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I (Marty Grant) am a 2nd cousin 6 times removed to Joseph B. Bryson.
Special thanks to Lawrence Wood (1937-1997), and Ethel Updike (1899-?) for their various write-ups on this family.
Joseph Byers Bryson was born ca 1819/20 (per 1850 and 1860 census) in Haywood Co, NC (per 1850 and 1860 census). He seems to have been named in part for his grandfather Joseph Turner. I don't know where the "Byers" middle name comes from, but many Brysons of his era used it as a middle name, so their may be an earlier family connection to that surname.
Joseph B. Bryson is a son of William Bryson (1775/80) and Elizabeth Turner. This is given by both Wood and Updike, but is proven by an 1844 deed naming the heirs of William Bryson. Included in that list was "Joseph Bryson".
Joseph would have been about 1 year old or less by the time of the 1820 census. His parents (in Haywood County that year) had three apparent sons "under 10" (born ca 1810/20). One of them was certainly Joseph B. Bryson.
For the 1830 census, Joseph would have been about 10 years old. His parents were in Macon County that year, and had two sons age 10-14 (born ca 1815/20), one of which was probably Joseph.
For the 1840 census, Joseph would have been 20 years old. His widowed mother was head of household that year, and had one son aged 20-29 (born ca 1810/20) with her, and that is most likely Joseph.
On 17 Oct 1840, Joseph Bryson obtained a marriage bond in Macon County to marry Mary C. Phillips. Mary Caroline Phillips was born 19 Dec 1819 (source?) in Haywood (now Macon) County (per 1850 and 1860 census). She was a daughter of Jonathan Phillips and Nancy A. Randolph.
In June 1842, J. H. Hunter took Joseph Bryson and William Dale to Court for notes due. (Macon Co, NC Superior Court Minutes 1838-1855 page 187)
On 10 Sep 1844, the heirs of William Bryson made a deed selling certain tracts to Elijah Kimzey (also an heir): Elizabeth Bryson, Mary Murry, Jefferson Bryson, John T. Bryson, John Phillips and wife Elizabeth, William Bryson and Joseph Bryson to Elijah Kimzey, for $850, certain tracts that belonged to William Bryson, deceased, on Sugar Fork River between Ellijay and Nickajack, 50 acres and 48 acres. They all signed. William Bryson and Mary Murry signed with a mark. Witnesses were Peter McClure, Henry Barrony, George McClure, and J. R. Siler. * This record proves that Joseph Bryson is a son of William and Elizabeth Bryson. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book E page 4 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 9 Mar 1849, Joseph B. Bryson sold 68 acres on Sugarfork (Cullasaja) River to William C. Peek. Witnessed by A. Vaughn. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book F page 99 from "Records of Macon County, N.C. 1849-1858 Deed Books F, G, H and I" Abstracted by Barbara Sears McRae, 1998. * Note: All deeds mentioned hereafter from books "F" through "I" are taken from this book.)
Joseph and family were listed on the 1850 census in Macon County. They were 11 households from 1st cousin James H. Bryson (1808).
1850 MACON CO, NC Page 358B House/Family # 571/ 582 - TENNESSEE VALLEY Twp BRYSON JOSEPH 30 M W FARMER 500 HAYWOOD CO, NC 1819/1820 BRYSON MARY C 28 F W MACON CO, NC 1821/1822 BRYSON ELIZABETH A 9 F W MACON CO, NC 1840/1841 BRYSON NANCY E 7 F W MACON CO, NC 1842/1843 BRYSON SARAH C 5 F W MACON CO, NC 1844/1845 BRYSON WILLIAM T 3 M W MACON CO, NC 1846/1847 BRYSON JOHN T 0 M W 3/12 MACON CO, NC 1849/1850
On 14 Sep 1850, Joseph Bryson (he signed as "Joseph B. Bryson") deeded 20 acres to John H. Ledford, being on Sugartown River known as the "Cove Tract" purchased by Andrew Bryson at the 1836 sale. (Probably Andrew Bryson-1809). Witnesses were John McDowell and John C. Bryson (1823). (Macon Co, NC Deed Book G page 323)
On 16 Aug 1851, John Phillips (his brother-in-law), assignee of Joseph B. Bryson received a State Land Grant for 68 acres on Sugartown Fork (Cullasaja). (Macon Co, NC Deed Book F page 228)
On 4 Aug 1857, Alfred B. Angel and Joseph B. Bryson, of Macon, deeded to P. H. P. Watkins, Silas McDowell, W. G. Sanfield, J. K. Gray and H. Carpenter, Trustees in Macon County, for $1 to build a Methodist Episcopal Church. Witnessed by T. R. McDowell and R. Russell. (Macon Co, NC Deed Book I page 82)
They were still in Macon for the 1860 census. The nearest Bryson neighbor was Andrew M. Bryson, 20 houses away.
