An Abridged History and Genealogy of the Ancestors and Descendants of James and Mary (nee Goodge) Bryan

Notes:

It is said that James Bryan was born in Virginia and his parents moved to Maryland and later to Pennsylvania and the Maryland line. It is well known that his son James, Jr., lived near Uniontown, Pa., and other sons and daughters lived about Cumberland, Md., some migrating later to other states.

It is said, it may be rumor , that James Sr., was twice married before he moved to Maryland or Pennsylvania. In such case some of his children may have migrated with him unless they were grown up and married. Nothing is definitely known of children of the second marriage if there was such a marriage. But is known that he was the father by his wife of a large family, of whom in part were Nathaniel, Thomas, Sarah, Rachel, Samuel, James, and one other daughter. Others are unknown. (These children's names have been repeated here, order of their ages unknown.)

From the records we have found we know the following:

• James Bryan was born April 12, 1764 in Sussex City, DE.
• In 1795 moved to Fort Cumberland in Alleghany County, MD.
• In 1825, he was in Fayette County, Pa.
• In 1831, James Bryan Sr. and his son James Bryan Jr. lived side by side on lots owed by James Bryan Jr. in Union twp (Uniontown ?) , PA adjacent to the National Turnpike. James Bryan Sr.'s wife's first name at that time was Sarah.
• Applied for his Rev. War pension 2 Sep. 1834, then a resident of Union Township, PA.

Children of James Bryan, Sr.

James Bryan, Jr.(son) - See next page.

Nathaniel Bryan (son). Date of birth and death unknown, but estimated his birth would be about 1790 or 1800 and his death would fall somewhere about 1860.

Nathaniel married Miss Nancy Bell (Not known whether the name "Bell" is a Christian name or family name,-Ed.) It is known that they lived in Maryland, near Cumberland, and that they raised quite a large family, namely: Louise or Louise Jane, Maria, Edwin, Brooks, James, Harriet, Mary, Emily, Amanda, Maria and Louis. (Date of children and grandchildren are given under the names of the heads of families as they are reached in this history,-Ed.)

7/9/00
Updated information: Nathaniel's birthdate was Abt. January 07, 1792. Nancy was born abt. 1800. They were married on July 3, 1817. Nancy's surname was actually Beall. Nathaniel was buried on July 28, 1861. Nancy and Nathaniel are both buried at Rose Hill Cemetary in Cumberland, MD.

Nathaniel's Military Service: The War of 1812 Muster Rolls state that Nathaniel and his brother James were both Privates in 1 Regiment (Ragan's), Maryland Militia. The book "The History of Allegany County Maryland by James W. Thomas, LLD., and Judge T. J. C. Williams" states the following:

"Allegany county formed a part of the first military district of the State, and furnished two well-drilled and fully equipped companies that marched to Baltimore and gallantly participated in those memorable engagements. One of these companies was made up of Cumberland men, and the other of men from lower districts of Allegany county." It goes on to list Nathaniel and James Bryan as Privates in McLaughlin's Company, Captain Wm. McLaughlin; First Lieutenant, James Hook; Second Lieutenant Geo. Shuck; Ensign Frederick Rice, etc. There were a total of 104 men in this company.

Louise Jane Bryan(daughter) married one Thomas W. Piper, (Louise Jane's name may have been Mary Jane,-Ed.) It is known that she was the mother, by him of Assa W., Charles E., Jeannett, Mary C., Louise (not known to Ed.), and Julia M., (Jeannett, Mary and Julia are well known to me,-Ed.)

Assa W. Piper and Charles E. Piper, sons of Louise Jane and Thomas W. Piper, lived in or near Washington, D.C., but no other facts are known about them.

In the 1890 Washington, D.C. City Directory Thomas W. Piper is listed as a collector, Charles Piper is listed as a laborer and Asa W. Piper is listed as an upholsterer all living at 1942 14th northwest, in Washington, D.C. In the 1891 Directory Asa is listed as a mattressmkr, Thomas Piper and Charles are both listed as Clerk, all at the same address.

