© Copyright 1999-2008 .. B. Tabor. All Rights Reserved
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"My father, Allen Bryan, had already purchased 4,444 acres of land in East Texas which was part of a wilderness at the time of purchase. Father moved us with his own wagon train, 50 Negro slaves, a hired overseer and a considerable herd of cattle.
In the wagon train were about 15 covered wagons, one buggy and one closed carriage. "My father and mother rode in the buggy, the four younger girls in the closed carriage and the two older girls and boys rode on horseback.
Finally, after seven weeks, on the road, we arrived on my father's land. The entire tract was wild and primitive woods. We made a camp; everybody went to work building houses. The foreman and some of the Negroes started clearing land to plant the crops next spring".
(Julia W Bryan DeSteiguer on her 91st birthday)

~


John Henry BRYAN
My Great Grandfather
child 2 (or 3) of 12 of
Allen BRYAN & Sarah POU

born 26 Dec 1830 GA/AL (twin)
died abt 1920
buried Harris Chapel Cemetery, Beckville, Panola Co, TX

Tombstone Inscription "Grandfather"

  • 1840 Russell Co, AL census John Henry w/parents
  • 1850 Russell Co, AL census John Henry w/parents
  • 1850 Panola Co, TX census Nancy w/parents
  • 1860 Panola Co, TX census married
  • 1870 Panola Co, TX census married
  • 1880 Shelby Co, TX census married
  • 1900 Panola Co, TX census married
  • 1910 Shelby Co, TX census married

See Notes

Marriage license recorded
07 Apr 1859, Panola Co, TX

Nancy Elizabeth KYLE
My Great Grandmother
dau of
Robert E KYLE & Elizabeth G MARTINDALE

born 09 Jun 1842, Panola Co, TX
died 1921
buried Harris Chapel Cemetery, Beckville, Panola Co, TX

Tombstone Inscription "Granny"

Children of
John Henry Bryan & Nancy Kyle

All children born Panola and/or Shelby Co, Texas

  1. John "Johnny" Fort BRYAN 1860-1947
    1870 Panola Co, TX census w/parents
    1880 Panola Co, TX census w/brother Robert Kyle
    1880 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1900 Smith Co, TX census married
    1910 Nacogdoches Co, TX census married
    1920 Desoto Parish, LA census married
    named "John" after his father -
    buried Huntington Cem, Angelina Co, TX
    don't know where the name "Fort" plays in
    See Note
    married Elizabeth "Bettie" WILLIAMS 1871-1923
    killed in a wagon wreck
    dau of WILLIAMS
  2. Robert "Kyle" BRYAN 1861-abt 1920
    1870 Panola Co, TX census w/parents
    1880 Panola Co, TX census w/brother John Fort
    1880 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1900 Shelby Co, TX census married 2nd wife
    1910 Wood Co, TX census married 2nd wife
    named after his grandfather Robert E KYLE
    buried Alto, Cherokee Co, TX
    See Note
    living in Wood Co, TX 1910 census
    married 1885 Margaret Elizabeth "Bette" WHITE 1872-1893
    dau of Walter E WHITE & Correne [CROSSWELL?]
    2nd married 1893 Mattie Iola CHILDRESS 1879
  3. Andrew Bacon "Bac" BRYAN 1863-bet 1897-Apr 1900
    1870 Panola Co, TX census w/parents
    1880 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1900-1910 Shelby Co, TX census Hattie widowed
    1920 Newton Co, TX census Hattie widowed
    1930 Jasper Co, TX census Hattie widowed
    named after his uncle Andrew Bacon (Andy) BRYAN
    married 1884 Hattie V BURNS 1865
    Hattie 2nd married 1903 Cicero JOHNSON
  4. Thomas Henry "Jobe" BRYAN 1864-1946
    1870 Panola Co, TX census w/parents
    1880 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1910 Rusk Co, TX census married
    1920-1930 Shelby Co, TX census married
    named after his father & grandfather "Henry"
    married Martha "Mattie" Elizabeth MOORE 1871-1950
  5. Sarah Wolf "Sallie" BRYAN 1866-1945
    1870 Panola Co, TX census w/parents
    1880 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1920 Panola Co, TX census married
    named after her grandmother Sarah POU BRYAN
    Sarah POU's mother's maiden name was WOLF
    married 1885 Ed ODOM 1865-1927
  6. Elizabeth Grimes "Bettie" BRYAN 1871-1963
    1880 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1920-1930 Shelby Co, TX census married
    named after her maternal grandmother
    "Elizabeth G MARTINDALE KYLE
    married Wm Robert DAILEY 1878-1947
  7. Willie Allen BRYAN 1868-1868
    named after his grandfather Allen BRYAN
    died as infant
  8. Mary Anna BRYAN May 1873-1956
    1880 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1900 Shelby Co, TX census married 1st husband
    1920 Cherokee Co, TX census married 2nd husband
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census married 2nd husband
    probably named after her maternal grandmother Mary WOLFE-
    not sure where the name Anna plays in
    buried Huntington, Angelina Co, TX
    married Walter COULTER Apr 1872 - bro of Molly COULTER
    son of Dennis & Mary COULTER
    2nd married Walter M RITTER 1873
  9. James Stanhope "Jimmy" BRYAN 1875-1934
    1880 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1900 Panola Co, TX census w/parents
    1910 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1920 Cherokee Co, TX census married 2nd/wife
    named after his uncle James Stanhope KYLE
    married Mary "Mollie" COULTER 1882 - sister of Walter COULTER
    dau of Dennis & Mary COULTER

