James Bryson and Catherine --- of Surry Co, NC; Montgomery Co, VA and Sumner Co, TN

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

James Bryson was born 28 Nov 1745 in Virginia, probably in Orange County. He is a proven son of John and Margaret Bryson of VA and Surry Co, NC. His name and birth date were recorded in his own Family Bible, or it may have been his son Peter's Bible. Here is the record from a 1959 sworn statement (shared with me by Lawrence Wood, deceased):

The above record shows that James was born in 1745 and was a son of John and Margaret Bryson. The record also gives James' wife's name as "Margaret", but public records show her as "Catherine". It is possible he was married twice, or the record above is confused due to James mother being named Margaret. Anyway, James Bryson married either Margaret --- or Catherine --- before 1770, probably in Virginia.

They came to Surry Co, NC before 1780 and settled in the north part of the County, north of the Yadkin River and near Fishers River.

On 4 Mar 1780 James Bryson purchased 380 acres from William and Jane Ramsey of Guilford Co, NC, for 50 pounds. The land was on Fishers River. Witnesses were Reuben Dodson and Edmund Holt. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book B page 177 from Surry County, North Carolina Abstracts Deeds Books A, B and C 1770-1778 by Mrs. W. O. Absher.). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 15 Feb 1782, in Surry Court, William Meredith proved the deed between William and Jane Ramsey to James Bryson. (William Meredith must have witnessed the deed, though not listed on the deed abstract). (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 12 Aug 1785, in Surry Court, James Bryson was one of several ordered to attend the next court as a juror. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 19 Nov 1785, James Bryson was listed on a Surry County Jury. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 15 Feb 1786 James Bryson was listed on a Surry County Jury. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 16 Feb 1786 James Bryson was listed on a Surry County Jury. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 17 Feb 1786 James Bryson and several others were fined 20 shillings each for not showing up for jury duty. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 9 May 1786 James Bryson made known his reasons for failing to attend as a juror and was excused. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 9 May 1786 James Bryson was listed on a Surry County Jury. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 15 Feb 1787 James Bryson and others were ordered to attend the next court as jurors. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 16 Aug 1787 James Bryson and others were ordered to attend the next court as jurors. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 17 Nov 1787 James Brison was ordered to attend the next court as a Juror. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 12 Feb 1788, Constantine Ladd and James Bryson were made Justices of the Peace for Surry County. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 10 May 1788, Mary Cox, (sister of James Bryson) wife of John Cox, relinquished her dower rights before Hugh Armstrong and James Bryson, Justices of the Peace, this was for a deed dated 17 Sep 1787 between John Cox to Richard Adams for 200 acres on the North Side of Stuarts Creek. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book D page 374 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 20 Jan 1789, James and Catherine Bryson sold 380 acres to William Hill for 100 pounds. Land was on Fishers River, south side of Main River. Witnesses were John Bryson Jr (James' brother) and Thomas Hill. This was the only land James owned, as far as I know. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book D page 404 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 the 2nd Thursday of February, 1789, the deed from James Bryson and wife to William Hill was proven in court by the oath of John Bryson Jr. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 16 May 1789, in Surry Court, the Justices and Constables listed taxables for 1789, and James Bryson was listed in Humphriss District. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 11 Aug 1789 James Laurence was appointed a Constable for Humphriss District, and James Bryson and John Bostick were his securities. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 13 Aug 1789, Court was held in Surry County, with the following Justices present: Joseph Winston, William Cook, James Bryson and Obediah Benge, Esqrs. (Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Volume I & II, 1767-1789 by Mrs. W. O. Absher). (Note: This book can be purchased from Amazon.com)

On 10 Feb 1791 James Bryson, John Davis and Colby Creed witnessed a deed between Henry Herring and Bennet Creed for land on Beach Creek. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book E page 209 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 15 Feb 1791, James Bryson, Sterling Hudson and Archibald McKever witnessed a deed from Isham Royalty to Joel Mackey for land on Beaver Dam Creek, branch of Fishers River. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book E page 137 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 20 Dec 1791 James Bryson received a 50 acre Land Grant in Surry on Stewarts Creek, adjoining James Matthew and said Bryson (he must have owned other land already). (Surry Co, NC Deed Book F page 63 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 -- Sep 1795 William Cook, Sheriff of Surry, sold land to Thomas Adams Word, formerly belonging to Garner Tucker, who lost it in court action by Daniel Carling before James Bryson and Martin Armstrong, Justices of the Peace. It was 101 acres on Fisher River. Witnesses were Joseph Williams and Henry Young. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book F page 346 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 15 May 1796, James Bryson, A. B. Bryson (possibly his son Abner) and Henry Herring, witnessed a deed from James Doak of Guilford Co, NC to Thomas Chamberlain Sr for 15 acres on west side of Pauls Creek. (Surry Co, NC Deed Book F page 338 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)

James probably left many other Deed and Court records in Surry Co, NC, but I don't have them at present.

