John Bryson (bef 1755) and Jane Malone of NC and SC

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I (Marty Grant) am a 6th Great Grand Nephew of John Bryson.

Many thanks are owed to various researchers, but special thanks to: Ethel Updike (decd), Lawrence Wood (decd), Guy Davenport, Pat Spradley, Jim Wardley, Bill Lindsey, Sandra Fender, and many others (see the Bryson researcher page).

John Bryson was born before 1755 in Mount Joy, Lancaster Co, PA. He is a son of William Bryson and Isabella Holmes, but there is no solid proof of that. However, I have no reason to doubt it being accurate.

John Bryson's birth place has not been proven, but is based on information proven about his siblings, and recorded in early family histories written about this family. His age in the 1800 census was 45 and up, so he was born prior to 1755.

Samuel Bryson (brother to John) stated in his Revolutionary War Pension Application (10 May 1833 Wilson Co, TN) that he was 79 years old (in his 79th  year) so he was born ca 1754. He also said he enlisted in Rowan Co, NC where he had moved from Lancaster Co, PA in his 15th year. After the war he moved to Pendleton County, SC where he lived 6 or 7 years. Then he moved to Buncombe Co, NC for 8 years, then to Wilson Co, TN where he now resides. This data parallels exactly (except for moving back to NC, then to TN) what we know about John Bryson, so it is reasonable to assume they were brothers.

In a Family record written before 1898 by Talitha Bryson Allen (granddaughter of James Holmes Bryson, brother of both Samuel and John) she stated that James, Daniel and Andrew Bryson were brothers. She mentioned that the family came from the province of Ulster in Ireland to PA, and later settled in Anderson District, SC. She stated all three brothers served in the American Army during the Revolution. She didn't mention John Bryson though.

Thomas Clingman Bryson wrote in another Family Record (written before 1940) that the brothers were James, William, Daniel, Andrew and John, and that they were sons of William Bryson and a Miss Holmes. They came from Ireland to Lancaster Co, PA then to SC and NC.

Another Family Record written by Frank L. Bryson (1890-?) mentioned all six brothers: John, Sam, Daniel, Andrew, James Holmes and William.

All of the above information was based on family tradition and interviews with family members. It seems to establish fairly well that William Bryson and Isabella Holmes were the parents of James Holmes Bryson, John Bryson, William M. Bryson, Andrew Bryson, Samuel Bryson, and Daniel H. Bryson. The data also seems to agree that the Brysons came from Ireland to Lancaster Co, PA then to Rowan Co, NC, later to SC and western NC.

So, family tradition shows us that John Bryson is a son of William Bryson and Isabella Holmes. Is there any other evidence of this? There is no direct evidence, as far as I know, but there is lots of circumstantial evidence. Here is what we know about John Bryson.

He was born before 1755 (possibly ca 1750 or so) per the 1800 census which lists him as age 45 and up (born  bef 1755). He came from Lancaster Co, PA with his parents ca 1765 and settled on Back Creek in Rowan (now Iredell) Co, NC.

He married Jane Malone(y) (name listed variously as Malone, Maloney, Mellon, etc) before 1784 in Rowan (now Iredell) Co, NC. On 4 Aug 1784 John Bryson was named administrator of the Estate of William Maloney in Rowan Co, NC. This is presumably Jane's father.

On 28 Sep 1784 John Bryson witnessed a deed in Rowan Co, NC. (Rowan Co, NC Deed book 10 page 27).

He was in Lincoln Co, NC with several of his brothers by 8 Aug 1787. He witnessed a deed between William M. Bryson and wife Susanna, and Samuel Bryson selling land to Thomas Earwood.

On 31 Jul 1790 John Bryson "late of NC" purchased 150 acres on Wilsons Creek in Pendleton Dist, SC (now Anderson County). His brother Daniel Bryson witnessed this deed. (Pendleton Dist, SC Deed Book CD page 490).

