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I (Marty Grant) don't know how, or if, I am related to the John Bryson family.
Special thanks to Jim Wardley and Bill Lindsey for data on this family.
John Bryson was probably born ca 1730 or thereabouts. He could be a brother of my ancestor William Bryson (married Isabella Holmes), but there is no solid proof of that. This John Bryson died 1779 in Lincoln (now Gaston) Co, NC.
Since there were several John Bryson's in the area at that time, I'm not totally sure all the records quoted below are applicable to the John Bryson being discussed. Based on the available data, this John Bryson was clearly associated with my ancestor William Bryson of Rowan (now Iredell) Co, NC, and since they were approximately the same age, they could be brothers. When John moved to Lincoln Co, NC, he lived (for a short time) in close proximity to several of the sons of William Bryson, who lived there prior to 1790.
On 21 Mar 1765 John Bryson purchased 300 acres from William Bryson in Rowan Co, NC (now Iredell Co, NC). This is my ancestor William Bryson, and probably his brother John (or William's son John). (Rowan Co, NC Deed Book 6 page 221).
On 30 Aug 1767 John Bryson witnessed the Will of William Graham in Mecklenburg Co, NC. (Mecklenburg Co, NC Wills).
On 18 Feb 1770 John Bryson and David Byers were both witnesses in Tryon Co, NC to a Deed between Matthew Porter and wife Mary to James Porter, for land on Turkey Creek. This area became Lincoln County in 1779, and finally Gaston County in 1846. (Lincoln Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 411).
On 11 Oct 1770 John Bryson witnessed another deed in Tryon Co, NC. This one was from Israel Patterson to Andrew Patterson, and was also on Turkey Creek. (Lincoln Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 294).
On 21 Oct 1771 John Bryson purchased land on Turkey Creek from Samuel Davidson. This land bordered that of James Bryson (James Holmes Bryson, his nephew). (Lincoln Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 498).
On 11 Nov 1773 John Bryson "of Craven Co, SC" sold 300 acres on Back Creek in Iredell Co, NC to James Porter. This is the same land his brother William Bryson sold him in 1765. This is probably the same James Porter who lived near him in Tryon Co, NC. This deed indicates a move to York Dist, SC (most of that region of SC was part of Craven County at that time). (Iredell Co, NC Deed Book A page 529).
On 23 Apr 1774 John Bryson purchased more land in Tryon (later Lincoln, now Gaston) Co, NC. This was 300 acres on south side of Little Catawba bordering Sam Gingles. (Lincoln Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 707).
On 30 May 1774 John Bryson witnessed a deed between John Carroll and Alexander Patterson. (Lincoln Co, NC Deed Book 2page 64).
On 15 Apr 1777 John Bryson sold 100 acres on south side of Little Catawba to James Holland. (Lincoln Co, NC Deed Book 2 page 312).
Tryon County, NC was dissolved in 1779 when it was split into Rutherford and Lincoln. The land where John Bryson lived fell into Lincoln Co, NC.
John Bryson died ca Oct 1779 for at that time Jane Bryson, his widow was granted letters of administration on his estate. The bondsman were Alexander Patterson, James Patterson and William Patterson. Nearly every record of John Bryson in Tryon County involved the Patterson family, so that may indicate that his wife Jane was a Patterson. (Lincoln Co, NC Estates).
On the 1790 Lincoln Co, NC census on page 113 was a "W. Brison" household listed with 1 male over 16, 1 male under 16, 3 females, no others, no slaves. This is very probably Jane Bryson, or "Widow Bryson".
1790 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1790 Lincoln Co, NC pg 113 W. Brison 1-1-3-0-0 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 16 and Up (before 1774) John BRYSON (1755/65) son 1 Male(s) under 16 (1774/1790) Hugh BRYSON (1765/74) son 3 Female(s) any age (before 1790) Jane ___ Bryson (bef 1755) widow of John Daughter? (1755/74) Daughter? (Bef 1790)
The 1800 Lincoln Co, NC census shows "Jane Bryson" on page 830 with 2 males age 26-44, 1 female over 45, 1 female 26-44, and 1 female under 10.
1800 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1800 Lincoln Co, NC pg 830 Jane Bryson 00020-10011 Analysis: 2 Male(s) 26-44 (1755-1774) John BRYSON (1755/65) son Hugh BRYSON (1765/74) son 1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1755) Jane ___ Bryson (bef 1755) widow of John 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1755-1774) Daughter? (1755/74) 1 Female(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) Daughter?
Jane apparently died sometime after 1800, presumably in Lincoln Co, NC.
John and Jane apparently had only two sons, John Bryson (c1770/74) and Hugh Bryson (c1770/74). I have found no direct proof that they are children of John and Jane, but it seems overwhelmingly likely. The 1790 census shows Jane with two sons, one over 16 (born before 1774), and one under 16 (1774/1790). In 1800 she had two sons age 26-44 (born 1755/1774). By 1810 she wasn't listed, but John Bryson and Hugh Bryson were both listed as the only male Brysons in Lincoln Co, NC.
