References:
(1) Adventures of Purse and Person.
Historical Notes:
(1) Margaret Braxton was aunt of Carter Braxton, signatory to the Declaration
of Independence.
References:
(1) Information received from Mr. James Caldwell, Prodigy Number BVNT04A.
References:
(1) Bellevue-Beautiful View.
References:
(1) Bellevue- Beautiful View.
Historical Notes:
(1) William and his wife Margaret was given a certificate from the Ballyroney
Presbyterian Church in County Down, Northern Ireland upon their immigration to America. The Certificate reads as follows:"The bearer hereof, William Bryan, who hath been a useful member
of this congregation, being now about to transport himself and
family to America, these are to certify that he and his wife
Margaret Bryan, have been of good repute among us, having always
deserved the laudible character of a blameless and gospel conver-
sation, and so deserve encouragement and a kind and cheerful
reception into any Christian Society where the Providence of God
may cast their lot. As also admission to sealing ordinances in
an orderly way, all which are certified by us."This document was dated, Ballyroney, April 17th, 1718. And it was signed by
James Moore, Moderator, who was the first pastor of the Ballyroney Presbyterian
Church, and by eleven elders.(2) William Bryan and his wife Margaret with at least three children, John
Andrew, James and William Jr, came to America in 1718. At first they settled
in Pennsylvania in a locality in what is now Lancaster County where he helped
to organize the Donegal Township and the Donegal Presbyterian Church in 1721
and 1722 respectfully. At that time for some reason the agents of Penn's heirs would only grant quit rent titles to the land which was unsatisfactory so the Bryans moved on to West Jersey where they got satisfactory titles. They settled near a place that became known as Salem. After some twenty years we find them on the move again. This time it was down into Virginia. William Sr., after a move or two settled near the present town of Salem, Virginia. It is believed that he had something to do with the naming of these two towns of Salem, one in New Jersey and one in Virginia. The record shows that on February 14th, 1748 he purchased a tract of four hundred acres on the west side of what is now Salem. This became the Bryan Homestead. Kegley in his historical work "Virginia Frontiers," states that by the year 1742 there were no more than fifty families in the whole region south of the James river and west of the Blue Ridge mountains. Thus the Bryans were among the pioneer settlers.The three sons of William Bryan, Sr., mentioned above lived in Salem at
one time or another, William, Jr., joined his father there about the year 1752 having married Margaret Watson on April 2nd, 1750 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. On October 11th, 1765, William Sr., transferred 133 acres of the
homestead to his son William, Jr., who paid him the sum of 65 pounds. This
contained the Big Spring section. William, Jr., seems to have cared for his
parents in their old age. John Andrew the oldest son at first took up land
near Fincastle north of Salem. He disposed of this land and moved down to the east side of Salem. Later he moved to Campbell County, Virginia. James
secured the balance of the Bryan homestead giving his father the sum of 100
pounds for the 267 acres. He made additions to this holding but in 1788 he
sold out to Andrew Lewis, Jr, and moved to Mason County, now West Virginia.