William M. Bryson and Susannah Bogle of NC and SC

Many thanks are owed to various researchers, but special thanks to: Ethel Updike (decd), Lawrence Wood (decd), Guy Davenport, Pat Spradley, Jim Wardley, Bill Lindsey, Sandra Fender, and many others (see the Bryson researcher page).

William M. Bryson was born ca 1750 in Mount Joy, Lancaster Co, PA. He is a son of William Bryson and Isabella Holmes, but there is no solid proof of that. However, I have no reason to doubt it being accurate.

William's birth place is based on information proven about his siblings, and recorded in early family histories written about this family. His birth date isn't proven, but the 1800 census showed him age 45 and up, so he was born prior to 1755.

Samuel Bryson (brother to William) stated in his Revolutionary War Pension Application (10 May 1833 Wilson Co, TN) that he was 79 years old (in his 79th year) so he was born ca 1754. He also said he enlisted in Rowan Co, NC where he had moved from Lancaster Co, PA in his 15th year. After the war he moved to Pendleton County, SC where he lived 6 or 7 years. Then he moved to Buncombe Co, NC for 8 years, then to Wilson Co, TN where he now resides. This data parallels exactly (except for moving to TN) what we know about William Bryson, so it is reasonable to assume they were brothers.

In a Family record written before 1898 by Talitha Bryson Allen (granddaughter of James Holmes Bryson, brother of both Samuel and William) she stated that James, Daniel and Andrew Bryson were brothers. She mentioned that the family came from the province of Ulster in Ireland to PA, and later settled in Anderson District, SC. She stated all three brothers served in the American Army during the Revolution. She didn't mention William, but that could be because he died when she was a small child, and she forgot about him.

Thomas Clingman Bryson wrote in another Family Record (written before 1940) that the brothers were James, William, Daniel, Andrew and John, and that they were sons of William Bryson and a Miss Holmes. They came from Ireland to Lancaster Co, PA then to SC and NC.

Another Family Record written by Frank L. Bryson (1890-?) mentioned all six brothers: John, Sam, Daniel, Andrew, James Holmes and William.

All of the above information was based on family tradition and interviews with family members. It seems to establish fairly well that William Bryson and Isabella Holmes were the parents of James Holmes Bryson, John Bryson, William M. Bryson, Andrew Bryson, Samuel Bryson, and Daniel H. Bryson. The data also seems to agree that the Brysons came from Ireland to Lancaster Co, PA then to Rowan Co, NC, later to SC and western NC.

So, family tradition shows us that William M. Bryson is a son of William Bryson and Isabella Holmes. Is there any other evidence of this? There is no direct evidence, as far as I know, but there is lots of circumstantial evidence. Here is what we know about William M. Bryson.

He was born in Lancaster Co, PA most likely. He came to Rowan Co, NC with his family in the 1760's, where his father William Bryson purchased land on Back Creek (now in Iredell Co, NC near town of Mooresville).

William M. Bryson and all his brothers were reputed to have served during the Revolutionary War, and were said to be at the Battle of Kings Mountain. I haven't seen William's name on any pension lists or in other documents to prove his service.

Sometime around 1775, William M. Bryson married Susannah Bogle in Rowan Co, NC. No marriage record was found, and her maiden name is based on tradition. She is thought to be a sister of Martha Bogle, wife of William's brother Samuel Bryson

By 1779, William had left home in Rowan (now Iredell) Co, NC and had moved to Lincoln Co, NC. He and his brother Samuel Bryson both signed a petition that year in Lincoln Co, NC requesting part of Burke County be annexed to Lincoln.

On 5 Mar 1787 William Bryson sold 250 acres of land on Kennon Creek in Lincoln Co, NC to James Bryson, his brother (unless this deed is actually from William Bryson Sr).

On 8 Aug 1787 William M. Bryson and wife Susannah, and Samuel Bryson (his brother) sold 225 acres in Lincoln Co, NC to Thomas Earwood. John Bryson (their brother) witnessed the deed.

