Person:Anthony Bryant (1)

(1775 - after 1848) Anthony was a free person of color at least from 1830. Jane, a slave of Robert Matson of Bourbon County Kentucky, appears to be his second wife, and he probably married her around 1843 in Kentucky. He moved to Illinois when she was relocated here by Matson. As a licensed Methodist exhorter, Anthony, was able to lead the local African-Americans at Brushy Fork in services and attended to their spiritual needs. He could read, with effort, and was respected by Matson and others in the area. Anthony sought help for his family from his contacts in the church after Mary Corbin, Matson's housekeeper/mistress, threatened to have the children sold south. He persisted until he found Gideon "Matt" Ashmore. Anthony, about 70 years old, stayed in the Oakland area while Jane and the children were imprisoned, and wasn't reunited with her until the trial concluded. He and his family moved to Liberia in 1848 in hopes of finding a new and better life, however, the opposite was true. Anthony met a visiting African-American minister from Springfield in Monrovia four months after they arrived, and begged him to return the family to the United States, which was not possible. We do not currently know the fate of he and his family.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Stowell, Daniel W. Editor, and Christopher A. Assistant Editor Schnell. The Papers of Abraham Lincoln: Legal Documents and Cases. (University of Virginia Press, 2008)
   Vol. 2, 2008.

   "Anthony Bryant, b. c. 1775. Bryant was an African American and a Methodist minister, and he may have been a freedman as early as 1830. According to the 1830 census, Robert Matson's Bourbon County household included a free male African American aged thirty-six to fifty-five years old." Dr. Hiram Rutherford later described him: Anthony Briant negro born free-- could spell his way through the Bible & Dr R. once saw him reading that book at Gen Matson's house. Matson was a polite man & introduced Dr R to Bryant."
   
   "In May 1848, an African-American minister from Springfield, Illinois, encountered the Bryants in Monrovia. In his report on the living conditions in Liberia, S. S. Ball included a passage about this encounter. He "saw a family of six while in Monrovia, the Rev. Anthony Bryant, wife and four children, who were sent from the State of Illinois in the fall of 1847.... They were truly in a deplorable situation." Anthony Bryant told Ball how his family came to Liberia from Coles County "without means" and how they had to spend what little money they did receive on goods for the passage from New Orleans. The family suffered from "African Fever" and had to beg for food. Anthony Bryant asked Ball to raise money to pay for their return to the United States. Unable to help the Bryants, Ball left Liberia with their plight on his mind." Ball's interaction with Anthony was reported in an Illinois newspaper article upon his return.

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Jessamine, Kentucky, United States. 1830 United States
   p. 200, 1830.

   Anthony of Colour no whites in household; Slaves: Males - one under age 10; Females - one 10-24; one 24-36; Free Colored Persons: Males - one 55-100; Females - one 36-55. Five in household.

3. ↑ Jessamine, Kentucky, United States. 1840 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   p. 22, 1840.

   Anthony Bryan: Free Persons of Color: one age 55-100 male and one age 55-100 female. He also had slaves: Males: one 10-24; Females: 4 under 10; one 24-36; one 36-55; Total 9 in household; 2 in agriculture.

4. ↑ Ficklin, Orlando B. Gen. Usher F. Linder: Incidents Of His Life And Character
   January 1885.

   Anthony Bryant, aged about 70 years. He had license from Bishop Robert Roberts of the Methodist conference of Kentucky as an exhorter and local preacher. Bryant was reputed to be an honest man and pious and although he could not read right off, yet he was eager to learn, and with his quarto bible on his lap employed himself in slowly spelling word after word, keeping his finger on the line, so as to make no mistake in acquiring a correct understanding of the word of God.
   
   The cited article is from the Typed Transcription, Tarbell-Lincoln Collection, Pelletier Library, Allegheny College. Tarbell wrote: "Copied from The Courier Jan 15, 1885 See C. F Lee (in file)" in the top left-hand corner of the typed transcript.

5. ↑ Jessamine, Kentucky, United States. Tax List
   p. 3, 1837.

   Bryant, Anthony (of col) 2 blacks over 16; 2 horses; aggregate value of horses $100; 2 cattle valued over 50 lbs.; total value $100.

6. ↑ Jessamine, Kentucky, United States. 1838 Tax List
   p. 39, 1838.

   Under "A List of coloured person that are taxed" Bryan, Antonia 4 of something (heading missing) valued at $70.

7. ↑ Jessamine, Kentucky, United States. 1840 Tax List
   p. 49, 1840.

   Under section titled Free Negroes List: Bryant, Anthony 0 slaves over 16; 4 horses & mares valued at $100; Total value $100.

