Edward Matthew Bryan
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Birth: | 28 Nov 1876 | Montréal, Qc |
| Marriage: | 5 Oct 1904 | Montréal, Qc | |
| Death: | 31 Dec 1958 | Montréal, Qc | |
| Burial: | Notre-Dame-des-Neiges | Montréal, Qc | |
| Father: | John Bryan | 1842-1906 | |
| Mother: | Elizabeth O’Brien | 1854-1910 |
It was a mild fall day in Montreal when Edward was born with the tempurature hovering aroung the freezing mark. He was the first son born to John and Elizabeth Bryan. As is customary in Irish families, the first born son is named after his father's father and in this case Matthew is used for his middle name. Edward was baptised at St Pat's by Father Martin Callaghan. His mother's brother and his wife, Patrick and Rose O'Brien stood as godparents
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Raised in an poor and tough area of town know as Griffintown as noted in the murder of Mary Gallagher in June 1879 where she was beheaded at a house on Murray and William StreetsHe survived the smallpox epidemic of 1885 that kills 1 of every 50 Montrealers. The following year saw the worst flooding on record along wtwo major fires
When Edward was 20, Louis Minier presented films using the Lumière Cinématographe as part of the variety bill at Montreal's Palace theatre on St. Lawrence Street on June 27, 1896. This was the first time Motion pictures are shown in Canada
Nothing is known of Ed's education but he did speak both English and French. In the 1901 census he is listed as a "Journalier" which transilate into day labourer
After being married Edward and Sarah lived at 685 St Paul Street with her family. Undoubtedly, he drove down these cobblestones street of Old Montreal to such landmarks as the Bonsecours Market which was the meeting place for farmers and gardeners from miles around.
In 1911 census Ed is listed as Liquor Saleman living at 952a Drolet. The Montreal directory shows that the Bryan family moved alot in those early years. They settled for about 20 years at 1992 Kamouraska
