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I (Marty Grant) am a 1st cousin 6 times removed to Thomas J. Bryson.
Special thanks to Lawrence Wood (1937-1997), and Ethel Updike (1899-?) for their various write-ups on this family.
Thomas J. Bryson was born ca 1813/14 (per 1850 census), presumably in Haywood County, North Carolina. His "J" middle initial might stand for "Jefferson", but that is just a guess.
Both Lawrence Wood and Ethel Updike listed Thomas as a son of John Bryson (1769), but that is not correct. They were basing that on the estate records (1884) of Andrew Bryson (son of John) who died with no children, so all of his siblings were named as his heirs. In the list of heirs was a "W. T. J. Bryson", which someone assumed must be Thomas J. Bryson, however, this entry is actually for Uel G. Bryson, and was apparently misread (though I have not seen the original myself). It also said his (W. T. J.'s) heirs were in Georgia at that time (Uel's family was in Towns Co, GA, but Thomas was right there in Jackson Co, NC).
I am reasonably sure that Thomas J. Bryson is a son of James Nail Bryson (c1795) and Ann Gross. I have no direct evidence of this relationship, but the circumstantial evidence is compelling. First of all, James had an apparent son Thomas' age per the early census records. Secondly, Thomas and his family were closely connected to the Cathey family which is tied directly to James N. Bryson via his sisters Elizabeth and Sarah who both married Catheys. Thirdly, Thomas was a neighbor of James in Haywood County and Union Co, GA and Jackson Co, NC. Finally, Thomas' children married into the same families that are closely tied to James (Cathey, Brown, etc.). All is circumstantial, but I think it clearly points to Thomas being James' son. However, some solid proof would be nice to have.
Thomas J. Bryson would have been about 6 years old for the 1820 census, so he should be enumerated in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1810/20). Most of the Bryson households in Haywood County that year had at least one male that age, but most can be eliminated as being someone else, however, that leaves James Bryson (1780), William Bryson (1775/80), and James N. Bryson (c1795). These three had one or more sons that age, who are not positively identified. William Bryson had a proven son named Thomas Jefferson Bryson, but it is generally thought to be Thomas J. Bryson (1806) rather than this Thomas (1814). That leaves the two Jameses as prime suspects (based only on the 1820 census).
For the 1830 census, Thomas J. Bryson would have been about 16 years old, so he should be enumerated in the 15-19 age group (born ca 1810/15). In Haywood County, James N. Bryson (c1795) had one son that age. He was the only one. Most of the Brysons were in neighboring Macon County by then, but since Thomas married in Haywood (in 1839), it seems likely he was in Haywood, but for the sake of considering all options, note that the Brysons in 1830 included Daniel Bryson (1756) with two sons that age (15-19) (already identified), and John Bryson (1769) had one son that age (already identified) and James Bryson (1780) had two sons that age (one identified, one not). This leaves (once again) the two Jameses as the only ones with an unidentified son the right age to be Thomas.
On 6 Apr 1839, Thomas J. Bryson obtained a marriage bond in Haywood County to marry Susanah Berong, daughter of Henry Berong Sr. S. B. Cathey (Samuel B. Cathey (1818), Thomas' 1st cousin) was the bondsman. Susannah Berrong was born ca 1813/14 presumably in Haywood County, NC (her 1850, 1860 and 1870 census entries all give North Carolina as birth place, but the 1880 census gives South Carolina). She was a daughter of Henry Berrong and Mary ---.
Thomas was listed in Haywood County for the 1840 census. He was next to his brother Andrew Bryson (c1816), and three houses from his father James N. Bryson (c1795). I believe this was the section of Haywood that later became Jackson County (in 1851).
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Haywood Co, NC pg 112 Thomas Bryson 1000100000000-0000010000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 20-29 (1810-1820) Thomas J. BRYSON (1813/14) s/o James & Ann 1 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Samuel BRYSON (1838/39) son 1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Susannah BERRONG Bryson (1813/14) wife
Thomas and his parents and siblings moved to Union Co, GA (in the section that later became Towns County) ca 1842. They remained there until sometime between 1848 and 1850 when they moved into neighboring Cherokee County, North Carolina.
Thomas and family were listed on the 1850 census in Cherokee Co, NC. I'm not sure which section they lived in though it may have been somewhere along the Georgia line. They were not listed near any of the other Brysons (who were mostly in the Beaverdam Township area).
1850 CHEROKEE CO, NC Page 76 House/Family # 993/ 993 - Twp BRYSON THOMAS 36 M W FARMER NC 1813/1814 BRYSON SUSAN 36 F W NC 1813/1814 BRYSON SAMUEL 11 M W NC 1838/1839 BRYSON ELIZA J 8 F W GA 1841/1842 BRYSON POLLY 6 F W GA 1843/1844 BRYSON ARTESA 5 F W GA 1844/1845 BRYSON KENR? 4 F W GA 1845/1846 BRYSON NANCY S 2 F W GA 1847/1848
They were back in Union County, Georgia by 1851. They were still there in 1856 when Towns County was created from the section of Union they lived in.
They were listed on the 1860 census in Towns County, Georgia, next door to Thomas' Aunt Sarah Bryson Cathey (1789). Thomas' parents had already returned to Jackson County by then.
