Southern Heritage:Information about John Bryson
Jr John Bryson (b. 1786, d. 1863)
Notes for John Bryson:
Indian: In a document I have on file. John Bryson's Indian name isJohn-U-tau-tha
- "Friendly John"
John Bryson was born ca 1786/87 (per 1850 census) or ca 1789/90 per 1860 census. His 1860 census entry shows that he was born in Haywood County, NC, but that has to be an error, for there was no Haywood County at the time of his birth (it was formed in 1808), and none of the Brysons yet lived in the area that later became Haywood when John was born.John's alleged parents lived in Lincoln Co, NC in 1787, so it seems likely that John was born there. I don't have any record of his parents owning land in Lincoln, but I suppose they were in the Kennon Creek (now Little Mountain Creek) area of present day Catawba County.
John Bryson (1787) is a son of John Bryson (bef 1755) and Jane Malone, or at least that is what the old timers said. Both Updike and Wood reported this connection, but to date, I've not seen any direct proof that this is so. John Sr did have an apparent son John Jr's age per the early census records. Also it is clear that John (1787) is part of the same Bryson family, for two of his sons (Samuel and James) both claimed that their father John had an Uncle Andrew Bryson who was married to a 1/2 Indian woman. Now this is obviously a reference to Andrew Bryson (1752) who's third wife Sally was Cherokee. For Andrew to be John's Uncle, then John must be a son of one of Andrew's brothers, and John Bryson (c1755) was one of Andrew's brothers, so that lends credence to the theory that John Jr is John Sr's son.
John would have been about 3 years old for the 1790 census. All the Brysons of our family were in Pendleton District, SC that year. Of them, John Bryson Sr (bef 1755) had 2 apparent sons "under 16" (born ca 1774/90), one of which could be John (1787). Daniel Bryson (1756) had one son that age, but that is thought to be his son William. James H. Bryson (1740/50) had 4 sons that age, but he has a son John Bryson (1769) who is much older than the subject of this document. Samuel Bryson (1754) had 4 sons under 16, and he had an a son named John (1780/90) the same age as this John, but he apparently moved to Tennessee with his parents. William M. Bryson (c1750) had 3 sons that age. He had an apparent son John Bryson (1784/90) who fits the age of this John (1787).
The 1790 census shows that most of Andrew Bryson's brothers had sons of roughly the same age as John (1787). This does not help narrow down which one was his father.
For the 1800 census, John Bryson would have been about 13 years old, so he should be enumerated in the 10-15 age group (born ca 1784/90). By then, most of the Brysons had moved into Buncombe County, North Carolina, though a couple remained in South Carolina. Of Andrew's brothers, William M. Bryson (c1750) was in Buncombe, and he had one apparent son that age. James H. Bryson (1740/50) had two sons that age, Samuel Bryson (1754) had two sons that age. In Pendleton Dist, SC, Daniel Bryson (1756) had one son that age, and John Bryson (bef 1755) had no sons that age, but he did have two sons age 16-25 (born ca 1774/84) and one "under 10" (born ca 1790/1800). This census does not help narrow down John's possible parents, though it does make John Sr look less likely. However I should mention that census records are fraught with errors, so we should not eliminate John Sr as a suspect based only on the 1800 census.
John Bryson would have became 21 around 1808 (or 1811 if born ca 1790), so around this time he may start appearing on public records in his own name. A problem is that there were several adult men named John Bryson in the area then. John Bryson Sr (bef 1755) was in Pendleton Dist, SC then, and the others were in Buncombe or Haywood County, NC. This means that it may be very difficult to know which John is being referred to in any given record, unless some distinguishing factor is known.
For the 1810 census, John Bryson would have been about 23 years old. He was no longer a minor, but probably still living at home. He should have been enumerated in the 16-25 age group (born ca 1784/94). There was a John Bryson (1784/94) listed on the Buncombe County census that year, with an apparent wife and son. However, I'm fairly sure this is not our John Bryson (1787), though it certainly could be. Ours was not married until 1816, unless previously married. None of the other Brysons in Buncombe had an apparent son John's age, excepting William M. Bryson (1750) who had one son that age, though it is probably not John.
A John Bryson was listed on the 1810 Haywood County census, but that page is badly damaged and the enumerations are gone. I do believe that is John Bryson (1769) rather than this one. James H. Bryson (1740/50) had four sons in the 16-25 age group, but he is not John's father. Back in Pendleton Dist, SC, John Bryson Sr (bef 1755) was listed, but had no apparent sons matching John Jr's age. Daniel Bryson (1756) had two apparent sons that age.
As you can see, an analysis of the 1790, 1800 and 1810 census records does not help much to narrow down who John's parents were. If he was a son of John Sr like Updike and Wood said, why did he not seem to be home with John in 1800 and 1810? John Jr's birth year (as given in 1850 and 1860) could be off considerably, or else he is not really John Sr's son. Neither Mr. Wood nor Ms. Updike gave any evidence showing that John (1787) was a son of John (1755), but simply listed him as such. None of the early Bryson family histories mention John Bryson (1787) at all. However, we know as a fact that John was a nephew of Andrew Bryson (1752), so he is certainly a son of one of Andrew's brothers, but which one? For now, pending other evidence, I'm leaving him as a son of John Bryson Sr.
