8-10 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES |
JOHN BRYAN (1) is the oldest proven ancestor of the authors. This author feels that his ancestor, John Bryan (1), is the most likely candidate to be the son of Morgan Bryan and Martha (Strode) Bryan. In his will dated March 28, 1763, Morgan Bryan mentions his son, John Bryan, therefore, there is no doubt that Morgan Bryan did have a son, John Bryan, who was living at the time that the will was written in 1763. The ancestor of the authors, John Bryan (1), is believed to have been born around 1731 which makes it reasonable that he could be the son of Morgan and Martha Bryan. Many sources indicate that Morgan Bryans children were born from 1720 to 1740 which further supports this connection. John Bryans birthdate was derived by knowledge that the earliest known marriage of his children - his daugther, Jane Bryan, married John Orton in 1770. Assuming that Jane Bryan married John Orton at age of eighteen, Jane Bryan was born around 1752. Assuming that John and Sarah Bryan were married when John Bryan was twenty years of age and that John and Sarah Bryan had Jane after one year of marriage, supports that John was born around 1731. This is the same birthdate established in the 1942 article written by Edward Bryan (the earliest reference that mentions the birthdate of John Bryan).
Also, there little doubt that most of Morgan Bryans sons moved to Anson/Rowan County, North Carolina. In October of 1752, Morgan Bryan was issued numerous land patents from Lord Granville in behalf of his sons. The associated plats read: land surveyed for John Bryant, William Bryant, Samuel Bryant and Joseph Bryant." These plats confirm that several sons of Morgan Bryan lived in Anson County, North Carolina as early as 1752.
Will of Morgan Bryan, 1763
Will Book A, Page 13, Rowan County, North Carolina
Top
of page omitted (unrelated will)
(Page 1 of 2)
BRYAN FAMILY HISTORY 8-11 |
Will of Morgan Bryan, 1763
Will Book A, Page 13, Rowan County, North Carolina
Bottom
of page omitted (unrelated will)
(Page 2 of 2)
There was definitely a John Bryan living in Rowan County as early as 1758 with many land transactions occuring in what is now the extreme south central part of what is today Yadkin County, North Carolina. From 1778 to 1797, John Bryan (1) is definitely known to have owned land and eventually resided in the west central of part of what is today Davie County, North Carolina. Proving that these were both the same John Bryan will be indeed be difficult as well as establishing that the John Bryan of southern Yadkin County is the son of Morgan Bryan, mentioned in his 1763 will.
There are numerous books and articles written on Morgan and Martha Bryan and their children. Most of these books and articles state little about Morgans son, John Bryan. The most widely available books are: The Boone Family by Hazel Atterbury Spraker, 1922 and Brianniana by Edward A. Bryan, 1934. Both of these books state that the Morgan Bryan had a son named John but give no additional information concerning John Bryan and his family. Another widely referenced book is Pioneer Families of Missouri by William S. Bryan and Robert Rose which was first published in 1876. The original 1876 sketch on the Bryan family mentions no children of Morgan Bryan. However, in the 1935 reprint of the book, an introduction was added in which Morgan Bryans children are listed. Although John Bryan is mentioned to be a son of Morgan Bryan, no additional information on John Bryan or his family is introduced. Other known books that the author has not had access to are: The Boone-Bryan History by Dr. J. D. Bryan, 1913 and The Shearer-Akers Family by James William Shearer, 1915. An article entitled Bryan, a Pioneer Family by Edward Bryan appeared The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society in 1942. This article introduces an estimate of John Bryans brithdate to be circa 1731 but gives no additional informational on John Bryan or his family.
8-12 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES |
The book, Carolina Cradle, by Robert W. Ramsey, 1964, provides a well documented sketch of Morgan Bryan, however, it does not include any information on Morgans son, John Bryan or his family. Another widely available book Notable Southern Families by Zella Armstrong, 1974, introduces a major error on John Bryan and his family. It states that John Bryan married Frances Battle and that John was a Captain in the Revolution who was killed at his own door by Colonel Fanning. This John Bryan died many miles away from where Morgan Bryan and his children lived while John Bryan (1), believed to be Morgans son, lived nearby. The will of John Bryan was signed in 1797 and probated in 1801. This will clearly establishes that the wife of John Bryan was named Sarah. Land associated with this will clearly establish that this was the will of the John Bryan who lived on or near Bear Creek and Dutchmans Creek (this is approximately eight miles southwest from where Morgan Bryan last lived). Also, several children of John Bryan (1) are known to resided in this same area. To date, this author has never seen any primary documentation that links John and Frances Bryan (or any of their known children) to the area around where Morgan Bryan last lived.