I haven't found any record (so far) where William obtained either of those two pieces of land. The fact that the second tract was co-owned by his brother Samuel may indicate that it was inherited through their Bogle wives.

The 1790 census shows that William was in Ninety-Six District, Pendleton County (now Anderson County, SC) by then, residing in this group: William Bryson, John Bryson, Samuel Bryson, and James Bryson all next to each other (these are his brothers).

William didn't remain long in SC. By 1800 he and several of his brothers had moved to Buncombe Co, NC, and were listed there on the 1800 census. This census list was alphabetical, so neighbors can't be determined.

William Bryson (son of Samuel Bryson) was of age, and also living in Buncombe Co, NC until after 1810, so it is possible that some of these records quoted below are for him, instead of William M. Bryson. A close analysis may reveal which is which.

In Jan 1802, William Bryson sold 790 acres of land on the Tuckasegee River to Richard Morrow. I haven't found when William obtained this land. The river is in modern Jackson and Swain Counties. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book A page 383).

On 26 Nov 1802 William Bryson received a State Grant of 100 acres on Scott's Creek (modern Jackson Co, NC). (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 7 page 491).

On 8 Dec 1802 William Bryson received a land grant of 150 acres on Tuckasegee River. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 279).

On 18 Mar 1806 James Bryson sold 194 acres on the French Broad River to William Bryson. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book A page 292).

On 27 Mar 1807 Joseph Maxwell sold 325 acres to William Bryson. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book B page 150).

Some of the above records probably pertain to William Bryson (c1777) son of Samuel Bryson. He may be the one with land on the Tuckasegee River. The only one I'm sure is William M. Bryson is the deed of 18 Mar 1806 on the French Broad River. The land on Scotts Creek may belong to William Bryson (c1775/80) son of James Holmes Bryson. That William was in Haywood Co, NC in 1810, which is where Scotts Creek was at that time.

By the time of the 1810 census, there were three William Bryson's listed in Buncombe Co, NC. One on page 73, was most likely William (c1777) son of Samuel Bryson. The next one was on page 83, listed as William "Jr", and this was son of William M. Bryson. The next one, on page 96 was listed as William "Sr". This was William M. Bryson.

William made his Will on 20 Jul 1817 in Buncombe Co, NC (Recorded in Henderson Co, NC). He named:

As far as we know, these ten were his only children. William died on 19 Sep 1817 in Buncombe (now Henderson) Co, NC. He also mentioned his "six unmarried daughters", which he also named. Several of them had children out of wedlock, only one of which he named in his Will (Hugh Bryson, son of Isabella).

I've been told that the grave markers forWilliam and Susannah are still intact at the Bryson cemetery near Mills River (a little northwest of Hendersonville). I think only the death dates are reported.

After the death of William and Susannah, most of the family remained in the area. The 1820 Buncombe Co, NC census shows William Bryson (child of William & Susannah), Elizabeth Bryson (child of William & Susannah), Isabella Bryson (child of William & Susannah), Joseph Bryson (child of William & Susannah) and John Bryson (child of William & Susannah) all listed in the area that later became Henderson Co, NC. Isabella's household contained several adult females, who were most likely her sisters (other than Elizabeth).

The 1830 census shows them mostly in the same area. In 1830 Buncombe Co, NC census we have: Joseph Bryson (child of William & Susannah), Hugh Bryson (son of Isabella Bryson, child of William & Susannah), John Bryson (child of William & Susannah), William Bryson (child of William & Susannah), Elizabeth Bryson (child of William & Susannah), and Susannah Bryson (child of William & Susannah). Susannah's household seems to include several of her sisters.

In 1838 Henderson County was formed from a large portion of Buncombe County, and included the land where all these Bryson's resided. The 1840 census of Henderson Co, NC shows them all living there: Elizabeth Bryson (child of William & Susannah), Hugh Bryson (son of Isabella Bryson, child of William & Susannah), Milinda Bryson (don't know who she is), Susannah Bryson (child of William & Susannah), George Bryson (son of Joseph, child of William & Susannah), Juda Bryson (widow of Joseph Bryson, child of William & Susannah), William Bryson (son of Joseph, child of William & Susannah), William Bryson Sr (child of William & Susannah).