8. ↑ ^8.0 8.1 Kentucky. County Court (Jessamine County). Deeds, 1799-1865; index, 1799-1947. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1959)
   Book K, p. 281-2, 19 Sept 1833.

   This Indenture, made this 19th September 1833. Between James Birch, of the County of Garrard & state of Kentucky, of the one part & Anthony Bryant, a free man of colour of the County of Jessamine & state aforesaid, witnesseth that the said James Birch for & in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to him in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargain, sell, alien & confirm unto the said A. Bryant, his Heirs & assigns a certain lot or parcel of Land, situated, Laying and being in the County of Jessamine & near the Town of Nicholasvill & bounded as follows, to wit Beginning on the Hickman road, one hundred & thirty-six feet ont he south of the Town Limit, thense with said road forty-five feet to the south, thense at right angles, westwardly, one hundred & sixty-four feet, thence at right angles, Northwardly, one hundred sixty four fee, to the beginning on the Hickman road, bet he same more of Less, and being the house & to now in possession of said Bryant together with all & singular the premises thereunto belonging and in any wish appertaining, to have & to hold the said Lot or parcel of ground unto the said A. Bryant, his Heirs & Assigns for ever & the said James Birch, for himself, his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, the aforesaid lot, parcel of ground unto the said A. Bryant, his Heirs & Assigns, against the claim or claims of all & every person or persons whatsoever, doth and will, warrant & for ever defend by these presented - In witness whereof the same James Birch, hath hereunto set his hand & seal this day and date above written - James (his mark) Birch

9. ↑ ^9.0 9.1 Kentucky. County Court (Jessamine County). Deeds, 1799-1865; index, 1799-1947. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1959)
   Book M, p. 26-27, 26 July 1836.

   This Indenture made this 26th day of July 1836 between Anthony Bryan a free man of colour of the County of Jessamine and State of Kentucky of the one part and Joseph Day a free man of colour of the County and State aforesaid of the other part witnesseth that the said Bryan for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and seventy dollars to him in hand paid the receipt whereof is here by acknowledged hath granted, bargained and sold and by this presents doth grant bargain sell alien and convey unto the said Joseph Day his Heirs and assigns a certain lot or parcel of land situated lying and being in the County aforesaid and town of Nicholasville and bounded as follows to wit beginning at the Hickman Road One hundred and thirty six feet on the south the old town limits thence with said road forty five feet tot he south thence at right angles westwardly one hundred and sixty four feet to the beginning on the Hickman road be the same more or less Together with all and singular the premises thereunto belonging or in any will appertaining to have and to hold this lot or parcel of ground unto the said Joseph Day his heirs and assigns forever and the said Anthony Bryan for himself his heirs executors & administrators the aforesaid lot or parcel of ground unto the said Joseph Day his heirs & assigns against the claim or claims of all and every person or persons whatsoever doth & will forever defend by these present in testimony whereof the said Anthony Bryan hath hereunto subscribed his name and affixed his seal this day and year above written. Anthony (his mark) Bryan

10. ↑ Kentucky. County Court (Jessamine County). Order books, 1799-1932; index, 1799-1940, 1799-1940. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1959, 1994)
    Bk. H, , 1835-1836.

    Anthony Bryan a free man of colour plaintiff states that he holds a note upon the defendant Joseph Day (a free man of colour) in substance as followeth " On the 12th day of March next I promise to pay Anthony Bryan a free man of colour Seventy dollars with interest thereon from the date it being the last payment of the purchase money for the lot this day sold by him to me- Given under my hand and seal this 16th day of April 1835. Joseph (his mark) Day" Yet the said debt remains unpaid wherefore he prays judgment for his debt and damages for the detention of the same together with his costs etc. Price dtto for plaintiff In the case file #271: Filed and Surpined? 20th April 1836 Test. D. B. Price We of the jury find for the plaintiff one cent in Damages./Total costs and debt $79.76 1/2 Rec'd of Joseph Day Seventy nine dollars Seventy Six and one half cents in full of the above debt interest & costs this 4th day of July 1836 Jefferson Price attn. for plff. Note withdrawn by plff & delivered to Dept. July 4, 1836./ Recd of Jefferson Price Seventy one dollars and thirty two cents in full for the money collected by him of Joseph Day - Given under my hand this 26th July 1836 Anthony (his mark) Bryan Test. John D. Stotts

11.   Kentucky. County Court (Jessamine County). Order books, 1799-1932; index, 1799-1940, 1799-1940. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1959, 1994)
    Bk. H, p. 246, & 252, 1836-1837.

