James Brien

  General Notes:

Records show James was in business as a blacksmith and wheelwright in Wangaratta before planting an orange grove at Wangandary at the foot of the Warby Rangers.
The only other piece of information on James is a newspaper article written on the 23rd November 1984 by a Reg Goodwin from Wagga NSW. This article reads as follows -

MAN TRAP - Reading the article and viewing the picture of the man holding up his traps, rabbits, dingoes, etc, there was one type missing and it is to be seen, I think, in the Melbourne Museum. It is a man trap and has been used.
In the early days, people travelled in a horse-drawn drag; it was like a public bus but no motor. The one I refer to was used in the orange grove at the foot of the Warby Ranges on the road that leaves the Wangaratta-Yarrawonga at Kilawarra and heads for Thoona-Dookie, etc. I think the Thoona team were heading along the track and they stopped, jumped over the fence to get some oranges and one man got caught in the traps and cut both legs off above the knees, I think causing his death. The upshot was big legal action. I can't tell you the result of the case but James Brien owned the grove and against him was the fact he had no notice up that it was there, and the men were thieving. Anyhow, history will prove my case.
As a lad I was never game to get over the fence myself. I may be a bit rough at writing now as I'm over 80.
REG GOODWIN, Wagga

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Blacksmith / Wheelwright.

• source.

• connection.

James married Elizabeth Ann Barrett, daughter of William Barrett and Elizabeth Craft, on 6 Aug 1856 in Albury, NSW Australia. (Elizabeth Ann Barrett was born on 23 Sep 1836 in Lower Minto, Sydney, NSW Australia, died on 18 Feb 1926 in Wangaratta, Victoria Australia and was buried on 19 Feb 1926 in Wangaratta Cemetery, Victoria Australia.)