The 1850 census of Henderson Co, NC (at least the version that I have seen) is very messed up. It looks as if the census taker dropped all the pages, then put them back together in a random order, but then renumbered all the families. There are so many problems with it. I recently was informed that several pages are actually missing from this version. In any event, most of William M. Bryson's living children and grandchildren were still in Henderson Co, NC in 1850.

Children

The children of William M. Bryson and Susannah Bogle are all proven by his Will.

Isabella Bryson was born before 1775. She never married. She lived at home with her parents until their deaths. On the 1820 census, she was listed as head of household, apparently with several of her sisters residing with her. She had at least one child (Hugh Bryson, born ca 1798) out of wedlock. The 1820 census may indicate two other children, but those could belong to one of her sisters. The 1820 census was the last record I've found for Isabella.

Mary Bryson was born before 1775. She married William Young ca 1791 in Pendleton Dist, SC (or Buncombe Co, NC). He was listed on the 1800, 1810 and 1820 census in Buncombe Co, NC. William died 29 Apr 1825 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Henderson). Mary was living in 1830, but not listed on the census. She was probably with one of her children. She died 14 Apr 1835 in Buncombe (now Henderson) Co, NC. Their children were found in Macon, Haywood, Henderson and other counties in western NC.

William Bryson was born 16 Jan 1779 in NC (probably Lincoln Co, NC). He married 5 Dec 1805 to Sarah Jones in Buncombe (now Henderson) Co, NC. He was listed on the 1810, 1820 and 1830 Buncombe Co, NC census. And on the 1840 and 1850 Henderson Co, NC census. He died 26 Jun 1852 and Sarah died 4 Feb 1873.

Elizabeth Bryson was born ca 1780/84 in Lincoln Co, NC (probably). She never married, but had at least two children out of wedlock. The first (a daughter) is unidentified, and the second was named Nancy Bryson born ca 1813. She may also have had a son born ca 1815/20. Elizabeth was listed on the 1820 and 1830 Buncombe Co, NC census, and the 1840 Henderson Co, NC census. I didn't find her in 1850, so she may have died by then.

John Bryson was born ca 1784/90 in Lincoln Co, NC (probably). He was married by 1810, for he was listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe Co, NC with an apparent wife and at least one son. He had land on Mills River in Buncombe (now Henderson) Co, NC. He was listed on the Buncombe Co, NC census in 1810, 1820 and 1830. I don't know where he went after 1830.

Susannah Bryson was born ca 1790 in Pendleton Dist, SC (or in NC per the 1850 census). She never married, but had at least three children out of wedlock: Joseph Y. Bryson, Teresa Bryson and Aveline Bryson. She was listed on the 1830 Buncombe Co, NC census, and in Henderson Co, NC in 1840 and 1850.

Joseph Bogle Bryson was born ca 1790/94 in SC or NC. He married Judith M. Allen ca 1811 in Buncombe (now Henderson) Co, NC. He was listed on the 1820 and 1830 Buncombe Co, NC census. He died during the 1830's in Buncombe (now Henderson) Co, NC. Judith was listed on the 1840 and 1850 Henderson Co, NC census. She later went to Williamson Co, TX where she died on 18 Aug 1887. Most of Joseph and Judith's family left NC for TX and other states.

Martha Bryson was born ca 1794 in Buncombe Co, NC. She was still single when named in her father's Will in 1817. She married William Lindsey ca 1825 in Buncombe Co, NC. William was listed on the 1830 Buncombe Co, NC census, and 1840 Henderson Co, NC census. By 1850 he and Martha had moved to Buncombe Co, NC and were listed there.

Margaret Bryson was born ca 1795 in Buncombe Co, NC. She never married. She was listed on the 1850 census in Henderson Co, NC residing with some of her sisters.

