Margaret, her husband Patrick Breen, and their seven children were members of the ill-fated Donner party that was stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains for 111 days after an early winter blizzard hit.
Margaret's husband, Patrick Breen, kept a journal during the time they were trapped in the mountains. It is from this diary that much of the information about the Donner Party is know.
Margaret insisted that she and her family not result to cannibalism to survive. She obtained food somehow when others could not, even killing the family dog for meat at one point. In addition to caring for her husband, who had suffered a broken leg and was very ill, and her six other children, Margaret was nursing her young daughter during the whole ordeal.
Of the 90 original members of the Donner party, only 42 made it out alive, all of the Breens included. Many credit Margaret for the family's survival.
Margaret and Patrick's children were:
Patrick Breen, Jr. (1837-1899)
John Breen (1832-1903)
Edward Joseph Breen (1833-1890)
James Breen (1835-1836)
Simon Preston Breen (1838-1899)
James Frederick Breen (1841-1899)
Peter Breen (1843-1870)
Margaret Isabella Breen (1845-1935)
William Michael Breen (1849-1874)
The family eventually settled in San Juan Bautista near the missioin there. Their home was across the street from the mission, and it is now an historic landmark and part of the historic mission area that is open to the public.
Margaret's husband, Patrick Breen, kept a journal during the time they were trapped in the mountains. It is from this diary that much of the information about the Donner Party is know.
Margaret insisted that she and her family not result to cannibalism to survive. She obtained food somehow when others could not, even killing the family dog for meat at one point. In addition to caring for her husband, who had suffered a broken leg and was very ill, and her six other children, Margaret was nursing her young daughter during the whole ordeal.
Of the 90 original members of the Donner party, only 42 made it out alive, all of the Breens included. Many credit Margaret for the family's survival.
Margaret and Patrick's children were:
Patrick Breen, Jr. (1837-1899)
John Breen (1832-1903)
Edward Joseph Breen (1833-1890)
James Breen (1835-1836)
Simon Preston Breen (1838-1899)
James Frederick Breen (1841-1899)
Peter Breen (1843-1870)
Margaret Isabella Breen (1845-1935)
William Michael Breen (1849-1874)
The family eventually settled in San Juan Bautista near the missioin there. Their home was across the street from the mission, and it is now an historic landmark and part of the historic mission area that is open to the public.
Margaret, her husband Patrick Breen, and their seven children were members of the ill-fated Donner party that was stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains for 111 days after an early winter blizzard hit.
Margaret's husband, Patrick Breen, kept a journal during the time they were trapped in the mountains. It is from this diary that much of the information about the Donner Party is know.
Margaret insisted that she and her family not result to cannibalism to survive. She obtained food somehow when others could not, even killing the family dog for meat at one point. In addition to caring for her husband, who had suffered a broken leg and was very ill, and her six other children, Margaret was nursing her young daughter during the whole ordeal.
Of the 90 original members of the Donner party, only 42 made it out alive, all of the Breens included. Many credit Margaret for the family's survival.
Margaret and Patrick's children were:
Patrick Breen, Jr. (1837-1899)
John Breen (1832-1903)
Edward Joseph Breen (1833-1890)
James Breen (1835-1836)
Simon Preston Breen (1838-1899)
James Frederick Breen (1841-1899)
Peter Breen (1843-1870)
Margaret Isabella Breen (1845-1935)
William Michael Breen (1849-1874)
The family eventually settled in San Juan Bautista near the missioin there. Their home was across the street from the mission, and it is now an historic landmark and part of the historic mission area that is open to the public.
Margaret's husband, Patrick Breen, kept a journal during the time they were trapped in the mountains. It is from this diary that much of the information about the Donner Party is know.
Margaret insisted that she and her family not result to cannibalism to survive. She obtained food somehow when others could not, even killing the family dog for meat at one point. In addition to caring for her husband, who had suffered a broken leg and was very ill, and her six other children, Margaret was nursing her young daughter during the whole ordeal.
Of the 90 original members of the Donner party, only 42 made it out alive, all of the Breens included. Many credit Margaret for the family's survival.
Margaret and Patrick's children were:
Patrick Breen, Jr. (1837-1899)
John Breen (1832-1903)
Edward Joseph Breen (1833-1890)
James Breen (1835-1836)
Simon Preston Breen (1838-1899)
James Frederick Breen (1841-1899)
Peter Breen (1843-1870)
Margaret Isabella Breen (1845-1935)
William Michael Breen (1849-1874)
The family eventually settled in San Juan Bautista near the missioin there. Their home was across the street from the mission, and it is now an historic landmark and part of the historic mission area that is open to the public.
Inscription
*Sacred To The Memory Of
Native of Ireland
County Carlow
Aged 66 Years*
Family Members
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