Red River County, TX - Biographies - Solomon George Briant/Bryant **************************************************************** Contributed by Andrea Ramsey Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************************** Solomon George Bryant was the son of Robert Robertson and Martha Jane Bryant. Robert was the son of a wealthy and influential family from Augusta County, Virginia, where he was born. Nothing is known of the ancestors of Martha Jane Bryant. The only known record connecting Robert Robertson and Martha Jane Bryant is the family Bible of their grandson, Benjamin Crary Bryant (a son of Robert Robertson Bryant, grandson of Solomon George Bryant, great-grandson of Martha Jane Bryant), and the research of Roger Avery Stubbs, of Minnesota, a Roberts family descendant and cousin of the Bryants. Roger Stubbs reported that he was told by other family members that there had been an earlier family Bible, owned by Solomon George Bryant and wife Lavinia Roberts, which had been stolen by a runaway slave. According to these family records, Martha Jane Bryant and her son, Solomon George Bryant, were born in Virginia, but no location was given. It may be that one or both of them were born in that part of early colonial Virginia which is now part of Kentucky. No other record of Martha Jane Bryant has been found. Benjamin Crary Bryant’s Bible says that Robert Robertson and Martha Jane Bryant intended to be married, but the “wealthy and influential” landowners, the Robertsons, disapproved; therefore their son’s last name was Bryant. Benjamin’s older sister, Elizabeth Bryant Book, later wrote Roger Avery Stubbs that Robert Robertson and Martha Jane Bryant were married, and the marriage was annulled. It is not know which is correct, but no record of the marriage or annullment has turned up. According to researchers of the Robertson family, Robert Robertson was in Kentucky in 1795, working for the Billy Robertson saltworks at Red Banks, Kentucky, which is now Henderson Kentucky. I have not been able to find a history of the saltworks, but surmise that the Billy Robertson might have been Robert’s uncle, William Robertson. Robert went on to become an early surveyor, and died in Providence, Kentucky. Solomon’s wife, Lavinia Roberts, was born in the Cumberland area of Kentucky. They first appear in the 1820 Kentucky census, living the same county as Robert Robertson. The name is shown as Briant; however, as the family later came to consistently spell the name Bryant, that is the spelling used today. There was no older female living in their home in that census, and it is not known where Martha Jane Bryant was, or if she was living. Solomon and Lavinia continued to live in the same county as Robert Robertson until about 1822 or 1823. The family story, recorded in Benjamin Crary Bryant’s family Bible, says the Robertson family offered Solomon the family name and land, but he declined because of the way they had treated his mother. Solomon gave all his early sons the middle name Robertson, until after they moved away from Kentucky, into Paoli, Orange County, Indiana. The first son born in Orange County, Indiana was Claiborne Roberts Bryant, Roberts being his mother’s maiden name. Lavinia Roberts Bryant died in 1833, probably of the cholera epidemic weeping the country. Solomon remarried the same year to Nancy Day Mitcheltree. They later moved on to Illinois for a couple of years and in 1842 moved to Red River County, Indiana. Another researcher wrote that Solomon and Nancy had suffered great hardships, but the details are not known. In his two families, Solomon had seven sons of military age when the Civil War began. Six of them served in the war. James Robertson Bryant, who had remained in Indiana, served in the Union Army. The eldest son, Robert R. Bryant, organized an antislavery league in Minnesota. Alexander Hart Robertson Bryant and Claiborne Roberts Bryant served in both the Mexican-American War and in the Civil War, for the Confederate States. The other sons who served for CSA were: William Mitcheltree Bryant, who died in the war, at Iuka, Mississippi, George Mitcheltree Bryant, and Joseph Roberts Bryant. George and Joseph were Confederate pensioneers. Solomon and his second wife, Nancy Mitcheltree Bryant lived in Red River County, about six miles east of Clarksville, until his death. Afterward, Nancy married C. A. Latimer, a short time before her own death in Red River County. The locations of their burials are not known. Timeline of Solomon George Bryant 1795 Mar. 19 Born in Virginia. An only child. No record that either parent had any other children. Family history says the Robertson family offered him land later in land if he would take the name Robertson, but he refused, because of the way his mother had been treated. 