Brenan, George
Husband of Ann (nee O’Lauhglin) Brenan | Father of George D. Brenan
1841 plot plan of St. Ninian Pioneer Cemetery, Lot #162:
George Brenan’s signature:
Although no stone or wooden marker remains on the burial plot for the Brenans; it is clear that both George and Ann Brenan were longtime residents of the Town of Antigonish. George Sr was born at Kilkenny Ireland c.1780, the son of George and Anastasia Brenan.[1] Ann O’Laughlin, his wife is identified through family tree information.[2]
The earliest evidence of George Brinan sic living in the Dorchester district of Sydney County is the 1827 census. George is listed as a merchant, he is Roman Catholic and the household consists of two males, and two females (one servant) for a total of four individuals in the household.[3] A young John Sepples age 10 may be one of the males; he appears attending school in the Town of Antigonish May 31st, 1829 with George Brenan as guardian.[4]
Twin girls Margaret and Catherine are born to George Esq. and Ann Brenan on March 31st, 1836. Baptisms take place at St. Ninian April 3rd, 1836 with sponsors Bishop William Fraser and the Reverend Colin Grant.
There is a third daughter Ann Bridget identified in probate records when George dies.[5] All three daughters remain unmarried while living in the Antigonish district. There is at least one son we can identify in the family, George D. Brenan. An obituary appearing in The Casket reads as follows. At Antigonish on the 14th inst. in the 31st year of his age George D. Brenan, only surviving son of George Brenan, Esq. We sympathize with the bereaved family. R.I.P.[6] No doubt George Jr. is also buried in St. Ninian Pioneer Cemetery.
By 1838, the Brenan household has grown significantly. No records are available to identify individuals.
George Brenan Esq. – Merchant – Dorchester Township, Sydney County – 1838:
- No. of Male Children under six years of age | 2
- No. of Female Children under six years of age | N / A
- No. of Males under fourteen years of age | 1
- No. of Females under fourteen years of age | 1
- No. of Males above fourteen years of age and not heads of Families | 2
- No. of Females above fourteen years of age | 2
- Total No. in Family | 10 [7]
George Brenan served as a Reform Member of the Legislative Assembly representing Sydney County for the period 1843 – 1847.[8] Politics in Sydney County were subject to the influences of liquor, religion and bully tactics for several generations. Earlier attempts on Brenan’s part to represent the Upper District of Sydney County were unsuccessful.[9] During his term in the Legislature Brenan “read against a plurality of colleges and praying the uniting of the several collegiate Institutions of the Province into one, with its professors and classes open to all religious denominations”.[10]
With the end of his political career, Brenan resumed interests in retail operations in the town of Antigonish. He also serves as a Justice of the Peace and Registrar of Probate. The Casket hosts an advertisement announcing the opening of his new store. Brenan took a leadership role in promoting the objectives of the Antigonish Volunteer Rifles Company, a militia unit by chairing their meetings.
George Brenan dies March 18th, 1866 at Antigonish. Cause of death is listed as Inflammation of the Lungs. He is age 86 and is widowed at the time of death.[12] It is surprising to discover that Brenan dies intestate, considering he has served as Registrar of Probate over many years. His daughter Ann Bridget applies to be appointed administrator of the estate. Transcriptions of those documents appear here.
Transcribed from the above:
In the matter of the Estate of George Brenan Esquire late of Antigonish deceased, intestate, April 18th, 1866. On petition of Ann Bridget Brenan daughter of deceased, administration of said Estate was granted Petitioner, and it was ordered that she have Letters of Administration on giving the usual security in the sum of $400.00 and taking the usual oath of an administratrix which security was offered and approved of and after the administration was sworn into office. Letters above mentioned were duly issued this 18th of April A. D. 1866.
R J Forrestall
Registrar Probate
Transcribed from the above:
Court of Probate of Wills County of Antigonishe
Be it remembered that on the eighteenth day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty six Letters of administration of all and singular Estate, goods, chattels and credits which were of George Brenan late of Antigonishe in the County of Antigonish Esquire deceased at the time of his death who died intestate were in due form of Law granted to Ann Bridget Brenan of Antigonish in the Couty aforesaid spinster she having been first sworn as administratorship of the Estate of the said George Brenan, faithfully to discharge the duties of administratrix of the said Estate, and having given Bond, with said securities for the sum of four hundred dollars of lawful money of Nova Scotia as is required by Law which securities are Catherine Brenan of Antigonish in said County spinster and Margaret Brenan, spinster of said place in the County aforesaid and Province of Nova Scotia.
R J Forrestall
Reg r of Probate
A death record for George Brenan’s daughter Ann B Murray age 50 is recorded January 23rd, 1900 and she is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden Massachusetts. She is identified as a daughter of George and Ann Brenan and wife of Joseph F. Murray.[13] It is probable that the other two surviving daughters (Catherine and Margaret) of George and Ann also out-migrated to the US.
Written above: Geo. Brenan J.P. Reg of Probate
[1] Manuscript – “Members of the Legislative Assembly Representing Antigonish 1785 to the Present” by Mary Elizabeth Gillis; April 1981.
[2] Family Search – HLVY-2P8
[3] NS Archives – RG 1- Vols.446 & 447.
[4] NS Archives – RG 14 – Vol. 3 – No.84.
[5] Family Search – K2G8-JV3
[6] The Casket Feb 22nd, 1861 – Obituary
[7] NS Archives – RG 1 – Vol.449 – No.177.
[8] The Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia 1758-1983 edited and revised by Shirley B. Elliot
[9] Johnny Bluenose at the Polls by Brian Cuthbertson, page 266-267.
[10] A History of the Catholic Church in Eastern Nova Scotia Vol 2 by A.A. Johnston, page 164.
[11] The Casket – Feb 2nd, 1860
[12] NS Vitals – Death-Yr: 1866; Bk: 1802; Pg: 5; Num: 36. NS Vitals – Death – Yr: 1866: Bk: 1802; Pg: 10; Num: 130
[13] Massachusetts Archives – Vital Records 1841 – 1925.