William Bryant (1754 - 1834)

Born 7 Dec 1754 in Orange, North Carolina

Husband of Rachel (Wilcoxson) Bryant — married Oct 1790 in Yadkin River Valley, Rowan County, NC

Husband of Nancy (Wood) Bryant — married about 1823 in Missouri, United States

Descendants

Died 6 Sep 1834 at age 79 in Boone, Missouri, United States

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Biography

William Bryant is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: P-123868
Rank: Soldier

William Bryant is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: P-123865
Rank: Private

Captain William Bryant served with Johnston County Regiment, North Carolina Militia during the American Revolution.

Captain William Bryant was a Prisoner of War during the American Revolution.

William's birth information was taken from his military pension application. Birth 1754 in Orange County, North Carolina. He died in October 1834 in Boone County, Missouri. Grandson Jeremiah Monroe Bryant described his grandfather William Bryant as about 5' 10" with a heavy build. There was a scar across the face and nose, the result of a tomahawk blow. There were other body scars that were the results of Native American encounters. William Bryant lived in North Carolina, in the Upper Yadkin River area. He lived in this area for several years, where he acquired property and became acquainted with the Boones, Bryans, Wilcoxes, Callaways, and other pioneer families. Prior to 1775, he accompanied Daniel Boone into Kentucky as far as the North Fork of the Elkhorn Creek, where the two men made camp and hunted and explored for many weeks before returning to the Yadkin in N. C. William was one of the original settlers of Fort Boonesborough and helped in the construction of the fort. In 1779, William Bryant led a party of emigrants into Kentucky, stopping at Boonesborough for supplies and continuing to a point about five miles northeast of Lexington, where they erected and fortified several cabins, and the place was from that time forth known as Bryant's Station.' He helped Daniel Boone build a block house at Bryan's Station in Kentucky, which was named for another pioneer named William Bryan and his family, thus confusing the name Bryan's Station and Bryant's Station in dozens of publications throughout history. It is believed that William Bryant might be a nephew of William Bryan, but William Bryant's lineage remains unknown. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, but his service was omitted in 1779, probably because of this migration. William married the widowed Rachel Wilcockson Mylar about 1790 at Bryant's Station in Fayette Co., KY. They later moved to what is now Estill Co., KY. From there, in about 1816-20, they went with their younger children to the new and promising land beyond the Mississippi, located at Femme Osage, MO, close to the Boone settlement in Callaway County. Here Rachel (Wilcoxson) Bryant died, and her husband moved to Boone County in 1821. " Deed Record A, p. 292, Boone Co., MO.'"

Burial Place: Above Claysville (family cemetery on the river) Boone County, Missouri, USA Founder of Bryant Station Kentucky, not to be confused with Bryan Station. Son of Thomas Bryant.

Family

There are three sources that provide names of the children of William Bryant: 1. The list quoted from "The Boone Family" is compiled by a descendant one hundred years after the death of William Bryant. 2. Those named in the Will of William Bryant. 3. Those were named by John Ellis when he was trying to settle the estate. These children were born to his first wife, Rachel Willcockson. Children born to his second wife, Nancy Wood, did not reach maturity. The three lists considered together give the following list.

Children with Rachel: 1. Jeremiah Bryant, Married Martha Plummer 2. Hiram Bryant, Married Sarah Evans 3. Hurum Bryant, Married Susanah Brinegar 4. Thomas Bryant, Married Mary "Polly" Bennett 5. Benjamin Bryant. Married Margaret Ramsey 6. Rachel Bryant, m. 1806 and d. 1826 in Ky. (Note) Rachel is Rachel Mylar, The Stepdaughter of William, Who Married Stephen Jett Jr. In Kentucky. In 1806, She died in Kentucky in 1826. 7. Susan Bryant married William Ramsey Jr. in 1845. In 1843 William Ramsey was killed in Stonesport, Mo. 8. Henry Bryant Married Margaret. 9. George Bryant 10. Elizabeth Bryant, m. Hardin Shiflett; no known heirs.

Children by Nancy: None lived to become adults.