1797 Robert Robertson reported to have moved to Red Banks, Henderson County, Kentucky, later becomes Henderson, Kentucky. 1806 Formation of Hopkins County Kentucky, from Henderson County, Kentucky. 1810 I thought perhaps Martha and Solomon Briant/Bryant might have moved to Ky. about the time Robert Robertson did. Neither name appears on the 1810 Ky. census, but there is a Bryant, whose name I cannot clearly read, but it might be Thomas. 1811 Opening up of the Indiana Territory 1812 Indian fighting continues in Indiana 1813 Feb. 14 Solomon married Lavinia Roberts in Ky., who was born near Cumberland Gap Kentucky. They lived in Hopkins County, Kentucky, where Solomon's father, Robert Robertson, lived until shortly before the birth of their son, Claiborne. Up until then, they had given their sons the middle name Robertson; however, Claiborne was given the middle name of Roberts, his mother’s maiden name. Moving and dropping the Robertson and taking up Roberts as the sons' middle names, may indicate some break with Robert Robertson and the time frame when it occurred, although Solomon’s sons were named as heirs of Robert Robertson in his will, filed in Hopkins County, Kentucky, after he died in 1832. 1813 Mahala Bryant born (Uncle Shadrach's wife's name was Mahala Lee) 1816 James Robertson Bryant born 1818 Robert Robertson Bryant born 1818 the Jacksonian purchase; Indiana and Illinois become states 1820 Martha Jane Bryant, daughter of Solomon, born 1820 federal census, Hopkins Co., Ky., p. 233 KY3201457 ID, Solomon Briant, 2 wm under 10, 1 wm 16-26, 1wf under 10, 1 wf 16-26. Note: There is no older woman in the household. 1823, Mar. 23, Alexander Hart Robertson Bryant born, Ky. Between 1823-1825 Family moved to Paoli, Orange County, Indiana. Solomon is mentioned in Goodspeed’s History of Orange County as one of the early settlers, and a liquor dealer. 1825 Solomon is mentioned in the probate records of the estate of John Kirk, Probate book pp 178-185, 186-187, Indiana. 1825, Aug. 12, Claiborne Roberts Bryant born, Orange Co., IN. 1827, John Robertson Bryant born in IN 1828 Feb. 18 Admin. report estate of John Kirk. Admin. Burton Southern & Susannah Kirk. Hiram, infant heir chose Solomon Bryant as his guardian with sec Samuel Chambers, Zachariah Lindley and Josiah Hazelwood. 1828, Feb. 1-2: purchase of some property or goods from Shadrach Roberts admin of Clement Lee estate. Other listed buyers: Andrew, Elizabeth, Isaac and Patsy Lee, Jeremiah Alexison, Wm. Baker, Wm. Bannister, Preston Beck, Wade Booth, Henry Brooks, Willias Coward, James Cowhand, Thomas Edwards, Jefferson and Jesse Findley, Samuel Findley, and others, including Thomas and Shadrach Roberts. 1829 Joseph Robertson Bryant born in Mt. Pleasant, IN 1829 Feb 17 Admin report, est. of Kirk. Solomon Bryant is guardian of Hiram Kirk, monies pd to Richard M. Kirk." 1830 federal census, Orange Co., IN p. 028, ID# IN5582114 Solomon Briant, 2 m 5 or under, 2 m over 5 and under 10, 2 m 10-15, 1 m 30-40, 1 f 5-10, 1 f 15-20, 1 f 30-40, 1 f 40-50. Don't know if the older female was Solomon's mother Martha or perhaps Lavinia's mother, Charity. 1832 Bryant moved from Orange Co. to Lawrence Co., IN, per Eliz. Bryant Book letter to Roger Stubbs. 1833, Mar. 18, death of Lavinia Roberts Bryant, Martin Co., IN 1833 Solomon marries Nancy H. Mitcheltree, IN 1834 April 28 Father, Robert Robertson died, Ky. 1834 birth of Clary Bryant, IN. 1835 birth of William M. Bryant, IL (d. 1862, Iuka, MS) 1836? According to note from (Mary) Elizabeth Bryant Books, daughter of Robert Robertson Bryant, son of Solomon and Lavinia, to Roger Avery Stubbs, the Bryant family moved to Clarksville in 1836. However, Solomon had two children born in IL before 1842, and on the 1867 voter registration list in Henderson Co., TX., Lewis H. Bryant, who was born in IL in 1840, indicated he had been in Texas for 25 years, which would seem to indicate the family did not move to Texas until 1842. 