See 8 Feb 1908 letter: BIA Enrollment No.6316; signed name LucreacyEllen Bryars
Here is a chronicle of this remarkable and determined wife''s ride of over300 miles on horseback during the Civil War.
From: Dan Ward
To: John Reed
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2005 7:43 PM
John,
This is an excerpt from a book I wrote on the Davis Family (my maternalfamily) during the Civil War and contains the story of Benjamin Bryars:
"And it was at Chicamauga that another Alabamian was shot resulting in aheroic odyssey that would end in the Pine Barren Cemetery nearDavisville, Florida north of Pensacola. When Confederate Private BenjaminH. Bryars was severely wounded during the battle, his commanding officersent word home to his wife Lucretia. She was living south of Canoe nearthe Florida State line at the time when she received the message that herhusband was in critical condition. At the time they had three childrenwith the youngest one only six-months old. She carried their two olderchildren to her sister’s home and made preparations to join her husbandin Tennessee.
The determined woman saddled her blaze-faced pony with her sidesaddlethen packed a large lunch and clothing in the saddlebags. Fodder for thehorse was tied behind the saddle and she took her still nursing baby inher arms and rode north to find her husband amongst the thousands ofwounded soldiers dressed in blue and gray. With her billowing skirtdraped over the horse and her leg crooked over the saddle horn shetraveled all day and into the nights. Luckily she was able to findcompassionate people all along the way who provided her and her son withshelter and food.
When she arrived south of Chattanooga at the Confederate army’s makeshifthospital she found her husband with his pillowcase covered with clottedblood. There were no clean ones and it was easy to see that her husband’spillow had not been changed since he had been wounded. Mrs. Bryars madepillowcases from her own white petticoats and made her husband ascomfortable as possible. When she had nursed him back to health she madethe arduous journey back to Canoe to reunite with her other two children.Ben recovered, and returned home after the war where he became the fatherof seven more children before he was laid to rest in the Pine BarrenCemetery following his death on February 28, 1920. There he joined hisbeloved Lou who had preceded him into the pale nations on November 13,1916."
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From: [email protected]
To: John Reed
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 6:22 PM
Subject: Re: Katrina
John, This is some info on gggrandmother Ellen Lucretia Miles:
Ellen Lucretia Bryars, daughter of James Lazarus Bryars and his wife ErinElizabeth Miles, was born in Atmore, Alabama. The following is recordedin "History of Escambia County Alabama" authored by Annie C. Waters,pages 226 and 227.
"The development of Atmore churches coincides with the development of thetown; they stand today as monuments to the forethought of early Atmorepioneers.
J. L. Bryars, a Baptist pastor at Pine Barren Church in Florida, walkedfour and one-half miles with a twenty-one month old baby and five otherchildren to Williams'' Station to conduct the area''s first preachingservice.
Mrs. R. W. Brooks, the second oldest of these children, has to becredited with the following memories. She was the wife of Rev. R. W.Brooks, the grandmother of Hugh Esneul, Mrs. Stewart Hoomes, and Mrs.Charles Lowery of today''s Atmore. We owe so much to her and herlong-missing scrapbook, to say the least of her keen sense of humor, muchless her loving to tell things as they were. This trait she passed on toMrs. Essie Esneul, the late mother of the three above mentioned.
Anyway, Mrs. Brooks would tell how she, as a girl of eleven, and an oldersister swept out the old sawmill which was operated by John Roberts,while her father stood pine blocks upon end and laid rough slabs acrossthem to seat the congregation. This initial church service was held aboutwhere Biggs Boarding House now stands.
The little cedar log church that was the first built in Williams'' Stationdidn''t last too long. The community outgrew it, and just a few yearsafterward a second church was erected. This building was located in whatis now Mrs. H. H. Dees'' backyard.
It too gave way to a larger First Baptist Church just across the street.This old building still stands and today is known as the PipkinApartments. Examine its lines when you pass; a picture of a church willsoon come to mind. Rather a large building for so small a town.
The new edifice on South Main and Horner Streets was dedicated in 1917, abeautiful building with its curved sanctuary, its balcony, its originallandscaped sidewalks, its coal burning furnace, yes, and its piles ofcoal and our Sunday best clothes that didn''t go together at all.
This church has a wonderful history and heritage of its own. From such ahumble beginning to the present day, truly its congregation and the Cityof Atmore have been blessed. There was just one Baptist church then--nowthere are several--all, I''m certain, with histories of their own."
Thanks for any info you can send me on the Lowery children. Jay
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Here is a chronicle of this remarkable and determined wife''s ride of over300 miles on horseback during the Civil War.
