Terence O'Brien was born in 1823, in Terryglass, Tipperary, Ireland [the son of Cornelius O'Brien & Kate (Catherine) Costello].

Terence (sometimes Terrans)went to America and married Mary Moylan there in 9 January 1853, Collinsville, Hartford, Connecticut.

They eventually joined Mary's family, who had emigrated to Australia earlier. Terence and Mary arrived in Sydney, Australia, on the 12 May 1855.

The family was centred mainly in the Maitland area of NSW (Hunter Valley). Terence and Mary lived at Bishop's Bridge.

Margaret, Catherine Mary [my line], Cornelius, Michael Thomas & James Francis O'Brien are their known children.

Terence was, amongst other things, a postmaster, shopkeeper and publican. He was also partially responsible for many public improvements in the local area.

Two years after his wife Mary (nee Moylan) died, he married Margaret Hogan. The children from his second marriage were John, Terrence, Annie, William, Frederick & Norma.

Terence's relative Michael O'Brien's family at Poggy/Poggi Station were amongst those killed by the Governor brothers, murders made infamous by the book Jimmy Blacksmith by Thomas Keneally.

Here are some obituaries for him (died 29 April 1900).

"Local and General Items

The late Mr Terence O'Brien - On the 5th of May, 1899, when the late Mr Terence O'Brien had a severe attack of illness he wrote the following brief sketch of his life in New South Wales, which was found by his family amongst his papers: - "I was born at Terrey Glase, county Tipperary, Ireland, 1823. I landed in Sydney 12 of May, 1855. I settled down at Bishop's Bridge 1858; got the post office in 1861; got spirit licence 1866; kept it to the commencement of the present Act, and colonial wine licence since. I was chairman of the local board of National Schools during the time the Council of Education existed. I was secretary and member of the Road Trust for road grants for the Maitland end of Wollombi Road for sixteen years; I got the telephone extended to Bishop's Bridge on the 7th April 1899; and I am quite willing to let those who knew me best say how I managed the above during my life time at Bishop's Bridge".

The funeral took place this afternoon and was largely attended. The body was brought to St. John's Cathedral in the morning. Prayers for the dead were recited, and at three o'clock the funeral started from the Cathedral to the Roman Catholic cemetery at Campbell's Hill where the Rev. Father McCormack officated." From Maitland Mercury, 1 May 1900

"Death of MR. TERENCE O'BRIEN. - We record with regret the death of Mr. Terence O'Brien, a well-known and highly respected resident of Bishop's Bridge, which sad event occured at his residence last evening at eleven o'clock. The deceased gentleman had been ailing for some time which an affection of the heart and other things, and for the last three or four months had been under the care of Dr. F. Liddell. His death was due to a general breaking up of the system, he having reached the good old age of seventy-seven. The late Mr O'Brien was a native of the county Tipperary, Ireland, and came to this colony about forty years ago. For the past thirty-five years or more he resided at Bishop's Bridge, where he kept a hotel and store for many years, and was also the local postmaster, as well as a member of the Road Trust.

In fact in all matters - social and political - Mr O'Brien paid a prominent part, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him, because of the high moral principles that always actuated him in his conduct through life. He was twice married, and leaves a widow and family of nine children, all grown up. Mr J.F. O'Brien, grocer of West Maitland, is one of his sons. The body will be brought in to St. John's Cathedral to-morrow morning, and the funeral will leave the Cathedral at three o'clock in the afternoon for the Campbell's Hill cemetery."

From Maitland Mercury, 30 Apr 1900