BRENNEN FAMILY CHRONICLES

© Christopher Earls Brennen

Appendix 2A. OTHER BRENNANS IN THE DROMORE/MAGHERALIN AREA

  1. Peter Brennan of Dromore was born about 1745 and, according to the Roman Catholic records, died on Feb.5, 1839, at the age of 95. This may be the same Peter Brennan of Ballyvicknakelly whose wife, Cicilia, died on Mar.13, 1828. They may also be the parents of one or all of Peter, Bernard, William, Daniel, Catherine, Sarah or Bridget Brennan listed above and below.

  1. John Brennan is listed in the Griffith Valuation of about 1860 as holding just over 24 acres of land worth 27 and a half pounds and a house worth 30 shillings in the townland of Ballvicknakelly just east of Dromore. The landlord is Mary Vaughan. John also lets three small houses to Daniel Morgan, John Guiney and James McDonnell. This might be the same John Brennan who resided in the townland of Tullindoney, just southeast of Dromore, married a woman named Anne and had a daughter, Susan Ann, born Apr.28, 1823.

  1. Peter Brennan was born about 1800 and lived in the townland of Ballyvicknakelly, just to the east of Dromore and including parts of eastern Dromore such as Mount Street. On Feb.19, 1823, Peter married Jane Whyte or White according to the records of the Roman Catholic parish of Dromore and Garvaghy. The tithe applotment of 1834 lists Peter as holding a parcel of 8 acres and 35 perches and another of 1 acre and 2 roods in the townland of Ballyvicknakelly. Peter and Jane Brennan had six children of whom we are aware:
    1. Jane(?) Brennan was born in Ballyvicknakelly on Oct.8, 1823. Her sponsors are listed in the records of the Roman Catholic parish of Dromore and Garvaghy as Patrick Brennan and ? White.
    2. Peter Brennan was born in Ballyvicknakelly on Jul.9, 1825. His sponsors are listed in the records of the Roman Catholic parish of Dromore and Garvaghy as Neil McKey and Bridget Brennan. Peter married Catherine Brennan, born about 1838, who was perhaps a cousin. Peter is listed in the 1860 Griffith Valuation as renting a house and small garden at 50 Mount Street, Dromore, worth five pounds and ten shillings and they were living in Mount Street during the time when their children were born (1865-74). He is also listed as a spirit dealer and grocer in the Ulster Directories for 1880, 1884 and 1890. Catherine died on Feb.7, 1882, and Peter on Dec.11, 1892. A gravestone in the Dromore Roman Catholic graveyard reads: ``Erected by Peter Brennan, Dromore, in memory of his beloved wife Catherine Brennan who died February 7th 1882 aged 44 years. The above named Peter Brennan died December 11th 1892 aged 66 years. R.I.P.'' The will of Peter Brennan who died on Dec.11, 1892, was granted at Belfast daughter Rose Brennan of Dromore, a spinster. He left his pub to daughter Rose, some land in Ballyvicknakelly to daughter Maggie Brennan and some money to daughter Annie, wife of James Conlon. The children of Peter and Catherine Brennan:
      1. William Brennan was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Apr.15, 1859. His sponsors were Peter and Ann Brennan, probably his grandparents.
      2. Rose Brennan was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Sep.19, 1860. Her sponsors were Patrick and Ann Brennan. Rose inherited the pub in Dromore from her father in 1892.
      3. John(?) Brennan was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on May 19, 1864. His sponsors were Hugh Smyth and Mary Brannan. In the baptismal record the father's name is given as John and the son's as Peter but this seems likely to have been a clerical error. If so then this John died in infancy for a later son was named John.
      4. James Brennan was born on Nov.30, 1865, in Mount Street, Dromore.
      5. John Brennan was born on Oct.11, 1867, in Mount Street, Dromore. He was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Oct.13, 1867, his sponsors being Patrick Brennan and Sarah Scott.
      6. Anne Brennan was born on Mar.13, 1869, in Mount Street, Dromore. Apparently she was baptized the same day, her sponsors being John Downey and Bridget Donaldson. Annie married James Conlon. She was left some money in her father's will.
      7. Mary Catherine Brennan was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Aug.12, 1871. Her sponsors were William and Rose Brennan, perhaps her brother and sister. Mary Catherine died in 1876 at the age of 5.
      8. Margaret Brennan was born on Jan.29, 1874, in Mount Street, Dromore. She was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Feb.3, 1874, her sponsors being Matthew Fitzpatrick and J. Donaldson. Margaret inherited land in Ballyvicknakelly from her father.
    3. Patrick Brennan was born in Ballyvicknakelly on Aug.27, 1826. His sponsors are listed in the records of the Roman Catholic parish of Dromore and Garvaghy as James Lavery and Elizabeth White.
    4. Margaret Brennan was born in Ballyvicknakelly on Sep.15, 1829. Her sponsors are listed in the records of the Roman Catholic parish of Dromore and Garvaghy as John and Catherine Reilly.
    5. Alice Anne(?) Brennan was born in Ballyvicknakelly on May 11, 1834. Her godparents are listed in the records of the Roman Catholic parish of Dromore and Garvaghy as Charles and Catherine Roach.
    6. Catherine Brennan was born in Ba... on Jul.24, 1836, the daughter of "Patrick" (probably Peter) and Jane Brennan. Her godparents are listed in the records of the Roman Catholic parish of Dromore and Garvaghy as John Bryce and Elizabeth Donaldson. On Oct.6, 1853 in St.Michael's, Dromara, Catherine Brennan of Drumnaconnor married Patrick Dalton from Dromore (both are listed as from Muninabane in the Dromara Parish Record). The witnesses were David Brannen and Elizabeth Ann Brannen. A couple by the name of Patrick and Cathrine Dalton had a child in Newtownards and two in Belfast. Their great great great grandson is Chris Degan (chrisdegan@gmail.com). Tradition has it that the bridesmaid Elizabeth Ann Brannen married a man named Davey and had a son Pat Davey.
    7. Bernard Brennan was born in Dromore on Apr.29, 1839. His sponsors are listed in the records of the Roman Catholic parish of Dromore and Garvaghy as Patrick and Bridget Brennan.