Military Service and Pension

His Application for A Pension for His Service in the Revolutionary War in 1833 states he was born in Orange County, N.C., in 1754. He is presently 79 Years Old. He joined the Continental forces and served for a time in the War of Independence. While serving as such, he was captured by the British and placed on board a prison ship in Charleston Harbor. One night he dropped silently into the waters of the harbor, swam ashore, and returned to the American lines in safety. During the Revolutionary struggle in Kentucky, he held the rank of Captain under Cols. Todd and Boone. Found in the Colonial Records copied from the records of soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War in Philadelphia: 'William Bryant, Private in Blounts Com.; date of Com. or enlisted 26 April 1778; period of service 2 1-4 years, omitted in 1779."'

William Bryant or Briant. Pension Number S 16660 North Carolina. The state of Missouri, County of Boone, 6-25-1833 personally appeared in court before David Todd Judge of Boone Circuit Ct. William Bryant, a resident of the said county - age 79, states he entered service under the following officers: that he entered in Rowan County, North Carolina, 10th February 1780 - as a militiaman, or rather as a volunteer, for he was not drafted under Captain Enoch; and was sent to a place called Goose Creek to guard prisoners and wagons and munitions of war, 30 miles from Charleston, and while so engaged was captured by scouting parties, said to belong to Tarlton's dragoons. - served eight months as a private soldier. In the following winter, last of Jan. 1781 again turned out under Capt. Hemphill - after pursuing the Tories, sometimes fell in with General Green just before the battle of Guilford Court House. In which he was personally engaged about 30th March 1781, he enlisted as a private soldier in the regular army under Capt. John Dial, under command of whom he continued until the close of the war. He was discharged in 1782 - states he was born in Orange Co., No. Car. 1754 (Seventeen and fifty-four) - that since the close of the Revolutionary war, he has lived in the counties of Fayette County, Ky., Madison County, Ky., Estill, and Montgomery Counties, Ky. And afterward, in the counties of Calloway and Boone, his present residence in the state of Missouri. - affidavit of Thomas Campbell, a clergyman residing in Boone Co., Missouri, and Richard Gentry, resident of the same county state, they are well acquainted with the soldier - Rev. Campbell had known him between forty and forty-eight years. Mr. Gentry had known him for 30 years. The administrator of the estate of William Bryant, whose name was John Ellis, wrote a letter to the Pension Commissioner in 1846 Jan. 31, stating he sends the papers of William Bryant for the purpose of obtaining the balance due to his heirs- he answered that the papers he enclosed printed instructions should be complied with and when the vouchers should have been prepared, they should be forwarded to P. Wagner, Esq. Third Auditor of the Treasury. The papers are here with returned." Missouri Genealogical Records." Vol.

Will

LAST WILL OF WILLIAM BRYANT In the name of God, Amen. I, William Bryant of the County of Boone, and State of Missouri, do make my Last Will and Testament. In the first place, I bequeath unto my son Henry Bryant a negro girl named Sarah at or after my death. Also, unto my son Thomas Bryant a negro child named James or Jim. Also, unto my wife Nancy I bequeath a negro, man named Peter & a negro woman named Joan during her natural lifetime - then the said negroes to be equally divided between my children begat of her body if there should be any. If we shall. have none then the said negroes to revert to my lawful heirs. Also, to my son Benjamin Bryant I bequeath the sum of one Dollar at my death. Also, to my son Huram Bryant I bequeath the sum of One Hundred Dollars should there be so much left after my death. Also, unto my son Jeremiah Bryant I bequeath the sum of 100 dollars at my death should there be so much left after paying my other legal demands. Also, unto my sons, William, and George Bryant fifty dollars each should there be property left at my death. Also, unto my daughter Elizabeth Shifflet fifty dollars. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty-seventh day of September, 1824. his William X Bryant (seal) mark Attest: P. W. Dillon Patrick Lamb

Estate

John Ellis makes an application to the Clerk of the County Court of Boone County, State of Missouri, for letters of administration on the estate of William Bryant of said county deceased and renders the following list of the heirs as far as he can state, viz Hiram Bryant's heirs of Boone County. Heirs of Jeremiah Bryant dec'd of said county. Henry Bryant of said county. Susan Hutcherson place of residence is unknown. Hiram Bryant, who is supposed to be dead, resided in the State of Kentucky. Thomas Bryant's residence is unknown. and Ben Bryant residence is unknown.

The above is all the heirs of the said William Bryant dec'd, his first marriage, to the best of this affiant's knowledge. This affiant further states that he thinks that there are some three or four other children of the dec'd by the 2nd marriage, but he is unable to state their names and residence and further that the said William Bryant died without a will, that he will make a perfect inventory of and faithfully administer all the estate of the deceased and pay the debts as far as the assets will extend and the law direct and account for and pay all assets that shall come to his possession or knowledge.