On the same date he purchased 300 more acres in the same area. This deed was also witnessed by his brother Daniel Bryson. (Pendleton Dist, SC Deed Book CD page 490).

John Bryson was listed on the 1790 census in Ninety-Six District, Pendleton County, SC residing in this group: William Bryson, John Bryson, Samuel Bryson, and James Bryson all next to each other (these are his brothers).

1790 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1790 Ninety-Six District, Pendleton Co, SC pg 85 John Brison 3-2-2-0-1
Analysis:
3 Male(s) 16 and Up (before 1774)	John BRYSON (bef 1755) s/o William & Isabella
					Unknown Son? (Bef 1774)
					Unknown Son? (Bef 1774)
2 Male(s) under 16    (1774/1790)	John BRYSON (1786/87) son
					Unknown Son? (1774/84)
2 Female(s) any age (before 1790)	Jane MALONE Bryson (Bef 1755) wife
					Jane BRYSON (1785) daughter

His household contained three males over age 16, one of which was John himself. I don't know who the other two were. If they are older sons, I haven't yet identified them.

On 10 Oct 1796 John Bryson was elected as one of five Commissioners to oversee the Poor in Pendleton Dist, SC. (Pendleton Dist, SC Deed Book CD page 302).

John was still in Pendleton Co, SC for the 1800 census. All of his brothers (except Daniel) had moved into western NC by this time. He and Daniel weren't listed on the same page, but could still have lived close by each other.

1800 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1800 Pendleton District, SC pg 46 John Bryson 10201-02001-0-1
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 & up   (before 1755)	John BRYSON (bef 1755) s/o William & Isabella
2 Male(s) 16-25       (1774-1784)	John BRYSON (1786/87) son
					Son? (1774/84)
1 Male(s) 0-9         (1790-1800)	Jonathan M. BRYSON (1796/97) son
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1755)	Jane MALONE Bryson (Bef 1755) wife
2 Female(s) 10-15     (1784-1790)	Jane BRYSON (1785) daughter
					Mary BRYSON (1787) daughter

This census proves John was born before 1755, as was his wife. The two older boys from 1790 were gone from his household by this time. If they were his sons, they had moved out or had died.

On 4 Feb 1804 Daniel Bryson sold a negro boy named Tom, 16 years old, to his brother John Bryson Sr. The deed was witnessed by "Jean Bryson" who was probably Daniel's wife Jane. Note how John was called John "Sr" in this deed. His son John Bryson was about 18 at this time, so a distinction probably seemed necessary. (Pendleton District, SC Deed Book G page 30).

On 22 Nov 1804 John Bryson purchased 100 acres on Wilsons Creek from George Clark. Daniel Bryson, William Bryson (Daniel's son) and Daniel Bryson Jr (Daniel's son) witnessed the deed. (Pendleton District, SC Deed Book G page 178).

John Bryson was listed on the 1810 census in Pendleton District, SC. His brother Daniel was two pages away.

1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1810 Pendleton District, SC pg 152 John Bryson 01001-00101-0-1
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 & up    (before 1765)	John BRYSON (bef 1755) s/o William & Isabella
1 Male(s) 10-15        (1794/1800)	Jonathan M. BRYSON (1798) son
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1765)	Jane MALONE Bryson (bef 1755) wife
1 Female(s) 16-25     (1784-1794)	Mary BRYSON (1787) daughter

John Bryson was listed on the 1820 census in Pendleton Dist, SC. His brother Daniel was in the same county, but several pages away.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Pendleton District, SC pg 166 John Brison 000001-00101
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 & up   (before 1775)	John BRYSON (bef 1755) s/o William & Isabella
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1775)	Jane MALONE Bryson (bef 1755) wife
1 Female(s) 16-25     (1794-1804)	Daughter?

John Bryson died between 1820 and 1824. For on 20 Feb 1824 Penuel Price (his son-in-law) was named his administrator. (Thanks to Bill Lindsey for these records).