Jennette Piper (daughter of Louise Jane and Thomas W.) married one George Smith of Washington, D.C. Jeannett, called Nettie by the family, served as a clerk in one of the government's offices before her marriage, and perhaps she remained at her work for some time afterwards. In the year of her marriage, about 1915, her address was No. 504 Randolph St., Washington, D.C.

Mary C. Piper (daughter of Louise Jane and Thomas W.) married Chauncy S. Davies. Their address in 1915 was N. 170 Highland Ave., Washington, Penna. In 1916 Mr. Davies accepted a position as manager for a gold mining company in Mexico, and intended to take his family to El Paso, Texas, in order that he might be near them, if he like the job. Nothing further is known of his activities. His family consisted of two children, but their names are not given.

Julia M. Piper (daughter of Louise Jane and Thomas W.) was not married in 1916, the last date the author William H. Bryan saw her. Her address at that time was 1318 Vermont St., Washington, D.C.

Maria Bryan (daughter of Nathaniel Bryan) married one Samuel Johnson (Another name Maria must be an error, so one of the names will be dropped.) There are no data about Maria's history other than what is here given. Cumberland, Maryland Directories, 1890 lists a Samuel Johnson as a carriage trimmer living at 20 Elm in Cumberland, MD. Not sure if this is correct Samuel Johnson.

Edwin and Brooks Bryan(Sons of Nathaniel) are without data.

Edwin Bryan born 1822, Cumberland, MD.

James Bryan (Son of Nathaniel) is said to have lived in Maryland and to have been taken suddenly ill and died while visiting his sister in Cumberland, Md.

Harriet Bryan (daughter of Nathaniel) is said to have remained single and to have lived in Rosebury, West Virginia. (S. Va may have been Virginia at that time, if before 1862.)

The 1870 Census shows Harriet living in Allegany County, MD with her sister Amanda and her family. It was reported to the census taker that she was 26 years old (b. 1844), born in Ohio, and a seamstress.

LDS has a listing for a Harriet Bryan born 30 Apr 1844, Ohio -No parents listed. (Film Number 6142806) - Need to research this further.

Mary Bryan (may be Amanda in this order)(daughter of Nathaniel) is said to have married one Snyder and to have lived in Rosebury, West Virginia. No other facts given. Mary Brien married Jacob Snyder on 2/23/1847 Source: Allegany County Marriages in Bride Order (1826-1847)

(Emily Bryan is listed above but no information is given about her.) Marriage records, 1791-1865 Allegany County, Maryland. Clerk of the Circuit Court lists Emily BRIAN marriage to a Samuel CRAIG 18 Mar 1848, Allegany, Maryland.

Amanda Bryan (may be Mary instead of Amanda)(daughter of Nathaniel) is said to have married one Assa Wilson. To this union were born two children, namely, Jasper and Charles, of which the latter is said to have engaged in the practice of law in Cumberland, Md.

1870 Census Allegany County, MD

Cumberland - ED #6 - 620-656

WILLISON Asa (this is Asahael, son of Jasper Willison and Anna Hyatt Willison) age 46 - born MD 1823 - Milling (Asa drove a stage coach also.)
Amanda (Bryan) - 40 - Ohio - keeping house
Charles - 18 - MD - at school
Jasper - 16 - MD - at school
Emma - 10 - MD - at school
Mollie - 5 - MD
KYFER, Ann - 19 - MD - Domestic
BRYAN, Hariet - 26 - Ohio - seamstress
WILLISON, Anna - 68 - MD (Ashael's mother?)


Correct names here are actually Amanda Bryan and Asahael Willison (abt 1823-1907), a promenent citizen in Cumberland, MD. In 1873, the Cumberland Land Records show Francis Twigg bought property from Asahel Willison (LR 039:036 MDALL). The 1890 Cumberland, MD directory lists Asahel Willison as Postmaster. Excerpts from The Cumberland Times transcribed by Charles Often

