Looking for
Johnny Bryson
of Cherokee Co., NC,
Great-grandfather of a descendant born in 1941




Page updated 21 Oct 2021

Page begun 30 Dec 2007





        The following outline represents one Bryson family located in the 1870 census of the town of Murphy in Beaverdam Township, Cherokee County, North Carolina. The presence there of several other Bryson families, however, several of which have sons named John, means that this is not guaranteed to be the sought-for family of the Johnny Bryson who married the Miss Moore.

[John M. Gwin Note--21 Oct 2021:  I found this page again this morning, probably the first time I've seen it since I started it some 14 year ago.  There is no information listed as to why I began the page, however--especially no contact information.  I can only guess that someone contacted me out of the blue asking for help finding this relative, and I must have built the page for her or him in hopes that someone else would see it online and have more information.  But who the person was who requested the help and inspired the page is completely unknown to me now. 

And so this morning I did a search in FindAGrave.com for any William Bryson born approximately around 1822 and got five hits, one of which was the one listed below which I had found in my original search of the 1870 census.

Now I have expanded my search in the Ancestry.com database for "Johnny" Bryson and found his death certificate in 1929, which I have now listed below.  Everything there corresponds to the William Bryson family I had found in my initial search in 2007, below, so I believe  everything I have so far is the family for which our searcher was looking.]


An Outline of the Known Family So Far



23.00--William Bryson, b. ca. 1822 in NC; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk. date/place to Sarah Ann (nee unk., b. ca. 1829 in NC; d. unk.; bd. unk.); at least 8 ch.--i.e., the following five sons and three daughters;
[listed as William Bryson, age 48 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]

[listed as Sarah Ann Bryson, age 41 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]
24.01--Margaret Bryson, b. ca. 1852; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;
[listed as Margaret Bryson, age 18 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]
24.02--James Bryson, b. ca. 1854; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.
[listed as James Bryson, age 16 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]
24.03--Goldman Bryson, b. ca. 1855; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;
[listed as Goldman Bryson, age 15 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]
24.04--Samuel Bryson, b. ca. 1856; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;
[listed as Samuel Bryson, age 14 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]
24.05--Nancy Bryson, b. ca. 1859; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;
[listed as Nancy Bryson, age 11 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]
24.06--John "Johnny" Bryson, b. July 1861; d. 17 Oct 1929 in Beaverdam Twp. Cherokee Co., NC; bd. by his "home folks" family at Unaka Bapt. Ch., Cem., Unaka, Cherokee Co., NC--FAG# 94013840; m. Isadora Roberts (b. 14 Feb 1865 in Monroe Co., TN; d. 14 Jun 1941 in Cherokee Co., NC; bd. by "relatives of the deceased" at Unaka Bapt. Ch., Cem., Unaka, Cherokee Co., NC--FAG# 53081035); at least three ch.;
[listed as John Bryson, age 9 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]
[listed as John Bryson, age 22, marr. lic. date 2 Jun
1887; md. to Isadora Roberts on 5 Jun 1887 at home of G. Roberts in Cherokee Co., NC]
[listed on his 18 Oct
1929 death certificate as Johny (sic) Bryson, b. July 1861 in Cherokee Co., NC; date of death is listed as 17 Oct 1929 with place of death in Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC; Johny's age at death is listed as 68 yr 3 mo; he is husband of Izadora Bryson, informant, of Unaka, NC; Johny's parents are listed as William Bryson and Sarah An (sic) Roberts, both b. in NC; his place of burial is Unaka, NC; undertaker is listed as "home folks".]

