According to the mannioncollection.ca Michael Bryan had a plantation at Brigus South as early as 1774 when "JOHN WELSH & JOHN SULLIVAN boatkeepers petitioned for a vacant spot at the bottom of the cove called Brigus by South near Ferryland, bounded on the south by JAMES CATON’S (KEATING) plantation on the SW by MICHAEL BRYAN’S plantation". Oral history suggests he did not overwinter here until 1792 and by 1800 when Robert Carter, Justice of the Peace, compiled "The Register of the Families, Inhabitants in the District of Ferryland in 1800" Michael Bryan was settled at Cape Broyle with his wife Catherine and seven children, most of whom were adults at that time. Two other daughters were married and living in the area as well.

This Bryan family came from County Wexford, and although some locals say possibly Hook area, I did not find any official records to support this fact. 

In the early 1800s the surname Bryan was also recorded as Brine and later Brien and O'Brien.

This family tree project has expanded to include information on many other families that settled in Cape Broyle and surrounding  communities.