James Bryson (c1780) and Rebecca Poston of Buncombe, Haywood and Macon Co, NC and Habersham, Gordon and Whitfield Co, GA

Special thanks to Lawrence Wood (1937-1997), and Ethel Updike (1899-?) for their various write-ups on this family. Most of the early Bryson Histories mention James, but none give any details except for Telitha Bryson Allen who mention that James later moved to northern Georgia and that the NC families lost contact with his descendants. Updike mixed up the records of this James and his 1st cousin James Nail Bryson (1794), and neither she nor Wood had much info on the James Bryson family.

James Bryson was born ca 1779/80 (per 1850 census). He was born in North Carolina per the 1850 and 1860 census, but I'm not sure which county. He was probably born in either Rowan (now Iredell) County, or in Lincoln (now Catawba) County. I don't know for sure where his parents were residing in 1780.

James Bryson is a son of James Holmes Bryson (1740/50) and Sarah Countryman. I've seen no primary evidence proving this connection, but most of the early family histories (written in the 1800's) list this James as James' son, and I see no reason to doubt it. He does fit there circumstantially as well.

James' parents were in Lincoln (now Catawba) County in the 1780's, and they left Lincoln County between 1787 and 1790 and moved to Pendleton District, South Carolina. James undoubtedly grew up in both of these places.

James would have been about 10 years old by the 1790 census, and was apparently home with his parents in Pendleton District, SC aged "under 16" (born ca 1774/90).

In the late 1790's, James' parents moved to Buncombe County, North Carolina and settled near the French Broad River and soon were in the area that later became Haywood County..

James would have been about 20 years old by the time of the 1800 census. He seems to be listed with his parents for that census in the age 16-25 age group (born ca 1774/84).

James Bryson married Rebecca Poston sometime between 1800 and 1810 in Buncombe or Haywood County. She was born 13 May 1783 (source?) in Iredell Co, NC She is a child of John Poston and Rebecca Baldridge. I don't remember the proof of this, but I've seen it and can not locate it now. I'm fairly sure another researcher shared it with me, and it was pretty conclusive. Rebecca is a sister to Jane Poston who married James' brother John Bryson (1769).

James turned 21 around 1801, and from that point on there is potential for mix-up between him and his father as they were both named "James Bryson" and in the same area, so there is certainly reason to think there could be confusion in the public records. His father James Holmes Bryson (1740/50) was the eldest, and a few years later (ca 1816) his first cousin James Nail Bryson (1795) came of age causing more potential confusion, and a few years later others came of age in the area.

For the 1810 census, James Bryson was listed in Buncombe County. His parents and siblings were in neighboring Haywood County at this time. William Bryson was listed a few houses away. I'm not totally sure which William that is. It wasn't his brother, for he was in Haywood in 1810, unless listed in both places that year. James' next door neighbors were Matthew Russell and John Renfrow. Matthew Russell may be somehow related for he was associated with the Bryson family in Haywood and Macon County for years to come.

In the 1810's, James joined his parents and siblings in neighboring Haywood County.

James was listed on the 1820 census in Haywood County. Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who their neighbors were, nor where they might have been living.

On 26 Aug 1826, James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were received by letter as members to the First Baptist Church of present day Macon County. (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were listed as members of the First Baptist Church in 1827. (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were listed as members of the First Baptist Church in 1828. (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

In 1828 a Petition was made by residents of southwestern Haywood County for the creation of a new county (Macon). James Bryson was one of the signers (though it is possible it was his father and not him). He listed his household as consisting of 1 male over 21, 4 males under 21, and 6 females, and 6 "colored" (Slaves). This would work out to be: 1 Male over 21 (born before ca 1807) = James (c1780), 4 males under (born ca 1807/1828) = 3 sons with him in 1820 + one more, 6 females = wife Rebecca, and 5 daughters. This fits the family of James Bryson (1780) better than his father.

Macon County was formed in 1828 from Haywood, and the James Bryson family fell within the new county.

James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were listed as members of the First Baptist Church in 1829. (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were listed as members of the First Baptist Church in 1830. (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

James Bryson was listed on the 1830 census in Macon County. He was listed as James "Jr" (his father was listed as James "Sr"). They were not particularly close to any other Brysons, but some were found on the previous and following pages.

On 17 Feb 1831, James Brison Jr sold 208 acres to James Knowlen (Noling?) land crossing the Grate Road and Rabbits Creek. Witnessed by William Rodgers. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book A page 66 from "Records of Old Macon County, N.C. 1829-1850" compiled by Barbara Sears McRae, 1991. * Note: All deeds mentioned hereafter from books "A" through "E" are taken from this book.)