John Bryan (1) is known to be the father of Samuel Bryan, Sr. of Davidson County, Tennessee by a 1801 deed recorded in Rowan County, North Carolina. On October 15, 1801, Samuel Bryan of Davidson County and State of Tennessee received 200 pounds for 200 acres of land from John Little of Rowan County and State of North Carolina. This deed describes this land as a parcel of land left to him the said Samuel Bryan by the will of John Bryan, Decd lying & being in Rowan County and State of North Carolina lying on Bear Creek being part of a tract of land Granted to the said John Brian (sic) by the state of North Carolina bearing date at Kingston the twenty fifth day of October Anno Domini Seventeen hundred and Eighty six, No. 1225 as by record will more fully appear. This land was bounded by land owned by Benjamin Gaither and the deed was witnessed by another neighbor, Jacob Trout. The description of this land and the neighbors listed in this deed provide a firm connection between John Bryan of Rowan County, North Carolina of Samuel Bryan of Davidson County, Tennessee.
From 1778 until his death 1800 (probate started), John Bryan (1) owned land and probably lived around eight miles southwest of where Morgan Bryan, Sr. last lived. John Bryan, Sr. lived in an area of Rowan County, North Carolina that, in 1836, became west central part of Davie County, North Carolina. Through numerous land transactions, it has been determined that John Bryan (1) lived in Rowan County, North Carolina from 1778 to 1800 and that he had the following neighbors (some deeds from the probate records): Benjamin Gaither (1778 - 1803), Thomas Pennery (1778 - 1796), William Williams (1778 - 1787), Robert Luckey (1778 - 1787), John Van Eaton (1778), Valentine Huff (1783 - 1802), John Adams (1784), Mary Luckey (1784 - 1796), Ralph Vaneleave (1784), John Hughey (1784), George Wilcoxon (1784), John Bryan, Jr. (1787 - 1797), Daniel Sutherland (1787), John Pinchback (1787), Richard Speaks (1787), William Patrick (1787), Jacob Nichols (1787), Samuel Reed (1787), Jacob Trout (1796 - 1801), John Little, Sr. (1801), Beal Ijams (1801) and Jacob Coon (1802). It is also known from these deeds that they all lived near the following Creeks: Bear Creek (great majority of deeds), Hunting Creek and Dutchmans Creek.
BRYAN FAMILY HISTORY 8-13 |
It has been definitely established that John Bryan (1) resided on land near Bear Creek for a period of twenty years. It appears that John Bryan (1) moved to the Bear Creek area around 1778. The earliest known proof that John Bryan (1) owning land near Bear Creek in Rowan County, North Carolina is a vacant land entry where 400 acres was entered on Bear Creek adjacent to Robert Luckey, William Williams and John Van Eaton. This vacant land entry was dated February 16, 1778. In 1783, State Land Grant Number 635 that was issued to Benjamin Gaither for 508 acres on Bear Creek in the creek bottom next to John Bryan and Valentine Huff. Gaither and Huff are listed several times as owning land next to John Bryan (1) over the next twenty years. In 1786, John Bryan (1) was issued State Land Grant Number 1225 in Rowan County, North Carolina for 200 acres next to land owned by Benjamin Gaithers and William Williams. In 1787, the son of John Bryan (1), Samuel Bryan, bought 100 acres of land from John Adams in Rowan County, North Carolina. This land was situated on Bear Creek and had the following neighbors: John Bryan, Mary Luckey, Thomas Penry and Benjamin Gaither. Because of neighbors listed in these deeds, it is almost certain that this Samuel Bryan was the son of John and Sarah Bryan. Nine years later, in 1796, Samuel Bryan sold this land to Jacob Trout and the indenture listed the same four neighbors listed in 1787.