1839 Dec. 18, Willis Picket, poss. 1st settler, RR Co., p. 57, 3rd class Cert. 640 acres 1839 Vermilion, IL, Martha Jane Bryant, daughter of Solomon, married a David Waldo Whiteman in Vermilion, IL. Vermilion is a long, thin county along the west side of the Indiana border. By 1850, they were in Red River County, Texas, along with Martha Jane’s family. 1840 IL Census Index, Page 868, Bryant, Solomon IL VERMILION CO. 096 1840 birth of Lewis H. Bryant, Vermilion, IL By 1862, he lives in Henderson County, Texas. 1842 Robert Robertson Bryant, son of Solomon Bryant, married in Bedford, Lawrence Co., IN. and was still there at the 1860 census. 1842 Solomon Bryant purchased 80 acres land in Red River Co., Rep. of Texas. 1843 birth of daughter, Sarah Bryant, Red River Co., TX. She died of burns in 1847. 1846 "Republic of Texas: Poll Lists 1846", p. 22, lists Solomon Bryant 1846 birth of George Mitcheltree Bryant, Clarksville, Red River Co., TX. 1848 birth of Alfred H. Bryant, Red River County, TX 1849 Dec. 27, C. R. (Claiborne Roberts) Bryant, son of Solomon Bryant, and Mary Berry marry in Floyd Co., IN. 1849-1850 Joseph R. Bryant, son of Solomon, married Marion Florida Pickett, daughter of Willis Pickett, minister of Concord Baptist Church, Red River County, Texas. 1850 Luci Bryant, dau. of Joseph R. Bryant and Florida, born 1850 census IN., C. R. Bryant and wife, Mary, living with her family, Samuel and Eliz. Berry in Floyd County, IN. 1850 census, Red River Co., TX: David Waldo Whiteman, wife Martha (daughter of Solomon) and children. 1850 census, Red River Co., TX: Bryant, Solomon, 55, M, VA , Mary, 45, F, Ky.; Clary, 16, F., Ind.; William, 12, M., IL; Lewis, 10, M., TX, Sarah Jane, 7, F, TX; George, 4, M, TX; Alfred, 2, M, TX, all shown as living with the Pickett family, Pickett being the pastor of the Concord Church which they attended. Census taker got Nancy's name wrong. Elsewhere, it is stated that Solomon and his children formed a church quartet. Another researcher says the Bryant family was living with the Picketts, because the Bryant home had burned. Susan is not shown on this record. She burned to death in 1844, but this census is so much later, the burning of the house would not seem to be related to her death. 1852 June 19, Alexander Hart Robertson Bryant, son of Solomon, has son, S. H. Bryant born in IN. 1853 The Concord Baptist Church of Clarksville, Red River Co., TX, began first Sunday School. Minutes of church, 1853. Jim Giddens of Paris, Red River Co., TX was told: Mrs Hooser gave the orginal records to a historian in Austin. 1855 Solomon Bryant writes to son, Alexander, urging him to move to Texas and mentions that Joseph will be moving there in a few weeks. [Note: Joseph Bryant later married Florida Picket, the pastor's daughter, who is on the RR Co. 1850 census, and they had a dau. Luci born about 1850; so did Jos. come to Texas, marry Florida Picket, go somewhere else, then come back to Texas? That is not known.) Sept. 30, 1855, letter from Solomon G. Bryant to his son, Alexander: "Red River Sept the 30 1855 My Dear Son and Daughter With much pleasure I received yours of the 22nd July and set my(self) down to answer it. The crops in this country generally are very good and A fine (tract?) the nearest point that land warrants can be laid is in Arkansas say fifty miles and land warrants are selling at $1.00 for Acre, Carpenters work is brisk at from $2.00 to $2.50 per day and few to be had at that. If you think proper to come here to live you can build on one corner of my land and you and the boys by making 2,000 rails can enclose all my land this winter say fifty eight acres say 20 of which is brake and a good crop of corn growing on (copy goes off the page) half enough to bread(?) you and we can brake all up next spring and have plenty for all of us. I have not forgotten the assistance you rendered me when I first came to texas and would be glad to return the favor. I know that Bob advises you to go to Ioway but there are many people here from Ioway and say it is A cold Sickly country and my advice to you is to come to texas where all your cattle, horses and sheep can winter themselves you can make plenty of grain say corn wheat and oats with as little labor as any country in the world and enjoy good health and if you want to work at your trade----to----I assist you to put up A--- houses, lathe and bedsteads chairs wheels and reels--- a good demand for all kinds of furniture. I would advise you to take a steam boat for new orleans and