there with her husband Jimmy and her daughter Marlene. She was also expecting a baby, Glen.  

            Authur had immigrated to Utah on 11October 1923. He was living there with his wife Vera, their son Arland and a new baby girl, Ardith.

            Their only contact with these family members had been by letters. Now they could hold them, love them, enjoy them.

            In the Spring of 1938 the Alfred and Emma Burrell family was sealed in the Salt Lake temple. Alfred wrote of his continued service in the church. “Since my immigration, I have been made a High Priest and have been active as an assistant to the High Priest group in the Princeton Ward. I have been active in my ward teaching and have been called upon many times to administer to the sick.”

Death and Eulogy

            Alfred passed away on 24 October 1962. His son Arthur wrote and read this wonderful eulogy at his funeral on 27 October 1962.

            “Alfred Burrell Sr. was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England, 30 June 1971. He never knew his father who died when Alfred was only 13 months old, leaving his mother Charlotte to raise him and a 4 year old sister Alice. His mother had to work for a living and left Alfred to be raised by his Grandmother Meeks. His schooling was somewhat limited, leaving it when he was 12 years old in order to earn a living.”

            “When he was 18 years of age he started working for the Great Eastern Railroad and stayed with them until he retired at the age of 66. He was an engine cleaner, fireman and an engine driver.”

            “In his twenties he met and married Emma Louisa Cogman with the blessings of her father and the coment, ‘Anyone can see he will never make old bones.’”

            “Shortly after this Alfred’s Mother and Sister embraced the gospel. Alfred was interested, but his wife Emma- no. Not until several years later was she convinced through a dream and they were both baptized.”

            “As the years went by, Alfred gave up his smoking, Emma her cup of tea. In spite of his reticent nature created by his lack of education and no outstanding natural talent, he was made Branch President. He was blessed with determination and applying this in the right direction along with inspiration from the Lord, fulfilled this position well for 16 years. He was told, ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant we will make you President over many.’ He was made District President which position he held until he immigrated to Utah.”

            “Leadership was then in his blood and for a while he would get homesick and say, ‘My I would like to stand up in front of the North Walsham branch and preach a sermon again.’”

            “His close association with his immediate family, however, out weighed this feeling in time and Work War II finally put the lid on it tight.”

            “He was made a High Priest in his ward and became an active member of his quorum, fulfilling his wad teaching duties and administering to the sick. His patriarchal blessing had read. ‘Thou shalt have great faith in administering to the sick, and the Lord will make the his instrument in healing them miraculously.’”

            “Brother Alfred, you have had a quiet and affectionate disposition. You have been honest in all of your dealings with your fellow men and in your church affiliations. The positions you have held, you have held with dignity and confidence, and you have won the love and respect of all with whom you came in contact. You have been a peacemaker among your brothers and sisters and will now be permitted to assume your rightful place with the faithful children of God.”

Emma and Alfred 

Credits

This life story has been compiled from material written by Alfred Burrell Sr.and and also from material written and published by Herbert Burrell and Doris Alice Burrell St. Jeor.