    2nd married 1911 Lula BIVENS SWIFT 1884-1955
  10. Daniel "Dan" Dangerfield BRYAN Apr 1878-1948
    1880 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1900 Panola Co, TX census w/parents
    1910 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1920 Desota Parish, LA census married 3rd wife
    named after Dangerfield CARPENTER, uncle to his mother
    buried Huntington Cem, Angelina Co, TX
    Ellen KYLE, aunt to Nancy married Dangerfield CARPENTER
    married Jennie WHITNEY
    See Note
    2nd married Viney UNKNOWN
    3rd married Rosie METCALF 1882-aft 1930

~

Children of
Johnny Bryan & Bettie Williams
  1. Fort Lawson BRYAN 1889-1954
    1900 Smith Co, TX census w/parents
    1910 Shelby Co, TX census boarder w/Wm Shepherd
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census widowed
    married 1911 Rocinda "Cindy" MORA 1891-1928
    both buried Johnson "Fellowship" Cem, Shelby Co, TX
    dau of John H MORA
    1936 married Bessie COULTER CLENDENNEN 1895
    dau of Mary A BRYAN & Walter COULTER
    Bessie was living in Fort's household 1930 Angelina Co, TX census
    .
    She was living with him and caring for his minor children.
  2. Carrie Alma BRYAN 1892-1982
    1900 Smith Co, TX census w/parents
    1910-1930 DeSoto Parish, LA census married
    Carrie's obituary
    married Hiley J GARSEE Sep 1884 LA
    son of Thomas GARSEE & Mary Ann UNKNOWN
    Hiley found 1900 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/parents
  3. Annie Elizabeth BRYAN 1893-1996
    1900 Smith Co, TX census w/parents
    1910 Nacogdoches Co, TX census w/parents
    1920 DeSoto Parish, LA census married
    died at age 103 in Shreveport, LA
    1st married Addis WALDROP
    2nd married E.B. CALLENDER 1878-1965
    both buried Bethel Cem, DeSoto Parish, LA
  4. Wm Henry BRYAN Feb 1896-Aug 1896
    no further info
  5. Lovard Earnest BRYAN 1897-1907
    1900 Smith Co, TX census w/parents
  6. Robert "Pat" Herman 1901-1999
    1910 Nacogdoches Co, TX census w/parents
    1920 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/parents
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census married
    buried Huntington Cem, Angelina Co, TX
    wife on 1930 census named Cora M 1911
    married 1923 Pearl FERGUSON
  7. Daniel Lee BRYAN 1904-1905
    no further info
  8. Luther Denman BRYAN 1907-1988
    1910 Nacogdoches Co, TX census w/parents
    1920 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/parents
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census
    married Lela F LEMLEY 1907-1995
    both buried Huntington Cem, Angelina Co, TX