James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were listed as members of the First Baptist Church in 1831. (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were listed as members of the First Baptist Church in 1832. (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were listed as members of the First Baptist Church in 1833. (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were listed as members of the First Baptist Church in 1834. (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

James Bryson and Rebecca Bryson were listed as members of the First Baptist Church in 1835 (I stopped here and did not read further). (First Baptist Church Minutes on Microfilm, North Carolina Archives).

James Bryson voted in the 1835 Congressional Elections. He was listed as having voted in Macon County in Franklin Precinct. It is possible this was his father or one of the other Jameses, but there is no way to be sure.

On 19 Jan 1839, James Bryson Sr (he was "Sr" now that his father had died), received a State Land Grant of 65 acres "where an Indian Reservation line intersection line of Section 47". (Macon Co, NC Deed Book B page 911).

On 18 Feb 1839, James Bryson Sr sold 87 acres to Matthew Russell (his neighbor from 1810 Buncombe census), land on Sugartown River that he bought October 1822 from the State. Witnesses were J. R. Silar and D. R. Lowry. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book B page 834).

On the same date (18 Feb 1839), James made two more deeds to Matthew Russell, no acreage give for either, but both on Sugartown River. Same witnesses as before. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book B page 1032, and 1033).

On 9 Jul 1839, Matthew Russell, assignee of James Bryson Jr received a State Land Grant on Sugar Town River. I'm not sure if the "Jr" here was misread by the abstractor, of if the land was entered prior to the death of James' father, so that he was still "Jr" when the land was entered. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book B page 988).

All of these deeds in early 1839 indicate the time when James Bryson moved his family to nearby Habersham County, Georgia. They were listed there on the 1840 census. He was near his probable son John Bryson (c1815), and nephew Daniel Bryson (c1792) was there also, but several pages away.

By 1850, they had moved west to nearby Gordon County, Georgia and were listed there on that census in 1850. They were listed next door to probable son Andrew J. Bryson. They were just a few pages from Martha, widow of James' Uncle Daniel Bryson (1756) and several of their children.

By 1860 they had moved into neighboring Whitfield County, Georgia, and were listed on that census just a few houses from son Andrew J. Bryson.

I have no record of them after this. I have not checked the 1870 census for them. Their son Andrew was back in Gordon County for the 1870 census.

Children

James Bryson and Rebecca Poston had quite a few children per the various census records, but to my knowledge, none are proven. Updike and Wood list Andrew J. Bryson as their son, and that is probably correct, for they were near each other in 1850 and 1860. Wood also shows an "Elizabeth Bryson", but with no dates or additional data, so I don't know the source for that. They both show Daniel Bryson (c1822) as a child, but with no sources given. Since none of the children are proven, I'll list them by age and sex per the census records, and then try to determine who they were.

There are no unidentified female Bryson marriages in the 1820's in Haywood Co, NC nor in Macon Co, NC, so I have no record of who this daughter might have married (assuming she didn't die in the 1820's).

Unknown Daughter (1804/10). James Bryson had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1810 (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10) and still home in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10), and still home in 1830 (age 20-29, born ca 1800/10) but gone by 1840, so probably married or dead by then. There were a few female Bryson marriages in Macon County in the 1830's who are yet unidentified. One of them could be this daughter of James and Rebecca.

The only likely match is Elizabeth Bryson (1800/10) who married William F. McKee on 28 Sep 1837 in Macon Co, NC. The only clue I have about them is that William F. McKee witnessed an 1833 deed from James M. Bryson (thought to be a son of William Bryson and Elizabeth Turner). This was well before his marriage to Elizabeth Bryson, but it shows a connection to the Bryson family.

William F. McKee was born ca 1794/1800, presumably in Burke Co, NC. He had previously been married to Betsy Lawhorn (on 24 Oct 1813 in Burke Co, NC). He was in Macon County already when it was formed (in 1828). His first wife died before 1837 when he married Elizabeth Bryson.

William F. McKee was listed on the 1840 census in Macon Co, NC. He was next door to Matthew Russell (who was associated with the James Bryson family).

I did not find them in 1850. If I can ever locate them in 1850, I can possibly confirm that Elizabeth is actually James' daughter based on her age, and perhaps on the children's names. Pending evidence to the contrary, I'm leaving Elizabeth Bryson McKee as a child of James and Rebecca.

Unknown Son (1810/15). James Bryson had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20) and still home in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15), but gone by 1840, so probably married or dead by then.

I feel reasonably sure that this is John P. Bryson (c1815) based on three things: 1-) He fits per the 1820 and 1830 census records; 2-) He was next door to James in 1840 Habersham Co, GA, and 3-) His name, which may be for John Poston, his grandfather.