John Ellis

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29 Sept. 1845.

W. Woodson, Clerk

Water J & D Bradford vs Abraham McClelland, Hughes, KY, Reports, p. 195; "And the deposition of Daniel Boone was read, in which he states that he located a preemption of 1,000 acres...to include a camp made by himself and William Bryant (sic) on the north side of the Elkhorn..." etc. The deposition further states that said the camp was made prior to 1775, and as early as 1773 the site had been visited by them.

Edward Boone, according to Boone Scholl, had gone out with Daniel to kill game for Briants (Bryan's) Station when the indians killed him. Bryan's Station was on Elkhorn Creek in Fayette County, about five miles from Lexington and close to Boone's Station where Edward and his family lived. Several of Edward's kin had settled at Bryan's, among them two of his sisters, Mary Boone (wife of William Bryan) and Elizabeth Boone (wife of William Grant). Captain Squire Boone's Company, 23 June 1780 - partial list, stationed at "Painted Stone" near now Shelbyville.

Note

There is a tale in some books that states that William came from Wales, but no proof has been found. Thomas Bryant was issued land grants in 1737 for property in North Carolina. This makes it more plausible that William was born in North Carolina. It's possible that his ancestors did come from Wales but not him.

1729 - February 10, Richard Braswell, and wife "Eleanor" to James Norfleet of Perquimans Precinct 230 acres for 100 pounds, north side of Roanoke River in Ursara Meadow, part of 2 tracts surveyed by Braswell, adjacent Elizabeth Jeffreys, John Hilliard, Owen Kelly, John Cotton, at Holly Bush Meadow. Witnessed by Thomas Bryant, William Wilson, and James Moore. (Bertie Co., NC C-194)

1729 - February 26, William Bracewell to John Bonde merc 630 acres for 50 pounds, north side of Maherrin River where my father lived pat 10 Aug 1720. Witnessed by James Bryant and Sarah Drake. (Bertie Co., NC C-109)

1729 - April 12, Richard Sumner Will: Wife Mary. Son Richard, Daughter Charity. Father-in-Law James Bryant & Son Richard Sumner Executors. Witnessed by James Wood, Edward Green, and John Sutton. Proved in May Court 1729. (Bertie Co., NC)

1728 - August 13, Richard Bracewell JR to Richard Bracewell SR 640 acres for 5 pounds, south side of Cashy Swamp. Witnessed by Thomas Bryant, Thomas Jenkins. (Bertie Co., NC C-19)

1730 - February 9, William Bryant to John Veal of Norfolk Co., VA, 86 acres for 8 pounds, north side of Morattock River and Bridgers Creek, adjacent William Bryant, Timothy "Cumingim", granted 1 Apr 1723. Witnessed by Joseph Sumner, and Robert Braswell. (Bertie Co., NC C-338)

1730 - February 9, William Bryant to John Veal of Norfolk Co., VA, 50 acres for 5 pounds, part of patent 11 Feb 1725. Witnessed by James Sumner, and Robert Braswell. (Bertie Co., NC C-330)

1730 - February 9, William Bryant & wife Mary to John Veal of Norfolk Co., VA 320 acres for 32 pounds, part of a 640-acre grant 9 Mar 1717, adjacent William Bridgers. Witnessed by James Sumner, and Robert Braswell. (Bertie Co., NC C-346)

1731 - March 11, James Bryant's Will: " to my son William Bryant" ... "all my children after my death and after my funeral Charges is paid John Dew and Richard Braswell James Bryant Thomas Bryant and Matthew Selar and I -- appoint John Dew and James Bryant to be my Executors". Witnessed by Aaron Drake, John Daniel. (Bertie Co., NC)

1732 - February 1, Benjamin Foreman to William Bryant, 650 acres for twenty-six pounds, south side of Morattock, south side of Kehuca Swamp, both sides of Marshy Swamp, except 150 acres John Hall lives on. Witnessed by Richard Williams, Thomas Brown. (Bertie Co., NC)[1]

