Cousins Spending Time Together on a Summer Day

Allura Freeman Wade and Bettie McDaniel Neal

The joy seen on their faces is priceless. I think this was the first time the cousins met. One lives in Arizona and the other in a Chicago suburb. They share a set of 2nd great grandparents, John Coleman Bryant and his wife Elizabeth McDaniel.

John and Elizabeth were slaves in Franklin County, Mississippi. The couple had two sons to survive to adulthood and produce children. One son chose to use the surname of his mother's slave owner, John McDaniel; the other son chose to use the surname his father used, which was Bryant.

How do the 2nd cousins connect to my family tree?
Their 3rd cousin, Mary Lou McDaniel, married my 1st cousin 2x removed, Frank Scott, Sr.
Their 3rd cousin, Mamie J Bryant, married my 1st cousin 2x removed, James Coleman.

Photograph Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

Young Love circa 1950

Proverbs 30:18-19
There are three things that amaze me—
no, four things that I don’t understand:
how an eagle glides through the sky,
how a snake slithers on a rock,
how a ship navigates the ocean,
how a man loves a woman. (NLT)

Zenobia McClain and Perry Howard at their high school prom.
The couple married and had four children:
Terri, Donna, Mark, and Michael

How the couple connects to my family
Perry Howard is the son of Alex Howard and Byrnetta Bryant
Byrnetta's aunt Mamie J Bryant married James Coleman, my 1st cousin 2x removed

Photograph Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

Interest in Your Community Vote

John Robert Bryant
1850-1942
During Reconstruction, Cousin Robert Bryant worked as an election manager. He was interested in the welfare of his community, was a successful farmer, and owned a good home. He reared a family of good citizens and he believed in education. It was required that at least one manager on an election committee be a Republican. Cousin Robert was of the party of Lincoln. However, his ticket was often intercepted, and was always found to be for the Democratic candidates.

Today, when I cast my vote, I will be thinking of Cousin Robert and the ancestors.

Robert was the son of John Coleman Bryant and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bryant. Robert was born about April 06, 1850, and raised in Veto, Franklin County, MS, on the John McDaniel's farm where he, his mother Elizabeth and siblings were slaves.

Information from Slave Narrative of Robert Bryant
Photograph Courtesy of Joyce Coleman Johnson

Miss Martha's Age

Lets keep it between you, me and the gatepost, Miss Martha Bryant is much older than her death certificate claims. She or a member of her household was consistent about her age until her last census in 1910 shaved off a few years. Saying she was 50 something may have been a little difficult for Miss Martha. The conspiracy to keep her younger continued with her death when her age was reduced another 4 years.

In 1870, she was 16 - born about 1854
In 1880, she was 24 - born about 1856
In 1900, she was 45 - born about 1855
In 1910, she was 49 - born about 1861

The 1919 death certificate gives her birth year as 1865.

















I know that the 1854 birth year is closer to accurate, here is why. Martha is named on the 1857 deed of gift of her family's slave owner John McDaniel along with her mother and brother Robert "Bob".

This Indenture and Deed of Gift made and entered into on this the 12th day of November 1857 by John McDaniel of the county of Franklin in the State of Mississippi witness That for and in consideration of the natural love and affection I have for and bear to my son James H. McDaniel...I Give, Grant and Deed...ELIZABETH a woman & child BOB a boy, MARTHA a girl

Elizabeth and her child Bob were grouped as a pair, Bob would not be separated from Elizabeth because he was too young and needed the direct care of his mother. Martha was older than Bob. I guess Martha is a girl of 4-5 years of age and her brother Bob is probably 2-3 years of age since he was not described as an infant, thus Martha was likely born about 1853-1855.

Martha Bryant was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Bryant, born in Franklin County, Mississippi. After the Civil War, she went to Natchez to live near a sister to attend school. She returned to Jefferson County to live with her mother. She never married nor had children. She remained with her mother and nursed her during her last illness. Martha's mother willed her the 80 acres of land the family purchased for $12 and a bale of cotton. Martha went with family to Bogalusa, Louisiana, a thriving timber industry town. She died there 18 Jan 1919. Her nephew Bryant Coleman was her informant.

John and Elizabeth's descendants married members of my maternal family.

John McDaniel owned 28 slaves in 1850, and he owned 38 slaves in 1860 per the slave schedules of Franklin County, MS.

