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John Roche O’Bryen is Ernest’s father, and Celia O’Bryen was his second wife.

John Roche O’Bryen was baptised in Tracton Abbey, co Cork on the 14th January 1810, and died in London on the 27th July 1870, seven weeks after the death of Charles Dickens – his near contemporary. JROB was two years older.

He was a student at Trinity College, Dublin, and graduated in medicine at the University of Glasgow in 1836. He then practised in medicine first in Bristol, from at least 1841 until 1858. He then spent three years in Liverpool. By 1861, the family were in London, first in Manchester St, W.1,  and then in present day Drayton Gardens, South Kensington – then known as Thistle Grove.

So far fairly uncomplicated; however the story starts to get a little more complicated. JR’s family bible has survived (currently with one of his great-grandsons), and is a very useful, if not completely reliable source. I’m going to look at it separately. He appears to have a rather curious double marriage:

“John Roche OBryen & Eliza his wife (born Henderson July 27th 1805) married Decr 25/32 Janr th 7th /33 by Protestant Curate at Bordeaux With Issue”. 

JR was studying medicine in Bordeaux at the time, so the assumption is that the first marriage is a Catholic one, he was a Catholic and all the children were brought up as Catholics. The reason for the second marriage is one of the big intriguing questions.

Anyway to continue with the facts. JR and Eliza have ten children:

1. Emily Jane 1833 -1844.
2. Henry Hewitt 1835-1895
3. Mary Anne 1836 -1856.
4. Corina Margaritta Eliza 1837- 1907
5. Edwin John 1839 -1857.
6. Eliza Louisa 1840-1844.
7. Catharine Teresa 1842 -1845.
8. Mary Frances 1844 -1858.
9. Cecilia Agnes 1846 -1856.
10. (William Gregory) Basil 1848 -1920 

Emily, and Henry are both born in France, and all the others are born in Bristol. Only Henry, Corinne, and Basil survive to adulthood.

Eliza dies on 25th April 1857, and JR remarries on the 1st October 1857.  He and Celia have six children.

Alfred Charles O’BRYEN, 1859 – 1942  born in Liverpool

Mary Evelyn O’BRYEN,1858 – 1916 born in Liverpool

Philip Augustus O’BRYEN, 1861 – 1913 born in London

Walter Mary O’BRYEN, 1862 – 1871 born in London

Ernest Adolphus O’BRYEN, 1865 -1919 born in London

Edward Reginald O’BRYEN, 1867 – 1928 born in London.  

His father Henry Hewitt O’Bryen Senior, was born 1780 in Ireland , and died 11 May 1836 in Cobh, County Cork.  He married Mary Roche Nov 1807 in Whitepoint, Cobh, Co. Cork, the only daughter of John Roche and Miss Collins?.  She was born in Ireland (?), and died in ????.

John Roche, Mary’s father, and JR’s grandfather, also has a major part to play in the story.

The children of Henry and Mary O’Bryen are:

Jane O’Bryen, born 1808; died 1837 in unknown

John Roche O’Bryen, born 1810 ; died 1870 in London

Hewitt O’Bryen, born 1811 in Ireland; died 1845 in Norfolk

Robert Hewitt O’Bryen, born 1814 in Ireland; died 1888 in  Ireland.

Henry Hewitt O’Bryen Junior, born 1815 in Ireland; died 1873 in Ireland.

Stephen Hewitt O’Bryen, born Unknown in Ireland; died 1872 in Gibraltar.

Mary A O’Bryen, born Unknown in Ireland; died 1863 in Ireland.

Henry Hewitt O’Bryen’s father Laurence O’Brien was born 1754 in Ireland (?).  He married Jane Hewitt on 20th Mar 1778 in Castle Townsend, County Cork, daughter of Henry Hewitt and Unknown. 

Their children are:

Henry Hewitt O’Bryen, born 1780 in Ireland (?); died 11 May 1836 in Cobh, County Cork.