  1. William Brennan may have been a brother of the above Peter (b.1800) or Bernard (b.1780). William married Mary Anne Pullin and they lived first in Ballykeel where their elder children were born and later in Ballyvicknakelly. In the Griffith Valuation of about 1860, William Brennan is listed as holding just over 13 acres of land worth 14 and a half pounds with a house worth 30 shillings in the townland of Ballyvicknakelly. The landlord is Mary Vaughn. He also rents another 6 acres or so from Charles Douglass. William and Mary Anne had at least nine children:
    1. Margaret Brennan was born in 1830 in Ballykeel.
    2. Anne(?) Brennan was born in Ballykeel and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Oct.9, 1831. Her sponsors were Terence and Sarah Lavery.
    3. Mary Brennan was born in Ballykeel and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Mar.17, 1834. Her sponsors were Robert and Anne Rutherford.
    4. Hugh Brennan was born in Ballykeel and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Feb.21, 1836. His sponsors were Peter Brennan and Hannah McKern(?). This could well be the Hugh Brennan, a labourer of Mount Street, Dromore, who married Margaret Magennis in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Aug.15, 1860. The witnesses were Peter Brennan and Catherine ?. Hugh and Margaret had at least two children:
      1. William Brennan was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Apr.14, 1861. His sponsors were William Brennan and Anne Brennan.
      2. Mary Anne Brennan was born on Jan.14, 1864, in Mount Street, Dromore. She was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Jan.17, 1864, the witnesses being Patrick and Ellen Brennan.
      3. John Brennan was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Feb.7, 1873. He was sponsored by Mary Larkin. His parents are given as Patrick Brennan and Margaret (Magennis). It is possible that John's father's name is listed incorrectly. Alternatively Hugh may have died and Margaret married Patrick.
    5. James Brennan was born in Ballyvicknakelly and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Feb.11, 1838. His sponsors were John and Elizabeth Lavery. This may be the James Brennan who was married to Mary McKey in that same church on Apr.30, 1858. The marriage was witnessed by Patrick Lavery and Ann Brennan.
    6. Margaret Brennan was born in Ballyvicknakelly and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Dec.1, 1839. Her sponsors were Neil and Catherine McKey.
    7. John Brennan was born in Ballyvicknakelly and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Nov.6, 1841. His sponsors were James and Elizabeth Whyte. This may be the John Brennan of Church Street, Dromore, who died as a child and was buried on Apr.18, 1847.
    8. Elizabeth Brennan was born in Ballyvicknakelly and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Sep.16, 1843. Her sponsors were John Brennan and Alice Whyte.
    9. William Brennan was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church in Dromore on Aug.9, 1845. His sponsors were John and Ann Brennan of Dromore.