[listed on death certif. as Isadora Roberts Bryson, b. 14 Feb 1865 in Monroe Co., TN; d. 14 Jun
1941 in Unaka, Cherokee Co., NC; bd. by relatives of the deceased at Beaverdam Cem., Unaka; Cherokee Co., NC; Allen Bryson, informant]
From North Carolina Death Certificate: Name: Johny Bryson; Gender: Male; Race: White; Age: 68; Birth Date:***Jul 1861; Birth Place: Cherokee, North Carolina; Death Date: 17 Oct 1929; Death Location: Beaverdam, Cherokee; Burial: Unaka Cemetery; Father's Name: William Bryson; Spouse's Name: Izadora Bryson.
***I, personally, believe the birth year 1862 on the stone to be incorrect and the year 1861 on the DC to be accurate. It subtracts out from the age 68 yrs, 3 mos, plus I've found DC's to have fewer errors than tomb stones.
25.01--Mr. Pearl Bryson, b. 10 Dec 1888; d. 20 Jun 1972 in Cherokee Co., NC; bd. Ebenezer Bapt. Ch., Cem., Murphy, Cherokee Co., NC; m. 1914 to Gertie Mae Sneed (b. 19 Jun 1895; d. 10 Apr 1975; bd. unk.); at least five ch.;
26.01--Edna Gladys Bryson, b. 1917; d. 1983; bd.  ; m. 20 Aug 1942 to Homer Dockery (b. 1920; d. 1997; ); unk. ch.;   , b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;
27.01--Jimmie Harold Dockery, b. 31 Oct 1944 in Murphy, Cherokee Co., NC; d. 15 Jun 2021 in Lane Co., OR; bd. Fir Grove Cem., Cottage Grove, Lane Co., OR--FAG# 228709193; m. Anna (nee unk.); unk. ch.;
        Jimmie Harold Dockery of Cottage Grove, salesman extraordinaire, provided incredible commitment to superior customer service for 40 years as an Outside Sales Representative for the Eugene Register-Guard. Jim practiced integrity in everything he did. He died from Alzheimer's Disease on June 15, 2021. He was 76 years old.
        He was born to Homer and Edna Bryson Dockery in Murphy, North Carolina on October 31, 1944. His family moved to Oregon when he was three years old, and they settled in Disston. He graduated from Cottage Grove High School and went on to complete his bachelor's degree at Southern Oregon College.
        Jim was a long-time resident of Cottage Grove but never missed a chance to drive out to his old stomping grounds in Disston with his wife Anna. They shared 24 years together. The dimple on his right cheek held her captive in love. Sweet, calm and giver of bear hugs, he enjoyed playing electric guitar and watching football or golf, but softball was his passion. He played softball for traveling leagues as pitcher and third baseman. Most of all he loved his Lord and Savior and his church.
        Survivors include his wife Anna, sons Matthew (Gwen) Dockery of Harrisburg, Jeremy (Jennifer) Dockery of Creswell, stepson Scott (Summer) Farley of Springfield, stepdaughter Traci (Jeff) Casto of Cottage Grove, twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on June 30, 2021 at Cottage Grove Faith Center. Arrangements in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel, Cottage Grove, Oregon.
28.01--Matthew Alan Dockery [PRIVATE]; m. 22 Mar 1997 in Lane, OR to Gwendolyn Marie "Gwen" Alden [PRIVATE];
28.02--Jeremy Dockery [PRIVATE]; m. Jennifer (nee unk.) [PRIVATE];

28.03--Scott Farley [PRIVATE]; m. Summer (nee unk.) [PRIVATE];

28.04--Traci Farley [PRIVATE]; m. Jeff Casto
[PRIVATE];
26.02--Leaora Bryson, b. 2 Jan 1920; d. as infant 19 Feb 1920, age 0 yr 1 mo; bd. Ebenezer Bapt. Ch., Cem., Murphy, Cherokee Co., NC; m. never; no ch. possible;

26.03--Earl Glenn Bryson, b. 6 Jun 1921; d. 13 Apr 2003; bd. Ebenezer Bapt. Ch., Cem., Murphy, Cherokee Co., NC--FAG# 27812355;  m. unk.; no known ch.;

26.04--Robert Verlon Bryson, b. 30 Nov 1924 in Murphy, Cherokee Co., NC; d. 9 Oct 1986 in Murphy, Cherokee Co., NC; bd. Ebenezer Bapt. Ch., Cem., Murphy, Cherokee Co., NC--FAG# 27812189; m. Mary Bonnie Carter (b. 1917; d. 1999; bd. ; at least three ch.--all by Mary Bonnie's former marriages--therefore, none is related to Johnny Bryson); RVB had no known children of his own;
27.01--Carter? (b...

27.02--Carter? (b...

27.03--
Carter? (b...
26.05--Minnis Pearl "Minnie" Bryson, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. Rev. Wayne Junior Johnson (); unk. ch.;
        Wayne Junior Johnson, age 89 of Murphy, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2014 at Murphy Medical Center Nursing Home.  Mr. Johnson was born June 1, 1925 in Cherokee County, NC to the late Patton Johnson and the late Venner Martin.  He was of the Church of God denomination.  Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his wife Minnis Bryson Johnson; father, Patton Johnson; and mother, Venner Martin Johnson.
        Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law Shirley and William Hayes; daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Junior Farmer; son and daughter-in-law, Carl David and Charlene Johnson; daughter, Helen Stewart; sister, Bonnie Crisp; sister, Dovie Carroll; sister, Hazel Johnson; ten grandchildren, seven great- grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. 
        Funeral services: 2:00 p.m. on Monday July 14, 2014 at the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home with Pastor David Watson officiating.  Burial will follow in the Ogreeta Cemetery.
        The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday afternoon from 6 to 8 pm.
27.01--Shirley Johnson, [PRIVATE]; m. William Hayes, [PRIVATE]

