BRYAN FAMILY HISTORY - Interactive Family Histories

8-12 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIESwidely referenced book is “Pioneer Families of Missouri” by William S. Bryanand Robert Rose which was first published in 1876. The original 1876 sketch onthe Bryan family mentions no children of Morgan Bryan. However, in the 1935reprint of the book, an introduction was added in which Morgan Bryan’schildren are listed. Although John Bryan is mentioned to be a son of MorganBryan, no additional information on John Bryan or his family is introduced.Other known books that the author has not had access to are: “TheBoone-Bryan History” by Dr. J. D. Bryan, 1913 and “The Shearer-AkersFamily” by James William Shearer, 1915. An article entitled “Bryan, a PioneerFamily” by Edward Bryan appeared “The Register of the Kentucky StateHistorical Society” in 1942. This article introduces an estimate of John Bryan’sbrithdate to be circa 1731 but gives no additional informational on John Bryan orhis family.The book, “Carolina Cradle,” by Robert W. Ramsey, 1964, provides a welldocumented sketch of Morgan Bryan, however, it does not include anyinformation on Morgan’s son, John Bryan or his family. Another widelyavailable book “Notable Southern Families” by Zella Armstrong, 1974,introduces a major error on John Bryan and his family. It states that John Bryanmarried Frances Battle and that John was a Captain in the Revolution who waskilled at his own door by Colonel Fanning. This John Bryan died many milesaway from where Morgan Bryan and his children lived while John Bryan (1),believed to be Morgan’s son, lived nearby. The will of John Bryan was signedin 1797 and probated in 1801. This will clearly establishes that the wife of JohnBryan was named Sarah. Land associated with this will clearly establish thatthis was the will of the John Bryan who lived on or near Bear Creek andDutchman’s Creek (this is approximately eight miles southwest from whereMorgan Bryan last lived). Also, several children of John Bryan (1) are known toresided in this same area. To date, this author has never seen any primarydocumentation that links John and Frances Bryan (or any of their knownchildren) to the area around where Morgan Bryan last lived.John Bryan (1) is known to be the father of Samuel Bryan, Sr. of DavidsonCounty, Tennessee by a 1801 deed recorded in Rowan County, North Carolina.On October 15, 1801, “Samuel Bryan of Davidson County and State ofTennessee” received 200 pounds for 200 acres of land from “John Little ofRowan County and State of North Carolina.” This deed describes this land as a“parcel of land left to him the said Samuel Bryan by the will of John Bryan,Dec’d lying & being in Rowan County and State of North Carolina lying onBear Creek being part of a tract of land Granted to the said John Brian (sic) bythe state of North Carolina bearing date at Kingston the twenty fifth day ofOctober Anno Domini Seventeen hundred and Eighty six, No. 1225 as by recordwill more fully appear.” This land was bounded by land owned by BenjaminGaither and the deed was witnessed by another neighbor, Jacob Trout. Thedescription of this land and the neighbors listed in this deed provide a firmconnection between John Bryan of Rowan County, North Carolina of SamuelBryan of Davidson County, Tennessee.From 1778 until his death 1800 (probate started), John Bryan (1) owned landand probably lived around eight miles southwest of where Morgan Bryan, Sr.