On 8 Sep 1804, James' father John Bryson made his Will in Surry Co, NC, and he named his sons James Bryson, John Bryson and Thomas Whitlock as Executors. (Surry Co, NC Will Book 3 page 84).

James Bryson was listed on the 1810 census in Surry Co, NC. Apparently, his wife Catherine had died sometime between 1800 and 1810, as there was no female her age with him in 1810. There was an older female in the age 26-44 category (born ca 1765/84) who might be his daughter Susannah (1773), or perhaps a second wife.

I did not find James Bryson on the 1820 census. The only Bryson household in Surry in 1820 was his unmarried sister Nancy. I didn't find him elsewhere in 1820 either. There was a James Brison in Frederick Co, VA in 1820. I don't believe it was him though. There was also a James Brison in Giles Co, VA in 1820. This one could be him, but I don't know. It seems as though James was in Montgomery Co, VA near his brother John around this time.

A James Bryson was listed on the 1830 census in Montgomery Co, VA, and that is probably him.

James joined several of his children in Sumner Co, TN after 1830. He died there on 3 Sep 1835. I don't have a primary source for his death date, but I think that Lawrence Wood told me it was on a tombstone there in Sumner Co, TN. I'm not sure if I'm remembering that correctly or not, though. Cathey Green tells me that James' death date is indeed on the tombstone of James in Sumner Co, TN as she has seen it herself.

Children

James Bryson and wife Catherine (or Margaret?) had 11 children as named in the above quoted Bible Record.

Abner Bryson was born 23 Jan 1770 in either NC or VA. He was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. Abner left Surry Co, NC for Cumberland Co, KY between 1800 and 1810. See his own page for additional information.

Leah Bryson was born 30 Mar 1772 in either NC or VA. She was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. Her death was also recorded there as 29 Sep 1794, most likely in Surry Co, NC.

Susannah Bryson was born 18 May 1773 in either NC or VA. She was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. She was apparently home with her parents for the 1786, 1790 and 1800 census, and possibly in 1810. She married James Hanna and they moved to Sumner Co, TN. I'm not sure where I got his name from. I'll have to look that up in my old correspondence.

Reuben Bryson was born 15 Jun 1775 in either NC or VA. He was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. Reuben was apparently home with his parents for the 1786, 1790, 1800 and 1810 census. I don't have him in 1820, but by 1830 he was in Cumberland Co, KY. I have a death date of 25 Jun 1858 for him, in Clinton Co, KY, but I'm not sure of my source for that. I'll have to look it up.

James Bryson was born 6 Oct 1777 in either NC or VA. He was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. James was probably home with his parents for the 1786 and 1790 census. I've been told this is the same James Bryson who married Anne Doherty on 11 Mar 1799 in Mecklenburg Co, NC and then moved to Maury Co, TN. I have not confirmed that this is the same James, but it easily could be.

Peter Bryson was born 11 Feb 1780 in either NC or VA. He was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. Peter was probably home with his parents for the 1786, 1790 and 1800 census. By 1809 he had moved to Sumner Co, TN, where he married Jane Gillespie on 1 Aug 1809. They were listed in Sumner Co, TN on the 1830, 1840 and 1850 census (1810 and 1820 are lost). Peter's family was also documented in the Family record quoted above.

John Fielding Bryson was born 29 Oct 1782 in Surry Co, NC. He was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. John was probably home with his parents for the 1786, 1790, 1800 and 1810 census. He moved to Sumner Co, TN at some point, and later to Benton Co, Iowa.

Warner Bryson was born 2 Dec 1784 in Surry Co, NC. He was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1786, 1790, 1800 and 1810 census. I have no further record of him.

