Unless otherwise noted, all entries in the bible are clear and very legible.  Spellings are listed as found in the bible.  I would estimate that 3 different people (handwriting) made entries in the bible.   For accuracy, all transcribed entries have been independently proofread.  Transcription errors may, nonetheless, occur. 

In addition to the entries made for Robertson Bryant and his family, this antebellum bible lists 23 “Negros” births (no deaths or marriages are noted). These births range in dates from 1791 to 1859.  Several of these individuals (apparently) maintained the last name of Bryant as they can be found in the 1870 & 1880 census (for example, Major Bryant, Albert Bryant, Charlotte Bryant, and Zackeriah Bryant).  To my knowledge these births have not been published previously. 

The family record pages were, at one time, removed from the bible.  They were then re-sewn (by hand) together and placed back in the bible.  I would speculate that the pages were removed for needed proof in making applications for military (Civil War) pensions. 

As of 2005, this bible is in the possession of Robertson & Nancy (Amis) Bryant’s great-great-great granddaughter, Lucy Bryant (Dunaway) Zeier.  To my knowledge, the bible’s provenance is from Robertson Bryant:

1.       to his son, Isaiah Burney  Bryant (1834-1917),

2.       through his daughter, Cornelia Robertson (Bryant) Reavis (1869-1953),

3.       then to her daughter Emma Lucy (Reavis) Bryant (1891-1986),

4.      through (both) her daughters Cornelia Frances (Bryant) Freeland (1925 – present) & Marilyn Reavis (Bryant) Dunaway (1923 – present),

5.      to (currently) Lucy Bryant (Dunaway) Zeier (1954 – present).

 The bible is intact, but fragile condition as of 2005.  I believe the bible started its life in Maury County, Tennessee.  Not until the very latter part of the 20^thcentury, did this bible ever leave Tennessee soil.

 Also, please see the transcribed will of Robertson Bryant (also located on this Web Page.)  His will mentions some of his children and grandchildren, as well as some of his slaves.  Even several years after the close of the Civil War (will was dated 1867), Robertson Bryant was bequeathing slaves to his descendants.

 I (Lucy) would like to correspond with others interested in this family.  I will be happy to share copies of the bible pages (either electronically or in paper format) with anyone who would like a copy.  Please contact me at:  LooswhL [at] aoL [dot] com

 I would like to dedicate the posting of this bible to my mother, Marilyn (Bryant) Dunaway, and to my aunt, C. Frances (Bryant) Freeland.  While I never had the pleasure to know her in person, I would also like to dedicate this posting to Doris (Ketchum) Bryant (1919 – 2002).  All three of these ladies have been my inspiration and my partners in family history research and recordation.

 

Title Page:

 The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments:  Translated out of the Original Tongues;  Published by G. Lane & P.P. Sandford, New York (for the Methodist Episcopal Church); 1841; James Collord, Printer. 

Bring up Your Children in the Admonition of the Lord

 

Robertson Bryant was born Feb. 11^th 1795 

Nancy Amis Bryant was born Sept 11^th 1801. 

1.      Robert D. Bryant was born Jan. 28^th 1819.

2.     Mary J. Bryant was born Oct. 10^th 1820.

3.     Frances D. Bryant was born Aug. 10^th 1822.

4.     Archibal S. Bryant was born Feb 20^th 1824.

5.     Ann R. Bryant was born Feb 9^th 1826.

6.     Martha E. Bryant was born Apl 13^th 1828.

7.     William H. Bryant was born May 20^th 1830.

8.     Minerva E. Bryant was born July 3^rd 1832.

9.     Isaiah B. Bryant was born March 5^th 1834.

10. Louisania B. Bryant was born July 20^th 1836.

11.  James Alonzo Bryant was born Sept 21^st 1839.

12. Lavinia Lemon Bryant was born Feb 25^th 1842.

13. Theophilus Compton Bryant was born November 26^th 1844 (lighter ink, but still legible).

Joseph T. F. Jackson was born 19^th Jany. 1828. (this is their son-in-law who married their daughter, Martha E. Bryant)

Rowland Edward Bryant was born July 12^th 1847.  (while not numbered like the other children, Rowland was child #14)

Misniah Euginia Bryant was born 24^th July 1850.  (Misniah was child #15) 

 

Marriage is Honourable in all. 

Mary Judith Bryant was married to Milton B. Nolen, 27^th Aug. 1843. 

Martha E. Bryant was married to Jos. T. Jackson on 10^th Feb. 1847. 

Robert D. Bryant was married to Martha C. Jackson on the 29^th Decr. 1849. 

Archibal S. Bryant married to Jane W. Gresham Jan. 11^th 1855. 

William H. Bryant was married to Aseneth McConnell Nov. 12^th 1857. 

Louisania B. Bryant was married to W.S.L. Neelley Nov. 15^th 1860. 

Lavenia Lemmon (listed as Lavinia Lemon under births) Bryant was married to Robert H. Moore April 17^th 1866. 

I. B. Bryant was married to Emma L. Fry Sept 20^th 1866. 

Robertson Bryant was married to Nancy Amis Febry 19^th 1818. 

Misniah E. Bryant was married to Wm. Caskey Decmber the 22^nd 1870. 

 

Nancy Bryant, wife of Robertson Bryant died 6^th Sept 1868 Aged 66 years 11 mo. & 25 days. 

Robertson Bryant died the 2^nd day of Feb 1872.  Aged 76 years 11 months 21 days.

Robert D. Bryant died April 28^th 1871. 

Frances D. Bryant died Apr. 27, 1906. 

I. Burney Bryant died July 10, 1917. 

Emma Fry Bryant died May 28, 1928. 

Family Record Negros. 

(These blank pages were not originally part of the published bible.  They must have been added by Robertson Bryant.) 

Negro Mima [could also be Mirna?] born 24^th Sept. 1791. 

Negro Jerry born 13^th April 1813. 

Negro Zack born 16^th Nov. 1814. 

Negro Julia born November day 1816. 

Negro Green born 19^th June 1822. 

Negro Mary born 10^th Oct. 1824. 

Negro Rachael born 23^rd April 1833. 

Negro Maria born 5^th Sept. 1838. 

Negro George Harvey born 30^th March 1840. 

Negro Sarah born 2^nd June 1840. 

Negro Hannibal born 25^th March 1844. 

Negro Rowland Iverson born 5^th June 1845. 

Negro boy Albert was born July 24^th 1848. 

Negro girl Caroline was born February 5^th 1849. 

Negro Boy Henry Matthews born 22^nd Nov. 1850. 

Negro Girl Charlotte was born 16^th March 1851.

Negro boy Jacob was born August 1^st 1851. 

Negro boy Colonel was born July 18^th 1853. 

Negro Boy Major was born August 29^th 1853. 

(Next entry is readable, but extremely light) 

Negro Girl Ruth was born September 8^th 1855. 

Negro Girl Mina was born August 22^nd day 1856. 

Negro Boy Edmund was born May 23/57. 

Negro Girl Betty was born August 11^th in the year of 1859.

 

© 2005 by Paulette Carpenter; all rights reserved.

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