James O’Brien
Details about James O’Brien’s early life are scarce. According to his death certificate, his parents were Luke O’Brien and Kate Jurett (or possibly Jarrett). The record also reveals that he was married to Mary Ann McGorrist for twenty-five years in a ceremony held in Southern Ireland.
Mary Ann Smith
James O’Brien’s second marriage to Mary Ann Smith, daughter of farmers John Smith and Ellen O’Reilly, spanned thirty-four years. Researcher Gus Barry O’Brien posits that the first five children may have been born from his previous marriage to Mary Ann McGorrist, which occurred in Southern Ireland and endured for twenty-five years.
Before emigrating to Australia, James and his family lived in Knockerk, a small village near Slane, County Meath, Ireland. Griffiths Valuation records from 1851 classify him as both a landowner and tenant. These documents also highlight a close relationship between James O’Brien and the Willens family, a connection corroborated by a gravestone inscription on the Slane Historical Society website.
According to this online reference, James was renting land to Laurence Timmons
In 1855, Laurence Timmons is the occupier of 14 acres of land in Knockerk. Laurence was renting the land from a Mr. James O’Brien. In 1861, the occupancy of this farm passed from Laurence to his son James (29), suggesting Laurence had passed away. Around the same time, James O’Brien sold the land to a Captain Leslie.
Descendary and Researcher, Janice Dunning notes the following.
I have been been researching the family history on Ancestry.com.au (whilst having regard to your information and that of Barry O’Brien and Kevin Maddern. According to Ancestry records.
Mary (no Ann) recorded McGorisk was born in 1812 and baptised 1812 at Kelsaran Louth Ireland. Place of residence on this certificate is Kelsaran Louth and her parents are recorded as Patrick McGorisk and Anne Waters. James and Mary were married in 1832.
Her death certificate states that she died on 30 August 1837. This information is registered in the parish of Nobber in County Meath. Therefore the marriage was 5 years duration. I have not found my records of children boring to this union although it is possible that there were. In 1841 James (according to Ancestry ) married Mary Ann Smith. The census in 1851 has the family living in Knockerk and confirms James a property owner who both farmed and rented land. The children that I could find birth certificates for (registered by the father) most certainly belong to James and Mary Ann as they were born after this marriage. Ellen 1847, Luke 1851,Eliza 1853, John 1856, Catherine 1859, Mary 1861 and Patrick 1862. I can’t comment on the validity of the information other than I have documents in my Ancestry tree to support what I have told you.
Regards Janice.
Coming to Australia
The exact motivations behind James, Mary, and their children’s decision to leave Ireland for Australia remain elusive. However, it is likely that a combination of factors influenced their choice. The devastating economic impact of the potato famine and the promise of new opportunities in Australia were likely significant contributors. Additionally, Mary’s brother, Bernard, had emigrated to Australia in the 1830s, potentially serving as a draw.
The family embarked on their journey from Liverpool, England, aboard the clipper ship Great Victoria. Their voyage culminated in their arrival in Melbourne on September 8, 1864, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
Originally bound for the Darling Downs in Queensland, James and Mary Ann O’Brien’s journey took an unexpected turn when their daughter, Ellen, contracted typhus aboard the Great Victoria as the ship neared Port Phillip Bay. The ship’s conditions likely contributed to her illness. To care for Ellen, she was disembarked and placed in quarantine at Portsea, while her parents remained in Melbourne until her recovery.
Settling on the NSW South Coast
Upon settling in Wollumla, James O’Brien initially worked as a shepherd for John Ritchie before acquiring his own land near Bembooka. He named this property Slane Park, which initially encompassed 200 acres. Through his efforts, the farm eventually expanded to 800 acres with a primary focus on dairy farming. O’Brien dedicated more than two decades to developing and enhancing Slane Park.
As reported in The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser (NSW : 1865 – 1899), Saturday 24 June 1882, page 2, James, Mary and their son John appeared in court on the following…
Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser (NSW : 1865 – 1899), Saturday 24 June 1882, page 2. Arthur Thomas Batfield, Johu Haddigadi, and Johu M’Grath were charged with using obscene language, and were each fined 10s. and 3s. 2d. costs. William Allen, who was remanded last week, on a charge of obtaining goods on false pretences, was again brought up. Senior-Constable Smythe, of Candelo, on being examined, deposed that when he arrested the prisoner on Monday, 12th June, he was going in the wrong direction for O’Brien’s house, which was about 9 miles from Candelo.
