CROSS CO, AR - T. D. BRYANT - Bio *********************************************************** Submitted by: Jason Presley Date: 16 Sept 2009 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas. Chicago:Goodspeed Publishers, 1890. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- T. D. Bryant, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of Nolton, and a man thoroughly respected by his fellow citizens, is originally from South Carolina, as were also his parents, Joab and Mary (Stewart) Bryant, of Scotch and English descent. Joab Bryant was a leading farmer of his county, and though not educated was a well-informed and a good business man. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were married in 1831, and were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living: Louisa (now Mrs. Reid), F. A. (a Methodist ministor of Texas), J. R. (also of Texas), Minerva (now Mrs. Hemphis), Elizabeth (who married F. L. Dullard), W. J., J. W., T. D. (our subject), M. L., B. W. (a manufacturer of Mississippi), G. W. (a resident of South America) and Joseph (a resident of this county). The grandfather (on the father's side), James Bryant, was a solder in the War of 1812. Joab Bryant and wife were connected with the Methodist Episcopal Chouch, South. The senior Bryant died in 1874, and his wife in 1889. He was a Mason. T. D. Bryant was reared to farm life. In his boyhood days the advantages for schooling were very limited, but by close application to study he has educated himseld, mostly at home. At the age of fourteen Mr. Bryant enlisted in the Confederate service, joining the First Regiment of Heavy Artillery of South Carolina, which was stationed at Fort Sumpter, and in 1862 joined the regular army; was in a number of hard-fought battles, and witnessed the bombardment of Fort Sumpter on April 7, 1863, and was present at its capitulation. He was captured at Smithfield, but escaping, was recaptured the same night. Mr. Bryant served as orderly and was promoted to sergeant. While in the army he was wounded four times, once in the head by a piece of shell, again on James Island, by a bayonet thrust into his left side, which entered between the fifth and sixth rib; then again in the knee joint and also in the arm bya bayonet. After the war he returned home and the following year moved to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming in the eastern part of the State and also taught school. In 1867 he removed to Dwyer County, Tenn., where he farmed, following this for two years, then taught for two years in McNairy County, Tenn. He returned to South Carolina and busied himself with farming and teaching for twelve years. In 1882 he removed to Arkansas, settling on his present property, which comprises 120 acres of land, with thirty-five under cultivation. Mr. Bryant was born in 1846. He has been twice married, first in 1866 to Miss N. J. Fitzgerald, of South Carolina, who died in 1871, and who was the mother of three children: George (a resident of this county), Edgar (a resident of South Carolina) and Elector (a teacher in South Carolina). Mr. Bryant was married the second time to Miss D. E. Fitzgerald, in 1872. They have been given seven children, all living: Lillie, Joseph, Milas, Lelier, Lulu, Thomas and Talmage. Mr. Bryant began preaching in 1885, three months before joining the presbytery, and he is the founder of the Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as well as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Woodruff County. Mr. Bryant preaches in Cross, Woodruff, Poinsett and Jackson Counties, and is very active in all religious and educational enterprises. He is a Royal Arch Mason.