114. CAPTAIN JOHN CLIBBON BRAIN (1840-1906) AGE 66
Brain's Non-Conductor
1870 - President of The Norfolk Non-Conductor Manufacturing Company
In April 1870, JCB begins another enterprise involving the sale of a material that he calls a "Non-Conductor." The article in The Charleston Daily News, Thursday, June 23, 1870, does the best job of describing exactly what this is.
In April 1870, JCB begins another enterprise involving the sale of a material that he calls a "Non-Conductor." The article in The Charleston Daily News, Thursday, June 23, 1870, does the best job of describing exactly what this is.
(Transcription from The Daily Journal, Wilmington, North Carolina, Friday, April 29, 1870, Page 3.)
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Capt. John C. Brain, of Norfolk, whose name is known all over the land in its singular twin connection with daring and misfortune, favored our office with a call Wednesday. We (the Local) had not the pleasure of meeting with this daring patriot of the "Lost Cause," but we are pleased to know that he has been called upon by many others who appreciate his past services. Capt. Brain is now the President of "The Norfolk Non-Conductor Manufacturing Company" and visits our city in the interest of the business of which he is the head. We trust our merchants and others will receive him with the warmth and appreciation his services and sufferings merit and his character as a gentleman and business man demands.—We feel especially anxious that one so worthy should meet with every encouragement and assistance.
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NOTE: The above transcription was made from an online image of the original newspaper article at Newspapers.com. Errors were corrected minimally, and only to facilitate readability.
Transcribed by Jo Roth, January 17, 2017.
While in Wilmington, he attends the Confederate Memorial Day Celebration with his wife.
(Transcription from the Knoxville Daily Chronicle, Knoxville, Tennessee, Wednesday, May 11, 1870, First Edition.)
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Wilmington, May 10.—The celebration of the Confederate memorial day surpassed that of any previous year. All business was suspended at 2 o'clock, P. M. The procession formed at 4 P. M., consisting of ex-Confederate officers, soldiers and sailors, cadets of Cape Fear Academy, memorial associations, schools and other bodies, and proceeded to the cemetery, where they were addressed by Gen. R. E. Colston. It is estimated that 2,000 persons were on the ground. After the address and other appropriate ceremonies, the graves of the Confederate dead were handsomely decorated with flowers and evergreens. In the procession, accompanied by his wife, was Capt. John C. Brain, well known from his former connection with the Confederate navy.
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NOTE: The above transcription was made from an online image of the original newspaper article at Newspapers.com. Errors were corrected minimally, and only to facilitate readability.
Transcribed by Jo Roth, January 17, 2017.
(Transcription from The Charleston Daily News, Charleston, South Carolina, Thursday, June 23, 1870, First Edition, Page 3.)
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A Non-Conductor.—The non-conductor of heat manufactured by the Norfolk (Va.) Non-Conductor Company for covering steam boilers, superheaters, pipes, cylinders and all heated surfaces is an invaluable coating composed of the best non-conducting materials, and is the safest and most perfect caloric insulator known. It prevents radiation of heat from bodies having a high temperature, and will save from 20 to 40 per cent. of the fuel. It protects water pipes, cisterns and similar receptacles from the frost in winter, and icehouses and iron buildings from the heat in summer. It is claimed that a reduction in the temperature of engine-rooms and places adjacent to the boilers (varying, according to circumstances, from twenty to thirty-five degrees,) has invariably followed the application of the non-conductor coating. In iron and other steamships, factories, &c., especially in hot climates, this reduction of temperature is of incalculable advantage. Captain J. C. Brain, the Confederate naval officer who was for so long a time after the war kept a prisoner by the Federals, is the president of the company manufacturing these conductors.
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NOTE: The above transcription was made from an online image of the original newspaper article at Newspapers.com. Errors were corrected minimally, and only to facilitate readability.
Transcribed by Jo Roth, January 17, 2017.
(Transcription from The Charleston Daily News, Charleston, South Carolina, Wednesday, June 29, 1870, First Edition.)
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Personal.--Captain J. C. Brain, of the late Confederate navy, is at the Charleston Hotel.
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NOTE: The above transcription was made from an online image of the original newspaper article at Newspapers.com. Errors were corrected minimally, and only to facilitate readability.
Transcribed by Jo Roth, January 17, 2017.
The ad for The Norfolk Non-Conductor Manufacturing Company ran over several days from July to August 1870 in The Charleston Daily News, Charleston, South Carolina.
Advertisement for The Norfolk Non-Conductor Manufacturing Company from The Charleston Daily News, Charleston, South Carolina, Tuesday, July 26, 1870, First Edition, Page 2. Image from newspapers.com.
Portsmouth City, Norfolk County, Virginia
1870 - U.S. Federal Census
John Clibbon Brain is enumerated in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census 7 Jul 1870 as if it were 1 Jun 1870 living in a Hotel in the Jackson Ward of Portsmouth City, Norfolk County, Virginia, in Dwelling No. 545 as part of Family No. 754:
-John C. Braine, age 30 years, male, white, Manufacturer of Non-Conductors, Value of Personal Estate $5000, born in Mississippi, is a Male Citizen of the U.S. of 21 years of age and upward
-Lillie Braine, age 29 years, female, white, boarding, born in New York
-Mary Braine, age 8 years, female, white, born in Georgia, attended school within the year
-Ada Braine, age 5 years, female, white, born in Georgia, attended school within the year
John Clibbon Brain is enumerated in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census 7 Jul 1870 as if it were 1 Jun 1870 living in a Hotel in the Jackson Ward of Portsmouth City, Norfolk County, Virginia, in Dwelling No. 545 as part of Family No. 754:
-John C. Braine, age 30 years, male, white, Manufacturer of Non-Conductors, Value of Personal Estate $5000, born in Mississippi, is a Male Citizen of the U.S. of 21 years of age and upward
-Lillie Braine, age 29 years, female, white, boarding, born in New York
-Mary Braine, age 8 years, female, white, born in Georgia, attended school within the year
-Ada Braine, age 5 years, female, white, born in Georgia, attended school within the year
1870 U.S. Federal Census for Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, showing John C. Braine and family starting on Line 27. Image from ancestry.com.
Here JCB claims that he was born in Mississippi, but as we know, he was actually born in England. This is the first time we see evidence from outside the family of the two daughters. While both are listed as having been born in Georgia, that may have been another of JCB's attempts to tie himself to the South. In the 1880 U.S. Federal Census (the only other Census in which she was enumerated during her short life), Ada claimed New York as her birthplace.
(Transcription from The Charleston Daily News, Charleston, South Carolina, Monday, October 10, 1870, First Edition, Page 3.)
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Hotel Arrivals—October 8th and 9th.
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...
MILLS HOUSE.
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Captain J. C. Brain, Virginia;...
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NOTE: The above transcription was made from an online image of the original newspaper article at Newspapers.com. Errors were corrected minimally, and only to facilitate readability.
Transcribed by Jo Roth, February 6, 2017.
(Transcription from The Charleston Daily News, Charleston, South Carolina, Thursday, November 17, 1870, Page 4.)
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Passengers.
Per steamer Pilot Boy. from Savannah via Beaufort, &c—...Capt J C Brain,...
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NOTE: The above transcription was made from an online image of the original newspaper article at Newspapers.com. Errors were corrected minimally, and only to facilitate readability.
Transcribed by Jo Roth, February 15, 2017.