JOHN BRYAN (1) is the oldest proven ancestor of the authors.  The author feels that his ancestor, John Bryan (1), is the most likely candidate to be the son of Morgan Bryan and Martha (Strode) Bryan.  Morgan Bryan, in his will dated March 28, 1763, mentions a son, John Bryan, therefore, there is no doubt that Morgan Bryan did have a son, John Bryan, who was living at the time that the will was written in 1763.  The ancestor of the authors, John Bryan (1) is believed to have been born around 1731 which makes it reasonable that he could be the son of Morgan and Martha Bryan.  Many sources indicate that Morgan Bryan’s children were born from 1720 to 1740.  John Bryan’s birthdate was derived by knowledge that the earliest known marriage of his children was 1770 when his daugther, Jane Bryan, married John Orton.  Assuming that Jane Bryan was John’s first child, that Jane Bryan married John Orton at age of eighteen, that John Bryan married when twenty years of age and that John Bryan and his wife had Jane after one year of marriage, supports that John was born around 1731.

Also, there little doubt that most of Morgan Bryan’s sons moved to Anson/Rowan County, North Carolina.  In October of 1752, Morgan Bryan was issued numerous land patents from Lord Granville in behalf of his sons.  The associated plats read:  “land surveyed for John Bryant,” William Bryant, Samuel Bryant and Joseph Bryant.  These plats confirm that several sons of Morgan Bryan lived in Anson County, North Carolina in 1752.

There was definitely a John Bryan living in Rowan County as early as 1758 with many land transactions occuring in what is now the extreme south central part of what is today Yadkin County, North Carolina.  From 1778 to 1797, John Bryan (1) is definitely known to have owned land and eventually resided in the west central of part of what is today Davie County, North Carolina.  Proving that these were both the same John Bryan will be indeed be difficult as well as establishing that the John Bryan of southern Yadkin County is the son of Morgan Bryan, mentioned in his 1763 will.

There are numerous books and articles written on Morgan Bryan, his wife, Martha Bryan and their children.  Most of these books and articles state little about Morgan’s son, John Bryan.  The most widely available books are:  “The Boone Family” by Hazel Atterbury Spraker, 1922 and “Brianniana” by Edward A. Bryan, 1934.  Both of these books state that the Morgan Bryan had a son named John but give no additional information concerning John and his family.  Another widely referenced book is “Pioneer Families of Missouri” by William S. Bryan and Robert Rose first published in 1876.  The original 1876 sketch on the Bryan family mentions no children of Morgan Bryan.  However, in the 1935 reprint of the book, an introduction was added in which Morgan Bryan’s children are listed.  Although John Bryan is mentioned to be a son of Morgan Bryan, no additional information on John Bryan or his family is mentioned.  Other known books that the author has not had access to are:  “The Boone-Bryan History” by Dr. J. D. Bryan, 1913 and “The Shearer-Akers Family” by James William Shearer, 1915.  The book, “Carolina Cradle,” by Robert W. Ramsey, 1964, provides a well documented sketch of Morgan Bryan, however, it does not include any information on Morgan’s son, John Bryan or his family.  An article entitled “Bryan, a Pioneer Family” by Edward Bryan appeared “The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society” in 1942.  This article also estimates John Bryan’s brithdate to be circa 1731 but gives no additional informational on John Bryan or his family.

Another widely available book “Notable Southern Families” by Zella Armstrong, 1974 introduces a major error on John Bryan and his family.  It states that John Bryan married Frances Battle and that John was a Captain in the Revolution who was killed at his own door by Colonel Fanning.  This John Bryan died many miles away from where Morgan Bryan and his children lived while another John Bryan (believed to be Morgan’s son) lived nearby.

