Notes for Joseph Bryan

Notes for Joseph Bryan

Joseph Bryan was born in either the year 1719 or 1720. He was born in Chester County, PA and lived there until 1734 when he moved with his family to Virginia. His father was a leader in the formation of a new Quaker settlelment at Frederick Town (now Winchester), VA and one of the builders of "The Hopewell Monthly Meeting of Frederick". It was here in about 1737 that Joseph first married and the name of his wife is unknown. It appears that they had only two children, both daughters, the guess is that the first was Martha, born about 1737 was named for Joseph's mother. The second daughter, Rebecca, was born 9 January 1739.
It seems that most genealogists are/have been unaware of Joseph's first family and usually tie all of his children to his second wife Alice (proven by legal documents) and her surname was probably Linville. "Aylee" often used was no doubt a family nickname for Alice and is often tied to the genealogy records. "Proof" that Joseph was married twice can be found on page 508 & 509 in "The Boone Family" published in 1922 by Hazel Atterbury Spraker where it shows Joseph Bryan, Jr. says he was the half brother of Daniel Boone's wife (Rebecca). This is the only recounting of this fact and no other know Boone family history record contain this vital information. The Callaway Family Assocaition (genealogist Bobbie Callaway) suspected that Martha and Rebecca Bryan were the offsprings of a first wife, and that Joseph Jr. was not the oldest son of Joseph. Bobbie has gathered data that shows Joseph Jr., who lived to age 92, was born about 1752 when Rebecca was approximately 13 years old.
Before the Reolutionary War most eligible men served in the Colonial Militia when called upon to do so, and Joseph was no exception. Augusta Co. Virginia Court records dated 15 September 1742, contain the following entry: "Joseph Bryan delinquent at muster of Capt. Hugh Thompson at Court Martial. Later excused when returned bearing Arms".
The first deed recorded in Frederick Co., VA, dated 13 April 1744, shows that Joseph Bryan purchased land from Alexander Ross. It is assumed that Joseph and his young family lived in the Winchester area of Frederick County until his first wife died.
It appears that Joseph next moved up the Shenandoah Valley to Augusta County with his father and the rest of the family in about 1746, where he married his second wife Alice. He stay in Augusta Co. after Morgan Bryan and family moved to North Carolina in 1748. It is felt that his two daughters, Martha and Rebecca went to North Carolina with their grandparents and lived with them until both were married. This is probably where the belief that Rebecca was the child of Morgan and Martha (Strode) Bryan.
It is believed that Joseph and Alice stayed in Virginia until about 1755 where the first two children, Samuel and Joseph Jr., were born, and then went to North Carolina with the rest of the Bryan Family. Another reason for the move might be found in an Augusta County Court record dated 20 March 1755 that show Daniel Harrison initiated a suit against Joseph Bryan regarding an attachment levied on Joseph before his removal from the County. This attachment assured Harrison of collecting any debts when Joseph's property was sold.
Once in North Carolina, Joseph settled in what is now Davie Co. He was described by George Soelle, a Moravian minister who preached in many parts of the County, as a "well-to-do polite and affable man who cannot read, but well-to-do." He spent the next 43 years here where the rest of his children were born and grew up. Most of his family had moved over time to Kentucky, and at 78 years of age he and Alice moved to Kentucky (1798) where two of his sons and a son-in-law had established large plantations. He bought an estate of about 14,000 acres at Floy's Fork, Shelby Co. He died early in 1805 at age 85 in Jefferson Co. and left a will dated 20 Nov. 1804 in which he names his second wife and all of his surviving children, including his daughter Rebecca Boone.

!Jefferson Co., Kentucky Will Book 1, p. 158:
In the name of God Amen; I Joseph Bryan of the County of Jefferson, State of Kentucky, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) after my lawful debts are settled
I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Alee a gray mare, a bed and furniture and thirty dollars, either cash or property.
I also bequeath to my sons, Samuel, Joseph and John Bryan the sum of fifty dollars each, either cash or property.
I also give and bequeath unto my youngest son John Bryan one negro man names James and all the farming tools.
I also bequeath unto my daughters Martha Boon and Rebecca Boon the sum of twenty dollars each, either cash or property.
I also give unto my other daughts, Mary Howard, Susanna Hinkle, Aylee Howard, Phoebe Forbis and Charity Davis the sum of fity dollars eac
I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Elinor Adams a negro woman named Jean.
I also give to my grand daughter Aylee Adams one negro girl named Sarah.
I also give and bequeath unto my grandson Noah Adams one negro boy named Sapio.
I also give unto my grandson Jacob Adams one negro boy named Bo
I also give and bequeath unto my grandson Wilah Adams a negro girl named Lottie.
And I do hereby appoint my two sons Joseph and John Bryan executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills sand testaments made by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of November 1804.
Joseph Bryan (Seal)
Signed, sealed and published as his last will and testament in the presence of us:
Edward Cox Sr., David Enochs, Ephraim Hampton

!US Census 1790 North Carolina, Rowan Co., Salisbury District, Series M637_7 Part 2, Sheet 5, Page 302, Lines 21-22: Joseph Bryan, Sr (Males 16 and over = 1; Males Under 16 = 1; Females = 3; Other Free persons = 0; Slaves = 1) and Joseph Bryan Jr. (Males 16 and over = 2; Males under 16 = 0; Females = 2; Other Free Persons = 0; Slaves = 4)