O’Brien Family Tree
O’Brien History in Richmond County
The O’Brien have been active in the history of times of Richmond County, North Carolina from the county’s beginnings, and the name continues to be a part of life, and times of present-day Richmond County.
The first O’Brien’s to settle in what is now Richmond County, was Lawrence O’Brien, a native of Ireland. He came to North Carolina from Marilyn, eventually settling here in the 1750s.
This is substantiated by a land deed that Lawrence O’Brien and his wife, Frances all 100 acres from William Terry.
The land was on Cartledge Creek, and the deed was dated September 8, 1755.
He was described as a planter.
12 years later he sold the property to Henry Covington and moved to the Beaver Dam Creek area, near today’s Green Lake church. I am also not far from the old
E B. O’Brien home place.
Lawrence O’Brien was one of the signers of a petition in 1777, to the governor, counsel, and assembly of this state to do divide Anson County at Pee Dee River, and for many County.
The division was completed in 1779 thus forming Richmond County.
He came into be active in County affairs, though never held any elected office.
His community interest however established. a family tradition, which is reflected in a number of O’Brien’s who served the country in various capacities down through the year.
Two of his sons, Dennis and Tillotson served the Americans revolution, and afterward Tillotson had varied interest, including farming and operating a small leather goods business.
Tillotson also served at one time as a magistrate in the County, and was an advocate of the education for the young.
His first wife was Sarah Dawkins, Dennis, who married Christian Cameron; John who married Zilpha Casey; Agnes, who married a McCoy in Mississippi, and Sally. Married Briant Lovin.
John and Zilphia had 10 children, and five of their six sons served in the Confederate Army.
They were Dennis, a private in Company E, 52nd North Carolina Regiment,
William Wesley, a private in Company G, third, North Carolina Regiment,
James W, a private and company 1, 32nd North Carolina Regiment,
Elisha, a private in Company D, 33rd North Carolina Regiment; and Elijah a second Sgt. in company E 44th North Carolina Regiment and who died in service.
Elisha was the only one of the brothers to see extensive duty.
He served approximately 3 years, was wounded , and returned to duty, and was part of the Confederate forces at the surrender at Appomattox.
He returned home in Laurel Hill , which is now part of Scotland County, and lived out his years with his children. He died in 1906 at the age of 76 and his grave is in Laurel Hill.
After his discharge, Dennis returned to Richmond County, where he was a farmer, he had married Martha Jane Lovin, and they had nine children.
He and a brother, John Jackson O’Brien, help build Green Lake Methodist Church, which is still an active church today, and Dennis, his wife and a daughter Anne Elizabeth are buried there. Dennis cared deeply for Green Lake church, so much, that he wrote a poem about the church, and the English used the poem as one of the church hymns.
It is said, also, that Dennis gave the church the Irish name for Green Lake, but it was too difficult to pronounce that no one would try to use the name and it remains simply Green Lake.
The daughters of John and Zilphia O’Brien were Sarah, who married Noah Sanford
Martha, who married Nathan Gibson, Judith who married Travis Jernigan, and Jane, who married John W Sanford.
The children of Dennis O’Brien, and Martha Jane Levin O’Brien were: James W O’Brien who married Martha Lovin, John L, who died in infancy, Virginia who married Lewis Webb, Anne Elizabeth O’Brien, who never married, Elijah Bascom had married Arlendo Loflin; Dennis F, who married twice, first to Julia Ormsby and later to Julia Deane ; and Preston, who married Lila Womack.
James W. O’Brien became a local Methodist preacher answered the Bear branch church, as well as holding services and other churches, and also served as County Commissioner from 1868 through 1874.
E.B. , known throughout the county as “ Mr. B.” Took over the O’Brien family farm of around 300 acres and build it into a showplace by the 1920s
His brother, Louis became a businessman in Hamlet, another brother, Dennis F. word in Richmond County and later moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.
