Michael Brennan

Michael and brother Moses Brennan were captured as Rebels in 1800. In 1801 and soon after their arrival, Michael leased a farm on the Cooks River and Moses became an overseer in the dockyards. In 1803 Michael settled down with Elizabeth Smith who arrived in Sydney on 14 December, 1801 as a prisoner on the ‘Nile’. They had 4 children: Peter, born in 1805, Michael Jnr, born in 1806, Mary, born in 1808 and Patrick, who was born in 1811. 1811: TOL 31/1/1813: CP Michael received, from Governor Macquarie, a land grant of fifty acres at Appin on 8 October 1816. This land was next to his brother’s land and both of their families shared a house together. On April 19, 1825 Michael and Elizabeth were married and their witnesses were his brother Moses and his wife Mary. It was quite common in those times to live together until a Catholic Priest was available to perform a wedding ceremony. Elizabeth died in 1842 as did brother Moses. On October 13, 1855, the following notice appeared in the Sydney Herald: DEATH At his residence, Appin, on the 10th instant, Mr. Michael Brennan, after a short and painful illness, in the 76th year of his age, father of Peter Brennan, Pyrmont. He was buried at St Bedes in Appin. John was buried next to his brother Moses.

Michael Brennan is My 4x great grandfather, through his son Patrick and his granddaughter Elizabeth Catherine Brennan. Andrew Jones Blue Mountains

Michael Brennan and his brother Moses could not have been captured as rebels in 1800 since they had already been tried at the Wexford Assizes in the summer of 1799. These were occupied with the trials of many people for crimes committed during the taking of Wexford in the 1798 uprising - a gentleman named William Cooper for administering a treasonable oath who was acquitted however as having been found to have done this "along with many other humane acts, to save the lives of Protestants." Another gent named Edward Hay was acquitted of having held a command among the rebels as he was found to have been forced to do it. Felix Fardy was found guilty of several murders and of being involved in setting fire to the barn at Scullaboge where 230 Protestants perished. Then the Brennans, together with John Murphy were found guilty of murder: Freeman's Journal; Tuesday 30 July 1799 page 3, column 2 (2nd last paragraph from bottom) "WEXFORD ASSIZES "Ended on Saturday last [i.e.27th July 1799]. The following persons were tried before the Hon. Baron Smith. ... Moses Brennan. Michael Brennan, and John Murphy were found guilty of several murders. A number of persons, being rebels and charged with murder, put off their trials."

In the State Prisoners Petition dated Feb 18, 1799 Michael is listed as 18 years of age (making year of birth approx 1781). His mother Mary Brennan, the petitioner, also states that Michael is her only remaining son and she is a poor widower looking after 5 orphan grandchildren and has been reduced to begging for sustenance. Raising some questions as to wether Moses was Michaels brother.

Note: date of death. At his residence, Appin, on the 10th instant, after a short and painful illness, Michael Brennan, in the 76th year of his age, father of Peter Brennan, Pyrmont.

Find A Grave Memorial ID: 174873177 Death 10 January 1855 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174873177/michael-brennan