then to (looks like rawland texas) if the water should be low when you get to Shreveport you likely can get work there so as to alay expenses until it rises or maybe so you can get a passage by wagon or write to me and I will come with my wagon for you, you have staid in that cold sickly country till I expect your constitution is nearly gone so dont stay there any longer come if it takes all you have got to get here, I received a letter from Jos this evening and he wish--- and will move to this neighborhood in a few weeks. I have nothing more to write Alls well and doing well respectfully your father S. Bryant P.S. Capt G--- has got a first rate circular sawmill eight miles from where I live all kinds of square pine lumber can be had for $1,00 per hundred feet and sheeting for fifty cents. S. B." Notes: "Bob" was probably Robert Robertson Bryant, a brother. The Red River was generally navigable for a part of the year, but when the river was low, produce and supplies had to be hauled to and from Jefferson, 100 miles to the southeast. 1860 Red River census, A. H. R. Bryant, carpenter. 1860 Census, Red River Co., TX, p. 60, house 377, Solomon, 65, Nancy, 54, Wm., 21, mechanic, Lewis, 19, student, Sarah, 17, George 13, Alford, 11, Sarah Mitcheltree, 82 (the latter is apparently Nancy's mother.) 1861 Outbreak of Civil War; Stubbs said Solomon served CSA; no proof 1862 Wm. Mitcheltree Bryant; he died in Civil War, Iuka, MS, Co. E, 9 TX Cav. 1863 Jan. Sarah Elizabeth (Betty) Bryant born to C. R. and Mary Bryant, TX 1865, Oct. 16, Solomon George Bryant died, at or near Clarksville, Red River Co., TX His estate was probated in Red River County, his wife, Nancy being named as guardian of the two youngest children. Some Events after death of Solomon Bryant 1865 November - Sarah Bryant married William Terry, Red River County, TX 1868 August - Lewis Henry Bryant, son of Solomon, married Katherine Everett, Cherokee County, TX 1868 Dec. Albert C. Bryant born to C. R. and Mary Bryant, TX 1870 Oct. - George Mitcheltree Bryant married Nancy Wortham, Red River Co., TX 1872, Jul. 6, Sarah Mitcheltree Bryant marries C. A. Latimer, Red River Co., TX She died later that year. 1873, Spring, Robert R. Bryant traveled from MN, through IA, to Texas to visit family 1873 Oct. - Youngest son, Alfred Henry Bryant, married Sarah “Sallie” Cotton. She was born in Red River Co., TX, but I don’t have a record of where they married. 1874 John Bryant born to Solomon’s son, C. R. and Mary Bryant, TX (probably Fannin Co., not sure) 1878-79 S. H. Bryant, son of A.H.R. Bryant, m. Theodocia Jordan, of Hopkins Co., TX. She died in Pilot Point March 11, 1879. 1880 census, son, Claiborne Bryant and Mary were living, with three children, Albert, S. E. and John, in Fannin County, Texas. 1882 Jul. 5, S. H. (Solomon Hercules) Bryant, son of Alexander H. R. Bryant, married Sarah Ellen Jones Hobbs. 1890 Alexander H. R. Bryant and his wife Kathryn both died in Pilot Pt., Texas. Burial plots are unknown, but probably in Pilot Point Cemetery, within boundaries of family plot where son S. H. Bryant and his wife are buried. 1891 Claiborne Bryant and Mary purchased property in Pilot Pt. 1892 May 8 - A. (Albert) C. Bryant, son of Claiborne Bryant, described in the wedding announcement as a member of the Pilot Point Band, married Nora McDonald, Denton Co., TX. 1895 Claiborne Bryant and Mary deeded property to daughter, S. E. Bryant. Deed was witnessed by S. H. Bryant, probably Solomon H., son of Alexander. Claiborne’s date of death is not known, but he was not present at the time of the 1900 census. Place of burial not know, but likely to be Pilot Point Cemetery. 1897 S. H. Bryant, son of Alexander, died in Pilot Pt. at age 45 1900 Mary Bryant and S. E. (Betty) Bryant lived together in Pilot Pt. Son, Albert and his wife Nora and children lived next door. Albert C. Bryant is listed as musician. Mary Berry Bryant’s date of death and place of burial are not known. It is unknown whether she died between 1900 and 1902, before her daughter, Betty married (below) or after. She may be buried in Pilot Point Cemetery, or perhaps she and the Cagles moved elsewhere, as the whereabouts of the Cagles is not known after Feb. 1902. 1902 Feb. 23, S. E. Bryant married A. D. Cagle, Denton Co., TX. That same year, they deeded property in Pilot Pt. to Nora Bryant. Albert Bryant had disappeared, between 1900 and 1902, without trace or record.