L. C. Lynch, assistant to Cook & Co., store keepers of Candelo, tleposed that prisoner came to the store on Monday, 12th June last, and represented that he had been sent by Mr. James O’Brien *to get a pair-of boots find a pound of biscuits; the biscuits were said to be for Miss O’Brien, who was sick, and a riding whip and pair of tweed trousers for John O’Brien, son of James O’Brien, of Tantawanglo. Knew that prisoner was in the employ of O’Brien, as he had previously supplied him with a pair of boots for Miss O’Brien. Gave him the boots on the strength of his representation, and charged them to O’Brien’s account. It was about 1 o’clock when prisoner came to the store I identify the goods now produced by the firm’s private mark. • James O’Brien deposed that he resided at Tantawanglo. Knew the prisoner. He came to me from Sydney about 9 weeks’agb. My wife was in the habit of sending prisoner to Cook’s store for goods, with an order. Prisoner left my employ, on Monday, 12th June, I did not authorise him to get goods in my name. Went to Candelo on that day, and heard something which led me to report to Senior-constable Smythe
The prisoner asked witness if he was sure it was only nine weeks since he came from Sydney. Witness thought it was. [The unfortunate youth then broke down, and the tears fell fast from his eyes in unmistakable drops.]
Mrs. O’Brien, wife of previous witness, knew that prisoner was discharged from her husband’s employ on the 12th June. Used to send him to the store for goods, but did not authorise him to go for the goods produced.
The prisoner asked this witness if she did not authorise him to get the goods ?
Witness: ” No, I did not.”
John O’Brien deposed that he resided at Tantawanglo, sometimes with his father. Did not authorise prisoner to get any goods in his name. Had not seen prisoner for a fortnight.
This closed the case, when the magistate said that the case must go to a jury, as he had not the power to deal with it himself. The prisoner was therefore committed for trial.
To date, I haven’t been able to find a report of the trial, so hoping if you have one you might comment below with details.
In the mid 1880s, James and Mary returned to Ireland, where, reportedly, one or more of her brothers were dying. After staying there for five months, they returned to Bemboka.
Page 3
Death of James O’Brien
Senility afflicted James in the final three years of his life. He died on May 17, 1894 and was buried two days later.
Death of Mary Ann Smith
After his death, Mary and her daughter moved into Bega where Mary remained until her death on Saturday, December 9, 1911 (13685/1911).
DEATH OF A NONAGENARIAN: On Saturday night there passed peacefully away at her residence, Gipps Street, Mrs James O’Brien at the great age of 93 years. Her illness was only of short duration, the old lady sustaining a fall about a fortnight ago. Prior to that she enjoyed good health, and retained a wonderful memory to the last.
Born in Ireland, she married in County Kavan, at the age of 18 years. Eight children, four boys and four girls were the issue of the union, and the family emigrated to Australia when the youngest was two years old, landing in Melbourne on 26th January, 1865.
After 12 months spent in Victoria they came to NSW, landing at Eden, and travelling to Wolumla by bullock dray. Mr O’Brien settled down at Kameruka, where he was employed as a shepherd by Mr. John Ritchie. After three or four years he selected Slane Park, now Kirby’s.
Almost 27 years ago this property was sold, and Mrs and Mrs O’Brien and their son and daughter, Mary and Jack, made a trip home to Ireland, where Mrs O’Brien (whose maiden name was Smith) had two brother priests. They remained in Ireland (about 12 months) till one of the brothers died, and once more sailed for Australia. They bought a property at Cooper’s Gully, and resided there till Mr O’Brien died 17 years ago. Mrs O’Brien ultimately took up her residence in Bega, and during the latter end of her days, was cared for by her daughter, Mary.
The deceased have lived through the reign of four monarchs of the British Empire. The four sons were Peter (deceased), Luke (resident of Bemboka), John and Patrick (both of Queensland), the daughters being Mrs Brannigan (Victoria), Mrs Bennett (Yourie), Mrs D. Collins (Wyndham) and Mary. Mr J.J. Smith of Wolumla was a nephew of deceased.
The funeral, which took place yesterday afternoon, was largely attended, Rev. J.J. Gunning conducting the burial service.
A further newspaper report of her death Southern Star (Bega) on Wednesday 13 December 1911, page 2 adds some further detail
A very old and respected resident of the district passed away on Saturday evening, in the person of Mrs. James O’Brien, who bad resided for some time in Gipps-street. Deceased, who was in her 93rd year, had been ailing for some time. She was a native of county Cavan Irelund, and came to Australia with her husband and family of eight in 1865. Alter spending some time in Victoria, they came to this State, landing at Eden, aud travelling to Wolumla per bullock dray, which were the ‘motor cars’ of those times. They went to Katneruka, where Mr. O’Brien was employed shep herding by the late Mr. John Ritchie. Later on, Mr. O’Brien selected Slane Park, now Kirby’s. Some 20 odd years ago they sold this, and paid a visit to their native country, together with a couple of the family. Returning to Australia they bought the property at Cooper’s Gully now known as Neath’s, and there, Mr. O’Brien died some 17 years back, after which Mrs. O’Brien and her daughter Mary came to town to live. She leaves three sons— Messrs Luke, Patrick, and John, and four daughters— Mesdames Brannigan (Victoria), Beunett (Yourie), D. Collins (Wyndham), and Mary. She was attended with a true daughter’s care by the latter during her declining years. Mr J.J Smith, JP Wolumla, was a nephew of deceased. The funeral on Monday was largely attended, and the remains were interred in the R. C. portion of the old cemetery, the Rev. Father Gunning conducting the service. Mr. Pat. O’Brien, who has resided in Queensland for some years, arrived in time to see his mother alive. Mr. John O’Brien, the .third son, only arrived from Queensland yesterday, and was much distressed at being too late to see his mother.
