My 2 x great grandmother Bridget O'Brien was baptised 27 January 1835 at Roman Catholic Parish of Youghalarah-Burgess in north Co Tipperary. Parents James O'Brien and Mary Meagher/Maher (married Templemore 1828). Witnesses John Collins and Margaret Meagher. Her sisters were baptised at the same place - Ellen 28 Dec 1829, Mary 19 Feb 1832, Ellen (recorded as Brian) came to Sydney, Australia on the "Maria" arriving 29 June 1850. She was 17 years, a housemaid, from Burgess Co Tipperary, Ch of Rome, could neither read nor write and on a list or Orphan Females. So her parents had died in the Great Huger by 1850. Who then looked after the two younger girls isn't known. Her sisters Mary and Bridget were brought to Sydney with passage paid by James Lodge whom Ellen had married. Bridget and Mary (recorded as Margaret) arrived on the "Rajasthan" 11 Jan 1855 and went to their sister living around Menangle. They were recorded as O'Brien, both aged 19, General Servants (?), from Castletown Co Tipperary, RC, Margaret couldn't read or write and Bridget could read. My 2 x great grandmother Bridget O'Brien married James Gray from Leicester on 01 Jun 1857 at the RC Church at Campbelltown, residence Menangle - age stated as 18 yrs (family surmises she dropped 3 years as spouse James Gray was 19 years). Her place of birth given as Ballywilliam England. Witnesses James Connors and Caroline Lodge and consent due under age was given by James Lodge of Menangle. Bridget O'Brien Gray died 26 Jan 1909 at Dudley in Newcastle, New South Wales, aged 71 (should be 74), Place of Birth Tipperary and in the Colony of NSW 53 years, parents details unknown (informant was her daughter Eliza), children Mary, Selina, Eliza, Rebecca and Matilda all living. Her husband James pre deceased her and they are buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Charlestown NSW, Australia.
Her sister Ellen O'Brien Lodge died 17 Jan 1905 at Dudley aged 73 (76), her parents named as James O'Brien and Mary Maugher. Informant was her nephew (by marriage to Matilda Gray) David Davies of Dudley (my grandfather).
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 27th Jan 1835 | |
| Date of Death | 26th Jan 1909 | |
| Townland born | north Co Tipperary | |
| Father (First Name/s and Surname) | James O'Brien | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Mary Meagher/Maher | |
| Names of Siblings | Ellen 28 Dec 1829, Mary 19 Feb 1832 | |
| Place of Death | Dudley in Newcastle, New South Wales | |
| Names of Children | Mary, Selina, Eliza, Rebecca and Matilda | |
