Reuben Alexander Bryant

Reuben's father appears in the 1830 census in Northumberland and is listed as having three 10-14 year old males in the household, one of those would have been Reuben. A Reuben Bryant appears living alone on the 1840 census in Westmoreland County. His age is given as 15-20. So far I have found no matches for Jesse Bryant on the 1840 census.

Reuben married Mary Ann Thrift on December 18th, 1845 in Richmond County (Bond December 16th). witnessed by Thomas B. Berrick and George R. Thrift. They were married by E.L. Williams, bondsman was Benjamin Tucker and witnesses were Thomas B. Derrick and George R. Thrift (Mary Ann's father).

The 1850 census shows Reuben in the Farnham Parish area of Richmond County. He is a farmer with real estate valued at $1,000. The census form states that he was born in Northumberland County and that he cannot read or write. His wife is shown as being born in Richmond county and also not being able to read or write. Nine month old Elizabeth A. Bryant is recorded on the census form as being born in Richmond County. Also living with Reuben is his mother Barbara (or Barbary), age 66, born in Richmond County, unable to read or write and George Thrift, age 14, who might have been a younger brother of Mary Ann. That same year Reuben's name was listed on the personal property tax list, but he was not marked as owning anything taxable like slaves, horses, a carriage or a clock.

In 1860 the family is still in Richmond County, the nearest post office appears to be Stony Hill. Some of the neighbors are the same as the 1850 census so it may have been the same farm. Reuben is still listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $1,000 and personal property valued at $100. Mary Ann's age is given as 28, Elizabeth is 10, Mary C. is 9, Isabella is 6, George H is 5 and Philip R. is 3. Also living with them is twenty year old Elizabeth Hamp, her occupation is given as domestic.

Peter T. Baron detailed Reuben's Civil War service in the Confederate Army in his book, For Love of Family:

He enlisted in Company C, 41st Virginia Militia on 23 September 1861. On 1 November 1861 he reenlisted in Cooke's Special Service Company, Infantry. In the spring of 1862 Reuben enlisted in the 15th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, the Northern Neck Rangers. He participated in the Seven Days Battle, 25 June to 1 July 1862. In the fall the 15th Battalion became the 15th Regiment. Reuben was placed into company D and assigned to "Special Service and Local Defense." Reuben's son, Philip Reamy Bryant (1858-1953) tells of the Yankee's coming to Richmond County and taking his father prisoner. Reuben was taken to the Yankee Camp on the York River. It is unknown how long they held him; I can find no official account of the the action.

On the 1870 census Reuben's real estate is only valued at $300 and his personal property at $150. His occupation is still as a farmer. They are still in Richmond County and now the nearest post office is Warsaw. Living with him are Mary A. age 43, Mary C. age 18, Harriet age 16, George H. age 14, Philip R. age 11, Willie A. age 9, Columbus age 7, Northam age 5, and Braxton age 2. Reuben A. Bryant is listed as an early Deacon of Totuskey Baptist Church which was formed in 1871.

Reuben died May 28th, 1882 in Richmond County. Funeral services were held at the Bryant Home-place by Rev. Robert Williamson and the graveside was conducted Reuben's pastor, Rev. G.H. Northam. Reuben was buried in a plot that would later become the the resting place for his wife and several of his children. More modern grave stones were placed in the burial site well after Reuben was buried.

A year after his death a notice was placed in the Northern Neck News that Reuben's farm had been seized by the county and was being sold at public auction.