John Bryan is known to be the father of Samuel Bryan, Sr. of Davidson County, Tennessee by a 1801 deed recorded in Rowan County, North Carolina.  On October 15, 1801, “Samuel Bryan of Davidson County and State of Tennessee” received 200 pounds for 200 acres of land from “John Little of Rowan 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 on Bear Creek being part of a tract of land Granted to the said John Brian (sic) by the state of North Carolina bearing date at Kingston the twenty fifth day of October Anno Domini Seventeen hundred and Eighty six, No. 1225 as by record will more fully appear.”  This land was bounded by land owned by Benjamin Gaither and the deed was witnessed by another neighbor, Jacob Trout.  The description of this land and the neighbors listed in this deed provide a firm connection between John Bryan of Rowan County, North Carolina of Samuel Bryan of Davidson County, Tennessee.  Deeds, land grants and the 1797 will of John Bryan clearly establish that, from 1778 to 1797, this John Bryan lived about eight miles southwest of where Morgan and Martha Bryan last lived.  These documents together with marriage bonds further establish that children of John Bryan were born from 1750 to 1770 which implies that this John Bryan was born prior to 1730.

From 1778 until his death, John Bryan (1) owned land and probably lived around eight miles southwest of where Morgan Bryan, Sr. last lived.  John Bryan, Sr. lived in an area of Rowan County, North Carolina that, in 1836, became west central part of Davie County, North Carolina.  Through numerous deeds, it has been determined that John Bryan (1) lived in Rowan County, North Carolina from 1783 to 1797 and that he had the following neighbors:  Benjamin Gaither (1778 - 1803), Thomas Pennery (1778 - 1796), William Williams (1778 - 1787), Robert Luckey (1778 - 1787), John Van Eaton (1778), Valentine Huff (1783 - 1802), John Adams (1784), Mary Luckey (1784 - 1796), Ralph Vaneleave (1784), John Hughey (1784), George Wilcoxon (1784), John Bryan, Jr. (1787 - 1797), Daniel Sutherland (1787), John Pinchback (1787), Richard Speaks (1787), William Patrick (1787), Jacob Nichols (1787), Samuel Reed (1787), Jacob Trout (1796 - 1801), John Little, Sr. (1801), Beal Ijams (1801) and Jacob Coon (1802).  It is also known from these deeds that they all lived near the following Creeks:  Bear Creek (great majority of deeds), Hunting Creek and Dutchman’s Creek.

It is definitely established that John Bryan, Sr. (1) resided on land near Bear Creek around twenty years before John Bryan (1) died.  It appears that some time in the late 1770’s, John Bryan moved to the Bear Creek area.  The earliest known proof that John Bryan, Sr. (1) owning land near Bear Creek in Rowan County, North Carolina is a vacant land entry where 400 acres was entered on Bear Creek adjacent to Robert Luckey, William Williams and John Van Eaton.  This vacant land entry was dated February 16, 1778.  In 1783, State Land Grant Number 635 that was issued to Benjamin Gaither for 508 acres “on Bear Creek in the creek bottom next to John Bryan and Valentine Huff.”  Gaither and Huff are listed several times as owning land next to John Bryan, Sr. over the next twenty years.  In 1786, John Bryan, Sr. was issued State Land Grant Number 1225 in Rowan County, North Carolina for 200 acres next to land owned by Benjamin Gaithers and William Williams.

In 1787, John Bryan’s (1) son, Samuel Bryan, bought 100 acres of land from John Adams in Rowan County, North Carolina.  This land was situated on Bear Creek and had the following neighbors:  John Bryan, Mary Luckey, Thomas Penry and Benjamin Gaither.  Because of neighbors listed in deeds, it it almost certain that this Samuel Bryan was the son of John and Sarah Bryan.  Nine years later, in 1796, Samuel Bryan sold this land to Jacob Trout and the indenture listed the same four neighbors listed in 1787.

