I have often wondered if Chesterfield BRYANT is a relation to my BRYANTs of Union County, IL, who I can find little about. My ggg grandmother Nancy BRYANT is listed in Union County, IL in 1850, with the following children: Joseph BRYANT, b. @ 1829 in GA Mary Ann BRYANT, b. @ 1834 in GA. She married Theophilus TURNER on 13 May 1853 in Union County, IL Lewis BRYANT, b. 1834 in GA Emaline BRYANT, b. @ 1835 in GA Catherine BRYANT, b. @ 1839 in GA George Washington BRYANT, b. 8 Sept 1840 in GA, d. 15 Sept 1908 in Stoddard County, MO. He was my gg grandfather. I have no idea who Nancy's husband was, or what her maiden name was. I do know she was b. @ 1795 in South Carolina. In 1850 in Union County she is living next door to a woman who I believe might have been her sister. Her name was Sophia TRAXLER, b. @ 1790 in South Carolina. The thing that makes me think they are related is that they, as well as Nancy's children, as listed as "mulatto". Family tradition says the Bryants were of French descent, but I believe it more likely that they were Cherokee, as certain evidence is suggesting. After 1860, I cannot find Nancy anywhere. Sophia TRAXLER is listed in Clinton County in 1860, with a William ALBEDANT. Don't know where my gg grandfather was either in 1860, although there is a George W. BRYANT also listed in Clinton County. He fought in the Civil War, enlisting in 1861 in Alexander County, IL. Thanks, Doug Powers On Sun, 11 Jan 1998, Deborah RG Green wrote: > I am looking for some information about Chesterfield BRYANT, BRYAN, or > BRIANT. > His two enlistment records for the 6th Regiment Illinois Cavalry show > him being born in Johnson County, Illinois. He originally mustered in, > in Anna,Union County, Illinois in the year 1862. He is listed as being > 22 years of age. His occupation was listed as being a farmer. > He deserted in 1865 while on march in Alabama. > According to family legend, he appeared some months later, on > horseback, and took my great-great-grandmother with himand headed "out > West". They left their months-old daughter, Millie Catherine Bryant ( > born 12 October 1865) with the Charles Murphy family, and were never > heard from again. Millie's mother was supposedly Elizabeth or Mollie > Miles, but there is no record of her marriage to Chesterfield. He is > listed as having married, in turn, Martha O'Neal and Martha Stines, both > in Union County. Chesterfield is listed in the 1865 census with a wife > and son, but no daughter. Ditto for 1860. I can find neither hide nor > hair of him in the 1850 census in Illinois. > Millie does not show up in any census as a child, although I have > checked for girls with similar first names and ages in Union County. > There is a Charles Murphy listed, as are numerous Miles. > I am researching the following lines in Southern Illinois, and would > love to exchange information: GOODMAN, BRYANT, CORZINE, CORRELL, > GILLIAM, WALLS, WALLACE, KNUPP, PLOTT, WORLEY, KLUTTS, SIDES, URY, > MCCASLAND, MCKISSICK > >