Stephen Laurence O’Bryen (unconfirmed)

and finally Laurence O’Brien’s parents are Daniel O’Brien and Ann Sullivan; Daniel O’Brien was born 1717, and died 1758 in Castletownsend, co Cork.  He married Ann Sullivan in 1743 in Cork.

Patrick GREHAN III  is Celia O’Bryen’s brother, and son of Patrick Grehan Junior, grandson of Patrick Grehan Senior,  and  Thady Grehan’s great grandson. He was born 1818 in Ireland, and died 1877 in Hampstead, London.  He married Frances Susan PITCHFORD 1842 in Poplar, [probably the parish of St leonard, bromley poplar} London.  She was born 1821 in Stratford, Essex, and died 1893 in Hampstead, London.

Their children are:

Edward Aloysius GREHAN, born 1843 in Poplar, London; died Bef. 1864.

Mary O’Connor GREHAN, born 1844 in Poplar, London.

Wilfred GREHAN, born 1849 in Ireland.

Clare GREHAN, born 1858 in Ireland.

Edward Aloysius GREHAN, born 1864 in Ireland; died 1881.

By 1871, Patrick’s branch of the Grehan family merits its own entry in Burke’s Landed Gentry

Grehan of Mount Plunkett. 

Grehan Patrick, esq. of Mount Plunkett and St John’s co Roscommon, J.P., b 21 March 1818; m. 4 April 1842, Frances, eldest dau. of the late John Pitchford, esq. of Norwich, a descendant of the old family of Pitchford of Shropshire, and has issue,

1. Wilfrid b 6 Aug 1848
2. Charles b Nov 1850
3. Gerard b May 1852
4. Francis b Oct 1855

1. Mary O’Conor Graham
2. Alice
3. Louisa
4. Clare
5. Agnes

Lineage – The family of Grehan claims descent from the Grahams of Montrose, and tradition narrates that its ancestor, escaping from the persecutions in Scotland, fled to Ireland and changed his name to Grehan.

The present Stephan Grehan, esq. of Rutland Square, Dublin succeded by the recent death of his cousin Major Grehan, s.p. to the representation of the Grehan family. His cousin, Patrick Grehan, esq., now of Mount Plunkett, is the son of the late Patrick Grehan, esq. of Dublin ( by Catherine his 1^st wife, dau. of George Meecham, esq., and co-heiress of her mother Catherine, dau. and eventual co-heiress of William Hodson, esq. of St John’s, co. Roscommon) and grandson of Patrick Grehan, esq. of Dublin who m. Judith, dau. and eventually co-heiress of Edward Moore, esq. of Mount Browne, co. Mayo (lineally descended from Lewis, the 4^th son of  Roger O’More, of Leix, by Margaret, dau. and heiress of Thomas, 3^rd son of Pierce, 8^th Earl of Ormonde). Through this marriage with the co-heiress of Moore, Mr Grehan of Mount Plunkett quarters the arms of O’More of Leix, and Butler, Ormonde.

Link to BLG 1871: http://tinyurl.com/pqu2tuj 

• National Library of Ireland: Arms of Grehan of Mount Plunkett, Co Roscommon, 1863. GO MS 179: 101
• National Library of Ireland: Copy of confirmation of arms to Patrick Grehan, Mount Plunkett & St Johns, Co Roscommon, grandson of Patrick Grehan of Dublin, merchant, 5 June 1863. GO MS 109: 13-14

Celia Mary GREHAN was born 1830 in Preston, Lancashire, and died 14 Oct 1901 in Lancaster.  She married John Roche O’BRYEN (1810 – 1870) on the 1st Oct 1857 in Mount Plunkett, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. 

They have the following children:

Alfred Charles O’BRYEN, 1859 – 1942  born in Liverpool

Mary Evelyn O’BRYEN,1858 – 1916 born in Liverpool

Philip Augustus O’BRYEN, 1861 – 1913 born in London

Walter Mary O’BRYEN, 1862 – 1871 born in London

Ernest Adolphus O’BRYEN, 1865 -1919 born in London

Edward Reginald O’BRYEN, 1867 – 1928 born in London.  