There are several sources that show a John Bryan living about one or two miles northeast of where Morgan Bryan and Martha Bryan last lived in 1762.  This land is now situated in the north central part of Davie County, North Carolina.  According to an abstract of a deed listed in the McCubbins collection, “Earl Granville let John Bryan of Rowan County, North Carolina have 646 acres of vacant land on both sides of Morgan’s Creek on a branch of Cedar Creek, waters of Dutchman’s Creek.”  This abstract further states that this deed was recorded in book 5, page 146.  The “Davie County Land Grants” map by Andrew Lagle and the “Davie County, North Carolina Historical Documentation” map by the Custom House both indicate that this land was granted to John Bryan in 1762.  Apparently, both maps were based on the the McCubbins abstract and the McCubbins abstract is definitely in error.  The actual deed (Book 5, Page 146) shows that Morgan Bryan, Jr. acquired this land in 1762, not John Bryan.  However, a John Bryan did live on this land in 1780.  On March 4, 1780, Joseph “Bryant” was granted 288 acres and listed John “Bryant” as a neighbor.  Additionally, on March 21, 1780, Morgan “Bryant” was granted 250 acres and listed John “Bryant” as his neighbor.  Apparently a John Bryan acquired this land from Morgan Bryan between 1762 and 1780.

There is a John Bryan mentioned in the 1741 will of Mary (Bryan) Curtis probated in Orange County, Virginia.  Mary is said to be John’s sister.  John Bryan appears in at least two Anson County, North Carolina legal transactions.  On January 9, 1748/49, John Bryan had become of age by when he was a Sworn Chain Carrier (SCC).  On October 27, 1752, Morgan Bryant, Jr. obtained 141 acres of land in Anson County, North Carolina using the survey that John Bryant did in January, 1748/49.  On October 27, 1752, Morgan Bryan, Sr. obtained a patent for 313 acres in Anson County on the north bank of the Yadkin River below Mill Creek Mulberry Fields.  This land was acquired on behalf of his son, John Bryan, the land being surveyed on January 4, 1748/49.  This land was sold ten years later by John Bryan and Morgan Bryan, Jr. to John Howard.

There are several other references to John Bryan residing in Rowan County, North Carolina prior to 1778 which could be John Bryan, Sr. (1).  Most of this property is located in what is today the south central part of Yadkin County, North Carolina.  Any connection to John Bryan, Sr. (1) has not been established.  On April 22, 1762, Morgan Bryan, Jr. and John Bryan let John Howard have 313 acres “on the north bank of the Yadkin River below Mill Creek of Mulberry Fields.”  This deed was witnessed by William Williams and John Linville.  The description of this property listed no neighbors and it is not certain where this property was located.  On October 10, 1763, John Bryan sold land “lying on both sides of Millar’s Branch being a fork of Deep Creek” to Morgan Bryan.  On October 12, 1763, John Bryan sold 460 acres “lying on both sides of Miller’s Creek, a Fork of Deep Creek,” to Christian Miller.  This property was on Martha Bryan’s corner.  This property was part of 560 acres granted to John Bryan by Earl Granville on August 10, 1762.  On February 13, 1771, John Bryan sold 101 acres to Morgan Bryan “being part of the tract of land whereon the said John Bryan now dwells which was formerly granted to him.”  This deed was witnessed by John Braly, John Parr, Jr. and Andrew Hunt.  In 1772, John Bryan (1) and his two sons, John and Samuel, were found in a list of taxables returned by William Sharp.  This clearly establishes birthdates of John’s sons, John and Samuel, to be prior to 1756 (white male men were subject to be taxable when they reached the age of sixteen).