Family connections for Michael (Brennan) are: BRENNAN ??? (Brennan) married Mary (???). Mary (???/Brennan) describing herself as a poor widower looking after 5 orphan grandchildren and a beggar, in 1799, petitioned for mercy for her son. ??? (Brennan) & Mary (???) produced at least 2children: 1.Moses (Brennan) was born about 1779 & became a general labourer. He was apparantly tried with his brother Michael & 1other after the 1798 Wexford Ireland uprising at the Wexford Summer Assizes on 27 7 1799. sentenced to Life & arrived in NSW as an Irish Rebel on 26 1 1801 after a voyage of 7months on ANNE; during the voyage he assisted the keeping of order after a mutiny; he was apparantly Catholic. He became overseer at the dockyards. He was a labourer when he married Mary (Rooney/Runey age16 according to Smees records) on 31 8 1813 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was issued his Conditional Pardon on 3 6 1809, which was subsequently cancelled. In 1812 & was issued his Ticket of Leave, his Conditional Pardon on 31 1 1813 & his Absolute Pardon in 1816. In 1816 he was granted 20.7acres at Appin, next to his brother-he shared a house with his brothers family. On 21 3 1818 he was appointed constable & pound keeper at Appin. In 1822 he was dismissed as District Constable. He died on 17 10 1842 age63 & was buried at St Bedes Appin next to his brother. ..[Some details taken from this Website] ..Mary (Rooney) was born about 1797 & became a servant. She was tried for stealing whisky at Dublin city Ireland in 1812, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 16 2 1813 after a voyage of 9months on ARCHDUKE CHARLES. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. 2.Michael (Brennan) was born about 1779/82 & became a general labourer. He was apparantly tried with his brother Moses & 1other after the 1798 Wexford Ireland uprising at the Wexford Summer Assizes on 27 7 1799. sentenced to Life & arrived in NSW as an Irish Rebel on 26 1 1801 after a voyage of 7months on ANNEalso; during the voyage he assisted the keeping of order after a mutiny; he was apparantly Catholic. He leased a farm at Cooks River. He had a first relationship with Elizabeth (Smith) whom he later married. He was Free by Servitude by 1811 & was issued his Ticket of Leave. He was issued his Conditional Pardon on 31 1 1813. On 8 10 1816 he was granted 50acres at Appin, next to his brother-he shared a house with his brothers family. He had his Conditional Pardon when he married Elizabeth (Smith) on 19 2 1825 at St Marys RC Sydney. He was Free by Servitude by 1826.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] ..Elizabeth (Smith) was born about 1779/82 & became a servant. She was tried w/1other for receiving cotton gown etc from 2others who stole the items from John (Roberts) (1of them being James (Smith) who was sentenced to be hung) probably at Old Bailey, sentenced to 14years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 14 12 1801 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship NILE. She was Free by Servitude by 1811 & was issued her Certificate of Freedom 1/1363 on 4 7 1814; she was 5'2" ruddy complexion light brown hair hazel eyes. She died in 1842 age about62. ..[Some details taken from this Website] ..Michael (Brennen/Branner) & Elizabeth (Smith) produced 4children: ..1.Peter (Brennen) was born in 1806. He was living at Pyrmont in 1855. He died in 1873 age about67. ..2.Michael (Brennan) Jnr was born in 1806. He married Catherine (Brady) in 1826 at St Marys RC Sydney ....Catherine (Brady) was born in 1810 in the colony. ....Details of Catherine (Brady)s family are given in entry for Daniel (Brady SUGAR CANE 1793) on this Website. ....Michael (Brennan) & Catherine (Brady) produced at least 2children: ....1.Patrick (Brennan) was born on 1 2 1827 & baptised on 26 2 1827 at St Marys RC Sydney. ....2.Anne (Brennan) was born on 19 4 1829 & baptised on 12 5 1829 at St Marys RC Sydney. ..3.Mary (Brennan) was born in 1808-no parents given. ..4.Patrick (Brennen/Branner) was born on 15 10 1811 & baptised on 1 1 1815 age3 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He married ??? (???). He died on 17 4 1879 age67. ....Patrick (Brennen/Branner) & ??? (???) produced at least 1child: ....1.??? (Brennen/Branner) married ??? (???) & produced at least 1child: ......1.??? (Brennen/Branner) & ??? (???) produced at least 1child: ........1.??? (Brennen/Branner) & ??? (???) produced at least 1child: ..........1.??? (Brennen/Branner) & ??? (Jones) produced at least 1child: ............1.Andrew (Jones) .. ..[Noted a Thomas (Brennan) is recorded as born in 1813-no parents given] ..[Noted a Susannah (Branner) is recorded as born in 180x's-no pasrents given] .. >>>Michael (Brenna/en) had a second relationship with Caroline (Middleton her first relationship). He died on 10 1 1855 age about76 father of perhaps 5children & was buried at St Bedes Appin next to his brother. ..Caroline (Middleton) was born in 1809 in Sussex. She arrived in NSW with her mother on 10 1 1814 on HMS KANGAROO. She is recorded in 1822 & 1825 at Appin with her parents. She married secondly Thomas (McAlister) on 20 4 1828 at St Peters CofE Campbelltown & produced at least 2children. She produced at least 3children in her lifetime. ..Details of Caroline (Middleton)s family are given in entry for William (Middleton EARL SPENCER 1813) on this Website. ..Michael (Brennen) & Caroline (Middleton) produced a child: ..1.Eliza (Brennen) was born on 30 5 1826 & baptised on 18 6 1826 at St Peters CofE Campbelltown. Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.