There are several sources that show another John Bryan, probably John Bryan (1), living about one or two miles northeast of where Morgan Bryan and Martha Bryan last lived in 1762. This land is now situated in the north central part of Davie County, North Carolina. According to an abstract of a deed listed in the McCubbins collection, Earl Granville let John Bryan of Rowan County, North Carolina have 646 acres of vacant land on both sides of Morgans Creek on a branch of Cedar Creek, waters of Dutchmans Creek. This abstract further states that this deed was recorded in book 5, page 146. The Davie County Land Grants map by Andrew Lagle and the Davie County, North Carolina Historical Documentation map by the Custom House both indicate that this land was granted to John Bryan in 1762. Apparently, both maps were based on the the McCubbins abstract and the McCubbins abstract is definitely in error. The actual deed (Book 5, Page 146) shows that Morgan Bryan, Jr. acquired this land in 1762, not John Bryan. However, a John Bryan did live on this land in 1780. On March 4, 1780, Joseph Bryant was granted 288 acres and listed John Bryant as a neighbor. Additionally, on March 21, 1780, Morgan Bryant was granted 250 acres and listed John Bryant as his neighbor. Apparently a John Bryan acquired this land from Morgan Bryan between 1762 and 1780.
8-14 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES |
There is a John Bryan mentioned in the 1741 will of Mary (Bryan) Curtis probated in Orange County, Virginia. Mary is said to be the sister of John Bryan (1). Another John Bryan appears in at least two Anson County, North Carolina legal transactions. On January 9, 1748/49, John Bryan had become of age by when he was a Sworn Chain Carrier (SCC). On October 27, 1752, Morgan Bryant, Jr. obtained 141 acres of land in Anson County, North Carolina using the survey that John Bryant did in January, 1748/49. On October 27, 1752, Morgan Bryan, Sr. obtained a patent for 313 acres in Anson County on the north bank of the Yadkin River below Mill Creek Mulberry Fields. This land was acquired on behalf of his son, John Bryan, the land being surveyed on January 4, 1748/49. This land was sold ten years later by John Bryan and Morgan Bryan, Jr. to John Howard.
There are several other references to a John Bryan residing in Rowan County, North Carolina prior to 1778 which could be John Bryan (1). Most of this property is located in what is today the south central part of Yadkin County, North Carolina. Any connection to this John Bryan and John Bryan (1) has not been established. On April 22, 1762, Morgan Bryan, Jr. and John Bryan let John Howard have 313 acres on the north bank of the Yadkin River below Mill Creek of Mulberry Fields. This deed was witnessed by William Williams and John Linville. The description of this property listed no neighbors and it is not certain where this property was located. On October 10, 1763, John Bryan sold land lying on both sides of Millars Branch being a fork of Deep Creek to Morgan Bryan. On October 12, 1763, John Bryan sold 460 acres lying on both sides of Millers Creek, a Fork of Deep Creek, to Christian Miller. This property was on Martha Bryans corner. This property was part of 560 acres granted to John Bryan by Earl Granville on August 10, 1762. On February 13, 1771, John Bryan sold 101 acres to Morgan Bryan being part of the tract of land whereon the said John Bryan now dwells which was formerly granted to him. This deed was witnessed by John Braly, John Parr, Jr. and Andrew Hunt. In 1772, John Bryan (1) and his two sons, John and Samuel, were found in a list of taxables returned by William Sharp. This clearly establishes birthdates of Johns sons, John and Samuel, to be prior to 1756 (white male men were subject to be taxable when they reached the age of sixteen).
According to the 1797 will of John Bryan (1), John Bryan married a woman whose first name was Sarah. According to Ruth Cooper, John Bryan married Sarah Hobby. Originally this marriage was thought to be based on family legend but it is now believed that this connection was derived from a marriage record of Edgecombe County, North Carolina where a John Bryan married a Sarah Hobby on July 1, 1766. The authors now believe this marriage to be extremely speculative in nature. Even if this marriage was John Bryan (1) and Sarah Bryan, Sarah would probably not be the mother of any of John Bryans children as most of them (if not all) appear to be born prior 1766 (the date of marriage between John Bryan and Sarah Hobby of Edgecombe County, North Carolina). Additionally, it is believed that John Bryan (1) lived in south central part of Yadkin County, North Carolina in 1766. In 1766, the western most boundary of Edgecombe County, North (which was a much larger county then) consisted the western most boundary of present day Nash County, North Carolina. These two counties are substantially far apart which further discounts the validity of this connection.