He was a member of the Richmond County school board was a newspaper correspondent and eight point and was a worker in the Democratic Party in Charlotte, and at one time was Sergeant-. At- Arms, in the State legislature.
Preston was a merchant, and had one of the first stores in Ellerbe, after the town was incorporated.
Jasper P. O’Brien of Hamlet, a son of Louis became a Hamlet businessman and was a partner in the W.R. land Company, he was a member of the Hamlet city board of commissioners in 1932
E.B. “ Mr. B” O’Brien and his wife had 12 children, the oldest J Buren lived in Rockingham and was the successful businessman, dealing in farms and timber.
He was deputy clerk of Superior Court, and was elected County Treasure In the register of deeds for Lee County, a F. , France was a banker and Ellerbe and also headed an insurance agency and was a livestock feed broker. At one time, he was city clerk and secretary of the town of Ellerbe.
Another son, Benson taught in public schools in various communities in North Carolina.
Two daughters married physicians, Pearlie to W.R. Macintosh from Rockingham, and Sarah C. To J. M. Maness of Ellerbe and later Hamlet.
Margaret to J. R. Bennet, a banker, and Juanita to Joseph Garibaldi, a jeweler, three daughters to railroad men, Rosella to A.K. MacDonald ; Pinkie to John Chrisholm and Lucy William Shuman.
This account of the O’Brien said Richmond County is far from complete, it is only a brief look at the first five generations, beginning with Lawrence O’Brien and his wife Frances.
There are three more generations, which would bring the family name up to the present moment.
The O’Brien’s as it is with many of the old line, long time families, are an integral and lasting part of the story of Richmond County.
The families includes men and women of all walks of life, medicine, ministry, bankers, businessmen, farmers and musicians, teachers, and politicians, and the countless work-a day roles that occupy the times of most of us.
Even though the descendants of Larry O’Brien are legion and scatter all across the United States, home base for the eight generations remains in Richmond County.
And many return each year for the O’Brien family reunion.
This history we share to me by; Frank P. O’Brien , now living in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Lawrence O"Brien
Lawrence O"BRIEN was born in County Cork Ireland, and died abt.1812 in Richmond County NC
He married Francis , she died in Richmond county NC
Children of Laurence and Francis Are
Lucretia O"BRIEN --born in Ireland she married Reddick Lovin
Nancy O"BRIEN--
Dennis O"BRIEN --born aug 8 1740 possibly in Ireland died jan 9th 1800
Tillotson O"BRIEN --was born May 1760 in Richmond County NC died July 11th 1840 in Richmond County NC
David O'Brien --born 1772
LUCRETIA O"BRIEN
Lucretia O"BRIEN –daughter of Laurence O’Brien born in Ireland she married Reddick Lovin
Children Of Lucretia and Redrick Lovin are
Bryant Lovin was born March 11th 1788 in Richmond county NC
and died May 22nd 1863 in Richmond County NC
William Lovin born Sept 8th 1799 in Richmond County NC and died in Richmond County NC
Quincey Lafayette Lovin was born about 1828 in Richmond County NC and died Sept 18th 1898 in Richmond County NC
He married Nancy Webb Oct 21 1850 in Richmond County NC daughtet of John Turner Webb--She was born abt. 1825 in Richmond County NC
and died sept 20th 1992 in Richmond County NC
Children of Quincey Lafayette Lovin and Nancy Webb are
DENNIS O"BRIEN
children of are
Myal O"BRYAN
Martha O"BRYAN
TILLOTSON O'BRIEN
Tillotson O'BRIEN (son of Laurence (Larry ) O'Brien and Frances) was born May 1760 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died July 11, 1840 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Sarah Dawkins, daughter of Samuel Dawkins and Mary Lassiter.
Burial: Old Hickory Graveyard--Richmond County NC.
Children of Tillotson O'Brien and Sarah Dawkins are:
John O'Brien, b. November 05, 1784, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. July 02, 1848, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Agnes O'Brien, b. date unknown.
