STANLY COUNTY, NC - HOFFMAN - Bryant Austin 
==========================================================================
     USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor.
		
	 The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives
	 to store the file permanently for free access.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by: Jodie Gee		jgee2@sc.rr.com
==========================================================================
From the Notebook of Lilly Carter Hoffman:  
 
 
Stanly News and Press
Albemarle NC
Friday July 22,1955
 
Bryant Austin Fought In Alamance Battle In 1771
by Mrs Lizzie Parker Reynolds
 
"It will be surprising to many people in Stanly County that this section was 
represented in the War of the Regulators with its one battle fought May 16, 
1771, and known as the Battle of Alamance between the Kings forces led by 
Governor Tyron and the small band of men who were Regulators. This group from 
several counties had made repeated pettions to Governor Tyron and to the state 
assembly concerning the unjust taxes and fees charged by the appointed court 
officers in the different counties, who had no sympathy for the suffering and 
oppressed. The Sheriffs could sell for taxes any property found on the 
premises even homespun cloth from looms.
The fighting ceased with the exhaustion of the Regulator's ammunition. Six 
Regulators were executed. Pardons were issued to all who would swear to remain 
loyal to the King and obey the laws of the land. 
According to Nance's History of the Austin family, Bryant Austin escaped 
without swearing this allegiance. Nance says "Not far from Rocky River just 
above Coble's mill in the (Stanly Co) Oakboro section was the homestead of 
Bryant Austin, one of the most colorful regulators of the pre-revolutionary 
War days. His activities as a Regulator took place while present Stanly County 
was a part of Anson County before Montgomery County was formed.
 
Sought Him
After the Battle of Alamance, May 16, 1771, when the Regulators were defeated 
by Governor Tyron's forces, Bryant Austin was among the number refused pardon. 
He escaped and made his way to the seclusion of the Rocky River Hills. When 
Tyron's officers went to his home to arrest him he offered them a barrel of 
brandy if they would go on and say nothing about him. They backed a cart up to 
his cellar door and rolled the barrel of brandy on the cart and went on their 
way rejoicing.
The old Austin Bible gives his family as three sons and three daughters. His 
wife was---------- Osborn
 
Descendant of Bryant Austin
Our townsmen A.C. Huneycutt, a direct descendant of Stanly's frontiersman, 
Bryant Austin, elaborates on the tradition which he has heard told as many 
times that to him, it has become history and states it should be so treated in 
this article. Mr. Huneycutt says that the two officers sent by King George's 
appointed Governot Tyron came upon the Regulator Austin and his brother in 
their secluded house in the rugged hils of Anson County in the section that is 
now Stanly. After several drinks of brandy and a heavy meal, the officers were 
prevailed upon to accept the Austin hospitality for the night and get an early 
start towards Hillsboro the next day. The same "hospitality" was served the 
next morning, with such good results that they readily agreed to Austin's 
suggestion that they take the barrel of brandy and bother him no more.
His large two story home still remembered was no doubt buillt after his 
marriage.
The family burying ground, the last resting place of this patriot, is 
neglected and fast disappearing, but some of his descendats are still mindful 
that he was among the first in all the colonies to resist English oppression."
--------
 
Elizabeth (Betsy ) Efird Austin
pages 505-508
Efird History and Genealogy 
published by Judge Oscar Efird 1964
 
Elizabeth Efird known as Betsy was the eighth child of Jacob and Elizabeth 
Dove Efird born about 1811, Montgonmery Co., that portion now Stanly County, 
NC.  The US Census shows that Betsy was a fine weaver. She married Jonathan 
Austin about 1831. He was born Jan 9, 1809 Union Co NC, son of John Austin and 
Lucretia Coburn Austin.  His grandfather was John Austin Sr and Bryant Austin 
Sr., his great uncle.  John Austin Sr. and Bryant Austin were brothers, both 
loyal and patriotic to the cause of the colonies during the Rev War. Prior to 
the Rev War members of the Regulators in NC.......( gives story of brandy)

 
Submitted by Jodie Gee