On 27 Feb 1824 an Inventory of John Bryson's Estate was made and included two tracts of land, one of 450 acres, and another of 104 acres. The 450 tract was split into two 225 acres, and one given Jacob Braselton and wife, and the other to Penuel Price and wife. No other heirs were named. John's wife Jane may have already been deceased as well.

None of John Bryson's other children were named in the Estate, though census and other records indicate he had several other children.

I haven't exhausted the records for Brysons in Pendleton Co, SC, so there may be much more on John to be found.


Children

John and Jane had several children per the various census records. Only three are proven, and one strongly suspected, but there could be more.

Jane Bryson (c1785)

Mary Bryson (1787)

John Bryson (c1787)

Jonathan M. Bryson (1798)


Jane Bryson was born ca 1785 in NC (Rowan or Lincoln Co, NC). She married Penuel Price ca 1804 in Pendleton Dist, SC. They remained in that county. When Pendleton was dissolved in 1826 and split into Anderson and Pickens, they fell into Anderson District. Penuel died there in 1858, Jane in 1864. Penuel Price and "wife" were named as heirs in John Bryson in his Estate records of 1824.


Mary Bryson was born 29 Mar 1787 in NC or SC. She married Jacob Braselton on 12 Mar 1811 in Pendleton Dist, SC. They moved to Jackson Co, GA ca 1812. Jacob died there in 1849. Mary died in Lumpkin Co, GA in 1856. Jacob Braselton and "wife" were named as heirs of John Bryson in his Estate records of 1824.


John Bryson (Jr) was born ca 1789 or so in NC. He apparently followed his Uncles and cousins into Western NC, and was listed as a Soldier in the War of 1812 from Haywood Co, NC in the 16th company. He married Peggy Ingram on or about 8 Apr 1816 in Haywood Co, NC. He was listed on the 1820 census in Haywood Co, NC, and the 1830 and 1840 census in Macon Co, NC. By 1850 he had moved to Cherokee Co, NC where he was listed in 1850 and 1860. Two of his sons tried to get Indian benefits based on the wife of Andrew Bryson. In their claim, they said their father's (John) father (John Sr) had a brother named Andrew who married an Indian. The claimants were Samuel Bryson (1823-1908) (Claim # 3016), James Bryson (1828-aft 1908) (Claim # 8431). In James' claim he said that his father was John Bryson, decd, and that Andrew Bryson was his father's Uncle. This proves that John Bryson (Jr)'s father (not named) was a brother of Andrew Bryson. However, since John Jr's father wasn't named, we can't be sure it was John Sr and Jane Malone. I wouldn't object greatly to anyone challenging this John (c1789) as a son of John Bryson and Jane Malone. I can't prove he is their son. If John (c1789)'s father was a brother of Andrew Bryson, that means his father had to be one of these: James Holmes Bryson (had a proven son John, but a different one); John Bryson (m Jane Malone), which is my main choice at present; William M. Bryson (m Susanna Bogle) who did have a son John, about the same age, but who was still in Buncombe Co, NC while John (c1789) was already in Macon; Andrew Bryson (m Agness Nail) is the "Uncle" in question, so not a suspect; Samuel Bryson (m Martha Bogle) had a son John, about the same age, but he went to TN with Samuel's family, and lastly Daniel H. Bryson. Daniel doesn't have a son named John as far as we know. So based on all the above, I can't prove John (c1789) is a son of John and Jane, but that is where I'm going to leave him until some new evidence sheds some light on the subject. Since his brother Jonathan also moved to the same areas (but not Cherokee Co, NC), it seems reasonable to place John in this family.


