The Obriant Family of Granville, NC

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Patrick Obriant of Granville County, North Carolina

There has been very little genealogical work on Patrick Obriant and nearly no interest in family history from his descendants. The focus of most Obriant genealogy in Granville and Person counties in NC are on Dennis Obriant who is found as executor of Patrick's estate and who is documented by Person County land entry records as Patrick's son. There have been many theories as to both the origins of Patrick Obriant. To date, no credible information has presented itself as to his origins, though no doubt he is of Irish heritage. It is unclear if he is the original emigrants or of American birth. No records have been uncovered associating Patrick en with Virginia or any other place in North Carolina. Many researchers have been quick to claim various Dennis and Patrick Obriants found in Virginia records; however, none of the records that I have seen in Virginia make a connection to Granville county or either of these men. In fact, most of these records are either contiguous with Dennis and Patrick's residency in Granville or later records indicate these families remained in the area. I should also state that there has yet to be presented any evidence to indicate Dennis is not the son of Patrick.

The kinship between Patrick and Dennis Obriant was once strongly debated. Most researches of Dennis Obriant did not recognize Patrick Obriant as his father. Thanks to the research of Sue Neuman, a document in Person County, North Carolina has been found that specifically names Dennis as son of Patrick. This record is Land Entry Record #

Further to tihs issue there is strong circumstancial evidence that Dennis was the son of Patrick. Land and tax records suggest that Patrick was older than Dennis. From the Frazier-Obirant Bible, a copy which is at the NC State Library, and other county records it appears that Dennis had children of the same age as Patrick's other grandchildren. In addition to this, naming patterns in Dennis' family also indicate the use of the name "Patrick" as a prominent naming pattern, again suggesting Patrick as the patriarch of this family. Finally, Dennis not only serves as the executor of Patrick's estate, but he also serves as executor of Reuben Ragalnd's estate. Reuben was the son-in-law of Patrick Obriant and son of a wealthy family in Granville County. There is evidence of problems among Reuben and his siblings, suggesting that it would have been unwise for Reuben to look towards his own family for support of his wife and young family; however, to turn to his reliable brother-in-law would have been a natural choice.

The earliest record concerning Patrick Obriant, and concerning any Obriant in this region, is his appearance on the 1769 tax list for Granville County, North Carolina. Patrick's earliest deed dated is dated for 1772 and indicates he was already a resident of Granville [ref: DB J, pg. 324]. If found, an earlier deed might indicate Patrick's place of origin. By 1800, Patrick Obriant had accumulated 400 acres in the Goshen District of Granville County and deeds indicate he lived along Aaron's Creek. Patrick was a slave owner and by 1800 he had at least six taxable slaves. Records concerning the American Revolution do not reveal anything about Patrick's service or loyalities.

Patrick left very few records. No marriage record has been found for him, though it is clear he had married Elizabeth, the widow of David Stroud by 1794 when Obriant appoints his son John to represent her in the probate of an estate in which David Stroud was heir. No estate papers have been found for Stroud himself, so it is difficult to place the date of their marriage or further understant the implications of the connection to the Stroud family. Patrick's only daughter is named "Mary Perry" Obriant, suggesting that Mary Perry may have been Patrick's first wife or mother. The clue to the Perry family is not one that provides any significant connection to any Granville families ths time. Patrick died intestate in 1804. His wife Elizabeth survives him and is named as late as 1809 in Granville deeds, but she is never listed as an heir in the estate. Perhaps there is a prenuptual agreement which has yet to be found. The probate of Patrick's estate continues unti 1817, perhaps signifying Elizabeth's death.

� 1999 [email protected]

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� 1999 [email protected]

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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