Her father Patrick GREHAN Junior was born 1791 in Ireland, and died 1853 in Clifton, Bristol, but described as “of Worth Hall, Sussex”.  He married (1) Catherine MECHAM in 1817, the daughter of George MECHAM and Catherine HODSON.  She was born 1792 in Ireland, and died before 1836.  He married (2) Harriet LESCHER 16 Aug 1836 in Brighton, Sussex, daughter of William LESCHER and Mary COPP.  She was born 1809 in London, and died 1877 in Hampstead, London. The children of Patrick and Catherine GREHAN are:

Patrick GREHAN III, born 1818 in Ireland; died 1877 in Hampstead, London.

Joseph Maunsel GREHAN, born 1828 in Ireland; died 1860 in Newington.

Celia Mary GREHAN, born 1830 in Preston; died 1901 in Lancaster.

Child of Patrick and Harriet GREHAN is:

Joseph Ignatius GREHAN, born 1837 in Brighton, Sussex.  He married Mary Josephine KELLY 1868 in Wolverhampton.

His father Patrick GREHAN  Senior was born 1756 in Dublin, Ireland, and died 1832 in Dublin, Ireland.  He married Judith MOORE, daughter of Edward MOORE.  Their children are:

Jane GREHAN 1782 – died Unknown 

Edward (GRAHAM) GREHAN 1789 – 1852

Patrick GREHAN Junior 1791- 1853

Patrick’s father is Thady GREHAN who was born 1722 in Dublin, Ireland, and died 1792.  He married (1) Christian [?].    He married (2) Margaret [?] 1755. 

Child of Thady GREHAN and Christian [?] is:

Peter GREHAN, born 1749. He married Mary ROCHE, daughter of Stephen ROCHE and Margaret MEADE. ( http://tinyurl.com/o9o9m45 ) who are the parents of Stephen GREHAN. 1776 -1871. Stephen Grehan is one of the main beneficiaries of his uncle John Roche’s will, and are documented elsewhere as the “Grehans of Clonmeen”

 Children of Thady GREHAN and Margaret [?] are:

Patrick GREHAN, born 1756 in Dublin, Ireland; died 1832 in Dublin, Ireland.

Andrew GREHAN, born 1757 in Dublin, Ireland.

Mary GREHAN.  She married John ROCHE; died in 1825 without issue. John Roche is the son of Stephen Roche by his first marriage to Margaret Meade. His  sister, Mary, also the daughter of Stephen Roche by his first marriage to Margaret Meade, married Peter Grehan, son of Thady Grehan by his first marriage to Christian [?].

The Tablet, 3rd May 1924

A.R.O’BRYEN AND MISS BIDWELL.

At St. James’s, Spanish Place, W., on Friday of last week, the marriage took place of Mr. Alan O’Bryen, eldest son of the late Mr. E. A. O’Bryen and Lady O’Bryen, of 44, Harley House, to Marie Louise, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Leonard A. Bidwell and Mrs. Bidwell, of 10, James Street, Westbourne Terrace, W.2.

The Bishop of Miletopolis, the Right Rev. Mgr. Bidwell, cousin of the bride, performed the ceremony ; Father W. Bodkin, Provincial, S.J., celebrated the nuptial Mass, and Mr. Kenneth O’Bryen, brother of the bridegroom, was best man.

 

 

 

 

The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr. T. L. Bidwell, was dressed in white crepe de Chine with a train of Limerick lace, lent by her grandmother, Lady Roper Parkington, which was borne by Miss Dorothy Bidwell, sister of the bride. In attendance upon her were also Miss Cicely O’Bryen and Miss Valencia Lancaster, wearing frocks of hyacinth-blue crêpe de Chine embroidered in silver, and oxydized silver lace caps.

Following the ceremony a reception was held at 44, Harley House.

From geneology.com

There is a two volume set of books titled, History of the Queens County, written by V. Rev. John Canon O’Hanlon and Rev. Edward O’Leary, Volume one was published in 1907 and Volume two in 1914 in Dublin, Ireland by Sealy, Bryers & Walker.