~

Children of
Fort Bryan & Rocinda Morey
some info furnished by Jim Bryan
  1. Arthur F BRYAN, Dr 1913-2003
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census w/parents
    graduated from Gettysburg College, PA
    married abt 1945 Velma A FANUS KOUP 1910 PA-2004
    both buried Pine Grove Cem, Polk Co, TX
    Arthur's obituary
    Velma 1st married & divorced Raymond KOUP, Sr
  2. Brady "Brad" Lawson BRYAN 1915-1998
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census w/parents
    married Mary LUCAS
  3. Valera Helen BRYAN 1918-1948
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census w/parents
    1st married Doyle MACLURE/McCLURE
    2nd married Seneca Cortez SHARP died 1993
  4. Edna Mae BRYAN 1919-1998
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census w/parents
    married Robert YOUNG
  5. James Arland "Bo" BRYAN 1923
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census w/parents
    married Winnie Corine REGISTER 1923-2003
    buried Traweek/Bryan Cem, Angelina Co, TX
    cemetery is on privately owned land
    dau of Robert Delaney REGISTER & Mary Magdaline ROBERTS
  6. Doyle Chester BRYAN 1927
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census w/parents
    1st married Earlene BOYERS
    2nd married Alice UNKNOWN
    3rd Mattie KING

~

Children of
Luther D Bryan & Lela Lemley
  1. Hayman H 1930
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census w/parents
  2. David Loyd BRYAN 1930-1930
    buried Huntington Cem, Angelina Co, TX
  3. Norman W. Bryan 1934-2003
    buried Huntington Cem, Angelina Co, TX
    married 1953 Charlotte A UNKNOWN 1937
  4. Gordon BRYAN aft 1930
    no further info
  5. Roy BRYAN aft 1930
    no further info
  6. Ruth BRYAN aft 1930
    married Unknown NICHOLAS
  7. Nell BRYAN aft 1930
    married Unknown CRISP
  8. Myrle BRYAN aft 1930
    married Unknown McDANIEL

~ ~ ~ ~

Children of
Arthur F Bryan & Velma Fanus Koup
  1. Ray KOUP bef 1945
    named in Arthur's obit
    natural son of Velma's
    married Janet UNKNOWN
  2. Cindy BRYAN aft 1945
    named in Arthur's obit
    adopted dau
    married Pat WEEMS

~

Children of
Carrie Alma Bryan & Hiley J Garsee
All children born in DeSoto Parish, LA
  1. James "Jimmie" GARSEE 1900
    1920 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/parents
    named in Carries obit 1982
  2. Dovie GARSEE 1913
    1920-1930 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/parents
    named in Carries obit 1982
    married Unknown BOLTON
  3. Allice E GARSEE 1917
    1920-1930 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/parents
    named in Carries obit 1982
    married Unknown JACKSON
  4. Monroe GARSEE 1920
    1930 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/parents
    named in Carries obit 1982
  5. Martin GARSEE 1922
    1930 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/parents
    named in Carries obit 1982
  6. Lela A GARSEE 1924
    1930 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/parents
    named in Carries obit 1982
    married Unknown STARK

~

Children of
Annie E Bryan & Addis Waldrop
  1. Melvin WALDROP 1918-died abt 1930
    1920 DeSoto Parish, LA census w/mother
    both buried Bethel Cem, DeSoto Parish, LA
  2. Clara Opal WALDROP aft 1920
    buried Waldrop Cem, Panola Co, TX

