Submitted
by: Anne Smith
William P. BRYANT was
born December 25, 1826 in Habersham Co., GA to parents who were both
born in GA. Nothing is known of his life from birth until he enlisted
in the U. S.
Army at Calhoun, McMinn Co., TN in November, 1847, to serve in the
Mexican War. He left from Athens and was sent to Mexico, where he
served at Vera Cruz, Natural Bridge, and San Juan, according to his
pension record. March 14, 1850 he married Icie Ann McCarty, daughter of
William and Amilda Looney McCarty of Bradley Co., TN. He is listed as a
blacksmith on the 1850
Census in Bradley Co. with Icie Ann, an Elizabeth BRYANT, 17, and
Daniel FOSTER,
21, blacksmith in his household. The 1860 Census shows him in Bradley
Co. as a blacksmith with an estate valued at $15,000. In his household
were
wife, Icie Ann, 26, James W. Bryant, 9; William McCarty Bryant, 7;
Timothy Edward Bryant, 5; Amilda Bryant, 2; John Lee Bryant, 5/12, and
Lucinda KNIGHT, 30. In January, 1862, Icie Ann died. On April 2, 1863,
William married Malissa J. Alexander, daughter of Hamilton Lorenzo and
Amanda Adalaide Alexander. The 1870 census has him still listed as a
blacksmith with an estate of $30,000. In his household were wife,
Malissa, 24; James Bryant, 19; William Bryant, 17; Timothy Bryant, 15,
Amilda Bryant, 12; John Bryant, 9; Nannie (Adelaide) Bryant, 4;
McClatchey (Alexander) Bryant, 2; Lizzie (Aiken) Bryant 7/12; and
Lucinda KNIGHT, 40. 1870 was also the year William built a large,
two-story brick home in Charleston, which is still in use today and is
very close to the Charleston exit on I-75. He and his family attended
Hennegar's Chapel Methodist Church close to Charleston, as did the
McCartys and Alexanders. In 1877 William was named guardian of
Malissa's nephew Charles ROSS and neice Mary ROSS, children of
Malissa's sister Susan ALEXANDER, who had been married to A.J. ROSS. On
November 10, 1879 Lizzie Aiken Bryant, 10, died of diptheria and was
buried in Hennegar's Chapel Cemetary. On
the 1880 census William' household consisted of Malissa, 34; John, 20;
Nannie,
14; Mack, 12, Elizabeth, 6/12; Charles ROSS, 19; Mary ROSS, 9; and
Cindia
NIGHT, boarder, 50. By 1900 William listed his occupation as farmer
and stated that he owned his farm clear of mortgage. Living in his
houehold were Malissa, 54; and Elizabeth, 20. Elizabeth later married
Charles ITZEL and operated an antique shop on Ocoee Street in Cleveland
for many years.
William P. Bryant died October 23,
1906 and
Malissa died August 20, 1912. They are buried in the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church Cemetary in Charleston, and Lucinda KNIGHT is
buried next to them. William P. Bryant has not yet been definitely
linked to any of the N. GA Bryant or Bryan families. He and both of his
wives seem to have followed the naming patterns of their culture, and
by this token, his father's name would have been James and his mother's
Elizabeth. The Elizabeth Bryant on his 1850 census is unidentified, as
is Lucinda Knight, but it seems likely that both were relatives. The
initial "P" possibly stands for POSEY.
Any information about N. GA>TN migrations 1826-1847, forges in
McMinn and Bradley 1840-1880, and BRYANT families in N. GA and in TN
1800-1850 would be appreciated, along with information about families
KNIGHT, ROSS, AIKEN, MCCARTY, ALEXANDER, POSEY, and MCCLATCHEY. I'll be
happy to share information.