    Sept. Court 1836 - Anthony Bryant apet/apth on appeal/W. F. Shely appelee/ On motion apet alias sumt. awarded herein returnable to the next term until which time this ? is continued./ Oct. Term 1836 - Anthony Bryant appellant against on appeal Washington F. Shely appellee/ This day came the parties of by their attorneys and this case being fully heard. It is considered by the court that the judgment fo the justice be affirmed as to the sum of Fifteen dollars and that the appellee recover of the appellant the said sum of Fifteen dollars and also his costs by him hereun or well as before the Justice in the County aforesaid. In case file #285 in 1837: Jessamine Circuit and County Court Bryant vs Shely Declared in Covenant Filed Dec. 1st, 1836
    
    To wit Anthony Bryant complains of Washington F. Shely being in custody vc? of leruch of covenant for that whereas heretofore; to wit on the 4th day of October 1834 in the county and circuit aforesaid by a certain writing obligatory then and there made and entered into between the said Anthony Bryant of the one part and the said Washington F. Shely of the other part which said writing obligatory signed with the own proper hand of the said defendant the said plaintiff now bring here into court the date whereof is the day and year aforesaid the said defendant did agree covenant and promise to and with the said plaintiff in the words following, to wit, upon application to me by Anthony Bryant a man of colour to get my approbation to permit my coloured man Robin to trade with him; In answer to his application I have no objection. But no responsibility on my part. W. F. Shely
    
    Yet the said plaintiff protests that the said defendant hath not performed fulfilled or reported any thing in said writing obligatory contained, by him to be performed fulfilled, or kept according to tenar and effect true intent and meaning thereof And the said plaintiff in fact avers, that the said defendant has to few responsibility upon himself and interfered in the dealing or trading of the said plaintiff with the said coloured man Robin and his aforesaid covenant to keep hath not, but has broken the same in this, to wit, for that after making of the aforesaid writing obligatory the said plaintiff did deal and trade to and with and got of the said Robin a horse, for which the said defendant did sue and recover of the said plaintiff the sum of $27.50 together with cost at the October term of the Jessamine Circuit Court held in the year 1836; which will more fully appear by a reference to the records of said Court, And whereas, also after making the the aforesaid writing obligatory the said plaintiff did deal, or trade to and with the said Robin for the ironing of a wagon leady of the said plaintiff; for which the said defendant did sue and recover of the said plaintiff the sum of $15.00 together with costs in the October Court of the Jessamine County Court in the year 1836, which will appear more fully by a reference to the records of the said court. And to the said plaintiff saith the said defendant hath not kept with him the said writing obligatory so made between them as aforesaid, but hath broken the same and to keep the same with the said plaintiff say the said defendant hath hitherto wholy refused and still doth refuse to the damages of of the said plaintiff of $200 dollars; and therefore he brings suit.
    Scott pro quereudo
    
    $27.50 in circuit court
    $15.00 in county court
    $20.00 lawyer fees
    $15.00 costs in all
    $77.50 = damaged

12.   Kentucky. County Court (Jessamine County). Order books, 1799-1932; index, 1799-1940, 1799-1940. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1959, 1994)
    Bk. I, p. 165, Nov 1840.

    The sheriff returned the following persons being free persons of colour for having failed to list themselves as Tythes to the commissioner of the revenue of this year to wit: David Slanistreet, Run.? Slanistreet, Isaac Riddle, Wm. Overstreet, Julius Woolfolk; Theodore Dickerson, Nathan Summers, Abraham Woolfolk, Collins Day, Anthony Bryant, Andrew Gilbert, Jacob Overstreet, & James Linn. It is ordered that the sheriff collect of said persons Seventy five cents each as their Tythe Tax and account for the same to the court.

13.   American Colonization Society. African Repository, and Colonial Journal. (Washington, D. C.: C. Alexander)
    Vol. 24, No. 2, p. 59, Feb 1848.

    The Barque "N. Rich," chartered by this Society, sailed from New Orleans on the 7th ult. with one hundred and twenty-nine emigrants for Liberia. We publish the list of them, for the information of their friends and the public in general.
    
    List of Passengers, per Barque Nehemiah Rich, Carlton, master, for Liberia:
    No. 29 Anthony Bryan age 72 where from - Illinois
    No. 30 Jane Bryan age 33 do. Anthony's wife
    No. 31 Mary Catharine Bryan age 14 do. Anthony's child.
    No. 32 Sally Ann Bryan age 12 do. do. do.
    No. 33 Mary Jane Bryan age 6 do. do. do.
    No. 34 Andrew Todd Ashumn Bryan age 4 do. do. do.