James and Elizabeth Bryan

      James Bryan, son of John and Nancy Mayes Bryan, was born on December 24, 1791 in Georgia. We do not know at what period of time he came to Franklin County with his parents, but he is placed there in 1813 by his war records and his marriage in 1818. The 1880 Census listed his birth place as S.C., other sources have listed N.C.
      James met and married Elizabeth Cain on October 1, 1818 in Franklin County, Ga. At one point they lived in Habersham County, then immediately moved to Lumpkin County after the removal of the Cherokee Indians. James and Elizabeth settled in the northern part of Lumpkin County long before the courthouse was built or any plank houses, nothing but pine-pole cabins.
      They were listed in the Census of Lumpkin County from the year 1840-1880. James farmed, while Elizabeth raised their eleven children. Besides farming James held the responsible trust, non-continuously as one of the Justices of the Inferior Court of Lumpkin County. He was appointed by the Governor of the State of Georgia. During that time James witnessed the first person to be executed in Lumpkin County.
      James went to live with his daughter, Parthena Ray, in Hall County after the death of his wife Elizabeth in 1882. He lived there until his death on March 12, 1885. No gravesite has been located for James or Elizabeth Bryan.

 

Submitted by Jeanne B. Insalaco