WILLISON 18 Nov 1907 Mr Asahel Willison, Washington St, died last night at 11 o'clock in his 84th year. A son of Jasper and Anna Hyatt Willison and a grandson of Moses Willison, he was a man of prominence. His wife Amanda Willison died in 1899. Sons and daughters surviving are: Charles E. Willison, Jasper Willison, and Miss Mary Willison and Miss Emma Willison. A brother, Owen Willison of Paw Paw, and a sister, Mrs Anne Gross, Fostoria Ohio. The funeral is from Emmanuel Episcopal Church with interment in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Further Research on Asahel:
Ashael Willison, another of the old wagoners, is still living in Cumberland, and on of the most prominent citizens of that place. He was postmaster at Cumberland during the first administration of President Cleveland. From the saddle horse of a six-horse team on the old pike to control of a city postoffice is distinctively an American idea, and a good one. The old wagoner made a capital postmaster. Mr. Willison is now deputy collector of Internal Revenue for the State of Maryland.

Hanson Willison was early on the road as a stage driver, and none of his fellow drivers excelled him in skillfulness. He drove a brief period between Uniontown and Brownsville, but for the most part in and out from Cumberland. He is still living in Cumberland, proprietor of the American House livery stables, and doing a profitable business. He retains the habit of the early days of the road, generous almost to a fault, perfectly familiar with the roads history, his memory is well stored with its exciting incidents and accidents. Hanson Willison and Ashael Willison before mentioned, are brothers.

Source: THE OLD PIKE: A HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL ROAD by Thomas B Searight, 1894

Moses WILLISON Will: 27 Sep 1817 Allegany, Maryland Father: John WILLISON. Eleanor Lewman Borrn 1778 Washington County MD Death 1868 Spouse Moses Willison Father : Caleb Lewman and Elizabeth Lewman

The 1890 Cumberland, MD directory lists their son Jasper N. Willison, as Attorney at Law. Jasper Willison also appears on the 1830 Allegany County Census MDS3a2025525.

(Susan Bennett m. Jasper Willison??)

There was a Mary Bryan Wilson who was called "Aunt Polly Wilson" (But she would be a great Aunt to my father James, Ed.) Very likely this is actually Mary Willison who is mentioned above.

Dr. Thomas Bryan, (brother of Nathaniel), is said to have migrated to some western city to engage in the practice of medicine, probably accompanied by one of his brothers. Cumberland county marriages show that Thomas Brien married Mahala Williamson on july 10, 1817.

Samuel Bryan (brother of Nathaniel), is said to have migrated to Kalamazoo, Michigan, probably with his Dr. brother.

Sarah Bryan, (sister of Nathaniel), is said to have married one John Root and to have had one child by him, who was drowned in early life. No doubt there were other children born of this union.

Rachel Bryan, (sister of Nathaniel), is said to have married one Joseph Rowe, and to have resided in or near Cumberland, Md. The writer had a letter from Rachel in May, 1910, from the Western Maryland Home and Hospital for the aged, near Cumberland, Md., where she was staying. I had written her for information concerning her grandparents and earlier relations that I might trace our ancestry to the William J. Bryan's ancestry. She answered that some of her children might know more than she did, but that she could not at that time get in touch with them. She was getting ready to go to a summer retreat for a short time. If I had known as much as I do now and had asked her for information concerning Nathaniel Bryan and his family she might have given me information I lack now. I have been to Cumberland several times in the past forty years but it never occurred to me that my early relatives resided there. Rachel was a widow when I wrote her, and probably in her eighties. I am without date as to when she died, or as to when she referred as her children. Cumberland would be a good section to do a little research in. Alleganey County Marriages: Rachael Brian m. Joseph M. Rowe 1/27/1846

One otherdaughter of James Bryan, Sr., and sister of Nathaniel, is said to have married one John Price. Her Christian name is not known, as also other information concerning her husband. They probably raised a family.

Note--I omitted two of the names of Nathaniel's children, and they should be written in just above Nathaniel's brother Dr. Thomas Bryan. They are Maria and Louisa. But Maria is a name reported, hence dropped for lack of information. Louisa is said to have married but her husband's name is not known. Also Emily is said to have married one named Crag, moved West and died there. No other information is available. This paragraph adds nothing to the history.

James Bryan, Jr. is the other sibling in this family. [NEXT] will take you to an extended history of him and his descendants.