One of the leaders of the infamous Donner party. Patrick Breen, his wife, Margaret Bulger Breen, and seven of their children were members of the ill-fated Donner party. The family departed Independence, Missouri, in 1846, along with the rest of the group. To top off a trip that had already had a series of misfortunes, an early winter blizzard trapped the party in the Sierra Nevadas. Breen and the other pioneers had to camp in the mountains for 111 days before helped arrived. During the ordeal, Breen kept a journal that was later published under the name "Diary of Patrick Breen, One of the Donner Party". Much of what is known about the experiences of the pioneers during their ordeal comes from Breen's diary. The lake that was formerly known as Trukee Lake is now named Donner Lake in honor of the party. Bren and his family witnessed many of their fellow travellers succumb to starvation and death. Breen himself became very sick for quite some time. But the Breens were fortunate; of the 90 members of the Donner Party, only 42 made it out alive, all the Breens included. After being rescued and taken to Fort Sutter in Sacramento, Breen and his family wandered California for a year before settling near the Mission San Juan Bautista. The home in which they lived, which was across the street from the Mission, is now an historic landmark and part of the Mission's historical area that is open to the public.
One of the leaders of the infamous Donner party. Patrick Breen, his wife, Margaret Bulger Breen, and seven of their children were members of the ill-fated Donner party. The family departed Independence, Missouri, in 1846, along with the rest of the group. To top off a trip that had already had a series of misfortunes, an early winter blizzard trapped the party in the Sierra Nevadas. Breen and the other pioneers had to camp in the mountains for 111 days before helped arrived. During the ordeal, Breen kept a journal that was later published under the name "Diary of Patrick Breen, One of the Donner Party". Much of what is known about the experiences of the pioneers during their ordeal comes from Breen's diary. The lake that was formerly known as Trukee Lake is now named Donner Lake in honor of the party. Bren and his family witnessed many of their fellow travellers succumb to starvation and death. Breen himself became very sick for quite some time. But the Breens were fortunate; of the 90 members of the Donner Party, only 42 made it out alive, all the Breens included. After being rescued and taken to Fort Sutter in Sacramento, Breen and his family wandered California for a year before settling near the Mission San Juan Bautista. The home in which they lived, which was across the street from the Mission, is now an historic landmark and part of the Mission's historical area that is open to the public.
Bio by: Candice xo
Inscription
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
PATRICK BREEN
BORN COUNTY CARLOW, IRELAND
DIED DECEMBER 21, 1868
AGED 78 YEARS
Family Members
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