Dennis O'Brien, b. date unknown, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Sarah (Sallie) O'Brien, b. Abt. 1789, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
John O'Brien
John O'Brien (son of Tillotson O'Brien and Sarah Dawkins) was born November 05, 1784 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died July 02, 1848 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Zilpha Casey on January 1812 in Richmond County, daughter of Jeremiah Casey and Nancy.
Children of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey are:
Dennis O'Brien, b. May 18, 1819, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. February 16, 1886, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Sarah O'Brien, b. February 01, 1813, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. April 24, 1854, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Martha O'Brien, b. December 28, 1814, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
John Jackson O'Brien, b. November 1816, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d., Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
William Wesley O'Brien, b. November 10, 1821, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. June 02, 1888, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
James Willington O'Brien, b. June 22, 1824, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. September 26, 1929, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Judith O'Brien, b. May 05, 1826, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. Abt. 1856, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Jane O'Brien, b. June 01, 1828, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d., Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Elisha O'Brien, b. July 04, 1830, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Elijah O'Brien, b. January 08, 1833, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. 1906, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Dennis O'Brien
Dennis O'Brien (son of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born May 18, 1819 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died February 16, 1886 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Martha Jane Lovin on May 10, 1848 in Ricnmond County.
Children of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin are:
Virginia O'Brien, b. March 12, 1854, Richmond County NC, d. July 31, 1924, Wilmington NC.
Annie Elizabeth O'Brien, b. May 16, 1856, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. January 31, 1855, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Elijah Bascom O'Brien, b. June 21, 1858, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. November 29, 1936, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Louis O'Brien, b. April 26, 1860, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. October 22, 1937, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Sarah Jane O'Brien, b. April 09, 1862, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. August 23, 1944, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Dennis Franklin O'Brien, b. April 24, 1864, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. February 24, 1953, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Preston O'Brien, b. August 11, 1866, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
James William O'Brien, b. February 03, 1850, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. September 28, 1929, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
John Lovin O'Brien, b. August 11, 1853, Rockingham NC -Richmond County, d. 1853, Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Virginia O'Brien
Virginia O'Brien (daughter of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin) was born March 12, 1854 in Richmond County NC, and died July 31, 1924 in Wilmington NC. She married Lewis Harrell Webb on December 14, 1873 in Richmond County.
Virginia died at James Walker Memorial Hospital July 31 1924.
She was living with her son Clyde Webb at the time she was taken sick.
She was 70 years of age when she passed away
She was the daughter of Dennis O'Brien and Jane Lovin O'Brien.
She is buried in Laurinburg
Children of Virginia O'Brien and Lewis Harrell Webb are:
Irnie Caveness Webb, b. January 14, 1887, Richmond County NC, d. April 05, 1944, Wilmington NC.
Jenkins O'Brien Webb, b. March 16, 1873, Richmond County / Rockingham NC, d. October 24, 1944, Wilmington NC Green Lawn Cemetery.
Winston Bascom Webb, b. April 13, 1880, Richmond County / Rockingham NC, d. March 22, 1946, NC. Clyde Webb, b. January 1885. Annie Webb, b. January 1889, Richmond County NC. Vassie Webb, b. July 1891.
Ethel Webb, b. 1893, North Carolina.
Irnie Caveness Webb
Irnie Caveness Webb (son of Lewis Harrell Webb and Virginia O'Brien) was born January 14, 1887 in Richmond County NC, and died April 05, 1944 in Wilmington NC. He married Sarah Elizabeth Mclellan on February 22, 1908 in Robeson County NC, daughter of Duncan McLellan and Hannah Wiggins.
Children of Irnie C. Webb ans Sarah McLellan
Lewis Duncan Webb, b. July 25, 1911, Fairmont NC, d. April 13, 1979, Wilmington NC. Archie Caveness Webb, b. December 22, 1918, Fairmont NC, d. February 01, 1981, Wilmington NC. Hattie Evelyn Webb, b. January 22, 1920, Fairmont NC, d. March 15, 2003, Wilmington NC.