~

Children of
Kyle Bryan & Bette White
  1. Corine (Corrine) BRYAN 1888-Dec 1975
    1900 Shelby Co, TX census w/gr-parents White
    Corrine was named after her maternal grandmother
    died Ventura, Ojai, CA buried CA
    married TANNER
    2nd married Bert CHANDLER
    3rd married Benjamin OTTMAN possibly 1905-1992
    found on ss index died Santa Barbara, CA
  2. Walter Daniel BRYAN 1893-1961
    1900 Shelby Co, TX census w/gr-parents White
    1920 Shelby Co, TX census married listed as Brown
    1930 Harrison Co, TX census married
    Walter was named after her maternal grandfather
    married 1919 Fay W ROBERTSON 1893-1982
    both buried Sealy Cem, Sealy, Austin Co, TX
Children of
Kyle Bryan & Mattie Childress
  1. Robert BRYAN 1897
    1900 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    not shown 1910 census
  2. Luther BRYAN 1899
    1900 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    not shown 1910 census
  3. Frank BRYAN 1903
    1910 Wood Co, TX census w/parents
    buried Houston, Harris Co, TX
  4. Charles Edward "Charlie" BRYAN 1905-1952
    1910 Wood Co, TX census w/parents
    married Retha Lavada POWELL 1911-1985
    dau of Solomon POWELL & Eliza "Lidy" R REED
  5. Plura "Meoma" BRYAN 1907-1987
    1910 Wood Co, TX census w/parents
    married Lester BAIRD
    5th married O.C. FREE 1912-2005
    no children
  6. Cora Alma "Corinne" BRYAN 1909-2005
    1910 Wood Co, TX census w/parents
    married VONDY
    2nd married Lester HICKS
  7. Lottie Iola "Norma" BRYAN aft 1910
    married Morris FRIEDMAN
    no children

~ ~ ~ ~

Children of
Walter Bryan & Fay Robertson
  1. Mary Lucille BRYAN 1925-1925
    buried DeSTEIGUER plot, San Marcus, Hays Co, TX
  2. Virginia BRYAN 1930
    married 1950 Ganey W BRADFIELD 1928

~

Children of
Andrew Bac Bryan & Hattie Burns
  1. Olive B BRYAN 1886
    1900-1910 Shelby Co, TX census w/her mother
    married 1910 Shelby Co, TX H.M. FOSHIE
  2. Algernon B BRYAN 1888
    1900-1910 Shelby Co, TX census w/his mother
    1920 Newton Co, TX census w/his mother
    1930 Jasper Co, TX census w/his mother
  3. Jesse H BRYAN (son) 1891
    1900-1910 Shelby Co, TX census w/his mother
    1920 Newton Co, TX census w/his mother
  4. John "Kendell" BRYAN (son) 1893
    1900 Shelby Co, TX census w/his mother
    1920 Newton Co, TX census w/his mother
    1930 Jasper Co, TX census w/his mother

~

Children of
Mary Bryan & Walter Coulter
  1. Bessie COULTER 1895
    1900 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census in household w/Fort L. Bryan
    married Mr. CLENDENNAN
    married 1936 Fort Lawson BRYAN 1889-1954
  2. Lourena COULTER 1899
    1900 Shelby Co, TX census w/parents
  3. Jewel COULTER 1900
    married Doc ARNWINE
  4. Lawrence COULTER 1908-1964
    1920 Cherokee Co, TX census w/mother & RITTER
    1930 Angelina Co, TX census w/mother & RITTER

~

Step-children of
Dan Bryan & natural children of Rosie Metcalf
  1. Silas "Jasper" M METCALF 1907
    1920 Desoto Parish, LA census w/Dan & Rosie
    married
    Nancy Rebecca DAILEY 1913
    gr-dau of Sarah "Sally" Bryan Odom
  2. Ravon METCALF 1910
    1920 Desoto Parish, LA census w/Dan & Rosie
  3. Robert K METCALF 1913
    1920 Desoto Parish, LA census w/Dan & Rosie

~

Notes

John "Johnny" Fort BRYAN
Aunt Tence recalls that "Uncle Johnny" came to see them at Beckville, TX. His wife died, he went to the funeral and never returned to his house. He lived with them (his brother, James S BRYAN & family) some and with his other brothers and sisters.