According to the 1797 will of John Bryan, Sr., John Bryan, Sr. married a woman whose first name was Sarah.  According to Ruth Cooper, John Bryan married Sarah Hobby.  Originally this marriage was thought to be based on family legend but it is now believed that this connection was derived from a marriage record of Edgecombe County, North Carolina where a John Bryan married a Sarah Hobby on July 1, 1766.  The authors now believe this marriage to be extremely speculative in nature.  Even if this marriage is the same people as our John and Sarah Bryan, Sarah would probably not be the mother of any of John Bryan’s children as most of them (if not all) appear to be born prior 1766 (the date of marriage between John Bryan and Sarah Hobby of Edgecombe County, North Carolina).  Additionally, it is believed that John Bryan (1) lived in south central part of Yadkin County, North Carolina in 1766.  In 1766, the western most boundary of Edgecombe County, North (which was a much larger county then) consisted the western most boundary of present day Nash County, North Carolina.  These two counties are substantially far apart which further discounts the validity of this connection.  The will indicates that John and Sarah Bryan were the parents of three sons and six daughters (the following birthdates of the below listed children are rough approximations derived primarily from marriage dates, land transactions, estate papers and one tombstone):

  Samuel Bryan (2), b. mid 1750’s
  James Bryan (1.2), b. 1760’s
  John Bryan, Jr. (1.3), b. mid 1750’s
  Jane Bryan (1.4), b. early 1750’s
  Jannet Bryan (1.5), b. late 1750’s
  Elizabeth Bryan (1.6), b. late 1760’s
  Sarah Bryan (1.7)
  Mary Bryan (1.8), b. early 1760’s
  Margaret Bryan (1.9), b. ca. 1768

The will of John Bryan, a planter, “made while in perfect health on November 18, 1797" is the last known date that John Bryan, Sr. was still living.  On November 5, 1800, ”The will of John Bryan is proved by Samuel Casey, Joseph Orten and William Law."  In 1801, his son, Samuel Bryan, was selling John’s land which was willed to him.  The Loose Estate papers of James Bryan (son of John Bryan) state the John Bryan died in 1800 in Rowan County, North Carolina.  On May 31, 1805, “William Law and Joseph Orton (as executors of deceased John Bryan whose will wanted certain land sold) let John Little” have “300 acres on both sides of Bear Creek on the line of the original grant next to Benjamin Gaither and William Williams for 287 pounds.”

References:  1)  Deed, Book 5, Page 146, Earl Granville to John Bryan, August 10, 1762; abstract contained in McCubbin Collection, abstract in error, actual deed shows Earl Granville to Morgan Bryan, Jr.;  2)  Deed, Book 5, Pages 210 and 211, Morgan Bryan, Jr. and John Bryan to John Howard, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1762;  3)  Deed, Book 5, Pages 353 and 354, John Bryan to Morgan Bryan, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1763;  4)  Will of Morgan Bryan, Will Book A, Pages 13 and 14, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1763;  5)  Deed, Book 7, Pages 284 and 285, John Bryan to Morgan Bryan, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1771, abstract contained in McCubbin Collection;  6)  Vacant Land Entry, John Bryant, Sr., February 16, 1778 (Enoch’s book);  7)  Deed, Book 9, Pages 198 and 199, Grant to Morgan Bryant, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1780;  8)  Deed, Book 9, Page 199, Grant to Joseph Bryant, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1780;  9)  Will of John Bryan, Will Book D, Pages 1 and 2, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797;  10)  Estate Records, John Bryan, November 5, 1800, (McCubbins abstract);  11)  Deed, Book 18, Page 185, Samuel Bryan of Davidson County, Tennessee to John Little of Rowan County, North Carolina, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1801, abstract from McCubbins Collection;  12)  Deed, Book 21, Pages 197 and 198, Joseph Orton and William Law, executors of John Bryan, deceased, to John Little, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1786;  13)  Loose Estate Records of James Bryan, February, 1808 Court, Rowan County, North Carolina (abstract in Rowan County Register, November, 1995, Page 2355);  14)  McCubbins Collection, microfilm reel #11;  15)  “Bryan History,” by Miss Ruth Cooper;  16)  Map, “Davie County Land Grants,” by Andrew Lagle, 1976;  17)  Map, “Davie County, North Carolina Historical Documentation,” by the Custom House, 1977;  18)  Map, “Yadkin County, North Carolina Historical Documentation,” by the Custom House;  19)  IGI Record, LDS FamilySearch, December, 1999 (marriage record of John Bryan to Sarah Hobby, 1766)

