Donegore - Bryson-Wilson

[Gilby]

Is James Bryson of Holestone a different person to James Bryson of Ballyvoy (who died in 1832)?

Lisnalark is an alternative name for Moss-side which is wedged in between Ballyvoy and Holestone.  It is interesting that James Owens of Holestone had land in Ballyvoy and Lisnalark, and when John Bryson bought his lease of Ballywee in 1803, he was of Lisnalark.

[Gilby]

There definitely seems to have been a close connection between James Bryson of Ballyvoy and John Bryson of Ballywee.  They possibly exchanged or shared land in Lisnalark?  Witnesses to each other’s deeds.

1812 – Donegall to John Bryson – Ballywee – ROD 685/350/471305
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSH3-QS3G-9?i=467&cat=185720
Memorial of lease dated 1st Jul 1812 between Marquis of Donegall and John Brysan [Bryson] of Ballywee, farmer.  Donegall granted Bryson 29a 2r 35p in Ballywee, including water corn mills thereon, for 61 years.  Witnessed by James Bryson of Ballycroy [Ballyvoy], farmer and by George Sloan of Beyratt [?] gent.  Memorial witnessed by said James Bryson, and by Thomas Ferguson of Doagh, farmer.  Sworn by James Bryson 31st Sep 1814.  Registered 15th Feb 1815.

[This is a memorial of the lease in PRONI, D509/1811.  It’s a renewal of the ROD 560/60/373156 lease.]

1812 – Donegall to James Bryson – Duncansland - ROD 685/351/471306:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSH3-QS3L-V?i=468&cat=185720
Memorial of lease dated 1st Jun 1812 between Marquis of Donegall and James Brison [Bryson] of Ballyboy [Ballyvoy], Co Antrim, farmer.  Donegall granted Brison the farm called Duncan's farm in Ballyvoy containing 80a 22p, as was then and now in possession of said James Brisan as assignee of Patrick Allen by virtue of a lease from Donegall to Patrick Allen dated 14th Aug 1769.  Witnessed by John Brysan of Ballywee, farmer, and George Sloan of Byart [?] gent. Memorial witnessed by said John Bryson and by Thomas Ferguson of Doagh, farmer.  Sworn by John Bryson 31st Sep 1814.  Registered 15th Feb 1815.

[This is probably the western two thirds of Duncansland.]

I don’t know much about Thomas Ferguson of Doagh other than I think he died in 1832 and his eldest son was possibly James Ferguson of Ballybracken.  His second son was called Thomas and married Sarah Fulton of Standingstone in 1833.

[threekids5]

I will look at my Bryson family groups. There were several John Brysons related to three different branches and the lease locations. The branch of James and Elizabeth Bryson (Joice and John were their children) I believe is the Ballyvoy\Ballybracken branch. When John or his son John passed away the property known as Covelodge which still exists on the farm known as Ballyvoy was purchased or leased by James Bryson Esq who is the 2nd ggf of the Bryson currently living on the property. There are three houses and a ruin on the property. One of the houses is the original stone cottage. Thanks for sending these…they definitely are a placement help!

[threekids5]

I’ll look at the Jenny Bryson.

I believe that d. 1832 James Bryson was the uncle of my John Bryson and the brother of a John Bryson who may have been my 6th ggf. The 6th is eluding us.

I believe Holstone James Bryson and d1832 James Bryson were two different folks. Part of the problem is that the locations weren’t always perfect. Cue the Ballyvoy/Ballywee/Duncansland locations.

[threekids5]

The Smith to James Bryson deed is, I believe the d. 1787 James Bryson (buried at Kilbride) who I think maybe d.1832 James’s and my 6th ggf’s father.  The d. 1832 James expanded leases and as such land after 1787 hence the 1787 expansion deed.

The 1812 deed is my John’s property lease which was sold on to the Bairds when he immigrated.

I think the d. 1832 James Bryson was quite wealthy. The farm located there now is quite large. I do have the will or one of them from that James’s son or grandson. It’s one of those wills that list family members and their locations. Otherwise there’s not much available.

[threekids5]

Jenny or Jainey Bryson was the daughter of Charles Bryson and Margaret Bryson. Charles Bryson Esq was the younger brother of Rev Alexander Bryson. Margaret Bryson was the youngest daughter of James Bryson Esq who I believe was my John Bryson’s brother. Alexander married Charles and Margaret in 1835. There’s a marriage notice in the Belfast Newsletter. Charles does have a will on PRONI. I’ll see if I copied it. Jenny/Jainey married William Bryson, not sure how the family links. Charles’s and Margaret’s son John also married a Margaret Bryson (not sure of that relationship…looking into it. All these couples are buried at Kilbride Cemetery. There are quite a few Bryson/Bryson marriages…I’ve no doubt cousins.

[lmgnz]

I have been catching up on the Gawn-Bryson families and just want to restate that Robert Bryson, surgeon and Eleanor Gawn had only two sons that I know about:

John Alexander Bryson born 18 Mar 1825 and emigrated to Canada, whether before or after marriage to Mary Gamble, I do not know but here are 9 unviewed hints that might tell me. The oldest son that  I have is Charles born Richmond, Ontario on 6 Jun 1845. I have a total of 9 children noted including Eleanor Gawn Bryson born 1854.

The other son James Bryson, born 1827 died 19 Mar 1850 and is buried at I think Kilbride, along with his grandfather James Gawn.

I have yet to check the other Gawn-Bryson marriage but have a feeling that the father of Agnes Gawn who married Francis Ferguson may not be recorded but I haven't looked for her for some time.

[lmgnz]

So going to the site http://www.gawnfamilystory.co.uk/JohnGawnF1768.htm

Agnes born c1795 is listed as daughter of John who lived Ballyvoy. John Gawn born c1768 was the son of James Gawn of Donegore born c1737

Agnes Gawn and Francis Ferguson married 10 May 1821 at Donegore Presbyt.Church.

Agnes had a brother John Gawn whose will can be seen on the Gawn website. Or at least it is, if the date 1907 is incorrect. John Gawn refers to his sister Agnes and her son John Ferguson but talks about him as in his minority and any siblings yet to be born.  So that is a little confusing. But the site also says that John Gawn of Ballyvoy died a bachelor in c 1822 or 1823 which is a better match to when Agnes' son John Ferguson was in his minority.

John also appoints his uncle John Bryson as an executor, which implies that Agnes and John were the the children of John Gawn born c1768 and a Bryson wife.

[threekids5]

I will look in all the Bryson branches to see if I have any of the Gawn/Bryson marriages. Everytime I think I couldn’t possibly find another branch one pops up. We have a lost Bryson daughter too, we think. Our John W. Bryson, my 4th ggf names a bequest to “my grandson James Milford” in the 1835/36 will. John’s son Charles Bryson had a bequest to “my nephew James Milford of County Antrim, Ireland” in his 1884 will. The James Milford we think is the grandson married Joyce Bryson, daughter of Robert Bryson and Margaret Warwick. Robert is a nephew of my John Bryson. John Milford is James Milford’s father according to marriage records. James Milford and family are buried near the Brysons at Kilbride Cemetery. A Milford descendant is looking into it when she has the time.

I’ll ask my cousin Ruth Smith who started this thread way back if she has  the Fergusons you’ve listed. She has an extensive search of Fergusons.

Part of the big problem is that the records of 2 Donegore Presbyterian are largely lost so piecing together links is always interesting.