Ann M Bryson
Daily Commonwealth, 19 November 1879, page 1
DEATH OF MRS. ANN M BRYSON
Last night at half past nine o'clock this aged lady passed away without a struggle, after several weeks of confinement to her bed, though as might have been expected from her extreme age, being in her ninetieth year, she has been very feeble from the infirmities of her many years. She has long been a landmark in this community, alike conspicuous for her devoted and consistent piety as well as for her physical and mental activity for one of such an advanced age.
Mrs. Bryson was born at Fort Wilkinson, on the Oconee river in Georgia, on the 8th of October 1790, her father Maj. Martin, being then in command of that military post. She remembered seeing General Washington in her early childhood at a ball at Augusta, Georgia. When she was about nine years old her father, having had a command at Fort Peter, near St Mary's Florida, for a year or so, was transferred to Norfolk Va. On the voyage thither the vessel in which he with his wife and their children were passengers was so near being wrecked in one of those fearful storms so common off Cape Hatteras that the Captain told the passengers it would sink within twenty minutes. Little Ann, who had been praying, told her terrified mother that they would be saved-that the Lord had told her so; and wonderful to relate contrary to all expectations, the wind suddenly ceased and they all finally reached Norfolk in safety.
From that post Major Martin was ordered to Detroit and after remaining there for some time was transferred to Newport, where he continued until his death which occurred many years ago. There are yet living a few of the oldest citizens of this vicinity who still remember him. During that period, this daughter, then a young lady, was married to a Captain, afterwards Major Bryson. She was the mother of five children, one one of whom survives her-a daughter living in Texas.
Mrs. Bryson has often described to the writer of this notice, her conversion as occurring when she was thirteen, while visiting relatives in Clark county in this State. She then united with the Methodist Church, renouncing at once and forever, most thoroughly and conscientiously all the gaieties and amusements incident to the life of an officer's family in those days at such a post as Newport Barracks. This cost her much self-denial and many sacrifices, during which she encountered strong opposition to her religious life, but with that invincible strength of purpose, which as always characterized her in her determination, she persevered and during all the remainder of her long and eventful life has maintained her position with unswerving constancy. Her influence for good is incalculable and she leaves behind a pathway all radiant with the light of a beautiful and consistent Christian character and usefulness.
Her funeral will be attended in this Scott Street Methodist Church, or Friday morning at 10 o'clock. Her pastor, Dr. Charles Taylor, will conduct the services. Her interment will be in the Linden Grove Cemetery.