Jonathan M. Bryson was born 10 Aug 1798 in NC. His father was living in Pendleton Dist, SC at the time, so they might have been visiting NC when he was born. Jonathan (like his brother John) was an unlikely son of John and Jane mainly due to his NC birth, and seeming lack of SC connections. However, his Family Bible clearly lists him as a son of "John Bryson and Jennie Mellon", so their seems little doubt. It would seem that Jonathan followed his brother John to NC and he married in Haywood Co, NC on or about 14 Mar 1822 to Demaris Griffin. They lived in the section of Haywood that became Macon County in 1828. They were listed there on the 1830, 1840 and 1850 census. In 1851 Jackson county was formed, and Jonathan fell into that county. He was listed there on the 1860 census. He died in 1877 in Jackson Co, NC, and his wife Demaris died there in 1880.


Researcher List

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


Register Report


1. John1 BRYSON [20260], born bef 1755 in Lancaster Co, PA; died abt 20 Feb 1824 in Pendleton Dist, SC, son of William BRYSON [4099] and Isabella HOLMES [4100] . He married bef 1784 in Rowan Co, NC Jane MALONE [7739], born bef 1755; died 1820/24 in Pendleton Dist, SC, daughter of William MALONE [27891] .

Children of John BRYSON and Jane MALONE were as follows:

 

Generation 2

2. Jane2 BRYSON [20391] (John1), born 1785 in Lincoln Co, NC; died 6 Aug 1864 in Anderson Dist, SC. She married in 1800/05 in Pendleton Dist, SC Penuel PRICE [20390], born 1773 in SC; died 18 Jun 1858 in Anderson Dist, SC.

Children of Jane BRYSON and Penuel PRICE were as follows:

3. Mary2 BRYSON [22534] (John1), born 29 Mar 1787 in Ninety-Six Dist, SC; died 23 Mar 1856 in Lumpkin Co, GA. She married on 12 Mar 1811 in Pendleton Dist, SC Jacob BRASELTON [22535], born 17 Mar 1785 in Granville Co, NC; died 17 Dec 1849 in Jackson Co, GA, son of Jacob BRASELTON [22540] and Hannah GREEN [22541] .

Children of Mary BRYSON and Jacob BRASELTON were as follows:

4. John2 BRYSON [7738] (John1), born 1786/87 in Lincoln Co, NC; died 1860/70 in Unaka, Cherokee Co, NC. He married on 8 Apr 1816 in Haywood Co, NC Margaret "Peggy" INGRAM [7737], born 1798/99 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 1860/70 in Unaka, Cherokee Co, NC, daughter of Goldman INGRAM [7788] and Jemima HUGHEY [14590] .

Children of John BRYSON and Margaret "Peggy" INGRAM were as follows:

5. Jonathan M2 BRYSON [16806] (John1), born 10 Aug 1798 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 1877 in Jackson Co, NC. He married on 14 Mar 1822 in Haywood Co, NC Demaris GRIFFIN [16807], born Jun 1806 in Wilkes Co, NC; died 1880 in Jackson Co, NC, daughter of John GRIFFIN [19351] and Cynthia COLVARD [19350] .

Children of Jonathan M BRYSON and Demaris GRIFFIN were as follows:

 

Generation 3

19. Goldman3 BRYSON [7736] (John2, John1), born 14 Feb 1817 in Haywood Co, NC; died 28 Oct 1863 in Cherokee Co, NC. He married bef 1856 Susanna PAYNE [41060], born 1827, daughter of John C PAYNE [41063] and Susan J WALLS [41064] .

Children of Goldman BRYSON and Susanna PAYNE were as follows:

21. William3 BRYSON [7728] (John2, John1), born 1821/22 in Haywood Co, NC. He married in 1840/50 in Cherokee Co, NC Sarah Ann ROBERTS [6277], born 14 Oct 1824 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 19 Nov 1914, daughter of Israel ROBERTS [30939] .

Children of William BRYSON and Sarah Ann ROBERTS were as follows:

22. Samuel3 BRYSON [7734] (John2, John1), born 23 Dec 1823 in Haywood Co, NC; died 17 Mar 1908 in Cherokee Co, NC. He married in 1850/56 in Cherokee Co, NC Mary HALL [10180], born 19 May 1837 in IL; died 24 Mar 1927 in Cherokee Co, NC, daughter of John HALL [10269] and Eliza (---) [10268] .

