Biographical/historical information

Johnson H. Bryan, Jr. was the son of Johnson Bryan and Elizabeth Clemmons Bryan. He was born on May 27, 1824, in Craven County, North Carolina, and lived his life in said county and died there on September 8, 1883. He is buried in the Bryan Cemetery in Fort Barnwell, Craven County, North Carolina.

Bryan fought in the American Civil War with the First Cavalry (9th State Troops) of North Carolina. The 1880 U.S. Census lists his occupation as farmer.

Bryan was married twice, first to Jane B. Lane Bryan (1823-1867) and later in 1869 to Elizabeth J. Rhem Bryan (1839-1900). He and Jane had children John J. Bryan (1850-1896), Julia Harris Bryan Rhem (1851-1926), Bettie Bryan (1854-1855), and Mary Lane Bryan (1856-1919). He and Elizabeth J. Rhem Bryan had children Sarah E. "Sallie" Bryan Hartley (1876-1931), George Hamilton Bryan (1879-1920), Sallie Bryan and Joseph Bryan.

Another family member who appears in the documents in this collection is Richard Thomas Bryan who is a brother of Johnson H. Bryan, Jr. He moved to South Carolina.

Sources: Census records and Civil War records found in FamilySearch and cemetery listings in Find A Grave (both accessed on July 22, 2024).

Scope and arrangement

These papers (1848-1882) belonged to Johnson H. Bryan, Jr. of Craven County, North Carolina. Included are deeds (1842-1867), statements of debt and obligation, receipts, promissory notes, correspondence, and some business records. Included are mortgage papers related to a public stage line operating between New Bern and Beaufort, North Carolina (1848) and the mail line operating between Plymouth and New Bern (January, 1860); and adjudication of bankruptcy documents (1868-1869) for Johnson H. Bryan in New Bern. Also included are a certificate of exempted property, a dismissal of debt concerning Johnson Bryan (1868), and a resolution from the North Carolina Board of Internal Improvements (undated) complaining of tariff discriminations and maintenance deficiencies on the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad. 1917 documents refer to Sallie Bryan Hartley daughter of Johnson H. Bryan, Jr., and Elizabeth L. Bryan, widow of John J. Bryan, son of Johnson H. Bryan, Jr.

Of special interest are documents (1856-1861) related to the sale of and hiring out of enslaved African Americans in Craven County, North Carolina. An estate division for Johnson H. Bryan (Sr.) who died in 1856 names enslaved persons listed in his estate. One document regards hiring a formerly free African American who has been sold due to a fine from a State indictment against him.

Administrative information

Custodial History

July 19, 2024, 0.15 cubic feet; These papers (1848-1882) belonged to Johnson H. Bryan, Jr. of Craven County, North Carolina. Included are statements of debt and obligation, receipts, correspondence, and some business records. Included are mortgage papers from the public stage line operating between New Bern and Beaufort, North Carolina (1848); receipts of purchase and sale of enslaved people (1857-1859); mortgage of the mail line operating between Plymouth and New Bern (January, 1860); and a receipt of payment of one hundred dollars for the hiring of a freed person for a fine on a state indictment. Also included is an adjudication of bankruptcy, a certificate of exempted property, a dismissal of debt concerning Johnson Bryan (1868), and a resolution from the North Carolina Board of Internal Improvements (undated) complaining of tariff discriminations and maintenance deficiencies on the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad. 1917 documents refer to Sallie Bryan Hartley daughter of Johnson H. Bryan, Jr., and Elizabeth L. Bryan, widow of John J. Bryan, son of Johnson H. Bryan, Jr. Gift of Mrs. Charles L. Abernethy, Jr. (Sarah Alva All Abernethy)

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mrs. Charles L. Abernethy, Jr. (Sarah Alva All Abernethy)

Processing information

Processed by Martha Elmore, July 2024

Copyright notice

This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to taking precautions against infringement of copyright and respecting the publication rights of reproduced materials. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Any materials used should be fully credited with their source according to the example given in the Preferred Citation note. Requests for assistance with citations and images of publication quality should be directed to specialcollections@ecu.libanswers.com. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state law. The user assumes full responsibility for using such information and is advised that the disclosure of such information about identifiable living individuals without their consent may have legal ramifications.

Metadata Rights Declaration

Key terms

Personal Names

Topical

Container list