27.02--Cathy Johnson, [PRIVATE]; m. Junior Farmer, [PRIVATE]

27.03--Carl David Johnson, [PRIVATE]; m. Charlene (nee unk.), [PRIVATE]

27.04--Helen Johnson, [PRIVATE]; m. Mr. Stewart, [PRIVATE]
25.02--Ethel Bryson, b. ; d. ; bd. ; m. Dockery; unk. ch.;

25.03--Jack Gurley Bryson, b. 13 Oct 1904; d. 2 Oct 1960; bd. ; m. Helen Owensby ();
24.07--William Bryson, Jr., b. ca. 1865; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;
[listed as William Bryson, age 5 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]
24.08--Martha Bryson, b. ca. 1869 ; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;
[listed as Martha Bryson, age 1 in the 1 Jul 1870 census of Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC]







Some Pertinent Census Data

From the 30 Jun/1 Jul 1870 Federal Census of
Murphy P. O., Beaverdam Twp., Cherokee Co., NC

Res/Fam
Name
Race/
Sex
Age
Est.
DOB
fr.Age

POB
Occ/Trade
 Profssn.
John M. Gwin Comments
13/13
Levi  Moore wm
68


NC

Rutha Moore wf
70


NC

Martha Moore wf
18


NC Martha Moore, 18, is definitely a candidate to be the future bride of Johnny Bryson.

John Moore wm
16


NC
14/14
Levi A. Moore wm
32


NC

Lucy Moore wf
31


NC

Caroline Moore wf
12


NC Caroline Moore, 12, is definitely a candidate to be the future bride of Johnny Bryson.

Samuel Moore wm
7


NC

William Moore wm
4


NC

54/54
Samuel Bryson
wm
46
1824
NC
farmer


Mary Bryson wf
33
1837
IL
keeping house


Elizabeth Bryson wf
14
1856
NC at home

Martha Bryson wf
12
1858
NC at home

Malissa Bryson wf
10
1860
NC at home

Rachel Bryson wf
8
1862
NC


John S. Bryson wm
5
1865
NC
John S. Bryson, 5, is definitely a candidate to be our Johnny.

Margaret Bryson wf
3
1867
NC


George Bryson wm
5mo.
ca. Jan
1870
NC

56/56
Isaac Moore
wm
61
1809
NC farmer


Rachel Moore wf
47
1823
NC keeping house


Andrew Moore wm
30
1840
NC no occupation


Margaret Moore wf
25
1845
NC no occupation Margaret Moore, 25, is possibly a candidate to be the future bride of Johnny Bryson.

Stephen Moore wm
18
1852
NC farm laborer


Emily Moore wf
6
1864
NC
Emily Moore, 6, is definitely a candidate to be the future bride of Johnny Bryson.
65/66
William Bryson wm
48
1822
NC farmer


Sarah Ann Bryson wf
41
1829
NC keeping house


Margaret Bryson wf
18
1852
NC attending school


James Bryson wm
16
1854
NC farm laborer


Goldman Bryson wm
15
1855
NC at home


Samuel Bryson wm
14
1856
NC farm laborer


Nancy Bryson wf
11
1859
NC attending school

John Bryson wm
9
1861
NC
John Bryson, 9, is definitely a candidate to be our Johnny.

William Bryson, Jr.
wm
5
1865
NC


Martha Bryson wf
1
1869
NC


Address/
Res/Fam
Name
RHoH
Race
/Sex
Age
DOB
MS
#yrs
md.
#ch/
#lvg.
POB
S/F/M
Yr.
Imm.
Yrs.
inUS
Nat-
ztn.
Occ/Trade
Profssn.
John M. Gwin Comments












































































































Crisps living in Murphy P.O., Cherokee Co., NC, in a search of the 1930 census.
Robert L Crisp Minnie O Murphy, Cherokee, NC abt.1890 North Carolina Head
William N Crisp Mary A Murphy, Cherokee, NC abt 1867 North Carolina Head
William Crisp Candace Murphy, Cherokee, NC abt 1890 North Carolina Head
Henry A Crisp Amy Murphy, Cherokee, NC abt 1855 North Carolina Head
John H Crisp Clara Murphy, Cherokee, NC abt 1890 North Carolina Head
James H Crisp Marthe M Murphy, Cherokee, NC abt 1873 North Carolina Head