BRYAN FAMILY HISTORY - Interactive Family Histories

8-240 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIESMARY BRYAN (2.10) is the daughter of Samuel Bryan and Margaret (Morrow)Bryan. Mary Bryan (and several other known children of Samuel Bryan) werenot listed in the will of Mary’s father, Samuel Bryan. The 1909 letter by WashBryan (born 1824) states that his “grandfather (Samuel Bryan) had five sons:Henry, William, James, Samuel and John; and four daughters: Becky, Betsey,Sarah and Mary.” He continues by stating that “one daughter married JoePinkerton, another Sam Pinkerton, another married Webb, and another Joseph P.Wyles and lives in Missouri.” Unfortunately, four daughters were listedseparately and four son-in-laws are mentioned (and no mention of any Ortonmarriage). However, the estate settlement of Mary’s brother, Henry Bryan,proves beyond any doubt that Mary is the son of Samuel Bryan and MargaretBryan. According to the 1830 census, Mary was born between 1775 and 1794.Since Mary married in 1810, it is estimated that Mary was born around 1790 inNorth Carolina. On November 6, 1810, “Polly” Bryan married Joseph Orton inDavidson County, Tennessee. According to the 1820 census of WilliamsonCounty, Tennessee, Joseph was born between 1775 and 1794 and that Josephhad seven children in 1820. According to Myrna Madigan, Joseph Orton wasborn on January 15, 1779 in Rowan County, North Carolina (if this birtdate isaccurate then Mary Bryan may have been earlier than 1790). Joseph could bethe son of Joseph Orton and Jannet (Bryan) Orton (1.5) but proof is notconclusive. Joseph Orton, Samuel Orton (possible brother of Joseph Orton) andDavid Pinkerton (possible brother-in-law of Joseph Orton) enlisted into theSecond West Tennessee Militia from Williamson County, Tennessee. Theyserved in the War of 1812 and participated in the Battle of New Orleans. JosephOrton’s service is documented in a Bounty Land Warrant Number 3829 inIllinois. It states that Joseph served in Lieutenant Gunter’s Company, ColonelCarroll’s Regiment, Tennessee Militia. The estate records of Henry Bryan (ca.1851) indicate that Joseph and Mary Orton had the following eight heirs:. . . Jane Orton (who married Harrison Stark). . . Nancy Orton (who married Thomas Branning). . . Mary Orton (who married Thomas Lakin). . . Sarah Orton (who married Willis Branning). . . Rebecca Orton. . . James M. Orton. . . Henry Orton. . . Eliza J. Orton (Samuel Pinckterton listed as guardian of minor)According to the last distribution of funds (1866) from the estate of JosephOrton, Joseph Orton had the following ten heirs:. . . Jane P. Stark (heir). . . Joseph Altum (heir). . . Same (guardian). . . Rebecca Jackson (heir). . . Henry Orton (heir). . . Eliza J. Ridge (heir). . . Nancy Brannan (heir). . . W. H. Orton (heir). . . W. D. Branan (guardian). . . J. M. Orton (heir)