SOURCES
Federal Census Records
Granville Cox's Federal Military Pension Records
Elizabeth Bryant's Will - Jefferson County Chancery Court Case Number: 1543 - Microfilm Number: 12263
John McDaniel's 1857 Deed of Gift
Will and deed of gift found at Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Wordless Wednesday - Boy and a Car, 1930s

Alex John "AJ" Howard, Jr
b. 1931
Son of Alex John Howard, Sr and Byrnetta Bryant

Photograph Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

Wordless Wednesday - Mary Ephraim Bryant

Mary born about 1877 in Union Church, Mississippi, died after 1940
Daughter of Tuck Ephraim and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Thompson
Wife of Henry Keys Bryant
Mother of Robert John, Christine, Henry G, Brynetta, Leslie J, and Pauline

Mary's sister Ardella married my mother's 1st cousin once removed Willie Henderson.

Photograph Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

Tombstone Tuesday - John Robert and Amanda Bryant

Bryant
John Robert
Apr 6 1850
May 12 1940

Amanda
Aug 11 1850
Feb 3 1932

Photograph Courtesy of Cynthia Crump
Crump Chapel Cemetery
Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi

John and Amanda Bryant's daughter Mamie Jane Bryant married my mother's 1st cousin once removed James Coleman.

Wordless Wednesday - John Robert Bryant 1850 - 1942

Photograph Courtesy of Joyce Coleman Johnson
Great Granddaughter of John Robert and Amanda Bryant

John Robert Bryant was the son of John and Elizabeth Bryant.
John Robert's daughter Mamie J Bryant married James Coleman who was my mother's 1st cousin once removed.

Links
John Robert Bryant's Slave Narrative
Elizabeth Bryant's Sons - James and Daniel McDaniel - Union Soldiers
Tombstone Tuesday - Elizabeth Bryant
Elizabeth Bryant's Will
Meeting and Researching with Art Thomas

Elizabeth Bryant's Sons James and Daniel McDaniel, Union Soldiers

James and Amanda McDaniel
Photograph Courtesy of James Scott
Elizabeth and her children lived on the farm of father and son, John and James McDaniel, near Meadville, Franklin County, Mississippi. They lived between two Union occupied towns, Natchez and Vicksburg. Once Elizabeth's family learned of the occupation of Natchez and they had the opportunity, several of them fled to Natchez.

Elizabeth was from Virginia, born about 1813, during the presidency of James Madison to parents whose names are unknown. When she was a young woman in her late teens, she was sold from the people, places and things familiar to her, purchased by John McDaniel about 1834. She was admired and respected by the people in her community. She worked the fields, helped with domestic chores and acquired the skills of midwifery.

Elizabeth's husband was on the farm of William Coleman, within walking distance, across county lines in Jefferson County. Coleman and McDaniel were long time friends as were their slaves. Neither family were large slave owning families. They slowly acquired slaves through births and an occasional purchase. By the Civil War, each family had enough slaves to put them in the planter's class, they had over 20 slaves. In 1860, the Coleman family owned 22 slaves, and John McDaniel owned 38 slaves. John's son, James McDaniel owned 22 slaves.

After the death of his first wife, John Bryant became the husband of Elizabeth, he was a decade older than Elizabeth. He was sickly with a hernia but he was a productive worker, good with the hoe. The couple was married by Elizabeth's owner John McDaniel, as he required a wedding ceremony for his slaves, and they celebrated their union with a wedding supper among the slaves.

John and Elizabeth had seven children, all born into slavery. Two of their sons would serve in the Union army. Both would enlist using the surname Mack, a name they knew their family would recognize.

JAMES "MACK" MCDANIEL also known as "Jim Mack," was the first of eight children born to John and Elizabeth. James would chose to use the McDaniel surname, passing the surname to his descendants. He was born about 1840 on John McDaniel's plantation. James' wife AMANDA was the slave of James McDaniel. Amanda was purchased in Natchez, MS, about 1856 or 1858. James and Amanda were married on the McDaniel Plantation according to Amanda, "three years before the War commenced."