Appendix I to Volume two was copied from Notes on the O’Mores as they were published in the Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society, Volume VI and were written by Lord Walter Fitzgerald.This appendix includes a listing of the Chiefs of Leix from 1016 to 1600 A.D., The Submission of Rory Caoch O’More in 1542, The O’Mores of Ballina, County Kildare and The Rock of Dunamase, as well as other articles on the O’Mores of Raheenda, Queens County, Ireland.

The listing of the Chiefs of Leix is: Note:mac = son of

Year:       Chief:
1016       Gahan O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain.
1017       Cearnach O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1026       Aimergin mac Kenny mac Cearnach O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1041       Faelan mac Aimergin O’More, lord of Leix, blinded; died in 1069.
1042       Cucogry O’More, lord of Leix, living.
1063       Lisagh mac Faelan O’More, lord of Leix, slain
1069       Macraith O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain.
1091       Kenny O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1097       Aimergin O’More, lord of Leix died.
1098       The son of Gahan O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1149       Lisagh mac Aimergin mac Faelan O’More, lord of Leix, died.
1153       Neill O’More, lord of Leix, blinded.
1158       Macraith O’More, lord of Leix, living.
1183       Cucogry mac Lisagh O’More, lord of Leix, living.
1196       Donnell O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
[It is a remarkable fact the “The Irish Annals” make no mention of an
O’More, Chief of his name, during the thirteenth century]

1319       Shane mac Donough O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain.
1342       Lisagh O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1348       Connell O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1354       Rory mac Connell O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1368       Lisagh mac David O’More, (?) lord of Leix, died.
1370       Murtough O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain.
1394       Donnell O’More, lord of Leix, living.
1398       Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, died.
1404       Gillpatrick O’More, lord of Leix, living.
1464       Kedagh O’More, lord of Leix, died.
1467       Donnell O’More, lord of Leix, died.
1477       The son of Owny O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain.
1493       Connell mac David O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1493       Neill mac Donnell O’More inaugurated lord of Leix.
1502       Melaghlin mac Owny mac Gillpatrick O’More, lord of Leix, died.
1523       Kedagh mac Lisagh O’More, lord of Leix, died.
1537       Connell mac Melaghlin mac Owny O’More, lord of Leix, died.
1538       Peirce mac Melaghlin mac Owny O’More, lord of Leix, (?) died.
1542       Kedagh roe mac Connell mac Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, died.
1545       Rory coach mac Connel mac Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1548       Gillpatrick mac Connell mac Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, died.
1557       Connell og mac Connell mac Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, hanged.
1578       Rory og mac Rory coach mac Connell O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1584       (circa).James mac Kedagh O’More, alias Meaghe, lord of Leix, died.
1600       Owny mac Rory og mac Rory coach O’More, lord of Leix, slain.
1600       Owny mac Shane O’More, appointed lord of Leix.”

The submission of Rory Caoch O’More reads:

“Indenture, Dated 13th May, 34 Henry VIII.[“Carew Mauscripts,” 1515-74]