Jane Bryson was born ca 1800 in Buncombe Co, NC. She never married. She was listed on the 1850 census in Henderson Co, NC residing with some of her sisters.

Researcher List

1. William M¹ Bryson , born abt 1750 in Lancaster Co, PA; died 19 Sep 1817 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Henderson Co, NC), son of William Bryson and Isabella Holmes . He married bef 1775 in Rowan Co, NC Susannah Bogle , born bef 1755; died 13 Jul 1811 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Henderson Co, NC), daughter of William Bogle and Mary (---) .

Children of William M Bryson and Susannah Bogle were as follows:

+ 2 i Isabella² Bryson , born abt 1774/75 in Rowan Co, NC; died 1820/30 in Buncombe Co, NC. She married (---) ? .

+ 3 ii Mary² Bryson , born 1775/77 in Rowan Co, NC; died 14 Apr 1835 in Buncombe Co, NC. She married William Young .

+ 4 iii William² Bryson (Jr) , born 16 Jan 1779 in Lincoln Co, NC; died 26 Jun 1852 in Henderson Co, NC. He married Sarah W Jones .

+ 5 iv Elizabeth² Bryson , born 1780/84 in Lincoln Co, NC; died aft 1840 in Henderson Co, NC. She married (---) ? .

6 v John² Bryson , born 1784/90 in Lincoln Co, NC; died aft 1830.

+ 7 vi Susannah² Bryson , born 1789/90 in Pendleton Dist, SC; died aft 1850 in Henderson Co, NC. She married ? (---) .

+ 8 vii Joseph Bogle² Bryson , born 1790/94 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 1830/37 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Henderson Co, NC). He married Judith M Allen .

+ 9 viii Martha² Bryson , born 1793/94 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Buncombe Co, NC. She married William Lindsey .

10 ix Margaret² Bryson , born 1794/95 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Henderson Co, NC.

11 x Jane "Jenny"² Bryson , born 1799/1800 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Henderson Co, NC.

Generation 2

2. Isabella² Bryson (William M¹), born abt 1774/75 in Rowan Co, NC; died 1820/30 in Buncombe Co, NC. She married in Not married (---) ? .

Children of Isabella Bryson and (---) ? were as follows:

+ 12 i Hugh³ Bryson , born 1797/98 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1870. He married Margaret McCall .

3. Mary² Bryson (William M¹), born 1775/77 in Rowan Co, NC; died 14 Apr 1835 in Buncombe Co, NC. She married in 1790/92 in Pendleton Dist, SC William Young , born 1774 in Burke Co, NC; died 29 Apr 1825 in Buncombe Co, NC, son of John Stuart Young and Jane Berry .

Children of Mary Bryson and William Young were as follows:

+ 13 i Martha³ Young , born 27 Aug 1792 in TN; died 10 Nov 1873 in Macon Co, NC. She married David Rogers .

14 ii William B³ Young , born 1794/1800 in Buncombe Co, NC.

+ 15 iii Permelia³ Young , born 1792/93 in SC. She married Hardiman Bennett .

+ 16 iv Elijah³ Young , born 15 Apr 1798 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 27 Dec 1885. He married Henrietta Clayton .

+ 17 v John³ Young , born 25 Nov 1801 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 20 Feb 1864. He married Elizabeth Phillips .

+ 18 vi Rachel³ Young , born 20 Feb 1803 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 27 Jul 1850. She married John Harkins (Jr) .

+ 19 vii Joseph³ Young , born 1808 in Buncombe Co, NC. He married Sarah Picklesimer .

20 viii Jane³ Young , born in Buncombe Co, NC.

21 ix Susanna³ Young , born in Buncombe Co, NC.

+ 22 x James M³ Young , born 25 Dec 1810 in Buncombe Co, NC. He married Susannah Tabor .

4. William² Bryson (Jr) (William M¹), born 16 Jan 1779 in Lincoln Co, NC; died 26 Jun 1852 in Henderson Co, NC. He married on 5 Dec 1805 in Buncombe Co, NC Sarah W Jones , born 26 Oct 1785; died 4 Feb 1873 in Henderson Co, NC, daughter of John Jones .