~ ~ ~ ~

Robert "Kyle" BRYAN was killed in an accident at the saw mill in Chronister, TX abt 1920, when he was working on the carriage - a piece of lumber pierced thru his body. Kyle was married twice. He had 2 children [Corine & Walter] by his 1st wife, Bette White, who died following the birth of Walter.

Corine & Walter are found 1900 census living with their maternal grandfather, Walter D White and great-grandmother Elizabeth "Fanny" Crosswell. After the death of Walter White's 1st wife, Corenne, he married her sister Nekayah Crosswell Smith who had 2 sons.

Elizabeth "Fanny" Crosswell is listed as Elizabeth Crosswell on the 1880 Union Parish, LA census and as Fanny Crosby 1900 Shelby Co, TX.

~ ~ ~ ~

Daniel "Dan" BRYAN lost his site at about age 20. He married 3 times. No children were born to these marriages. Dan was a musician even after he lost his site. He, like many Bryans, played by ear. My dad recalled that there was rope tied from the back door to the outhouse of Dan's home that was used by Dan.

~ ~ ~ ~

See 1880 Census Mystery | 1860-1880 Census for John Henry's family

~ ~ ~ ~

Obit for Carrie Alma Bryan Garsee (1892-1982)

Former Resident Interred Here
Mrs. Carrie [Bryan] Garsee of Tyler, Tex. died May 22 in Tyler after a lengthy illness. She was a former resident of Logansport (LA).

Services were held at the Rose-Neath Funeral home chapel Saturday, May 29 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Shelton Rogers, pastor of Mims Springs Baptist church, officiating. Interment was made at Mt. Olivet cemetery.

Survivors include three sons, Martin Garsee of Overton, Tex., Jimmy Garsee of Shreveport and Monroe Garsee of West Point, Ga., three daughters, Dovie Bolton and Alice Jackson both of Winona, Tex., and Lela Stark of Coeur D'e Alene, Idaho, one sister Annie Callender of Shreveport, two brothers, Robert Bryan of Huntington, Tex., and Luther Bryan of Huntington, 17 grandchildren - 36 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Grandsons were pallbearers.
Progress, June 8, 1982, Page 7

Paper - Furnished to me by James Bryan

~ ~ ~ ~

Obit for Arthur F. Bryan, M.D. (2003)

Funeral services for Dr. Arthur F. Bryan, 89, of Lufkin will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 27, 2003 at Pine Grove Church of Christ in Polk County, Texas, with Rev. Tom Darr officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Dr. Bryan was born February 25, 1913 in the Waterman Community of Shelby County, Texas to the late Fort Bryan and RoCinda Mora Bryan and died Friday, January 24, 2003 in a local hospital. He had resided in Lufkin for 22 years and was a member of Angel of Joy Lutheran Church.

Dr. Bryan served in the U.S. Navy for eight years which included World War II. He was a dedicated physician who served the Camden and Corrigan area from 1960 until his retirement in 1981. He will be sorely missed by family and friends alike.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Velma A. Bryan; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Pat Weems of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Janet Koup of Harrisburg, Pa.; six grandchildren: Holly and Bryan Weems; Steve, Ray Lee, and Kelly [last name removed]; and Leslie Snyder; seven great grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, James A. (Bo) and Winnie Bryan of Lufkin; Doyle and Mattie Bryan of Doucette; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be John Martin, Michael Bryan, Barry Bryan, Delbert Bryan, Mike Brashear, and Rick Brashear.

Honorary pallbearers will be Doyle Brashear, Sidney Adams, John Sirman, Paul Lakey, Bobby Smiley, and Sambo Martin.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 26, 2003 at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank special caregivers Betty Day, Emily Ferguson, Elaine Coulter, Brenda Lakey and Evelyn Stephens Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 630636, Nacogdoches, Texas 75963-0636.

Carroway-Claybar Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.