James left the plantation in 1864 going to Natchez, MS, to join the United States Colored Troops, leaving behind his wife and two children. He enlisted with Company E, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry on September 05, 1864, the same day his brother Daniel enlisted. James was about 24 years old at enlistment. He was described as 5 feet 8 and a half inches tall. He was a stout, robust man with black hair and eyes. As with most of the men who served during the Civil War, James suffered measles, pneumonia, bronchitis, acute diarrhea, constipation, and fevers. He was discharged at Vicksburg, Warren County, MS, on April 30, 1866.

After returning home to his family, James and family moved to Malcolm Buie's place in 1866 where Amanda, James' wife, was the Buie's cook. James worked for Dr. Gray and he would visit Amanda on Sundays. Eventually, James purchased their own 120 acres of land near Union Church, Jefferson County.

James was diagnosed with kidney disease known as Brights Disease by Dr. J. J. McLean in 1868 or 1869, and Dr. Clark diagnosed him with diabetes in 1867 or 1868. James remained healthy looking and survived kidney disease much longer than Dr. McLean expected. James suffered with backaches, bladder and urination problems. Amanda would saturate his back with liniment and coal oil. He worked hard to provide for his family, hiring others to do the hard labor he could not do. At the time of his death, James was in the process of buying additional land. Special Examiner F. T. Dennis of the United States Pension Board copied this statement from Amanda's bible; "James McDaniel died May 02, 1887 aged 49 yrs, 10 months - sick 2 weeks, in bed 2 days." James died of Brights Disease.

James and Amanda had a total of 12 children, 10 children survived to adulthood. They were: Margaret b. 1863 , Ellen b. February 1865, Mary b. February 1868/1870, William b. December 1868, twins Reed and Luberta b. May 15, 1871, John b. May 05, 1872, Preston April 15, 1877, Cameron b. May 01, 1878, and Melvin b. September 01, 1880. Elizabeth Bryant, James' mother, was the midwife at the birth of each child.

Amanda and her eligible children received a pension for James' services.

James and Amanda's descendants are all over the United States and continue to use the surname McDaniel.

DANIEL "MACK" MCDANIEL was born about 1845 on John McDaniel's plantation. He lived in the same house with his mother. Daniel ran away from the McDaniel's plantation in 1864. He enlisted September 05, 1864, in Natchez, MS, with Company E, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry.

He was described as 5 feet 7 inches tall with black hair and eyes and dark copper complexion. He was about 19 years of age when he enlisted.

Daniel sent money, a watch, and shoes home to help support his family. Too embarrassed to see John McDaniel when he came to Natchez for business, Daniel would send the gifts by his brother-in-law Israel Etta to give to McDaniel, and McDaniel would give the gifts to Elizabeth.

Daniel died February 06, 1865, of bronchitis and pneumonia following measles at a Natchez hospital. He did not leave a wife nor children. His mother applied for dependent mother pension which was approved.

Sources:
Civil War Federal Pension Records of Daniel Mack
Civil War Federal Pension Records of James Mack
Slave Schedule - 1860 Franklin County, MS
Slave Schedule - 1860 Jefferson County, MS

Links
Tombstone Tuesday - Elizabeth Bryant
Elizabeth Bryant's Will
Meeting and Researching with Art Thomas

Tombstone Tuesday - Elizabeth Bryant (1813 - 1910)

Elizabeth
Wife of John Bryant
Born May 13 1813
Died Sept 2 1910
"She died as she lived trusting in God"

Hickory Block Cemetery
Jefferson County, Mississippi

Photograph courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas, Elizabeth's 3rd great grandson

Amanuensis Monday - Elizabeth Bryant's Will (1813 - 1910)

State of Mississippi
Jefferson County

I Elizabeth Bryant make and declare this to be my last will. I give devise & bequeath my entire estate real & personal as follows

To Martha Bryant 80 acres of land together with all improvements thereon Also all the personal property I may own at my death

To each of my other children I desire the executor to give the sum of one dollar.

A. H. Carnes to be Executor

Elizabeth her X mark Bryant

Witnesses
S. C. McCallum
A. M. McCallum

June 25th 1905

Elizabeth Bryant was the mother of seven children. By the time of her death, four children survived her. Youngest daughter Martha never married. She remained with her mother, taking care of Elizabeth until her death in 1910. Elizabeth's grandchildren married into my maternal family.