1860 TOWNS CO, GA Page 161 House/Family # 318/ 318 -- Twp P.O. BRYSON THOMAS 46 M W FARMER 85 NC 1813/1814 BRYSON SUSAN 46 F W SC 1813/1814 BRYSON COLUMBUS 19 M W FARMER NC 1840/1841 BRYSON ELIZA JANE 18 F W GA 1841/1842 BRYSON ARTA 14 F W GA 1845/1846 BRYSON HENRY 13 M W GA 1846/1847 BRYSON NANCY 11 F W GA 1848/1849 BRYSON ROXENA 9 F W GA 1850/1851 BRYSON ROXELL 6 F W GA 1853/1854
Thomas and family returned to Jackson Co, NC in the 1860's and rejoined his parents there. They were listed on the 1870 census in Jackson in Caney Fork Township, about 18 houses from his parents.
1870 JACKSON CO, NC Page 231 House/Family # 136/ 136--CANEY FORK Twp EAST LAPORT P.O. BRYSON THOMAS 53 M W FARMER 100 NC 1816/1817 BRYSON SUSAN 50 F W NC 1819/1820 BRYSON ARTE A 30 F W NC 1839/1840 BRYSON HARVEY 25 M W NC 1844/1845 BRYSON ADALINE 23 F W NC 1846/1847 BRYSON CAROLINE 19 F W NC 1850/1851 BRYSON DANIEL 16 M W NC 1853/1854
Thomas and family were listed on the 1880 census in Canada Township. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.
I have no data on them after 1880.
Thomas and Susan Bryson had 8 children per the various census records. I only have a little additional information on them (see register report below).
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
1. Thomas J1 Bryson, born 1813/14 in Haywood Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Jackson Co, NC, son of James Nail Bryson and Ann Gross. He married on 6 Apr 1839 in Haywood Co, NC Susannah Berrong, born 1813/14 in Haywood Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Jackson Co, NC, daughter of Henry Berrong and Mary (---).
Children of Thomas J Bryson and Susannah Berrong were as follows:
+ 2 i Samuel Columbus2 Bryson, born 1838/39 in Haywood Co, NC. He married Margaret C Wilson.
3 ii Eliza Jane2 Bryson, born 1841/42 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA); died aft 1860 in Towns Co, GA.
4 iii Mary "Polly"2 Bryson, born 1843/44 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA); died aft 1850 in Cherokee Co, NC.
+ 5 iv Artesa A2 Bryson, born 1844/45 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA). She married Nathan Queen.
+ 6 v Harvey B2 Bryson, born 1 Nov 1846 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA); died 31 May 1922 in Jackson Co, NC. She married Margaret Brown.
7 vi Nancy Adaline2 Bryson, born 1847/48 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA); died aft 1880 in Jackson Co, NC.
8 vii Caroline Roxena2 Bryson, born 1850/51 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA); died aft 1880 in Jackson Co, NC.
+ 9 viii Daniel E2 Bryson, born 1853/54 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA). He married Martha A Cathey.
Generation 2
2. Samuel Columbus2 Bryson (Thomas J1), born 1838/39 in Haywood Co, NC. He married on 21 Dec 1865 in Jackson Co, NC Margaret C Wilson, born 25 Dec 1840 in NC; died 10 Oct 1920, daughter of Thompson Wilson and Mary "Polly" Hooper.
Children of Samuel Columbus Bryson and Margaret C Wilson were as follows:
10 i James3 Bryson, born 1866 in Jackson Co, NC.
11 ii William H3 Bryson, born 1868/69 in Jackson Co, NC.
+ 12 iii Henry Harlin3 Bryson, born 1870/71 in Jackson Co, NC. He married (1) Arlesia Drucilla Bryson; (2) Dena Franks.
13 iv Mary Ruetta3 Bryson, born 1872/73 in Jackson Co, NC.
5. Artesa A2 Bryson (Thomas J1), born 1844/45 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA). She married on 8 Jan 1874 in Jackson Co, NC Nathan Queen, born 1840/41 in NC.
Children of Artesa A Bryson and Nathan Queen were as follows:
14 i Alice B3 Queen, born 1871/72 in Jackson Co, NC.
15 ii Garlen3 Queen, born 1878/79 in Jackson Co, NC.
6. Harvey B2 Bryson (Thomas J1), born 1 Nov 1846 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA); died 31 May 1922 in Jackson Co, NC. She married on 26 Dec 1875 in Jackson Co, NC Margaret Brown, born 26 Jan 1845 in Haywood Co, NC; died 1 Apr 1915 in Jackson Co, NC, son of John Brown and Violet Fortner.
Children of Harvey B Bryson and Margaret Brown were as follows:
16 i Callie3 Bryson, born 1876/77 in Jackson Co, NC. She married in Jackson Co, NC (---) Matthews.
17 ii William3 Bryson, born 1877/78 in Jackson Co, NC.
18 iii Ida3 Bryson, born 23 Jan 1882 in Jackson Co, NC; died 20 Jun 1930 in Jackson Co, NC. She married on 23 Apr 1899 in Jackson Co, NC Samuel Mills.
9. Daniel E2 Bryson (Thomas J1), born 1853/54 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA). He married on 26 Feb 1875 in Jackson Co, NC Martha A Cathey, born 21 Aug 1854 in Jackson Co, NC, daughter of James N Cathey and Elizabeth Brown.
Children of Daniel E Bryson and Martha A Cathey were as follows:
19 i Sarah A3 Bryson, born 1875/76 in Jackson Co, NC.
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