~ ~ ~ ~

Norman W BRYAN Obit

Graveside services for Norman W. BRYAN, 68, of Huntington will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003 in the Huntington Cemetery with Bro. Harold COLLINS officiating.

Mr. BRYAN was born on October 9, 1934 in Henderson, TX to the late Lela LEMLEY and Luther BRYAN and died on Tuesday, April 8, 2003 in a local hospital.

He had resided in Huntington most of his life and was a retired self employed barber and carpenter. He also served in the Merchant Marines.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Charlotte Ann BRYAN of Huntington; sons and daughters-in-law, John Weldon and Phyllis BRYAN and Luther Wayne and Kila BRYAN, all of Huntington; daughter, Belevia (BRYAN) of Huntington; grandchildren, Amy GOODWIN, Misty ALSBROOKS, Jennifer, Tracy Daniel, Kimberly and Donald NOSEWORTHY, Kyle, Brittany, Jacob, Christopher and Wiley BRYAN; five great grandchildren; brothers, Gordon BRYAN and Roy BRYAN, both of Huntington; sisters, Ruth NICHOLAS of Kountze, Nell CRISP of Nacogdoches and Myrle McDANIEL of Huntington.

Pallbearers will be James COVINGTON, David ALSBROOKS, Donnie GOODWIN, Daniel NOSEWORTHY, Donald NOSEWORTHY, Jacob BRYAN, Wiley BRYAN and Mark BRYAN.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Carroway-Claybar Funeral Home in Huntington.

Carroway-Claybar Funeral Home, Huntington, directors.

~ ~ ~ ~

Pictures of John Henry Bryan & Family

~ ~ ~ ~

1880 Shelby Co, TX - Precinct 5
  • Children listed in purple are NOT children of John & Nancy's.
  • Children listed in red have been inserted and are NOT on the census, but are proven children.
  • John Fort & Robert "Kyle" were also on 1880 Panola Census
  • also see notes and analysis of census (below)
  Name Age Born   Occupation Father Mother
- Bryan, John 49 AL 1831 Farmer AL* AL*
- ...Nancy (Kyle) 30 TX 1842 wife AL* AL*
1 ...John (John Fort) 20 TX 1860 son (also w/Kyle 1880 Panola) - -
2 ...Kyle (Robert Kyle) 18 TX 1862 son (also w/John 1880 Panola) - -
3 ...Bacen (Andrew) 17 TX 1863 son - -
4 ...Job(e) 16 TX 1864 son - -
5 ...Sallie (Sarah W) 15 TX 1866 dau - -
6 ...Bettie (Elizabeth) 14 TX 1871 dau (was 9 not 14) - -
7 ...Edward 13 - 1867 son (NOT John Henry's) son of D.C.'s? -
8 ...Wm 12 - 1868 son (NOT John Henry's) son of D.C.'s? -
9 ...Andrew 11 - 1869 son (NOT John Henry's) son of D.C.'s? -
10 ...Calhoun 10 - 1870 son (?) son of D.C.'s? -
11 ...DeKalb 9 - 1871 son (?) son of D.C.'s? -
- ...Mary 6-7 - 1873 dau (wasn't on census) - -
12 ...Henry 6 - 1874 son (?) Mary? -
- ...James Stanhope 5-6 - 1874 my grandfather (wasn't on census)    
13 ...P.W. 4 - 1876 son (?) Mary? or James? -
- ...Daniel D "Dan" 2-3 - 1877 son (wasn't on census) - -
14 ...J.C. 3 - 1877 son (?) James? or Daniel? -
15 ...J.P. 1 - 1879 son (?) Daniel? -

Like many census the birthplace of the parents are often wrong. In fact, the birthplace of the individual is likewise often wrong. I guess it was due to the one answering the questions for the enumerator not knowing the answers, or misunderstanding the question. However, John Henry's father was reportedly born in GA and his mother is proven to be born in SC. Nancy's father was born in NC and her mother seemed to have a problem knowing where she was born. She is listed on her various census as born in TN, PA, OH and IN.

