Jesse Oliver Bryan and Sara Ann Boyett Family

Jesse Oliver Bryan (Jesse 2) was the son of Jesse Bryan (Jesse 1) and 
Elizabeth Johnson. He was born on 5 January 1818 in Marion District, SC shortly 
before his parents moved to Covington County, AL.  Jesse 2 married Sara Ann 
Boyett about 1843 in Covington County, AL.  They were the parents of 14 
children, all of whom were born in Rose Hill, AL and of which 12 reached 
adulthood.  Their children were:

1. Anna, born 30 November 1844, died between 1850 and 1860. 
2. Jesse Oliver (Jesse 3), born 24 December 1846, died 27 March1923.  
He married Elzada Love Peoples. 
3. Nancy Eveline Bryan, born 17 Nov 1848, died 29 Oct 1936.  She 
married Michael Jefferson Bulger.
4. Sara Malinda Bryan, born 26 Jan 1850, died 5 May 1941. She married 
Jesse Washington Williams.
5. Talatha Elizabeth Bryan, born 12 Sep 1852, died 1 Jan 1857.
6. William Marion Bryan, born 15 Apr 1854, died about 1876. He married 
Mary Jane Pittman.
7. Ava Adeline Bryan, born 25 Mar 1856, died after 1875.
8. Andrew Jackson Bryan (twin), born 27 Dec 1857, died 4 Oct 1937.  He 
married Mary Jane Boyett.
9. George Washington Bryan (twin), born 27 Dec 1857, died 15 Jun 
1904. He married Mollie Roberts.
10. Jasper Love Bryan, born 15 Nov 1861, died 1 Jul 1935. 
11. Jefferson Davis Bryan, born 6 Jun 1863, died May 1930.  He married 
Julia Ann Helms.
12. Tempie Melina Bryan, born 11 Sep 1866, died 11 May 1948.  She 
married Benjamin Jackson Boyett.
13. Mary Minervia “Polly” Bryan, born 8 Aug 1868, died 30 Aug 1956.  She 
married Emanuel Alonzo “Lonnie” Bryant.
14. John Canty Bryan, born 15 Dec 1871, died 10 Jun 1945.  He married 
Ara Malisey Frazier. 

Jesse 2 was a farmer. He had red hair.  He was active in Rose Hill Masonic 
Lodge #253, joining on 28 April 1859 shortly after it was formed.  He held various 
offices in the Lodge from 1860 until 1884.

The family endured many hardships during the Civil War and the turbulent 
decade that followed while living in Rose Hill. They moved to Texas from 1875 
until 1879 looking for a better life.  But, living conditions were harsh and hostile 
Indians were a problem to settlers in the area.  Although some chose to stay, 
Jesse 2 and most of his family moved back to Rose Hill sometime in 1879.  
According to family legend, the return was precipitated when Indians scalped a 
neighboring family. 

Jesse 2 and Sara Ann lived out their remaining years on their farm at Rose Hill. 
He died 18 March 1900 and was buried in a private cemetery on his farm.  Sara 
Ann died 22 Jan 1909 and is buried along side her husband.

The property remains in the family and is now owned by their great-grandson.


Sources:  US Census, Tombstone inscriptions, Bureau of Land Management 
Records, Covington County Land Records, and the research of Gus and Ruby 
Bryan of Opp, Alabama who were the pioneers in researching the Bryan family in 
the Covington County area.


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