Children of Samuel BRYSON and Mary HALL were as follows:

24. James3 BRYSON [7732] (John2, John1), born 1827/28 in Haywood Co, NC; died aft 1908 in Cherokee Co, NC. He married in 1850/55 in Cherokee Co, NC Jane Caroline EVANS [14218], born 27 Apr 1835 in Monroe Co, TN; died 21 Feb 1914 in Cherokee Co, NC, daughter of John B EVANS [14456] and Mary "Polly" MILLER [14457] .

Children of James BRYSON and Jane Caroline EVANS were as follows:

27. Susan Caroline3 BRYSON [7730] (John2, John1), born 1839/40 in Macon Co, NC; died 29 Mar 1857 in Cherokee Co, NC. She married in 1850/54 in Cherokee Co, NC Robert LOVINGOOD [21463], born 1829/30; died 21 Oct 1864.

Children of Susan Caroline BRYSON and Robert LOVINGOOD were as follows:

29. Elizabeth Ann3 BRYSON [19926] (Jonathan M2, John1), born 17 Mar 1824 in Haywood Co, NC. She married on 2 Sep 1841 in Macon Co, NC Johial H L MOORE [19931], born 17 Jun 1814 in Haywood Co, NC, son of James MOORE [19990] and June STEVENSON [19991] .

Children of Elizabeth Ann BRYSON and Johial H L MOORE were as follows:

30. Narcissa3 BRYSON [19927] (Jonathan M2, John1), born 20 Jan 1826 in Haywood Co, NC; died 21 Apr 1898 in Macon Co, NC. She married on 7 Nov 1846 in Macon Co, NC Lewis Marvel ANGEL [19928], born 1 Jan 1820 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 26 Mar 1921 in Macon Co, NC.

Children of Narcissa BRYSON and Lewis Marvel ANGEL were as follows:

31. Hugh Barton3 BRYSON [16795] (Jonathan M2, John1), born 2 Jan 1828 in Haywood Co, NC. He married on 30 Sep 1847 in Macon Co, NC Elizabeth M ANGEL [16796], born 1829/30 in Macon Co, NC.

Children of Hugh Barton BRYSON and Elizabeth M ANGEL were as follows:

32. William Virgil3 BRYSON [16808] (Jonathan M2, John1), born 15 Mar 1830 in Macon Co, NC. He married on 27 Jul 1854 in Macon Co, NC Cynthia Mitchell MOORE [22414], born 1825/26 in Lincoln Co, NC, daughter of Wallace Alexander MOORE [25713] and Sarah E CREASMAN [25712] .

Children of William Virgil BRYSON and Cynthia Mitchell MOORE were as follows:

36. Marcus Weldon3 BRYSON [16812] (Jonathan M2, John1), born 22 Jul 1839 in Macon Co, NC; died 29 Dec 1927 in Jackson Co, NC. He married (1) on 18 Nov 1865 in Jackson Co, NC Mary Elizabeth CONLEY [15148], born 1843/44 in Cherokee Co, NC, daughter of William H CONLEY [15144] and Elizabeth COCKERHAM [15122] ; (2) in 1891 in Jackson Co, NC Mary Naomi WEAVER [33264], born 7 Dec 1854 in Ashe Co, NC; died 19 Dec 1922 in Webster, Jackson Co, NC, daughter of Hiram WEAVER (Rev) [33267] and Zilpha Ann ASHLEY [33268] .

Children of Marcus Weldon BRYSON and Mary Elizabeth CONLEY were as follows:

37. Richard M Johnston3 BRYSON [16813] (Jonathan M2, John1), born 8 Oct 1841 in Macon Co, NC. He married Maggie (---) [22417].

Children of Richard M Johnston BRYSON and Maggie (---) were as follows:

 

 


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