BRYAN FAMILY HISTORY 8-15 |
The will indicates that John and Sarah Bryan were the parents of three sons and six daughters (the following birthdates of the below listed children are rough approximations derived primarily from marriage dates, land transactions, estate papers and one tombstone):
Samuel Bryan (2), b. mid 1750s
James Bryan (1.2), b. 1760s
John Bryan,
Jr. (1.3), b. mid 1750s
Jane Bryan (1.4), b. early 1750s
Jannet Bryan (1.5),
b. late 1750s
Elizabeth Bryan (1.6), b. late 1760s
Sarah Bryan (1.7)
Mary
Bryan (1.8), b. early 1760s
Margaret Bryan (1.9), b. ca. 1768
The will of John Bryan, a planter, made while in perfect health on November 18, 1797" is the last known date that John Bryan (1) was still living. On November 5, 1800, the will of John Bryan is proved by Samuel Casey, Joseph Orten and William Law." The Loose Estate papers of James Bryan (son of John Bryan) state the John Bryan died in 1800 in Rowan County, North Carolina. These two records that John Bryan (1) probably died in 1800 in Rowan County, North Carolina. In 1801, his son, Samuel Bryan, was selling land that he enhirited from from his father, John Bryan, deceased. On May 31, 1805, William Law and Joseph Orton (as executors of deceased John Bryan wanted certain land sold) let John Little have 300 acres on both sides of Bear Creek on the line of the original grant next to Benjamin Gaither and William Williams for 287 pounds. There have been no records of Sarah Bryan located after the death of John Bryan (1).
8-16 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES |
Will of John Bryan, written 1797
Will Book D, Page 1
Rowan County, North
Carolina
Page 1 of 2
BRYAN FAMILY HISTORY 8-17 |
Will of John Bryan, written 1797
Will Book D, Page 1
Rowan County, North
Carolina
Page 2 of 2
8-18 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES |
References: 1) Deed, Book 5, Page 146, Earl Granville to John Bryan, August 10, 1762; abstract contained in McCubbin Collection, abstract in error, actual deed shows Earl Granville to Morgan Bryan, Jr.; 2) Deed, Book 5, Pages 210 and 211, Morgan Bryan, Jr. and John Bryan to John Howard, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1762; 3) Deed, Book 5, Pages 353 and 354, John Bryan to Morgan Bryan, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1763; 4) Will of Morgan Bryan, Will Book A, Pages 13 and 14, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1763; 5) Deed, Book 7, Pages 284 and 285, John Bryan to Morgan Bryan, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1771, abstract contained in McCubbin Collection; 6) Vacant Land Entry, John Bryant, Sr., February 16, 1778 (Enochs book); 7) Deed, Book 9, Pages 198 and 199, Grant to Morgan Bryant, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1780; 8) Deed, Book 9, Page 199, Grant to Joseph Bryant, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1780; 9) Will of John Bryan, Will Book D, Pages 1 and 2, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797; 10) Estate Records, John Bryan, November 5, 1800, (McCubbins abstract); 11) Deed, Book 18, Pages 185 and 186, Samuel Bryan of Davidson County, Tennessee to John Little of Rowan County, North Carolina, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1801; 12) Deed, Book 21, Pages 197 and 198, Joseph Orton and William Law, executors of John Bryan, deceased, to John Little, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1786; 13) Loose Estate Records of James Bryan, February, 1808 Court, Rowan County, North Carolina (abstract in Rowan County Register, November, 1995, Page 2355); 14) McCubbins Collection, microfilm reel #11; 15) Bryan History, by Miss Ruth Cooper; 16) Map, Davie County Land Grants, by Andrew Lagle, 1976; 17) Map, Davie County, North Carolina Historical Documentation, by the Custom House, 1977; 18) Map, Yadkin County, North Carolina Historical Documentation, by the Custom House; 19) IGI Record, LDS FamilySearch, December, 1999 (marriage record of John Bryan to Sarah Hobby, 1766)