NC LAND GRANT IMAGES AND DATA File No. 295, Thomas Bryant 600 acres S. side of Marattock river Patent Book image; No Loose Document images on this site County: Bertie Issued:14 Apr 1727 Book: 3 pg: 227 Entered:(no date) Other Identifiers:File no.: 295 MARS: 12.14.32.294 Subjects (in archivist order):Bryant, Thomas, Roanoke River Data courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina MARS database [2] NC LAND GRANT IMAGES AND DATA File No. 623, Thomas Bryant 400 acres S. side of Tar river County: Edgecombe *Issued:17 Feb 1737 Book: 8 pg: 45 Entered:(no date) Other Identifiers:File no.: 623 MARS: 12.14.59.624 Subjects (in archivist order):Bryant, Thomas, Tar River Data courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina MARS database [3]

Missouri Judicial Records Historical Database Title Series Case Files Parties Bryant, Hiram - Plaintiff Assignee Wilcox, George B. - Defendant Cause of Action / Subject Action on Debt Term of Court, Year 1824 Term of Court, Month County Boone Court Type Circuit Court Case Type Civil General Notes Case Summary Assignee- Bryant, William. Case Number Box Folder Microfilm Roll Number

Sources

• Bryant, Thomas Julian. BRYANT'S STATION, AND ITS FOUNDER, WILLIAM BRYANT. Register of Kentucky State Historical Society Vol. 24, No. 70 (JANUARY, 1926), pp. 47-58.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90346901/william-bryant
• "Wilcoxson and Allied Families (Willcockson, Wilcoxen, Wilcox)," compiled and published by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck, M. A., 1958:
• "This account of William Bryant's life and military service appears in "The Boone Family," by Hazel A. Spraker, 1922, pp 107-8, taken from "Bryant's Station and Its Founders," by a descendant, T. J. Bryant of Wheatland, WY (Missouri History. Rev. Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 37-51).
• FindAGrave.com memorial 90346901
• Sons of the American Revolution Patriot #P-123865
• Sons of the American Revolution Patriot #P-123868
• Pension application (pdf
• Original data: Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Louisville, Kentucky: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Microfilm, 508 rolls.
• CERTIFICATE FOR MISSOURI BETWEEN 1808 AND 1812. 06/19/1810: CERTIFICATE NUMBER 382; Land issued to David Bryant;
• HISTORY: BRYANT'S STATION, FAYETTE COUNTY, KENTUCKY. Transcribed from History of Lexington Kentucky. Its Early Annals and Recent Progress. By George W. Ranck. Publ: Cincinnati, Robert Clarke & Co, 1872. Pg. 28[4]
• Bryant's Station and the memorial proceedings held on its site under the auspices of the Lexington Chapter, D.A.R., August the 18th, 1896: in honor of its heroic mothers and daughters. Louisville, Ky.: J.P. Morton and Co., printers to the Filson Club, 1897.[5]
• Bryant, Thomas Julian. BRYANT'S STATION, AND ITS FOUNDER, WILLIAM BRYANT. Register of Kentucky State Historical Society Vol. 24, No. 70 (January 1926), pp. 47-58.
• MISSOURI HISTORICAL REVIEW VOLUME III October 1908 July 1909, PUBLISHED BY THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI. FA SAMPSON Secretary EDITOR. COLUMBIA MO 1909. Book
• "North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782," database with images, FamilySearch ([6] : 7 October 2016), Bryan, Needham to Burns, William > image 191 of 1030; citing State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh.
• J.D. Lewis, Record for Captain William Bryant</span>
• Bryan, William S, and Rose, Robert. A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri. St Louis MO: Bryan, Brand, and Company, 1876. Pages 312-313. Includes date of move to Callaway County MO, names of some of his children, and data on son Jerry.
• DAR: North America Family Histories section on Daniel Boone family: 'Rachael' Wilcoxson daughter of Sarah Boone and John Wilcoxson; also per SAR applications of descendants William Cullen Bryant and Edgar Hume (Kentucky SAR24479). Elsewhere in DARs NAFH Boone Family section indicates Rachel Wilcoxson, daughter of Sarah Boone and granddaughter of Squire Boone, married William Bryant (b1739 in Wales) of Bryant's Station, who remarried to Nancy Wood after her death; and that Rachel & William's children included Jeremiah, Hiram, Huram, Thomas, Benjamin, Rachel, Susan, and Henry, all born from 1791 to 1802.

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to Sheri Havens for creating WikiTree profile Bryant-2234 on 30 Apr 2011. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Sheri and others.

• Thank you to Jeanie Bond for creating WikiTree profile Bryant-3284 through the import of TEST TREE.ged on Nov 18, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Jeanie and others.