John Bryson Jr was listed as a soldier in the 16th Company from Haywood County, NC in the War of 1812. I don't know if this is this same John Bryson or not, but it seems likely. He was listed as "Jr" to distinguish himself from his 1st cousin John Bryson (1769) who was also in Haywood at that time. This is not evidence that John Jr is a son of John Sr of Pendleton Dist, SC. "Jr" and "Sr" were not used to denote father and son relationships (as it is today), but simply to distinguish two men of the same name in the same county regardless of their relationship. There were no other known John Brysons of age in Haywood County at that time besides the two mentioned, so this "Jr" has to be this John Bryson (1787).
There are some deed records in Haywood County in this time period for "John Bryson", and in some cases it is not clear which John is being referred to, whether John Jr (1787) or John Sr (1769).
In 1814, William Cathcart, Sheriff, sold John Bryson 200 acres. I don't have the details, only the index data. This could be either John Bryson. (Haywood Co, NC Deed Book A page 279).
In 1814 Goldman Ingram sold John Bryson 200 acres on Scott Creek. This is probably John Bryson Jr, since he later married Ingram's daughter. (Haywood Co, NC Deed Book A page 282).
On 8 Apr 1816, John Bryson Jr obtained a marriage bond in Haywood County to marry Peggy Ingram, daughter of Colman (Goldman) Ingram. Andrew Ensley was the bondsman. Margaret Ingram was born ca 1798/99 (per 1850 census) in Haywood Co, NC (per 1860 census). "Peggy" is a common nickname for "Margaret". Her parents were Goldman Ingram and Jemima Hughey.
John Bryson was listed on the 1820 census in Haywood County. Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who their neighbors were, nor where they might have been living.
1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1820 Haywood Co, NC pg 214 John Bryson 100010-10100
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 26-44(1775-1794) John BRYSON (1786/87) s/o John & Jane
1 Male(s) 0-9(1810-1820) Goldman BRYSON (1816/17) son
1 Female(s) 16-25(1794-1804) Margaret INGRAM Bryson (1798/99) wife m 1816
1 Female(s) 0-9(1810-1820) Jemima BRYSON (1818/19) daughter
In 1828, Macon County was formed from Haywood County. John either already lived there, or moved there before 1830. I think they were already in that area as early as 1822 (based on birth place of son William, born in "Macon" ca 1822). John's cousin John Sr (1769) was in Macon also, as was John's younger cousins John Bryson (1800) and John Turner Bryson (1808). Records could easily be confused among the four of them.
In 1830, John Bryson was listed on the Macon County census, but not near any of the other Brysons. He was listed near several Ingrams including his father-in-law Goldman Ingram.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Macon Co, NC pg 18 John Brison 1210010000000-1010010000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 30-39(1790-1800) John BRYSON (1786/87) s/o William & Susannah
1 Male(s) 10-14(1815-1820) Goldman INGRAM (1816/17) son
2 Male(s) 5-9(1820-1825) William BRYSON (1821/22) son
Samuel BRYSON (1823) son
1 Male(s) 0-4(1825-1830) James BRYSON (1827/28) son
1 Female(s) 30-39(1790-1800) Margaret INGRAM Bryson (1798/99) wife
1 Female(s) 10-14(1815-1820) Jemima BRYSON (1818/19) daughter
1 Female(s) 0-4(1825-1830) Elizabeth BRYSON (1824/25) daughter
On 14 Dec 1831 John Queen, assignee of John Bryson Jr received a state land grant for 135 acres. This record may refer to John Bryson (1800) instead for he was closely connected to the Queen family. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book A page 114B from "Records of Old Macon County, N.C. 1829-1850" compiled by Barbara Sears McRae, 1991. * Note: All deeds mentioned hereafter from books "A" through "E" are taken from this book.)
On 14 Jan 1832 John Bryson Jr received a State land grant for 83 acres. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book A page 88)
The 1835 Congressional Voter list shows a John Bryson voting in Cullowhee Precinct. This is probably John Bryson (1769).A John Bryson was also listed as voting in Franklin Precinct. This is probably John (1787), though it could be John (1800) instead, but it seems unlikely as John (1800) moved to Union Co, GA ca 1835.
On 26 Jan 1836, John Bryson witnessed a deed from James Galbreath to Clark Bird. This John signed with a mark. I don't know which one this is. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book A page 298)
On 12 Dec 1836 one of the John's made a deed of gift to his beloved grandchildren Marthey Jane Green and John B. Green. The deed was witnessed by J. Phillips. I don't know which John this was. I have not found a Bryson-Green family connection, so I can't tell if this was John Bryson (1769) or John Bryson (1787) or one of the younger Johns, though it seems unlikely that any of the younger John's even had grandkids yet by 1836. I can't reconcile these grandkids with either John (1769) or John (1787). (Macon Co, NC Deed Book A page 308)
John was still in Macon for the 1840 census just a couple of houses from his probable brother Jonathan M. Bryson (1798), a proven son of John Bryson Sr (bef 1755).