JAMES BRYAN (1.2) is the son of John Bryan, Sr. and Sarah Bryan. Since James Bryan died around 1798 and left sons that required guardianship as late as 1810. Jesse Bryan still required guardianship in 1808 indicating that he was born no earliar than 1790. John Bryan still required guardianship in 1810 indicating that he was born no earlier than 1792. Assuming that James Bryan was between twenty years of age and thirty years of age when Jesse Bryan was born, results with James birthdate being between 1760 and 1770. James Bryan may have married Margaret Johnson on December 8, 1790 in Rowan County, North Carolina. John Johnston was the bondsman for this marriage (note that John Johnston later was a guardian for one of the sons of James Bryan which strengthens this connection). Another supporting document can be found in Williamson County, Tennessee. In the estate records of John Johnston / Johnson which was probated in April, 1816, the heirs of James Bryan are mentioned in the estate records. Although this marriage to Margaret Johnson is very plausible, it should still be considered speculative as there were several men named James Bryan living in Rowan County, North Carolina. According to the loose estate papers, James Bryan was the father of at least two sons:
Jesse Bryan, b. 1790 - 1798
John Bryan, b. 1792 - 1798
James Bryan (1.2) may have lived and died in Davidson County, Tennessee. There is will of James Bryan, dated 1797 in Davidson County, Tennessee. It states: Being in weak and low state of health but of perfect mind and memory . . . do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament. This will later states: I give to my well beloved wife Marget Bryan, the tract of land I live on. It assigns Marget Bryan as executor (sic) of the estate. It should be noted that this author only has a partial copy of this will and may be missing critical information. In 1797, James Bryan is listed in his fathers (John Bryan) will in Rowan County, North Carolina. It lists James (his heirs get 200 acres of the old improvement). James Bryan died in 1798 or 1799 as indicated in the Loose Estate Papers of James Bryan in Rowan County, North Carolina. In 1805, Joseph Orton became the guardian of Jesse Bryan and John Bryan. In 1808, John Little, Jr. became the guardian of Jesse Bryan and John Bryan in Rowan County, North Carolina. In 1810, John Johnston was appointed the guardian of John Bryan.
BRYAN FAMILY HISTORY 8-19 |
References: 1) Will of John Bryan, Will Book D, Pages 1 and 2, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797; 2) Will of James Bryan, Davidson County, Tennessee, 1797; 3) Loose Estate Records of James Bryan, February, 1808 Court, Rowan County, North Carolina (abstract in Rowan County Register, November, 1995, Page 2355); 4) Marriage Records of Rowan County, North Carolina, by Brent Holcomb (1790 marriage); 5) Our Valiant Men: soldiers and patriots of the Revolutionary War who lived in Williamson County, Tennessee, by Louise Lynch (estate records of John Johnston)
JOHN BRYAN, JR. (1.3) is the son of John Bryan, Sr. and Sarah Bryan. Since John was believed to be married in 1774 and was probably around twenty at the time, it could be estimated that John Bryan, Jr. was born in the mid 1750s. In 1772, John Bryan, Jr. is found in a tax list with his father, John Bryan. In order to listed at this time, John would have to be at least sixteen years of age, therefore, John was born prior to 1756. It is believed that John was born in the mid 1750s. It is believed that John Bryan, Jr. married Rebecca Orten on August 26, 1774 in Rowan County, North Carolina. It is believed that Rebecca is the daughter of James Orton and Jane Orton as stated in the 1776 will of James Orton. This will lists my loving daughter Rebecah and is witnessed John Bryan, Elizabeth West and Samuel Young.
It is believed that Rebecca Orton is the daughter of James Orton (born 1725) and Jane (Bryan) Orton (born 1727). Rebecca Ortons brother, James Orton (born 1750), was the grandfather of William Reed Orton who married Rebecca Huey (1.8.6). William Reed Orton was born in 1802 and is the son of James Orton (born 1773) and Elizabeth (Renshaw) Orton (born 1776). William is the grandson of James Orton (born 1750) and Elizabeth (Taylor) Orton (born 1754). Rebecca Ortons brother, Joseph Orton, married Jannet Bryan (1.5). Rebecca Ortons brother, John Orton, married Jane Bryan (1.4).