John P. Bryson was born ca 1814/15 (per 1850 census) in North Carolina (per 1850 census), presumably in Haywood County. He was apparently with his parents in 1820 and 1830.

On 23 Sep 1833, John Bryson obtained a marriage bond in Macon County to marry Olivia Jones. She was born ca 1815/16 in North Carolina (both facts per 1850 census). I don't know who her parents were.

Sometime between ca 1836 and 1838, John and his family moved to Habersham Co, GA, as did his parents.

His parents moved to nearby Gordon County, GA in the 1840's, and John and his family moved to neighboring Murray County (bordering Gordon County, not Habersham). They may have lived near each other just across the border. If so, then John lived in the section that became Whitfield County in 1851. (I'm not sure that is where he was living though).

They were listed on the 1850 census in Murray County. They were the only Brysons in that county that year.

I was unable to locate them in 1860. There were many "John Bryson" listings around the country that year, but I have not attempted to check them all.

Unknown Son (1815/20). James Bryson had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20) and still home in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20), but either gone in 1840 or enumerated in the 15-19 age group that year (born ca 1820/25). He was gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then.

I feel rather confident that this is Andrew J. Bryson (c1820) who was next to them in 1850 and two houses away in 1860. Both Updike and Wood included Andrew as James' son, probably for the same reason.

Andrew J. Bryson married Cynthia Kiker (maiden name as listed by Updike and Wood, I don't know the source) between 1840 and ca 1843 either in Habersham or Gordon County. She was born ca 1824/25 in North Carolina. There were several Kikers in 1850 Gordon Co, GA, probably her relations.

They were listed on the 1850 census in Gordon County, Georgia next door to his parents.

They moved into neighboring Whitfield County in the 1850's as did his parents. They were listed on the 1860 census there two houses from his parents.

They were back in Gordon County for the 1870 census. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

By the mid 1870's, they had moved to Tarrant County, Texas and were listed there on the 1880 census. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Unknown Daughter (1810/15). James Bryson had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20) and still home in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15) but gone by 1840, so probably married or dead by then.

I don't know who this daughter is, but one possibility is Nancy Bryson (c1817) who married James D.McGaha (McGaughey) on 10 Mar 1833 in Macon Co, NC. Her age (based on the 1850 census) is not an exact match, but is close enough to consider.

I don't feel too strongly that Nancy belongs in this family, though she might. She and James were still in Macon in 1840 near several members of the John Bryson (1769) family. By 1850, they had moved into neighboring Cherokee County. Their oldest known son was named "Andrew J." perhaps after Andrew J. Bryson who would be Nancy's brother if she is James' child. However, this is a stretch for that was a very common name then.

Unknown Daughter (1815/20). James Bryson had an apparent daughter this age. She was not home in 1820 but she was home in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20) and home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Son (1820/25). James Bryson had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25) and home in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30) but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then.

Both Updike and Wood list this child as Daniel Bryson (c1824) of Union and Towns County, Georgia. They could be correct, for he does fit, but I don't know what proof there is linking them together. He does match age-wise, and he was a neighbor to Henderson Poston in Union Co, GA who could be a close relative via Daniel's mother Rebecca Poston. Other than these two tidbits, I have no information linking Daniel to James and Rebecca. See his own page for additional information.

Unknown Daughter (1820/25). James Bryson had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then.

Researcher List

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

1. James¹ Bryson , born 1779/80 in NC; died aft 1860 in Whitfield Co, GA, son of James Holmes Bryson and Sarah Countryman . He married in 1800/10 in Buncombe Co, NC Rebecca Poston , born 31 May 1783 in Iredell Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Whitfield Co, GA, daughter of John Poston and Rebecca Baldridge .

Children of James Bryson and Rebecca Poston were as follows:

2 i Elizabeth² Bryson , born 1804/10 in Haywood Co, NC. She married on 28 Sep 1837 in Macon Co, NC William Ferree McKee , born 1794/1800 in Burke Co, NC.

+ 3 ii John P² Bryson , born 1814/15 in Haywood Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Murray Co, GA. He married Olivia Ann Jones .

+ 4 iii Andrew J² Bryson , born 1819/20 in Haywood Co, NC; died Feb 1918 in Tarrant Co, TX. He married (1) Cynthia Kiker ; (2) Effie A Goodman .

+ 5 iv Daniel² Bryson , born 1823/24 in Haywood Co, NC; died 1860/70 in Towns Co, GA. He married Nancy Stephens .

Generation 2

3. John P² Bryson (James¹), born 1814/15 in Haywood Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Murray Co, GA. He married on 23 Sep 1833 in Macon Co, NC Olivia Ann Jones , born 1815/16 in NC.