Nathaniel Bryson was born 17 Jul 1787 in Surry Co, NC. He was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. Nathaniel was apparently home with his parents for the 1790, 1800 and 1810 census. I have no further record of him.

Sarah Bryson was born 19 Jan 1790 in Surry Co, NC. She was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. She was apparently home with her parents for the 1790, 1800 and 1810 census. I don't know who (or if) she married, but I have a death date of 3 Oct 1821 in Sumner Co, TN. I'm not sure of my source for that, I'll have to check.

William Bryson was born 19 Mar 1792 in Surry Co, NC. He was named in the James Bryson family record as his child. William was apparently home with his parents for the 1800 and 1810 census. I have no further record of him.

Researcher List

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

1. James¹ Bryson , born 28 Nov 1745 in Orange Co, VA; died 3 Sep 1835 in Sumner Co, TN, son of John Bryson and Margaret (---) . He married bef 1770 in NC Catherine (---) , born bef 1755; died 1800/10 in Surry Co, NC.

Children of James Bryson and Catherine (---) were as follows:

2 i Abner² Bryson , born 23 Jan 1770 in Rowan Co, NC. He married in 1790/1800 in Surry Co, NC Nancy Whitlock , born 1777 in Montgomery Co, VA; died aft 22 Jan 1824 in Cumberland Co, KY, daughter of Thomas Whitlock .

3 ii Leah² Bryson , born 30 Mar 1772 in Surry Co, NC; died 29 Sep 1794 in Surry Co, NC.

4 iii Susannah² Bryson , born 18 May 1773 in Surry Co, NC; died 1840 in Sumner Co, TN. She married James Hanna , born 1765; died 1833 in Sumner Co, TN.

5 iv Reuben² Bryson , born 15 Jun 1775 in Surry Co, NC; died 25 Jun 1858 in Clinton Co, KY.

+ 6 v James² Bryson , born 6 Oct 1777 in Surry Co, NC; died 1852 in Maury Co, TN. He married Anne Doherty .

+ 7 vi Peter² Bryson , born 11 Feb 1780 in Surry Co, NC; died 25 Jun 1855 in Gallatin, Sumner Co, TN. He married Jane Gillespie .

8 vii John Fielding² Bryson , born 29 Oct 1782 in Surry Co, NC; died 12 Nov 1849 in Benton Co, IA. He married aft 1810 in Surry Co, NC Elizabeth Spargur , born 22 Nov 1794 in Surry Co, NC; died 12 Mar 1868 in Benton Co, IA.

9 viii Warner² Bryson , born 2 Dec 1784 in Surry Co, NC.

10 ix Nathaniel² Bryson , born 17 Jul 1787 in Surry Co, NC.

11 x Sarah² Bryson , born 19 Jan 1790 in Surry Co, NC; died 3 Oct 1821 in Sumner Co, TN.

12 xi William² Bryson , born 19 Mar 1792 in Surry Co, NC; died in Sumner Co, TN.

Generation 2

6. James² Bryson (James¹), born 6 Oct 1777 in Surry Co, NC; died 1852 in Maury Co, TN. He married on 11 Mar 1799 in Mecklenburg Co, NC Anne Doherty , died 1854 in Maury Co, TN.

Children of James Bryson and Anne Doherty were as follows:

13 i Elam³ Bryson .

14 ii James McRee³ Bryson , died 1847 in Maury Co, TN. He married in Maury Co, TN Jane H Matthews .

7. Peter² Bryson (James¹), born 11 Feb 1780 in Surry Co, NC; died 25 Jun 1855 in Gallatin, Sumner Co, TN. He married on 1 Aug 1809 in Sumner Co, TN Jane Gillespie , born 28 May 1789; died 22 Sep 1843 in Gallatin, Sumner Co, TN.

Children of Peter Bryson and Jane Gillespie were as follows:

15 i James Maddison³ Bryson , born 12 Mar 1811 in Sumner Co, TN. He married in Sumner Co, TN Harriet M Hodge , born 1815.

16 ii Mary Graym³ Bryson , born 13 Jan 1813 in Sumner Co, TN.

17 iii George Gillespie³ Bryson , born 6 Aug 1815 in Sumner Co, TN.

James Bryson (1745) and Catherine --- of Surry Co, NC; Montgomery Co, VA and Sumner Co, TN

Children

Researcher List

Register Report