First Generation

1. Brien O'Brien^1,2 was born about 1680 in Ireland. He died in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Brien O'Brien came to Berks County, Pennsylvania in 1724. It is said that he was from County Clare, Ireland. ("Irish Settlers in America" by Michael O'Brien, Vol II, p. 344.) Berks County, Pennsylvania was not formed until 1752 from Bucks, Lancaster, and Philadelphia counties so where he really came to is not known. Birth date based on Cornelius probably being born ca. 1700. (RJP)

Michael O'Brien's book is the only source that says that Brien O'Brien Sr. was the father of Cornelius O'Bryan. I believe that this claim should be considered unproven pending further research. (RGB)

Brien O'Brien and (Mrs. Brien O'Brien) were married. (Mrs. Brien O'Brien)¹ was born about 1680. Her birth date is estimated from her husband's estimated birth date. (RGB) Brien O'Brien and (Mrs. Brien O'Brien) had the following children:

+2	i.	Cornelius O'Bryan.
+3	ii.	Brian O'Brien Jr.
4	iii.	John O'Brien was born before 1774. He appeared in the census in 1790 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. p.57, line 7, John O.Bryan 102 males >= 16 bef. 1774 1 John O'Brien males < 16 1775-1790 0 females 2 other free slaves John probably was not the son of Brien O'Brien Sr., but I do not know where to place him in the family. In the 1790 census for Berks County, Pennsylvania we find John O'Brien and Brien O'Brien (Jr.) living two houses apart. They were surely related, possibly brothers, possibly uncle and nephew, possibly even father and son. Brien O'Brien Jr. had a son named John Thomas O'Brien who was born 17 May 1775. It seems unlikely that John Thomas O'Brien would have been enumerated as a male over sixteen years old with two females living in the home. So this John was probably somebody else. (RGB)