JAMES BRYAN (1.2) is the son of John Bryan, Sr. and Sarah Bryan.  Since James Bryan died around 1798 and left two sons that required guardianship as late as 1810.  Assuming Jesse Bryan reached maturity between 1808 (when Jesse Bryan required guardianship) and 1810 (when only John Bryan required guardianship), suggests that Jesse Bryan was born between 1790 and 1792.  Assuming James Bryan was between twenty years of age and thirty years of age when Jesse Bryan was born, results in James’ birthdate between 1760 and 1772.  According to the loose estate papers, James Bryan was the father of at least two sons:

  Jesse Bryan, b. 1790 - 1792
  John Bryan, b. 1792 - 1798

In 1797, James Bryan is listed in his father’s (John Bryan) will.  It lists “James (his heirs get 200 acres of the old improvement).”  James Bryan died in 1798 or 1799 as indicated in the Loose Estate Papers of James Bryan.  In 1805, Joseph Orton became the guardian of Jesse Bryan and John Bryan.  In 1808, John Little, Jr. became the guardian of Jesse Bryan and John Bryan in Rowan County, North Carolina.  In 1810, John Johnston was appointed the guardian of John Bryan.

References:  1)  Will of John Bryan, Will Book D, Pages 1 and 2, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797;  2)  Loose Estate Records of James Bryan, February, 1808 Court, Rowan County, North Carolina (abstract in Rowan County Register, November, 1995, Page 2355)

JOHN BRYAN, JR. (1.3) is the son of John Bryan, Sr. and Sarah Bryan.  Since John was believed to be married in 1774 and was probably around twenty at the time, it could be estimated that John Bryan, Jr. was born in the mid 1750’s.  In 1772, John Bryan, Jr. is found in a tax list with his father, John Bryan.  In order to listed at this time, John would have to be at least sixteen years of age, therefore, John was born prior to 1756.  It is believed that John was born in the mid 1750’s.  It is believed that John Bryan, Jr. married Rebecca “Orten” on August 26, 1774 in Rowan County, North Carolina.  It is believed that Rebecca is the daughter of James Orton and Jane Orton as stated in the 1776 will of James Orton.  This will lists “my loving daughter Rebecah” and is witnessed John Bryan, Elizabeth West and Samuel Young.

It is believed that Rebecca Orton is the daughter of James Orton (born 1725) and Jane (Bryan) Orton (born 1727).  Rebecca Orton’s brother, James Orton (born 1750), was the grandfather of William Reed Orton who married Rebecca Huey (1.8.6).  William Reed Orton was born in 1802 and is the son of James Orton (born 1773) and Elizabeth (Renshaw) Orton (born 1776).  William is the grandson of James Orton (born 1750) and Elizabeth (Taylor) Orton (born 1754).  Rebecca Orton’s brother, Joseph Orton, married Jannet Bryan (1.5).  Rebecca Orton’s brother, John Orton, married Jane Bryan (1.4).

The 1797 will of John Bryan bequeathed twenty pounds to “my beloved grandson John Bryan, son to John Bryan, deceased.”  This will indicates that John Bryan, Jr. died prior to 1797 and that John Bryan, Jr. was the father of at least one son:

  John Bryan, III, b. Prior to 1797

On August 7, 1781, “Letters of Administration: on the estate of John Bryan, decd. issue Rebecca Bryan and John Bryan, Senr: who gave David Caldwell and John Orton securities in £200 Specie and were qualified.”  This implies that John Bryan, Jr. died prior to August 7, 1781 and left a widow, Rebecca.  The fact that John Bryan, Sr. was issued letters of administration supports the connection of the deceased John Bryan to John Bryan (1).  Additionally, the 1776 will of James Orten states that James Orton had a son named, John Orton.  Therefore, it appears that Rebecca’s brother, John Orton, posted bond.