Children of William Bryson (Jr) and Sarah W Jones were as follows:

23 i Elizabeth³ Bryson , born 25 Oct 1807 in Buncombe Co, NC; died Aug 1877. She married (1) George Clayton ; (2) James Spann .

24 ii Robert³ Bryson , born 1808 in Buncombe Co, NC. He married on 15 Nov 1826 in Buncombe Co, NC Sarah Clayton .

25 iii John³ Bryson , born 9 Dec 1809 in Buncombe Co, NC. He married in Oct 1835 in Buncombe Co, NC Lillie Leach .

26 iv Susannah³ Bryson , born 21 Sep 1811 in Buncombe Co, NC; died Jun 1877. She married (1) Noble Johnson ; (2) Barnett Burnett .

+ 27 v Mary E "Polly"³ Bryson , born 24 Oct 1813 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 12 Oct 1887. She married John Covington Moore .

+ 28 vi William³ Bryson , born 8 Oct 1815 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 9 Jul 1872 in AL. He married Teresa Acker .

29 vii Joseph M³ Bryson , born 3 Jul 1817 in Buncombe Co, NC; died abt 9 Nov 1838 in Henderson Co, NC.

+ 30 viii James Wiley³ Bryson (Capt) , born 12 Dec 1819 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 25 Jul 1862 in Henderson Co, NC. He married Sarah Ann Hawkins .

+ 31 ix Sarah Lillian Marion³ Bryson , born 5 Dec 1821 in Buncombe Co, NC; died Dec 1850 in Henderson Co, NC. She married Lambert Clayton .

+ 32 x George Washington³ Bryson , born 16 Aug 1822 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 5 Aug 1864 in La Grange, GA, Civil War. He married Mary Elizabeth Acker .

+ 33 xi Patience Matilda³ Bryson , born 26 Oct 1826 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 2 Jul 1896. She married Hugh F Johnson .

+ 34 xii Rachel C³ Bryson , born 28 Feb 1829 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 5 Mar 1899. She married Francis Marion "Frank" Brittain .

5. Elizabeth² Bryson (William M¹), born 1780/84 in Lincoln Co, NC; died aft 1840 in Henderson Co, NC. She married in Not married (---) ? .

Children of Elizabeth Bryson and (---) ? were as follows:

35 i (---)³ Bryson , born 1804 in Buncombe Co, NC.

+ 36 ii Nancy³ Bryson , born 1812/13 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 1893 in Transylvania Co, NC. She married (1) Martin Simpson ; (2) (---) ? .

7. Susannah² Bryson (William M¹), born 1789/90 in Pendleton Dist, SC; died aft 1850 in Henderson Co, NC. She married in Not married ? (---) .

Children of Susannah Bryson and ? (---) were as follows:

+ 37 i Joseph Y³ Bryson , born 1815/16 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 1892 in Henderson Co, NC. He married Rebecca Anderson .

+ 38 ii Teresa³ Bryson , born 1828/29 in Buncombe Co, NC. She married Alfred Webb Ledbetter .

39 iii Aveline³ Bryson , born 1828/29 in Buncombe Co, NC.

8. Joseph Bogle² Bryson (William M¹), born 1790/94 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 1830/37 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Henderson Co, NC). He married in 1810/11 in Buncombe Co, NC Judith M Allen , born 25 May 1790 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 18 Aug 1887 in Williamson Co, TX.

Children of Joseph Bogle Bryson and Judith M Allen were as follows:

+ 40 i William³ Bryson , born 30 Sep 1811 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 29 Aug 1881 in Lake City, FL. He married Lucinda Aveline Plumbley .

+ 41 ii John Thomas³ Bryson , born 5 Apr 1813 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 18 Nov 1894 in Williamson Co, TX. He married Amelia Edwards .

42 iii Susan Rachel³ Bryson

William M. Bryson (c1750) and Susannah Bogle of NC and SC

Children

Researcher List

Register Report