Children
Peter O’Brien
Born in County Meath, Ireland, Peter O’Brien emigrated to Australia with his family at the age of eighteen aboard the Great Victoria. Departing on September 5, 1864, they arrived in Melbourne on November 29 of the same year.
At twenty-three, Peter married fifteen-year-old Mary Ann Goward, daughter of James and Mary Ann Goward. Their first child, James Joseph, was born soon after. At the time of their marriage on October 2, 1870 (Reference: 1870/2194), Peter worked as a laborer in Tantawangalo, while Mary Ann was a dairy maid in Lithgow Flat. The couple raised a large family in the Bega district. Notably, Peter was renowned as a local wrestler, according to Mary Ann’s obituary.
Peter passed away in Candelo on October 6, 1897, following a year-long battle with phibesis, possibly a form of heart disease (Death Certificate 1897/11322). He was interred the following day. Mary Ann later succumbed to chronic congestive heart disease (mitral insufficiency) at Orchard Farm, Candelo, on September 22, 1932, at the age of seventy-seven. She was laid to rest in the Church of England section of Wolumla Cemetery.
Ellen O’Brien
Ellen O’Brien was born in 1851 in Meath, Ireland. She later met Thomas Branigan from Bulla, Victoria and they got married on August 1, 1876 in the Catholic Church at Keilor. According to the Hume Shire website, Thomas was the son of Thomas Branigan and Mary Anne Stanleke. After their marriage, Thomas and Ellen lived for many years at St. John’s Hill in the Bulla District. When Thomas’ mother passed away, his eldest brother was farming at Strathmerton, which was a newly opened area for selection at the time, located on the lower Goulburn.
Edward O’Brien
* Edward O’Brien was born on 1 May 1853.
Luke O’Brien
Luke O’Brien, born in 1853 in Ireland, married Annie Moran in 1884 in Bega. Annie, born in 1864 at Eden, NSW, bore them five children: William Thomas O’Brien (born in 1885 in Bega), Mary Ellen O’Brien (born in 1887 in Bega), Theresa Ann O’Brien (born in 1888 in Bega), James O’Brien (born in 1889 in Lytteton, NSW), John Joseph O’Brien (born in 1890 in Lytteton, NSW), and Francis Leo O’Brien (born in 1892 in Candelo, NSW). Luke and Annie made their home for many years at Moran’s Crossing near Bega. Luke was a local horse trainer and several stories about him are included in the book “River Oaks, Green Willows and Young Corn: A Brief History of the Bega District Jockey Club” by Ray James and Jim Gordon.
Luke O’Brien was fond of a bet, and his daughter, Mrs Roy Ziegler told a story of one of Luke’s gambling adventures. In many stories of this kind, it can be difficult to separate truth from well-intentioned humour. We’ll let you decide this issue. Well, anyway, Luke set off through the bush to go to the Bredbo Cup Meeting. Bredbo was a flourishing gold mining town at this time, and it took Luke a few days to find his way through the bush and through the mountains, and the horse looked a complete wreck when they arrived. However, he had been fit before leaving Moran’s Crossing, and starting at a good price, the horse duly won the Bredbo Cup, and Luke cleaned out the bookmakers well and truly. It had taken him several days to reach Bredbo across country, but Luke returned by road, stopping at every hotel en route, and the return trip took almost a month. With no communication in those days, the family had to go looking for Luke, eventually to find that he had come to no harm. Which just goes to show, that even if racing is a bit of an adventure, there is no need to overdo things.
Luke died July 22, 1932 at North Bondi, NSW (aged 79). His wife, Annie Moran died several months later on December 24, 1932 at Bega, NSW (age 68).
John O’Brien
John O’Brien, a native of Ireland, was born on May 5th, 1855. Further details about his life, such as his occupation, family, or notable accomplishments, are not clear in my research.
Catherine O’Brien
Catherine O’Brien, born on 18 Jul 1857, married David Collins. Additional information about Catherine and David was obtained from researcher Fran Firth from the Blue Mountains.