  1. Catherine Brennan may have been a sister of the above Peter, Bernard or William. According to the Roman Catholic records of the parish of Dromore she married John White (or Whyte) of Ballyvicknakelly on May 26, 1823. They had at least three children:
    1. Alice White was born in Ballyvicknakelly and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church of Dromore on Apr.20, 1824. Her sponsors were Daniel Lavery and Eliza White.
    2. Jane White was born in Ballyvicknakelly and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church of Dromore on Oct.4, 1826. Her sponsors were Neil McKey and Eleanor White.
    3. George White was born in Ballyvicknakelly and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church of Dromore on Aug.12, 1832. His sponsors were James Whyte and Jane Brennan.

  1. Sarah Brennan may have been a sister of the above Peter, Bernard or William. She married John Mooney(?) and they lived in Ballyvicknakelly. They had at least one child:
    1. Bernard Mooney(?) was born in Ballyvicknakelly and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church of Dromore on Oct.7, 1826. His sponsors were Alex Mallon and Mary Donaldson.

  1. Bridget Brennan may have been a sister of the above Peter, Bernard or William. She married James Moore. They lived in Dromore and had at least two children:
    1. Bridget Moore was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church of Dromore on May 30, 1824. Her sponsors were Patrick Smyth and Mary Smyth.
    2. Catherine Moore was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church of Dromore on Oct.8, 1836. Her sponsors were Morris Hood and Alice Brennan.

  1. Roger Brennan is listed in the Griffith Valuation of about 1860 as holding from Bernard Mercer a house and small garden worth ten shillings in the townland of Ballykeel/ Artifinny, northeast of Dromore. This may be the same Roger Brennan who was married in 1844 to Margaret Truesdale. If they are the same then Roger and Margaret had at least two children:
    1. Hugh Brennan, born Jun.10, 1844 in Ballysallough just southeast of Dromore, was a son of Roger Brennan and Margaret Truesdale.
    2. Mary Anne Brennan, the daughter of labourer Roger Brennan of Ballykeel/ Artifinny, was married in the Parish Church of Hillsborough on Jul.9, 1862, to Thomas Stewart, a bachelor labourer from Killyman, diocese of Clogher, and the son of James Stewart.

  1. John Brennan was born in County Down in 1817 according to a surviving piece of the 1851 Census. John married Jane/Ann Gamble in Dromara. Their children:
    1. Francis Brennan was born in 1853 in Dromara, County Down, and was married in Belfast on Jan.8, 1876, to Sarah Carlyle (or Carlile) who was born in 1856 in Dromara, the daughter of William Carlyle (or Carlile) and Ann Renee. Tradition has it that Francis left Ireland to meet up with brothers in Ayrshire, Scotland. Francis and Sarah emigrated to Australia arriving on Aug.27, 1878, aboard the ship "Rodell Bay". They arrived in the Ipswich district and settled in Redbank Plains, Queensland, Australia in 1878 where Francis worked as a miner. Their children:
      1. William John Carlyle Brennan, their eldest child, was born on Mar.4, 1877, in Kersley, Ayrshire, Scotland.
      2. Francis Brennan was born on Feb, 25, 1886. He married Annie Yarrow born on Aug.21, 1885. Francis and Annie had a son:
        1. Edward Brennan married Doreen Siedofsky and they had a daughter
          1. Glenys Brennan married Maxwell Smith who lived in Redbank Plains, Queensland, Australia. They were the parents of Dianne Smith (tigertails2006@hotmail.com) who grew up in Redbank Plains.

  1. ?? Brennan had three sons:
    1. David Brennan
    2. Bernard Brennan
    3. Patrick Brennan. Patrick Brennan and Ellen McEvoy (born about 1837) were married on Dec.25, 1878, according to the Roman Catholic records of the parish of Dromore and Garvaghy. Witnesses were Peter Doyle and Rose McIllenean. [Strange coincidence: On 28 Aug 1914 , Patrick Brennan was married to Ellen McEvoy in Banbridge Roman Catholic Church, Parish of Seapatrick, County Down.] The Will (with one Codicil) of Patrick Brennan of Ballyvicknakelly, Co. Down, farmer, who died Dec.15, 1886, at the same place was proved at Belfast by executors, John M'Dade of Market Square, Dromore, merchant, and Peter M'Evoy of Kilkinamurry, farmer. Patrick left most of his estate to his wife (her brother is Peter McEvoy), some to the children of his brothers David and Bernard Brennan and made a small gift to Patrick Brennan, the son of Elizabeth McGready??. In the 1901 Census, 63-year-old widowed farmer Ellen Brennan is listed as living in Ballyvicknakelly, Co. Down, with her 17-year-old unmarried neice, Mary K. McCevoy. In the 1911 Census, 72-year-old widowed farmer Ellen Brennan is listed as living in Ballyvicknakelly, Co. Down, with her 27-year-old unmarried neice, Mary Catherine McEvoy.

Christopher E. Brennen