John Bryson was born ca 1770/74 in what is now Gaston Co, NC. Then it was Tryon County, and became Lincoln County in 1779, and Gaston County in 1846. John was listed as head of household on the 1810 Lincoln Co, NC census. He had several extra women living with him, one of which was probably his mother Jane, and at least one other was probably a sister. On 15 Mar 1818 he witnessed the Will of Robert Patterson in Lincoln Co, NC.
I didn't find John on the 1820 census. But by 27 Mar 1824 he was in Lincoln again (or still) and witnessed the Will of William Berry.
John Bryson was listed on the 1830 Lincoln Co, NC census as age 50-59 (born 1770/80), and also in 1840 at age 60-69 (1770/80).
Gaston County was formed in 1846 from part of Lincoln, and the Bryson land fell into the new county.
John Bryson wrote his Will on 25 Apr 1846 in Gaston Co, NC. He mentioned "the children of my son William P. Bryson", but didn't give their names. Also mentioned: My son William P. Bryson; grand daughter Martha Rosannah Henry, daughter of John Henry; Three daughters: Jane Adaline Bryson, Ruth Eliza Gingles, Sarah Matilda Bryson. Sons: George & Hugh Bryson.. Executors: George Bryson, Samuel Gingles. Wit: James D. Melane and Jacob Roggy. (Gaston Co, NC Will Book 1 page 2).
Hugh Bryson was born ca 1770/74 in what is now Gaston Co, NC. Then it was Tryon County, and became Lincoln County in 1779, and Gaston County in 1846. Hugh was listed as a head of household on the 1810 Lincoln Co, NC census. I didn't find him in 1820, but by 1830 he was across the state line in York Dist, SC listed as age 50-59 (born 1770/80). I have no additional information on him.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
1. John1 BRYSON [20261], died Oct 1779 in Lincoln Co, NC, son of William BRYSON [4107] and Elizabeth BYERS [4108] . He married bef 1765 in Rowan Co, NC Jane (---) [4118], born bef 1755; died aft 1810 in Lincoln Co, NC.
Children of John BRYSON and Jane (---) were as follows:
3 ii Hugh2 BRYSON [27859], born 1770/74 in Tryon Co, NC.
2. John2 BRYSON [27858] (John1), born 1770/74 in Tryon Co, NC; died 1847 in Gaston Co, NC. He married in 1800/10 in Lincoln Co, NC ? (---) [32176], born 1770/80; died 1840/46 in Lincoln Co, NC.
Children of John BRYSON and ? (---) were as follows:
+ 5 ii William P3 BRYSON [32178], born 1804/05 in Lincoln Co, NC. He married Frances E (---) [32184].
6 iii George R3 BRYSON [32179], born 1800/10 in Lincoln Co, NC. He married on 21 Sep 1837 in Lincoln Co, NC Harriett E CLARK [32188], born 1808/09 in SC, daughter of William CLARK [32189] .
+ 7 iv Margaret N3 BRYSON [32180], born 1809 in Lincoln Co, NC; died bef 1846 in Lincoln Co, NC. She married John HENRY [32195].
8 v Jane Adaline3 BRYSON [32181], born 1812/13 in Lincoln Co, NC.
9 vi Sarah Matilda3 BRYSON [32182], born in Lincoln Co, NC.
+ 10 vii Hugh B3 BRYSON [32183], born 1814/15 in Lincoln Co, NC. He married ? (---) [32193].
5. William P3 BRYSON [32178] (John2, John1), born 1804/05 in Lincoln Co, NC. He married in 1835/40 in Lincoln Co, NC Frances E (---) [32184], born 1815/16 in NC.
Children of William P BRYSON and Frances E (---) were as follows:
12 ii Mary E4 BRYSON [32186], born 1842/43 in Lincoln Co, NC.
13 iii James4 BRYSON [32187], born 1844/45 in Lincoln Co, NC.
7. Margaret N3 BRYSON [32180] (John2, John1), born 1809 in Lincoln Co, NC; died bef 1846 in Lincoln Co, NC. She married on 11 Jan 1838 in Lincoln Co, NC John HENRY [32195].
Children of Margaret N BRYSON and John HENRY were as follows:
10. Hugh B3 BRYSON [32183] (John2, John1), born 1814/15 in Lincoln Co, NC. He married bef 1837 in Lincoln Co, NC ? (---) [32193], born 1810/20.
Children of Hugh B BRYSON and ? (---) were as follows:
16 ii James L4 BRYSON [32191], born 1838/39 in Lincoln Co, NC.
17 iii Thomas L4 BRYSON [32192], born 1842/43 in Lincoln Co, NC.