David Collins married Catherine O’Brien on August 13, 1883 at the Catholic Church in Candelo. David was the eldest child of William Collins and Margaret Keys both of whom were born in Co. Tyrone Ireland. William, who had emigrated to Australia as an 18 year old with his parents and siblings, married Margaret keys in 1852, who had arrived the year earlier from Ireland. David being the oldest son took over the running of the dairy property “Greenmount” near Wyndham, and had 6 daughters and 1 son. Their children were: Mary Collins born July 6, 1885, married George Yates and lived in Randwick, Sydney; Christine Collins born November 9, 1887 married Eugene Grant; Adeline Collins born March 18 1889, who married Andrew Burg; Rachel Collins born April 21 1890 and married Michael O’Rourke; Alice Collins born October 8, 1891 and married Russell Auguston; John Collins born December 23, 1893 and married Alice Reid.
Her funeral notice which appeared in the Bega Standard also gives some information about her life.
Mrs David Collins, of “Greenmount”, “Wyndham” passed away in Pambula District Hospital on Saturday, at the age of 62 years. The late Mrs Collins, who had been ill for a long time, was highly esteemed and had a large circle of friends who will regret her death. She was formerly Miss O’Brien, sister of Mr Luke O’Brien, of Moran’s Crossing. A husband and grown up children are left to mourn their loss. The funeral was held at Wyndham on Sunday and was very largely attended. Rev. Father McNeeve of Pambula conducted the service. Manning and Sons of Bega had charge of the arrangements.
Mary O’Brien
Mary O’Brien was born on March 7, 1860. It appears that Mary never married and instead dedicated herself to caring for her mother in her later years. Although it has not been definitively confirmed, it is believed that Mary passed away in Bega in 1932 (13543/1932).
Patrick O’Brien
Patrick O’Brien born on July 6, 1862 in Slane, Ireland, married Agnes Moran on October 28, 1889 in Bega (4482/1889). Their children were born in different places across the Bega District, including Annie (born in Bega in 1890), Mary Aileen (born in Bemboka in 1894), Bernard Eugene (born in Bemboka in 1896), Agnes Maud (born in Bega in 1900), Patrick (born in Bega in 1903), and Ruby (born in Lyttleton in 1902). It is believed that they lived in various locations such as Bega, Lyttleton, and Bemboka. Patrick passed away, and his death was reported in The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933-1954) on Wednesday, October 16, 1935, page 4. Additionally, a photograph of his and his wife’s graves is available online.
The death of Mr P. J O’Brien, of Woodford, occurred yesterday after a short illness. Mr O’Brien started his turf career in the Bega and surrounding districts, where he rode with a good deal of success being associated with the late Teddy and Eueene McGrade and with Tommy O’Keefe about 1876. He and his brother, the late Luke O’Brien, afterwards bred and raced a number of
horses, among them being Sir Ladden, Lemonwood, Desert Queen, and Reform. Mr. P. J. O’Brien about 29 years ago settled in the Woodford district. He bred Little Jewel, Billy Jewel, Retford Cooney, Bega, and All Black. These horses won many races in Brisbane and Sydney. The late Mr. O’Brien was chiefly interested in dairy farming and pig raising, and for a time kept hotels in Woodford and Maryborough. He is survived by his widow, five daughters, and a son, Mr. B. O’Brien, ‘ of Woodford. The funeral will take place at Woodford at 2 o’clock to-day.
Eliza O’Brien
Eliza O’Brien married Alfred Bennett on 5 April 1882 in Petersham (2193/1882). According to her mother’s death notice, Eliza lived at Yourie, near Cobargo. Eliza passed away in Bega in 1912 (9515/1912).
Some Notes
The death certificate for James O’Brien records his first marriage, but this information remains unconfirmed. However, a search for the name “McGorrist” in Louth, Ireland, where James was born, did not yield any results. Instead, an alternative spelling of the name, “McGorisk,” was found in historical records, including the names James and Thomas McGorisk. Thomas lived in Upper Dundalk, part of Louth, according to the 1842 electoral roll, and was listed at Drumcashel on the 1855 Ardee Convent Subscription Fund. James McGorisk is listed on the Louth Parish Church Subscription Fund 1890.
It is possible that McGorisk is the correct spelling of the name and that James may have been married to someone with this surname prior to his marriage to Bridget Clarke. Further research is necessary to confirm this information. The name McGorisk also appears in relation to several businesses in Athlone (Westmeath), which is interesting to note. Any additional information or insights into the story of James O’Brien’s first marriage in 1831 would be appreciated.
There is a record of a personal diary kept from someone who was on board the Great Victoria when it came to Australia. I have written seeking more information about this diary.
Family Reunion
An O’Brien Family Reunion was held at Jamberoo Hall on February 27, 2010.
Sharing Around: Please feel free to copy any of the information on this page which may help you in your own research. My feeling is that family research is hard enough, without the need to constantly re-invent the wheel. It would be great, however, if you’d leave a comment below just to say “hi”.