Brinson Murrill Bryan

Brinson Murrill Bryan, b May 24, 1827 in Onslow County, North Carolina, d December 24, 1900 at Riesel, McLennan County, Texas - a son of John B. and Mary (Barry) Bryan, who married in 1817 in North Carolina. Their seven children were: Brinson Murrill, James R., Mary, Celia who married Oliver M. Strange, Benjamin F., and two who died in infancy.

Brinson M. came to Navarro County, Texas in 1847, living with his uncle, August Barry. Also in the Barry household in 1850 were Brinson's brother, James Robert Bryan, and his sister, Celia Bryan.

In 1847, Brinson began eight months of service in Bell's 3rd Brigade of the Texas Rangers during the U.S.-Mexican War of 1846-1848, for which he received a small pension in later years. His grave in the Riesel Cemetery is marked with a white marble headstone for this service.

In 1855, Brinson joined a wagon train to California as a Scout, and is said to have returned to Texas "with his saddle bags full of gold nuggets." When the Civil war began, he enlisted in the Tenth Cavalry in 1862 - surrendering at Cuba Station, Alabama.

In 1867, Brinson Murrill Bryan married Frances Lou ("Fannie") Hearn, b April 4, 1847 in Montgomery County, Alabama, d November 19, 1921 at Liberty, Texas - a daughter of Pratt and Mary (Jarman) Hearn. She was buried in Cavalry Cemetery in Marlin, Texas. Brinson and Fannie remained in Alabama until they moved to Mississippi, and thence in 1886 to Texas. They had nine children; seven of their children were born in Alabama; one was born in Mississippi, and the youngest child was born in Riesel, McLennan County, Texas:

Peyton James Bryan, b September 25, 1867 near New York, Sumter County, Alabama - married May 19,1895 to Ella Victoria Binnicker.

Portis Bryan, b 1869, d in infancy.

Mary Lou Bryan, b May 24, 1873, d March 5, 1928 in Liberty County, Texas - was not married, and was buried in Cavalry Cemetery in Marlin, Texas.

Evelyn Rosetta Bryan, b February 15, 1876, d September 22,1961 in San Jose, California-married November 20, 1913 in Marlin, Texas to John Nathan Swilley, and had one daughter, Melva Swilley.

Madrid Wilson Bryan, b July 24, 1879, d September 18, 1950 in California - was not married.

Thomas Jefferson Bryan, b July 3, 1882, d August 1, 1952 in Brownwood, Texas - married in October 1908 at Lott, Falls County, Texas to Amber Atkins, b May 1884 in Alabama - a daughter of James R. and Rebecca Atkins of Alabama.

Ernest Portis Bryan, b February 15, 1884, d Au- gust 28, 1941 and buried by his father in the Riesel Cemetery - was not married.

Samuel Webster Bryan, b May 3, 1886 in Kewanee, Mississippi, d January 12, 1975 at Ballinger, Texas - married October 9, 1918 to Sadie Early.

Pauline Hunter Bryan, b June 11, 1889 near Riesel, McLennan County, Texas, d December 7, 1964 in Quincy, California-married January 9,1910 in Marlin, Texas to Murrill Edward Barry, and had one daughter. Augusta ("Gussie") Barry.

Brinson Murrill and Frances Elizabeth Bryan pursued farming interests on the "Warsh-Bryant Place" near Riesel until his death in 1900.

Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.