Check out Webb and McLellan Genealogy for more fact about Irnie and his family.
Annie Elizabeth O'Brien
Annie Elizabeth O'Brien (daughter of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin) was born May 16, 1856 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died January 31, 1855 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County
ELIJAH O'BRIEN
Elijah Bascom O'Brien (son of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin) was born June 21, 1858 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died November 29, 1936 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Lucy Ester Boroughs on November 21, 1883 in Rockingham --Richmond County.
Notes for Elijah Bascom O'Brien:
E.B O'Brien known throughout the county as Mr. B took over the O'Brien family farm of around 300 acres and built into a show place by the 1920's
Children of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs are:
J Buren O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Frank Prince O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Perlie O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County. Sarah C, O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County. Shirley O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County. Benson O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County. Margaret O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County. Juanita O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County. Rosella O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County. Pinki O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Lucy O'Brien, b., Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
J. BurenO'Brien
J Buren O'Brien (son of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
J.Buren O'Brien was the oldest son of E.B O'Brien he lived in Rockingham and was a sucessful buisnessman, dealing in farms and timber,
He was deputy Clerk of superior court and was elected town treasure in 1916 .
Later he and his family moved to Sanford and for many years he was the register of deeds for Lee County.
Frank Prince O'Brien
Frank Prince O'Brien (son of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Boroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
F. Prince O'Brien was a banker in Ellerbe and also headed an insurance agency and was a live stock feed broker.
At one time he was City Clerk and Secretary of the town of Ellerbe.
Pearlie O'Brien
Perlie O'Brien (daughter of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married W.R.McIntosh.
Sarah C. O'Brien
Sarah C, O'Brien (daughter of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married J.M. Maness.
Shirley O'Brien
Shirley O'Brien (daughter of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married B.B. Farlow.
Benson O'Brien
Benson O'Brien (son of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
:
Benson O'Brien taught in the public schools, in various communities in North Carolina.
Margret O'Brien
Margaret O'Brien (daughter of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married J.R. Bennet.
Juanita O'Brien
Juanita O'Brien (daughter of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married Joseph Garibaldi.
Rosella O'Brien
Rosella O'Brien (daughter of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married A.K. McDonald.
Pinki O'Brien
Pinki O'Brien (daughter of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married John Chisholm.
LucyO'Brien
Lucy O'Brien (daughter of Elijah Bascom O'Brien and Lucy Ester Borroughs)was born in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married William Shuman.
Louis D. O'Brien
Louis O'Brien (son of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin) was born April 26, 1860 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died October 22, 1937 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Helen McLeod on November 26, 1885 in Rockingham --Richmond County-- Louis became a business man in Hamlet.
Children of Louis O'Brien and Helen McLeod are:
Jasper P O'Brien.
JasperP. O'Brien
Jasper P O'Brien (son of Louis O'Brien and Helen McLeod).
Jasper P. O'Brien of Hamlet a son of Louis O'Brien became a Hamlet Businessman and was a partner in the W.R. Land Co
He was a member of the Hamlet City Board Of Comissioners in 1932.
Sarah Jane O'Brien
Sarah Jane O'Brien (daughter of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin) was born April 09, 1862 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died August 23, 1944 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
Dennis Franklin O'Brien
Dennis Franklin O'Brien (son of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin) was born April 24, 1864 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died February 24, 1953 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married (1) Julia Deane. He married (2) Julia R Ormsby on December 22, 1886 in Rockingham --Richmond County
Dennis F. O'Brien worked in Richmond County and later moved to Charlotte.
He was a member of the Richmond County School Board was a newspaper correspondent and a poet , and was a worker in the Democratic party in Charlotte and at one time was Sergeant-at-Arms in the State Legislature.
Preston O'Brien
Preston O'Brien (son of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin) was born August 11, 1866 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Lilac Wormack in Rockingham --Richmond County.
Preston O’Brien was a merchant and had one of the first stores in Ellerbe after the town was incorporated.
