The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
There are two stones, an old style white marble stone that appears to be contemporary with the Patriot's death, the second stone is a new V.A. stone with the first stones death date
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
From the town of Tar Heel, head southeast on State Route NC-87 S and continue for about 4 miles. Turn right (south) onto Marsh Road and go about 200 feet. The small cemetery is on the right (north) side of the road
Author: Mark Andrew Davis
William Bryan 14 May 1757 in Bladen County, North Carolina, the son of James Bryant.
He was married about 1778 to Sarah [surname unproven]. It’s unknown if she is the mother of all of his children. These are his known offspring:
Philemon was born on 10 October 1780 and married Nancy Hawthorne.
William was born on 18 October 1804 and married Martha Ansley.
Joseph was born 24 February 1790 and married Sophia [surname unknown].
Nathan was born on 23 January 1801 and married Margaret Allen.
Lewis was born about 1795 and married Susan [surname unknown].
Prudence [birth date unknown] married John White.
In 1776 William volunteered as a Private in the Company of Bladen County, North Carolina Militia. Captain William Hendon commanded the Company. They marched from the Company grounds at Richard Smith’s Plantation to a short distance from Miller’s Meeting House. A few days later, they marched to Rockfish Creek, where other companies joined them under the command of Colonel McDonald. They built entrenchments along the north side of the creek. His Company was stationed at the mouth of Rockfish, about a mile below the entrenchment, to guard the pass. A group of Tories approached and showed signs they might attack but moved on. Word was received that the enemy had left Fayetteville, so the Company was ordered to Cape Fear by boat, where they remained for several days.
They marched on to Wilmington to defend against the Tories, where they remained except for some short marches. Eventually, they were stationed at Brunswick, New Jersey, where his term of service ended after three months.
In the fall of 1777, he volunteered as a Private in the Company of Captain Charles Bullock under the command of Colonel Thomas Brown of the Bladen County Militia. They were camped near Bear Swamp and were engaged in a skirmish with a body of Tories. He was discharged after one month at the end of his term.
On about the 1st of November 1781, he volunteered as a Private in the Cavalry Company of the Bladen County Militia under Captain John Willis [incorrectly remembered him as a General in his pension application]. He joined the Company at Elizabethtown, where they moved into the northern part of the county, collecting cattle for General Greene’s Army. He helped drive some of the cattle to Belfort, below Elizabethtown. He received his discharge after three months of service.
He continued to serve two or three more months in short increments as required.
The Patriot died on 28 July 1838 in Brown Marsh, Bladen County, North Carolina. The Patriot’s gravestone is located at Bryan Cemetery, although it appears it was moved here in the 20th century.
Sources:
Revolutionary War Pension File S8089
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