The 1797 will of John Bryan bequeathed twenty pounds to my beloved grandson John Bryan, son to John Bryan, deceased. This will indicates that John Bryan, Jr. died prior to 1797 and that John Bryan, Jr. was the father of at least one son:
John Bryan, III, b. Prior to 1797
On August 7, 1781, Letters of Administration: on the estate of John Bryan, decd. issue Rebecca Bryan and John Bryan, Senr: who gave David Caldwell and John Orton securities in £200 Specie and were qualified. This implies that John Bryan, Jr. died prior to August 7, 1781 and left a widow, Rebecca. The fact that John Bryan, Sr. was issued letters of administration supports the connection of the deceased John Bryan to John Bryan (1). Additionally, the 1776 will of James Orten states that James Orton had a son named, John Orton. Therefore, it appears that Rebeccas brother, John Orton, posted bond.
8-20 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES |
There appears to be a major descrepency in the above account. In 1787, there was a John Bryan, Jr. living near John Bryan (1). If John Bryan, Jr. died in 1781, then it would appear that this would be John Bryan, III. However, if John Bryan, Jr. married Rebecca Orton in 1774, John Bryan, III would have been at most the age of thirteen, obviously too young to own land. In 1797, John Bryan (the son of John Bryan) was granted land. If this were John Bryan, III then why wasnt the fact that John Bryan was deceased mentioned. This grant futher states that this land was surplus of his fathers old tract (the warrant was dated June 22, 1795) which again supports the position that John Bryan, Jr. was still alive in 1795.
The 1787 State Land Grant Number 1532 was issued to Benjamin Gaither for 303 acres on Hunting Creek and Bear Creek next to Robert Luckey, John Bryan, Sr., William Williams, Daniel Sutherland, John Pinchback, Richard Speaks, William Patrick, John Bryan, Jr., Jacob Nichols and Samuel Reed. This implies that John Bryan, Jr. had a plantation and owned land near John Bryan (1) in 1787. On December 7, 1797, State Land Grant Number 2513 was issued to John Bryan (the son of John Bryan) for 115 acres on the original line and Dutchmans Creek, it being surplus of his fathers old tract (the warrant was dated June 22, 1795).
References: 1) Marriage Book 20, Page 1273, Rowan County, North Carolina, August 26, 1774; 2) Will of James Orton, Will Book A, Pages 230 and 231, Rowan County, North Carolina, October 1, 1776; 3) State Land Grant Number 1532, 303 acres, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1787, (McCubbins abstract); 4) State Land Grant Number 2513, 115 acres, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797, (McCubbins abstract); 5) Will of John Bryan, Will Book D, Pages 1 and 2, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797
JANE BRYAN (1.4) is the daughter of John Bryan, Sr. and Sarah Bryan. Since Jean married in 1770 and was probably a teenager at the time, Jane Bryan was born in the early 1750s. Jane Bryan married John Orton on May 26, 1770 in Rowan County, North Carolina. Janes father, John Bryan, writes consent indicating that Jane had not reached the legal age. Robert Hughey and William Temple Coles signed the marriage bond. In the 1776 will of James Orton, there was a John Orton listed as the son of James and Jane Orton. John Bryan, Elizabeth West and Samuel Young witnessed the will.
It is believed that John Orton is the son of James Orton (born 1725) and Jane (Bryan) Orton (born 1727). John Ortons brother, James Orton (born 1750), was the grandfather of William Reed Orton who married Rebecca Huey (1.8.6). William Reed Orton was born in 1802 and is the son of James Orton (born 1773) and Elizabeth (Renshaw) Orton (born 1776). William is the grandson of James Orton (born 1750) and Elizabeth (Taylor) Orton (born 1754). John Ortons brother, Joseph Orton, married Jannet Bryan (1.5). John Ortons sister, Rebecca Orton, married John Bryan, Jr. (1.3).
BRYAN FAMILY HISTORY 8-21 |
On March 4, 1780, John Ortan was granted 300 acres on the south bank of the South Yadkin River. On February 7, 1786, John Brandon and John Orton signed as security for a bond of 300 pounds for orphan children of John Bryan: Sarah Bryan, Jean Brian and John Brian. In the 1797 will of John Bryan, Sr., Jean Ortan was listed as a daughter.
References: 1) Marriage of John Orton and Jane Bryan, Marriage Book 22, Page 449, Rowan County, North Carolina, May 26, 1770; 2) Will of James Orton, Will Book A, Pages 230 and 231, Rowan County, North Carolina, October 31, 1776; 3) Will of John Bryan, Will Book D, Pages 1 and 2, Rowan County, North Carolina, 1797; 4) McCubbins Collection, microfilm reel #11