Rory O’More of Lex, brother as he asserts to Kedagh (Roo) O’More, lately deceased, now admitted to the Captainship of the same country by the consent and election of all the noblemen and inhabitants of the country, appeared before us the Deputy Council, and submitted himself to the King.He promises that: –
(1.) He will be faithful and liege subject; and he and the other gentlemen of his country will receive their lands from his Highness.(2.) He will reject the Roman Pontiff’s usurped primacy.(3.) He will deliver Kedagh mac Piers mac Melaghlin O’More as his hostage to the Deputy into the hands of Thomas Eustace, Viscount of Baltinglass, for the observance of his agreements and promises, and for the restitution of all damages done to the subjects of the King, during the time of Kedagh O’More’s government.(4.) He will have 72 kerne, horseboys being computed in that number, for the rule of the said country of Leix; and will maintain no other kerne there.(5.) He will rise up with the Lord Deputy in every great journey, called “Hostings.”For any sudden journey of two days and nights he will find 24 horsemen and all his aforesaid kerne; and in every great hosting 8 horsemen and 20 kerne.(6.) Donnamase with the demesne lands, Tymooge and othe lands of the late Earl of Kildare in Leix, shall be restored to the King.The demesnes of Donnamase shall be surveyed and their extent declared by indifferent men (as jurors on the Inquisition), and the lands and rents of the said Earl of Kildare by Thomas Wolf senior; and both those lands, and the possessions of (the Nunnery of) Grayne (Graney, Co. Kildare), of the Monasteries of Saint Mary of Dublin, of Connall (Co. Kildare), and of other religious Houses, with the lands of Kyllberry (Co. Kildare), are at the disposition of the tenants and farmers of the King.(7.) When the Lord Deputy requires any Scots (Galloglasses), to be imposed the Counties of Kildare, Kilkenny or Tipperary, the Leix shall support 60 Scots, and shall be exempt from all subsidies for that year.(8.) The King shall have 20 marks yearly as a subsidy.(9.) The Lord Deputy and Council shall have 100 Cows for his (Rory’s) nomination and admission to the Captaincy of the aforesaid Country.(10.) He shall have the goods of his brother Kedagh, by paying Kedagh’s debts, and the profit and produce of all his possessions, saving Kedagh’s wife’s portion, until he be recompensed for the debts which he sahall ratify the same; otherwise not.”

This was Rory Caoch O’More son of Connel O’More son of Melaghlin O’More.Doonamasse is the Castle Dunamase.

The Rock of Dunamase partially reads:

“Dunamase from prehistoric times was the stronghold and chief residence of the rulers of Leix.About the time of the Christian era there flourished in Ulster a leader of the Red BranchKnights, called Conall Cearnach.the Knights under him waged war against the men of Leinster to enforce the payment of the Burumean tribute.They defeated the Leinstermen at the battle of Ros-naRigh (Rosnaree), and settled Leix, which they divided into seven tribe lands.This Celtic heptarchy was subject to the jurisdiction of an arch-king, claiming descent from Canall Cearnach, and called the O’More, with his chief residence at Dunamase.”Dunamase changed hands several times and “In 1342 Lysaght O’more, of Dunamase was killed by his servant. . . . Two years after his death the O’mores were dipossessed of Dunamase by De Mortimer.”. . . The O’mores controlled it around 1538 and 1542 . . .“In 1642 the Confederate Catholics were in Possession of Dunamase; . . .”

The Genealogies contained in the Appendix are titled “The O’Mores of Ballina, County Kildare and The O’Mores of Cremorgan and Raheenduff, Queens County.Most references claim that Rory O’More (1641) was from Ballyna or Ballina, Kildare County.I have reproduced that genealogy as follows:

“The O’Mores of Ballina are descended from Callough, the youngest son of Rory caoch O’More, Chief of Leix, who was slain in 1545.

Callough O’more was granted Ballina in 1574.He died on the 27th March, 1618.By his wife Margaret daughter of Walter Scurlough, of Frayne, in the County Meath, he had two sons and two daughters, viz.:-

I.Col. Rory (oe Roger) O’More of Ballina, the famous Confederate leader of 1641.He died on the 16th February, 1655, leaving issue by his wife Jane, daughter of Sir Patrick Barnewall, Kt. of Turvey, two sons and four daughters, viz.:-

1. Col. Charles O’more, of Ballina killed at the Battle of Aughrim, Co. Galway, 12th July, 1691.He had no issue by his wife Margaret, daughter of Thomas FitzMaurice, 18th Lord Kerry and Lixnaw.He was succeeded at Ballina by his first cousin Anthony, son of his uncle, Col. Lewis O’More.

2. Connell O’more, died without issue, 20th November, 1653.

3. Anne, married Partrick Sarsfield, of Tullly, Co. Kildare, and was the mother of the famous Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan.