Children of John P Bryson and Olivia Ann Jones were as follows:

6 i Mary³ Bryson , born 1835/36 in Macon Co, NC.

7 ii Lafayette³ Bryson , born 1837/38 in Habersham Co, GA.

8 iii Baron D³ Bryson , born 1840/41 in Habersham Co, GA.

9 iv Joseph S³ Bryson , born 1842/43 in Habersham Co, GA.

10 v James H³ Bryson , born 1844/45 in Murray Co, GA.

11 vi Catherine³ Bryson , born 1846/47 in Murray Co, GA.

4. Andrew J² Bryson (James¹), born 1819/20 in Haywood Co, NC; died Feb 1918 in Tarrant Co, TX. He married (1) in 1840/43 in Habersham Co, GA Cynthia Kiker , born 1824/25 in NC; died 1860/66 in Whitfield Co, GA; (2) on 20 Nov 1866 in Gordon Co, GA Effie A Goodman , born 1839 in NC; died 1932 in Fort Worth, TX.

Children of Andrew J Bryson and Cynthia Kiker were as follows:

12 i Lucius A³ Bryson , born 1842/43 in Gordon Co, GA. He married on 9 Jan 1869 in Gordon Co, GA L J Scott .

13 ii James Milton³ Bryson , born 1844/45 in Gordon Co, GA.

14 iii John T³ Bryson , born 1845/46 in Gordon Co, GA.

+ 15 iv Eliza Rebecca³ Bryson , born 1848/49 in AR. She married Nathan F Charles .

16 v Amelia M³ Bryson , born 1851/52 in Gordon Co, GA; died aft 1860.

17 vi Samuel M³ Bryson , born 1853/54 in Gordon Co, GA.

18 vii Charles H G³ Bryson , born 1855/56 in Gordon Co, GA.

19 viii Nevada P³ Bryson , born 1857/58 in Gordon Co, GA; died 1933 in Speeglisville, TX.

20 ix Andrew Newton³ Bryson , born 2 Mar 1860 in Gordon Co, GA; died 26 Aug 1948 in Fort Worth, TX. He married in 1894 in McLennan Co, TX Nancy Ellen Tindell , born 27 Feb 1873 in Nashville, Davidson Co, TN; died Oct 1944 in Fort Worth, TX, daughter of William Wesley Tindell and Catherine Carpenter .

21 x George S³ Bryson , born 1861/62 in Gordon Co, GA.

22 xi Sallie A³ Bryson , born 1863/64 in Gordon Co, GA.

Children of Andrew J Bryson and Effie A Goodman were as follows:

23 i William Albert³ Bryson , born 24 Oct 1867 in Gordon Co, GA; died 7 Jan 1953 in Kennedale, TX.

24 ii Daniel Franklin³ Bryson , born 1868/69 in Gordon Co, GA; died 1927 in Kennedale, TX.

25 iii Matthew D³ Bryson , born 1871/72 in Gordon Co, GA; died in OK.

26 iv Thomas³ Bryson , born 1872 in Gordon Co, GA.

27 v Mary B³ Bryson , born 1873/74 in Tarrant Co, TX.

28 vi Susan Jennie³ Bryson , born 1875/76 in Tarrant Co, TX; died in Rhome, TX.

29 vii Ben S³ Bryson , born 1878/79 in Tarrant Co, TX.

5. Daniel² Bryson (James¹), born 1823/24 in Haywood Co, NC; died 1860/70 in Towns Co, GA. He married in 1840/44 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA) Nancy Stephens , born 1822/23 in SC.

Children of Daniel Bryson and Nancy Stephens were as follows:

30 i James³ Bryson , born 1843/44 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA).

31 ii Rachel³ Bryson , born 1845/46 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA).

32 iii Wilson³ Bryson , born 1847/48 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA).

33 iv David³ Bryson , born 1850 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA).

34 v Joseph B³ Bryson , born 1851/52 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA).

35 vi Malissa C³ Bryson , born 1853/54 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA).

36 vii Sumner J³ Bryson , born 1855/56 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA). He married in 1870/80 in Towns Co, GA Emma (---) , born 1861/62 in Towns Co, GA.

Generation 3

15. Eliza Rebecca³ Bryson (Andrew J², James¹), born 1848/49 in AR. She married in 1870/76 in Tarrant Co, TX Nathan F Charles , born 1844/45 in IN.

Children of Eliza Rebecca Bryson and Nathan F Charles were as follows:

37 i Joseph A⁴ Charles , born 1875/76 in Tarrant Co, TX.

James Bryson (c1780) and Rebecca Poston of Buncombe, Haywood and Macon Co, NC and Habersham, Gordon and Whitfield Co, GA

Children

Researcher List

Register Report