James Williams O'Brien
James William O'Brien (son of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin) was born February 03, 1850 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died September 28, 1929 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County.
James W O'Brien became a local Methodist preacher and served the Bear Branch Church as well as holding services at other churches.
James also served as County Commissioner from 1868-1874 .
Lula O'Brien
Rose O'Brien
Born July 27Th 1872And Died Jan 3 1960 > She Married W. W. Burrough. Dec 2nd 1891
Colin O'Brien
Born Feb 3 1874 And Died JAN 12TH 1955, He Married Sallie Childress Feb 27nd 1895
Mary Emma O'Brien
Born Jan 24Th 1676 And Died Jan 31St1940
Willie Eddie O'Brien
Born Jan27th 1878 And Died May 23rd 1891
Minnie Florence O'Brien
Born April 19th 1880 And DIED May29th 1908 She Married J.V Meacham MAY 10 1904
Oscar O'Brien
Born October 20th 1881 And Died July 18th 1963
He married Emma Catherine Garris JULY 10th 1898
Josie O'Brien
Born March 23rd 1884 in Richmond County NC. Died Dec 21st 1860 in Rockingham NC
Bishop Marvin O'Brien
Born Sept 25th 1885 and Died Dec 6th 1970 .
He married Effie Ingram Sept 1903 Robertel NC > Daughter of Robert Hunter Ingram and Annie Almira Aycock > She was born Jan 4th 1884in Union County NC and died August 1967.
John Lovin O'Brien
John Lovin O'Brien (son of Dennis O'Brien and Martha Jane Lovin) was born August 11, 1853 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died 1853 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County
Sarah ( Sallie O'BRIEN )
Sarah (Sallie) O'Brien (daughter of Tillotson O'Brien and Sarah Dawkins) was born Abt. 1789 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married Bryant Lovin.
Sarah O'Brien ( daughter of John O'Brien )
Sarah O'Brien (daughter of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born February 01, 1813 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died April 24, 1854 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married Noah Sandford.
Martha O'Brien
Martha O'Brien (daughter of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born December 28, 1814 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married Nathan Gibson
John Jackson O'Brien
John Jackson O'Brien (son of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born November 1816 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, died in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Nancy Dawkins.
William Wesley O'Brien
William Wesley O'Brien (son of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born November 10, 1821 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died June 02, 1888 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Ann Elizabeth Wright.
James Willington O'Brien
James Willington O'Brien (son of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born June 22, 1824 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died September 26, 1929 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Mary Ann Lovin.
Judith O'Brien
Judith O'Brien (daughter of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born May 05, 1826 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died Abt. 1856 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married Travis Christianbury Jernigan
Children of Judith and Travis Christenbury Jernigan are:
John Wesley Jernigan_ Born Jan 2 1844 in Richmond County and died April 4th 1925 in Sanford NC
James Stacey Jernigan was born Jan 1st 1848 in Richmond County NC and died
Dec 12th 1931 in Robeson County
Martha Jernigan was born in 1848 in Richmond County
Dennis Simmons Jernigan was born Jan 28th 1848 in Richmond County NC died Dec 11th 1911
Christianna Jernigan was born May 23rd 1856 in Richmond County NC and died August 19 1917 in Red springs NC
Jane O'Brien
Jane O'Brien (daughter of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born June 01, 1828 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, died in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. She married John W. Sandford
Child of Jane O’Brien and John Sanford are:
Martha Francis Sanford was born March 10th 1828 and died June 30th 1919
she married Thomas Hicks son of Edward R Hicks and Julie Ann Smith.
He was born August 27th 1855 and died Dec 21st 1914.
Elisha O'Brien
Elisha O'Brien (son of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born July 04, 1830 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Cathern Ann McNeil.
Elijah O'Brien
Elijah O'Brien (son of John O'Brien and Zilpha Casey) was born January 08, 1833 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County, and died 1906 in Rockingham NC -Richmond County. He married Jane Thrower