There appears to be a major descrepency in the above account.  In 1787, there was a “John Bryan, Jr.” living near John Bryan (1).  If John Bryan, Jr. died in 1781, then it would appear that this would be John Bryan, III.  However, if John Bryan, Jr. married Rebecca Orton in 1774, John Bryan, III would have been at most the age of thirteen, obviously too young to own land.  In 1797, “John Bryan (the son of John Bryan)” was granted land.  If this were John Bryan, III then why wasn’t the fact that John Bryan was deceased mentioned.  This grant futher states that this land was “surplus of his father’s old tract (the warrant was dated June 22, 1795)” which again supports the position that John Bryan, Jr. was still alive in 1795.

The 1787 State Land Grant Number 1532 was issued to Benjamin Gaither for “303 acres on Hunting Creek and Bear Creek next to Robert Luckey, John Bryan, Sr., William Williams, Daniel Sutherland, John Pinchback, Richard Speaks, William Patrick, John Bryan, Jr., Jacob Nichols and Samuel Reed.”  This implies that John Bryan, Jr. had a plantation and owned land near John Bryan (1) in 1787.  On December 7, 1797, State Land Grant Number 2513 was issued to “John Bryan (the son of John Bryan)” for 115 acres “on the original line and Dutchmans Creek, it being surplus of his father’s old tract (the warrant was dated June 22, 1795).”

References:  1)  Marriage Book 20, Page 1273, Rowan County, North Carolina, August 26, 1774;  2)  Will of James Orton, Will Book A, Pages 230 and 231, Rowan County, North Carolina, October 1, 1776;  3)  State Land Grant Number 1532, 303 acres, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1787, (McCubbins abstract);  4)  State Land Grant Number 2513, 115 acres, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797, (McCubbins abstract);  5)  Will of John Bryan, Will Book D, Pages 1 and 2, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797

JANE BRYAN (1.4) is the daughter of John Bryan, Sr. and Sarah Bryan.  Since Jean married in 1770 and was probably a teenager at the time, Jane Bryan was born in the early 1750’s.  “Jane” Bryan married John Orton on May 26, 1770 in Rowan County, North Carolina.  Jane’s father, John Bryan, writes consent indicating that Jane had not reached the legal age.  Robert Hughey and William Temple Coles signed the marriage bond.  In the 1776 will of James Orton, there was a John Orton listed as the son of James and Jane Orton.  John Bryan, Elizabeth West and Samuel Young witnessed the will.

It is believed that John Orton is the son of James Orton (born 1725) and Jane (Bryan) Orton (born 1727).  John Orton’s brother, James Orton (born 1750), was the grandfather of William Reed Orton who married Rebecca Huey (1.8.6).  William Reed Orton was born in 1802 and is the son of James Orton (born 1773) and Elizabeth (Renshaw) Orton (born 1776).  William is the grandson of James Orton (born 1750) and Elizabeth (Taylor) Orton (born 1754).  John Orton’s brother, Joseph Orton, married Jannet Bryan (1.5).  John Orton’s sister, Rebecca Orton, married John Bryan, Jr. (1.3).

On March 4, 1780, John Ortan was granted 300 acres on the south bank of the South Yadkin River.  On February 7, 1786, John Brandon and John Orton signed as security for a bond of 300 pounds for orphan children of John Bryan:  Sarah Bryan, Jean Brian and John Brian.  In the 1797 will of John Bryan, Sr., “Jean Ortan” was listed as a daughter.

References:  1)  Marriage of John Orton and Jane Bryan, Marriage Book 22, Page 449, Rowan County, North Carolina, May 26, 1770;  2)  Will of James Orton, Will Book A, Pages 230 and 231, Rowan County, North Carolina, October 31, 1776;  3)  Will of John Bryan, Will Book D, Pages 1 and 2, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797;  4)  McCubbins Collection, microfilm reel #11