1860 MACON CO, NC Page 244B House/Family # 226/ 234 -- TENNESSEE VALLEY Twp FRANKLIN P.O. BRYSON JOSEPH B 40 M W FARMER 1800 1030 HAYWOOD 1819/1820 BRYSON MARY C 38 F W MACON 1821/1822 BRYSON ELIZABETH A 18 F W MACON 1841/1842 BRYSON NANCY E 17 F W MACON 1842/1843 BRYSON SARAH E 15 F W MACON 1844/1845 BRYSON WILLIAM T 13 M W MACON 1846/1847 BRYSON JOHN T 10 M W MACON 1849/1850 BRYSON HARRIET L 8 F W MACON 1851/1852 BRYSON JAMES H 6 M W MACON 1853/1854 BRYSON JULIA A 3 F W MACON 1856/1857
I don't have his service record yet, but apparently Joseph Byers Bryson enlisted for the Civil War and died on 20 Nov 1862 at Winchester, Virginia.
Caroline and family were still in Macon for the 1870 census, and listed in Ellijay Township. The nearest Bryson neighbor was still Andrew M. Bryson, now 16 houses away.
1870 MACON CO, NC Page 294 House/Family # 34/ 36--ELLIJAY Twp FRANKLIN P.O. BRYSON CAROLINE 51 F W KEEPING HOUSE 1500 45 NC 1818/1819 BRYSON WILLIAM F 23 M W AGRICULTURE NC 1846/1847 BRYSON JOHN F 20 M W AGRICULTURE NC 1849/1850 BRYSON HARRIET 18 F W NC 1851/1852 BRYSON JAMES N 16 M W AGRICULTURE NC 1853/1854 BRYSON JULIA A 13 F W NC 1856/1857
Caroline was still in Ellijay in 1880. Several of her children, now married, were listed nearby.
1880 MACON CO, NC Page 496D House/Family # 114/ 114 -- ELLIJAY Twp BRYSON CAROLINE W F 58 W NC NC NC 1821/1822 BRYSON WILLIAM W M 32 S S FARMER NC NC NC 1847/1848 BRYSON JULIA W F 23 D S NC NC NC 1856/1857
Mary Caroline Phillips Bryson died before 3 Feb 1893 (per Updike) for on that date her estate was divided.
Joseph Byers Bryson and Mary Caroline Phillips had 8 children as proven by various census records and other sources. Most of the additional data I have on them is from the Macon County census and marriage records as well as Updike and Wood.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
1. Joseph Byers1 Bryson Pvt, born 1819/20 in Haywood Co, NC; died 20 Nov 1862 in Winchester, VA, Civil War, son of William Bryson and Elizabeth Turner. He married on 17 Oct 1840 in Macon Co, NC Mary Caroline Phillips, born 19 Dec 1819 in Haywood Co, NC (now Macon Co, NC); died bef 3 Feb 1893 in Macon Co, NC, daughter of Jonathan Phillips and Nancy A Randolph.
Children of Joseph Byers Bryson Pvt and Mary Caroline Phillips were as follows:
+ 2 i Elizabeth A2 Bryson, born 26 Aug 1841 in Macon Co, NC. She married Alexander Washington Zachary.
3 ii Nancy E2 Bryson, born 28 Feb 1843 in Macon Co, NC. She married Columbus Zachary.
4 iii Sarah C2 Bryson, born 13 Dec 1844 in Macon Co, NC. She married on 31 Aug 1865 in Macon Co, NC William Alexander Holbrook, born 18 Aug 1837 in Macon Co, NC; died 10 Aug 1931 in Macon Co, NC, son of William Talifero Holbrook and Catherine Setzer.
5 iv William Taylor2 Bryson, born 18 Sep 1846 in Macon Co, NC; died 1893 in Macon Co, NC.
+ 6 v John Turner2 Bryson, born 20 Jul 1850 in Macon Co, NC; died 29 Jan 1936 in Macon Co, NC; buried in Salem Cem, Macon Co, NC. He married Martha Jane Deal.
7 vi Harriet Laura2 Bryson, born 31 Oct 1852 in Macon Co, NC; died 23 Apr 1915. She married on 31 Dec 1874 Alfred H Wilson.
8 vii James H2 Bryson, born 13 Mar 1854 in Macon Co, NC. He married aft 1870 Allie Hall Yore.
+ 9 viii Julia Ann2 Bryson, born 5 Jan 1856 in Macon Co, NC. She married Marion Wright.
Generation 2
2. Elizabeth A2 Bryson (Joseph Byers1), born 26 Aug 1841 in Macon Co, NC. She married on 8 Dec 1861 Alexander Washington Zachary, born 1837 in NC.
Children of Elizabeth A Bryson and Alexander Washington Zachary were as follows:
10 i Ida Kansas3 Zachary, born 1865 in Jackson Co, NC.
11 ii Byers Grant3 Zachary, born 1867 in Jackson Co, NC.
12 iii Mary Bell Callie3 Zachary, born 1869 in Jackson Co, NC.
13 iv Keorie Laura3 Zachary, born 1870 in Jackson Co, NC.