4. Elenor, married first Brian O’Kelly, of Cadamstown, County Kildare; and secondly Donnell mac Murrough Kavanaugh.

5. Mary, married Col. Trilough mac Henry O’Neill.

6. Elizabeth, married Christopher Beeling, of Killashee, County Kildare.

II.Col. Lewis (or Lisagh) O’More, of whom presently.

I.Margaret, married Thomas Plunkett, of Clonbreny, Co. Meath.

II.A daughter who married a FitzGerald of Ballagh, Co. Westmeath.

Col. Lewis O’more, of the Confederate Catholic Army, second son of Callough O’More, married Mary, daughter of Philip mac Hugh O’Reilly, by whom he had a son:-

Anthony O’More, of Ballina, first cousin and heir to Col. Rory O’More.By his wife Anne, daughter of Alexander Hope, of Mullingar, he had two sons and two dauhgters, viz:-
A. Lewis O’More of Ballina, of whom presently.

B. Roger O’More, who died in 1747; he married Elinor, daughter of William Wright, and had issue

a. General Anthony O’More, of the Spanish Army.

b. Anne, married to Robert Daly, of Caulfield.

c. Mary, married Pacington Edgeworth, of Longwood.

C.. Mary, married Captain Conor O’Reilly.

D.. Catherine, the mother of General Manus O’Donnell, in the Austrian Service in 1772.

Lewis O’More, of Ballina, eldest son of Anthony O’More, died on the 13th February, 1737, aged 63.By his wife Alicia, daughter of Con O’Neill, he had issue, a son and a daughter, viz:-

1. James O’More, of Ballina, of whom presently.

James O’More, of Ballina, son and heir of Lewis O’More, died on the 19th November, 1779 aged 77.By his wife Mary, daughter of Ambrose O’Madden, of Derryhoran, county Galway, he had an only daughter:-

Letitia, of Ballina, who married Rochard O’Ferrall.Her death took place in 1778, and her husband’s in 1790.From this couple are descended the More-O’Ferralls, now in Balina, who thus claim a direct descent from the anciet Chiefs of Leix.”

Upon finding this genealogy I had hoped it would answer the question of James Moore’s parentage.James Moore, Governor of the Carolina’s is said to be descended from Rory O’More of 1641.This genealogy does not answer that question.It is not certain that all the children of Callough O’More are listed or only those of Ballina?This is however the most complete genealogy I have seen to date on his family.It does however establish the line of descent as Melaghlin O’More and then his son Connel O’More and then his son Rory caoch O’Moore and then his son Collaugh O’More and then his son Col. Rory O’More (1641).Melaghlin O’More died in year 1398.

From another work the line goes back to a Gaeithini Mordha “First King of Leix”.Actually First Chief would be more accurate.This chart goes from Gaeithini to his son Cenneth to his son Faolan to his son Amergin to his son Lioseach to his son Donall to his son Conor Cucoigcriche to his son Lioseach to his son Donall O’More to his son Daniel Oge O’More to his son Lioseach O’More, “Last King of Leix”.After Lioseach who’s son was Niall O’More and his son was Lioseach O’More and his son was Owney O’More 1400 A.D and then to his son Melaghiln O’More and then his son Connel O’More and then his son Rory caoch O’Moore and then his son Collaugh O’More and then his son Col. Rory O’More (1641).

Page 31, 24th June 1911

The marriage arranged between James Whiteside Leeming, J.P., co. Lane., fourth son of the late Richard Leeming, J.P., of Greaves House, Lancaster, and Therese, eldest daughter of the late Baron Frederic Pfyffer d’Altishofen, of Lucerne, Switzerland, will take place very quietly in London on July 3, owing to the recent death of a sister of the bridegroom. [Helena Leeming, who died probably earl

Page 52, 2nd December 1933

The engagement is announced between Gerard, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Leeming, of Skirsgill Park, Penrith, and Joan, daughter of the late Mr. Edmund Neville Trappes-Lomax, and granddaughter of the late Mrs. Trappes-Lomax, of Clayton Hall.