Heroes & History
James Brignull
The original Brignull family, parents John and Florence and their eight children, emigrated here from England in May 1908. A few months later, by August of 1908, they are listed on record as being communicants here at Saint Paul’s. Much of the family’s history can be traced through the official records of Saint Paul’s; including baptisms, confirmations, marriages, deaths and burials. Two more children were born here in the United States, the youngest of these was James Brignull on July 12, 1912.
Jim Brignull grew up here in Valatie, graduated from Martin H. Glynn School and proudly served his country in World War II. During that time, while stationed in North Carolina, he met and married (Annie) Mildred Osborne. They returned to Valatie with their first child, Judith, after the war ended and his tour of duty was completed. They had three other children, Susan, Janet and James II (who would later marry Sue, author of this report).
Starting in 1920, when Alfred Brignull was first listed as being on the Vestry, there have been very few years when there was not a Brignull on Saint Paul’s Vestry.
Upon his retirement from an official capacity as Treasurer of Saint Paul’s, the following plaque was granted to him and included in the Vestry minutes:
"James E. Brignull - In recognition of more than thirty years of faithful and devoted service to our Lord in this parish as Church School Superintendent, Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer and Bookkeeper, Vestryman and Warden and in gratitude for the cheerful, gentle spirit of faith with which you diligently exercised your talents and fulfilled your leadership responsibilities: The Rector, Wardens and Vestryman of St. Paul’s Church, Kinderhook unanimously confer upon you the honorable title of Warden Emeritus at this annual meeting held on January 15th, 1984."
“Papa” Jim Brignull departed this world but not our hearts on April 8, 1999. With the memorial contributions given to Saint Paul’s in his memory, Mildred requested they be used to purchase the sound system that is still in use today.
Excerpted from original research and report submitted September 2012 by Sue Brignull, RN
The original Brignull family, parents John and Florence and their eight children, emigrated here from England in May 1908. A few months later, by August of 1908, they are listed on record as being communicants here at Saint Paul’s. Much of the family’s history can be traced through the official records of Saint Paul’s; including baptisms, confirmations, marriages, deaths and burials. Two more children were born here in the United States, the youngest of these was James Brignull on July 12, 1912.
Jim Brignull grew up here in Valatie, graduated from Martin H. Glynn School and proudly served his country in World War II. During that time, while stationed in North Carolina, he met and married (Annie) Mildred Osborne. They returned to Valatie with their first child, Judith, after the war ended and his tour of duty was completed. They had three other children, Susan, Janet and James II (who would later marry Sue, author of this report).
Starting in 1920, when Alfred Brignull was first listed as being on the Vestry, there have been very few years when there was not a Brignull on Saint Paul’s Vestry.
Upon his retirement from an official capacity as Treasurer of Saint Paul’s, the following plaque was granted to him and included in the Vestry minutes:
"James E. Brignull - In recognition of more than thirty years of faithful and devoted service to our Lord in this parish as Church School Superintendent, Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer and Bookkeeper, Vestryman and Warden and in gratitude for the cheerful, gentle spirit of faith with which you diligently exercised your talents and fulfilled your leadership responsibilities: The Rector, Wardens and Vestryman of St. Paul’s Church, Kinderhook unanimously confer upon you the honorable title of Warden Emeritus at this annual meeting held on January 15th, 1984."
“Papa” Jim Brignull departed this world but not our hearts on April 8, 1999. With the memorial contributions given to Saint Paul’s in his memory, Mildred requested they be used to purchase the sound system that is still in use today.
Excerpted from original research and report submitted September 2012 by Sue Brignull, RN