Analysis & Theory

One theory to the mystery of the children listed on John Henry Bryan's 1880 census. On the 1870 Panola County, TX census John Henry & his family are correct. It lists him, his wife and 5 children. On the 1880 census John Henry for the first time shown in Shelby County (before he had always been in Panola County). He is living near his uncle, D.C. Bryan who is living with a "son-in-law".

D.C., widowed 1873, does not have any of his children with him. He had 3 minor sons in 1870 - Alfred age 4 now would be 14 - Henry age 3 now would be 13 & Wm age 1 now would be 11. Of course you have to plus or minus a year. Since his wife did not die until 1873, it is possible that they had more children and that those children are shown 1880 with John Henry. If that is the case, then child #9-#14 could be his.

Since John Henry's eldest 2 sons were listed with him in Shelby County (1880) and listed in Panola County the same census year (1880), then is it possible that he moved onto his "Uncle D.C.'s" homeplace to tend to his crops and his minor children? All while leaving his eldest 2 sons at the homeplace in Panola County?

If children 9-14 were D.C.'s then children 15-17 were possibly John Henry's. And since 3 of his own children were missing from the census, (James S. Bryan (age 5), his sister, Mary (age 7), and brother, Daniel (age 3), perhaps these are them with mistakes on age and gender (Mary). He did show his daughter, Bettie, as being 14 when she was actually 9.

None the less, that is one theory.

Out of the 15 children listed on the census
  • 2 are also listed in another county living together
  • 1 is listed as a teenager when she is actually 9-years old
  • 3 children that were ages 7-3 are NOT shown
  • 4 sons listed are positively NOT his sons
  • 5 sons listed would have had to die before 1890

The are 9 that have no identity as to being John Henry's:

  • (child 7) - Edward (age 13) - I do know that he did NOT have a son named Edward.
    On the 1870 census, D.C. Bryan had a son, Alfred age 4 - and a Henry age 3
    Could this be Edward and having the name Alfred Edward or Henry Edward?

  • (child 8) - Wm (age 12). John Henry's son named Wm (Willie Allen) died as an infant in 1868.
    On the 1870 Census, D.C. Bryan had a son named Wm age 1 - Could this be that Wm?

  • (child 9) - Andrew (age 11). John Henry's son Andrew Bacon, was listed as Bacen (age 17)
    Son of D.C.'s? Obviously NOT another Andrew of John Henry's.

  • (child 10) - Calhoun (age 10). Since this child could have been born between census, he could be a son, but if so he died before next census.
    Son of D.C.'s?

  • (child 11) - DeKalb (age 9). Obviously named after John Henry's uncle, Decalb "DC" Bryan.
    If this was a son of John Henry's then he died before next census.
    Son of D.C.'s?

  • (child 12) - Henry (age 6). Probably named after Henry Bryan, grandfather of John Henry.
    If this was his son, he died before next census. Henry is about the age of John Henry's daughter, Mary, who is NOT listed.

  • (child 13) - P.W. (age 4). This is about the age for my grandfather, James Stanhope Bryan, who is NOT listed.

  • (child 14) - J.C. (age 3). This is about the age of John Henry's son, Daniel Dangerfield Bryan, who is NOT listed.

  • (child 15) - J.P. (age 1). If this was a son of John Henry's he died before next census.

~ ~ ~ ~

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CHRONISTER, TEXAS. Chronister was a lumber community just north of Wildhurst in southern Cherokee County. It was named for C. J. Chronister, owner of the C. J. Chronister Lumber Companies, which built a large sawmill at the site in the late 1890s. In addition to the mill the company also erected managers' and workers' houses and later added a planing mill and a commissary. Just after 1900 the operation was bought by Joe Lipshitz (Lipshure), whose family continued to operate the mill until World War II. After 1900, however, Chronister lost its separate identity and by 1910 had been completely absorbed by Wildhurst. Both were gone by the early 1990s, when the surrounding area was covered with dense forests.
Source: Cherokee County History - The Handbook of Texas
furnished to me by Jim Bryan
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