Alexander Bryson and Mary --- of Surry Co, NC

I (Marty Grant) am not related to Alexander Bryson as far as I know, but I am very interested in this family.

Alexander Bryson was born 30 May 1756 in Virginia, probably in Orange County. He is a proven son of John and Margaret Bryson of VA and Surry Co, NC. He was named in his brother James' Bible record as a son of John and Margaret, and his birth date (above) was given there as well.

Alexander Bryson might have came to Surry Co, NC with his parents in the 1770's. However, I find no record of him there until 1789. He might have remained in Virginia until that time, or just been scarce as far as public records are concerned.

Alexander was not listed on the 1786 census in Surry Co, NC, nor did he seem to be with his parents who were listed.

On 16 Oct 1789, Alexander Bryson (and Thomas Normand and Frost & Snow) witnessed a deed between William Lafoon to John Cox (Alex's brother-in-law) for land "in the Hollow on Stony Creek". (Surry Co, NC Deed Book E page 174 from Surry County, North Carolina Deeds Books D, E and F 1779-1797 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

Alexander Bryson married Mary --- around this time (ca 1780-90), probably in Surry County. No marriage record was found, but she was named in a deed record (see below).

On 8 Nov 1793 Alexander Bryson purchased 90 acres of land from Thomas Adams Word for 80 pounds. The land was on the Middle Fork of Tarrarat River, and Bleckers Creek, adjoining Andrew Bailey. As best as I can determine, this is the area just south of modern town of Mount Airy, and the river is "Ararat" today, and seemed to be referred to both ways on the old records. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book F page 125 from Surry County, North Carolina Deeds Books D, E and F 1779-1797 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

Alexander Bryson was mentioned on a deed dated 15 Aug 1794 between Thomas Adams Word to his brother William Word, for 85 acres on Bledsoe Creek, waters of Tarrarat River, adjoining land said Thomas sold to Alexander Bryson. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book F page 133 from Surry County, North Carolina Deeds Books D, E and F 1779-1797 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 23 Feb 1795, Alexander Bryson and his wife Mary Bryson, sold 98 and 1/2 acres of land to Edwin Hickman for 100 pounds. The land was described as being on the Middle Fork of Tarrarat River, adjoining Andrew Bailey. This is the same land Thomas Adams Word sold him in 1793, though the acreage is slightly different (in 1793 it was 90 acres). Thomas A. Word and John Creed and John Bryson Jr (Alex's brother) were witnesses. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book F page 266 from Surry County, North Carolina Deeds Books D, E and F 1779-1797 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

The above deed seems to be an indication of Alexander and family leaving Surry County. I did not find them listed there (or anywhere) on the 1800 census. If they had gone to KY, TN or back to VA, then, they wouldn't be found, as the 1800 census was lost for all three of those states.

Wherever they went to, Alexander was back in Surry by 1804, when he witnessed his Father's Will, dated 8 Sep 1804. (Surry Co, NC Will Book 3 page 84).

I didn't find Alexander on the 1810 census in NC. As in 1800, the 1810 census was lost for Tennessee and much of Virginia.

On 7 Feb 1815 Ann Bryson (Alex's unmarried sister) sold him a Negro boy named "Tom". Archibald Bryson was a Witness. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book N page 433, thanks to Florence Bryson for sharing this with me)

The above was the last record I found for Alexander Bryson. If he left the state after 1795, he came back at least twice (once in 1804, and again in 1815). I don't know where he was in the meantime, nor afterwards.

Children

Alexander Bryson and wife Mary probably had several children, at least per the 1790 census. I have not researched this family enough to know who any of the children were.

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):

1. Alexander¹ Bryson , born 30 May 1756 in Orange Co, VA; died aft 7 Feb 1815 in Surry Co, NC, son of John Bryson and Margaret (---) . He married bef 1790 in Surry Co, NC Mary (---) .

Alexander Bryson (1756) and Mary --- of Surry Co, NC

Children

Researcher List

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