14 v Charles L3 Zachary, born 1871 in Jackson Co, NC.
15 vi Lela3 Zachary, born 1875 in Jackson Co, NC.
16 vii Claude3 Zachary, born 1876 in Jackson Co, NC.
17 viii Lawton3 Zachary, born in Jackson Co, NC.
18 ix Walter Bulen3 Zachary, born 5 May 1886 in Cashiers, Jackson Co, NC.
6. John Turner2 Bryson (Joseph Byers1), born 20 Jul 1850 in Macon Co, NC; died 29 Jan 1936 in Macon Co, NC; buried in Salem Cem, Macon Co, NC. He married on 29 Mar 1874 in Macon Co, NC Martha Jane Deal, born 14 Dec 1850 in Macon Co, NC; died 27 Oct 1954, daughter of William Deal and Martha Jennings.
Children of John Turner Bryson and Martha Jane Deal were as follows:
19 i William Marion3 Bryson, born 6 Dec 1875 in Macon Co, NC. He married on 18 Aug 1901 in Macon Co, NC Mary Emm Bell, born 1878.
+ 20 ii Charles Byers3 Bryson, born 16 Jan 1877 in Macon Co, NC. He married Margaret Gregory.
21 iii Martha Annie3 Bryson, born 5 Jul 1878 in Macon Co, NC; died 20 Sep 1947. She married on 5 Nov 1902 in Macon Co, NC Robert A Vanhook, born 1873.
22 iv George Edgar3 Bryson, born 22 Oct 1880 in Macon Co, NC. He married on 10 Feb 1907 in Macon Co, NC Fannie Bell Thomas, born 1887.
23 v Samuel Alexander3 Bryson, born 7 Nov 1882 in Macon Co, NC. He married on 26 Oct 1910 in Macon Co, NC Olive Emaline Pearson.
24 vi John Bulon3 Bryson, born 21 Nov 1885 in Macon Co, NC. He married on 24 Dec 1905 in Macon Co, NC Tulula Grace Penland.
25 vii Cora3 Bryson, born 4 Feb 1887 in Macon Co, NC; died 4 Feb 1887 in Macon Co, NC.
26 viii James Elbert3 Bryson, born 30 Nov 1888 in Macon Co, NC.
27 ix Joseph Taylor3 Bryson, born 16 Jun 1890 in Macon Co, NC. He married in Macon Co, NC Grace (---).
28 x Nellie3 Bryson, born 4 Dec 1891 in Macon Co, NC; died 4 Dec 1891 in Macon Co, NC.
29 xi Thomas Newton3 Bryson, born 5 Feb 1894 in Macon Co, NC; died 16 Oct 1953. He married on 8 Feb 1918 in Macon Co, NC Leona Evans.
9. Julia Ann2 Bryson (Joseph Byers1), born 5 Jan 1856 in Macon Co, NC. She married on 17 Feb 1881 in Macon Co, NC Marion Wright, born 1848/49.
Children of Julia Ann Bryson and Marion Wright were as follows:
30 i Laura Jean3 Wright, born 7 Feb 1882 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC; died 3 Apr 1960.
+ 31 ii Frank3 Wright, born 2 Nov 1882 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC; died 29 Nov 1916. He married Annie Reece.
32 iii Mary Caroline3 Wright, born 13 Sep 1885 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC; died 8 Aug 1963.
33 iv James Robert3 Wright, born 5 Feb 1887 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC; died 18 Apr 1966.
34 v Joseph Lawrence3 Wright, born 29 Jan 1889 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC; died 19 Apr 1956.
35 vi William Taylor3 Wright, born 12 Oct 1891 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC; died 11 Jan 1956.
36 vii Elizabeth Louise3 Wright, born 16 May 1893 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC. She married (---) Prince.
37 viii Kitty Pearl3 Wright, born 2 Oct 1895 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC; died 20 Jan 1952.
38 ix Clara Annie3 Wright, born 9 Nov 1898 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC; died 11 Jul 1951.
Generation 3
20. Charles Byers3 Bryson (John Turner2, Joseph Byers1), born 16 Jan 1877 in Macon Co, NC. He married on 9 Mar 1902 in Macon Co, NC Margaret Gregory, daughter of Jack Gregory and Polly Dills.
Children of Charles Byers Bryson and Margaret Gregory were as follows:
39 i Fred4 Bryson.
40 ii Lease4 Bryson.
+ 41 iii Ray4 Bryson. He married Amelia Wright (see 43).
31. Frank3 Wright (Julia Ann2 Bryson, Joseph Byers1), born 2 Nov 1882 in Sugar Fork, Macon Co, NC; died 29 Nov 1916. He married on 29 Oct 1913 in Macon Co, NC Annie Reece, born 1889/90.
Children of Frank Wright and Annie Reece were as follows:
42 i Newell4 Wright.
43 ii Amelia4 Wright. She married Ray Bryson (see 41), son of Charles Byers Bryson and Margaret Gregory.
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