First Generation


1. Cornelius O'Bryan1,2,3,4. Birth: before 1697, County Clare, Ireland. Death: between 30 March 1751 and 28 May 1751, age 54, Augusta County, Virginia. Cornelius signed his will on 30 Mar 1751, and his will was proven on 28 May 1751. So he must have died between these two dates. (RGB) He signed a will on 30 March 1751 in Augusta County, Virginia. Will: Cornelius O'BRYAN, Sr., 30 MARCH 1751 - Augusta County, VA
Source: Augusta Co., VA Will Book 1, Page 330.
Contributor: Loretta Layman <Lynneage@aol.com>
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Be it Remembered the thirtieth day of March in the year of Our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and fifty one I Cornelius O'Bryan of Augusta in the
Colony of Virginia yeoman being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind
and memory thanks be given to God therefore calling to mind the mortallity of
my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye do make and
ordain this my Last Will and Testament that is to say principally And first of
all I give and recommend my soul into the Hands that gave it and for My body I
recommend it to the Earth to be Buried in a Christain like and decent manner
at the discretion of My Executors and as touching such worldly Estate
wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give devise and
dispose of the same in the following manner and form - Imprimis it is my will
and I do Order that in the first place all my juste Debts and Funeral Charges
be paid and satisfied - Item I give and bequeath unto Rebecca my Dearly
beloved wife one hundred Acres of Land during her natural life or she
Continues My widow but after her Death or Mariage the said one hundred acres
of Land to go unto my Son John Bryen his heirs And assigns forever likewise
the old white horse and brown horse and a roan cow and a brown cow of the
heifer that come of her and six sheep her choice of the stock together with
all my household good during her Natural life And if she marries or when dys
to go unto my son John likewise, -- Item I give and bequeath unto my son
Cornelius O'Bryen a roan mare, -- Item I give and bequeath unto my son
Thomas's Eldest son Benjamin a roan yearling colt which came of the mare that
I gave unto Cornelius my son, -- Item the Rest of my stock Excepting the swine
to be Equally Divided amongst the Remainder of my Children These I give and
bequeath unto my son John O'Bryan all the remainder of my Estate Both real
and personal unto him his heirs And assigns forever, Item I do constitute and
ordain my well beloved wife Rebecca and my son John O'Bryen my only and sole
Executors of this My Last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disalow
revoke and disannul all and every other former Testaments Wills Legacies and
Executors by me in any ways before this time Named willed and bequeathed
Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament
In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal the day and year above
written
Cornelius' name spelled O'Bryan, O'Briant, Obryan on records.

BIRTH: Age estimated as born ca 1703 since his sons John & Cornelius were 21 in 1744 to purchase property in Augusta Co. VA.

"Irish Settlers in America", 1979 are excerpts from "The Journal of the American Irish Historical Society", first published in 1898 and discontinued in 1941. Michael J. O'Brien was the Society's historiographer and chief contributor to the Journal.

"Irish Settlers in America", by Michael O'Brien, reprint 1993, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, Vol. II, pg. 344, says "Cornelius O'Bryan and his brother Brian O'Brian emigrated to America with their father Brian O'Brian from County Clare, Ireland in 1724 and settled in Berks Co. Pennsylvania". However, Berks County was not formed until 1752 from Bucks, Lancaster & Philadelphia.

Augusta County was formed in 1738-1745 from Orange County, Virginia. Rockingham County was formed in 1778 from Augusta.

Cornelius purchased 500 acres from Hite, McCay/McKay & Co., Jun 24, 1744 on Linville Creek jointly with his sons John & Cornelius Jr. This was in Augusta County. Cornelius's land was across Linville Creek from the Lincoln lands.

His will written 30 March 1751, lists wife Rebecca, sons John, Cornelius, my son Thomas' eldest son Benjamin and remainder of my children (not listed). Wit: Joseph Bryan, James Williams & Jacob Gum. Proved 28 May 1751 by Joseph Bryan. Further proved 27 Aug 1751 by Jacob Gum. Cornelius was called a yeoman in his will.

The article in "Irish Settlers in America" states that Cornelius named daughters Ann & Mary in his will. This is incorrect Mary and Ann are the wives of John & Cornelius Jr. and are not named in the will which I have a copy. However, Cornelius probably had some daughters.

Roberta Pierson

Cornelius O'Bryan and Rebecca (Mrs. Cornelius O'Bryan) Marriage: about 1720,. The children were born in the 1720's, so Cornelius and Rebecca were probably married about 1720. (RGB)

Rebecca (Mrs. Cornelius O'Bryan)1,2,3,4. Birth: about 1700,. He children were born in the 1720's, so she was probably born about 1700. (RGB)

Cornelius O'Bryan-857 and Rebecca (Mrs. Cornelius O'Bryan)-859 had the following children:

+2

i.

John Bryan-860.

+3

ii.

Cornelius Bryan Jr.-861.

+4

iii.

Thomas Bryan Sr.-862.