Source: Chancery Court Case Number: 1543 - Mississippi Department of Archives and History - Microfilm Number: 12263

Meeting and Researching with Art Thomas Slave Owner Descendant

Photograph is of Art Thomas, 3rd great grandson of William D. Coleman, and Nathaniel Thomas, 4th great grandson of John Bryant standing in the Robinson Cemetery, Jefferson County, Mississippi.

Art Thomas replied to an old query I left on Jefferson County MSGenWeb site inquiring about Neil McCormick. Art and I corresponded, he writing about his family history and I about the research projects I was working on.

William Coleman, Sr., was Art's 3rd great grandfather. After Coleman's death, Neil McCormick was named as guardian of Coleman's minor children and the family slaves. One of Coleman's daughters married McCormick. Several of my female relatives married the sons and grandsons of Cupit Coleman born about 1811. Art and I started working together because both families shared the Coleman surname.

Art mailed William Coleman's documents pertaining to his slaves. We went through the list and did not find a connection to my family. I was 95% sure of the slave owner of Cupit Coleman and was confident of the slave owner of Cupit's wife and children. We knew Coleman was not the last owner of Cupit and his family, maybe, he was a previous owner.

Art shared a story about one of William Coleman, Sr.'s slaves, John Bryant. John was a body servant to William, Jr., during the Civil War. According to Art's family oral history, John Bryant rescued a wounded William Jr., from the battlefield, nursing him to health and returning him home. Art said John had been buried near William, Jr.

Cousins Nathaniel Thomas, James Scott and I were researching Nathaniel's 4th great grandmother Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bryant. We had hit a brick wall with Lizzie as we could not get information on Lizzie previous to 1880. I shared with Art the little we knew about Elizabeth and as far as we knew she didn't have a son named John and we did not know the name of her husband. In 1880, Lizzie, head of household, was living with her children and grandchildren, and her deceased daughter's son and husband, Bryant Coleman and Dock Coleman.

While I am corresponding with Art, Nate and James are corresponding with Anthony Neal, husband to one of Lizzie's descendants. Anthony shares with us the slave narrative of one of Lizzie's sons, Robert Bryant. In the narrative, Robert said that his father John Coleman was the slave of Neil McCormick. Robert's mother was the slave of John McDaniel. I realized that the family had at least three different surnames they could have used in the 1870 census.

In their 1870 Lincoln County household, the family was using the surname McDaniel: Jno McDaniel, 75, and Elizabeth, 65, with their children Robert, Emily, Martha, Amanda, and grandchildren Simon and Minerva. Based on Robert's slave narrative, John McDaniel's 1857 Deed of Gift, records of William Coleman, and the census records, we knew John McDaniel was also John Coleman.

The question for us became was John Coleman of the slave narrative also John Bryant of the oral family history? We knew that William Coleman's probate records named a John and that John was under the guardianship of Neil McCormick. We have a bill of sale of one of McCormick's slaves but did not have a complete listing of the eight slaves he owned per the 1860 Jefferson County slave schedule. We needed to know if McCormick owned a slave named John before we could conclude our John was John Bryant. McCormick died after slavery ended, his probate records or will would not include the names of his slaves.

I decided to check my favorite research documents, the Civil War pension records. There was an Elizabeth Bryant named as a dependent in the Civil War pension index to a Daniel Mack. I decided to order the pension file, hoping that Elizabeth was the one I was researching, indeed, she was. Daniel Mack was John and Elizabeth Bryant's son. The Civil War pension records clearly stated Elizabeth Bryant's husband was John Bryant and he had been a slave of William Coleman.

Art invited the cousins and me to visit him, which we accepted. We met on a cold raining January morning at Art's home in Meadville, Franklin County, Mississippi. We were warmly greeted, felt at ease as though we were buddies visiting after a long absence. We exchanged documents, chatted for awhile before going to visit John Bryant's burial site.

John Bryant
Age 75 Years
Epitaph - "Farewell John Bryant, Tho Lost to Sight to Memory Dear"
John Bryant was buried in the Coleman - Robinson Cemetery located in Jefferson County near the Franklin County line. It was off a gravel road used by lumber companies. When we visited, the cemetery had been cleared enough for us to walk comfortably, a quite, peaceful setting. John was buried a short distance from the others. We were grateful to Art for helping us to discover an ancestor we didn't know.

John was born between 1795 - 1805. He died of kidney and heart disease 05 Apr 1875.