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Macon Co, NC pg 150 John Bryson 0111101000000-1210101000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 40-49(1790-1800) John BRYSON (1786/87) s/o William & Susannah
1 Male(s) 20-29(1810-1820) Goldman BRYSON (1816/17) son
1 Male(s) 15-19(1820-1825) William BRYSON (1821/22) son
1 Male(s) 10-14(1825-1830) Samuel BRYSON (1823) son
1 Male(s) 5-9(1830-1835) James BRYSON (1827/28) son
1 Female(s) 40-49(1790-1800) Margaret INGRAM Bryson (1798/99) wife
1 Female(s) 20-29(1810-1820) Jemima BRYSON (1818/19) daughter
1 Female(s) 10-14(1825-1830) Elizabeth BRYSON (1824/25) daughter
2 Female(s) 5-9(1830-1835) Jane BRYSON (1830/31) daughter
Martha A. BRYSON (1838/39) daughter
1 Female(s) 0-4(1835-1840) Susan C. BRYSON (1839/40) daughter
Before 1850, John moved his family into neighboring Cherokee County, and settled in what later became Beaverdam Township. They apparently lived in the Unaka community.
John and family were listed on the 1850 census in Cherokee. Cousin Samuel Bryson (1819) was just a few houses away.
1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1850 CHEROKEE CO, NC Page 34BHouse/Family #446/ 446-Twp
BRYSON JOHN63 M W FARMERNC1786/1787
BRYSON MARGARET51 F WNC1798/1799
BRYSON GOLDMAN33 M W FARMERNC1816/1817
BRYSON JAMIMA31 F WNC1818/1819
BRYSON SAMUEL27 M W FARMERNC1822/1823
BRYSON ELIZABETH25 F WNC1824/1825
BRYSON JAMES22 M W FARMERNC1827/1828
BRYSON JANE19 F WNC1830/1831
BRYSON SUSAN C10 F WNC1839/1840
BRYSON MARTHA A11 F WNC1838/1839
BRYSON WILLIAM28 M W FARMERNC1821/1822
BRYSON SARAH22 F WNC1827/1828
ROBERTS JAMES22 M W FARMERNC1827/1828
They were still in Cherokee for the 1860 census. They were living with John Colvard (son-in-law) in Beaverdam Township.
1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1860 CHEROKEE CO, NC Page 364House/Family #195/ 195 -- BEAVERDAM Twp P.O.
COLVARD JOHN21 M W FARMER300125 MACON1838/1839
COLVARD MARTHA19 F WCHEROKEE1840/1841
BRYSON JOHN70 M W FARMERHAYWOOD1789/1790
BRYSON ELIZABETH37 F WHAYWOOD1822/1823
BRYSON MARGARET60 F WHAYWOOD1799/1800
John Bryson died in the 1860's, either in Cherokee Co, NC or in neighboring Polk County, Tennessee.
Margaret was in Polk County, Tennessee for the 1870 census. I don't know when she moved there, but possibly before John died. She was about 20 households from a widow Salina Bryson and family. I don't know what the relationship is, unless this is the widow of their son Goldman Bryson.
1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1870 POLK CO, TN Page 70House/Family #113/ 113--8th DISTRICT Twp HIWASSEE P.O.
BRISON MARGARET73 F W KEEPING HOUSENC1796/1797
BRISON ELIZABETH30 F WNC1839/1840
LOVINGOOD ARTHUR14 M W MINE HANDNC1855/1856
LOVINGOOD MARTHA E11 F WNC1858/1859
I found Margaret (or I think it is the same one) in neighboring Monroe County, Tennessee on the 1880 census. She was living with the J. A. Jimson (c1835 female) family. I don't know the relationship here (none was given). ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.
I have no data on Margaret after 1880.
More About John Bryson and Margaret Ingram:
Marriage: 08 Apr 1816, Haywood Co., NC.
Children of John Bryson and Margaret Ingram are:
- James Bryson.
- Goldman Bryson, b. 14 Feb 1817, Haywood Co., NC, d. 28 Oct 1863, Cherokee, Co. NC.
- Jemima Bryson, b. 1818, Haywood Co., NC, d. date unknown, ?.
- +William Bryson, b. 1821, Haywood Co., NC, d. 1902, north Carolina.
- Samuel Bryson, b. 23 Dec 1823, Haywood Co., NC, d. 17 Mar 1908, Cherokee, Co. NC.
- Elizabeth Bryson, b. 1824, Haywood Co., NC, d. date unknown, ?.
- Jane Bryson, b. 1830, Macon Co., NC, d. date unknown, ?.
- Martha A. Bryson, b. 1838, Cherokee Co., NC, d. date unknown, Cherokee Co., NC.
- Susan Caroline Bryson, b. 1839, Macon Co., NC, d. 29 Mar 1857, Cherokee, Co. NC.