From: Dan Ward
To: John Reed
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2005 7:43 PM
John,
This is an excerpt from a book I wrote on the Davis Family (my maternalfamily) during the Civil War and contains the story of Benjamin Bryars:
"And it was at Chicamauga that another Alabamian was shot resulting in aheroic odyssey that would end in the Pine Barren Cemetery nearDavisville, Florida north of Pensacola. When Confederate Private BenjaminH. Bryars was severely wounded during the battle, his commanding officersent word home to his wife Lucretia. She was living south of Canoe nearthe Florida State line at the time when she received the message that herhusband was in critical condition. At the time they had three childrenwith the youngest one only six-months old. She carried their two olderchildren to her sister’s home and made preparations to join her husbandin Tennessee.
The determined woman saddled her blaze-faced pony with her sidesaddlethen packed a large lunch and clothing in the saddlebags. Fodder for thehorse was tied behind the saddle and she took her still nursing baby inher arms and rode north to find her husband amongst the thousands ofwounded soldiers dressed in blue and gray. With her billowing skirtdraped over the horse and her leg crooked over the saddle horn shetraveled all day and into the nights. Luckily she was able to findcompassionate people all along the way who provided her and her son withshelter and food.
When she arrived south of Chattanooga at the Confederate army’s makeshifthospital she found her husband with his pillowcase covered with clottedblood. There were no clean ones and it was easy to see that her husband’spillow had not been changed since he had been wounded. Mrs. Bryars madepillowcases from her own white petticoats and made her husband ascomfortable as possible. When she had nursed him back to health she madethe arduous journey back to Canoe to reunite with her other two children.Ben recovered, and returned home after the war where he became the fatherof seven more children before he was laid to rest in the Pine BarrenCemetery following his death on February 28, 1920. There he joined hisbeloved Lou who had preceded him into the pale nations on November 13,1916."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
From: [email protected]
To: John Reed
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 6:22 PM
Subject: Re: Katrina
John, This is some info on gggrandmother Ellen Lucretia Miles:
Ellen Lucretia Bryars, daughter of James Lazarus Bryars and his wife ErinElizabeth Miles, was born in Atmore, Alabama. The following is recordedin "History of Escambia County Alabama" authored by Annie C. Waters,pages 226 and 227.
"The development of Atmore churches coincides with the development of thetown; they stand today as monuments to the forethought of early Atmorepioneers.
J. L. Bryars, a Baptist pastor at Pine Barren Church in Florida, walkedfour and one-half miles with a twenty-one month old baby and five otherchildren to Williams'' Station to conduct the area''s first preachingservice.
Mrs. R. W. Brooks, the second oldest of these children, has to becredited with the following memories. She was the wife of Rev. R. W.Brooks, the grandmother of Hugh Esneul, Mrs. Stewart Hoomes, and Mrs.Charles Lowery of today''s Atmore. We owe so much to her and herlong-missing scrapbook, to say the least of her keen sense of humor, muchless her loving to tell things as they were. This trait she passed on toMrs. Essie Esneul, the late mother of the three above mentioned.
Anyway, Mrs. Brooks would tell how she, as a girl of eleven, and an oldersister swept out the old sawmill which was operated by John Roberts,while her father stood pine blocks upon end and laid rough slabs acrossthem to seat the congregation. This initial church service was held aboutwhere Biggs Boarding House now stands.
The little cedar log church that was the first built in Williams'' Stationdidn''t last too long. The community outgrew it, and just a few yearsafterward a second church was erected. This building was located in whatis now Mrs. H. H. Dees'' backyard.
It too gave way to a larger First Baptist Church just across the street.This old building still stands and today is known as the PipkinApartments. Examine its lines when you pass; a picture of a church willsoon come to mind. Rather a large building for so small a town.
The new edifice on South Main and Horner Streets was dedicated in 1917, abeautiful building with its curved sanctuary, its balcony, its originallandscaped sidewalks, its coal burning furnace, yes, and its piles ofcoal and our Sunday best clothes that didn''t go together at all.
This church has a wonderful history and heritage of its own. From such ahumble beginning to the present day, truly its congregation and the Cityof Atmore have been blessed. There was just one Baptist church then--nowthere are several--all, I''m certain, with histories of their own."
Thanks for any info you can send me on the Lowery children. Jay
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
- 15 FEB 1837 - Birth - ; Atmore, Escambia, Alabama
- NOV 1916 - Burial - ; Big Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery, Pine Barren, Escambia, Florida
- 1850 - Census - U.S. ; Escambia, Florida
- 1870 - Census - U.S. ; Escambia, Florida
- 1880 - Census - U.S. ; Escambia, Florida
- 1900 - Census - U.S. ; Escambia, Florida
- 3 NOV 1916 - Death - ; Escambia, Florida
? | ||||||
? | ||||||
PARENT (M) James Miles | |||
Birth | 1798 | South Carolina | |
Death | 1868 | Alabama | |
Marriage | to Lucretia Ellen Franklin | ||
Father | ? | ||
Mother | ? | ||
PARENT (F) Lucretia Ellen Franklin | |||
Birth | 1804 | South Carolina | |
Death | AFT 5 JUL 1870 | Canoe, Escambia, Alabama | |
Marriage | to James Miles | ||
Father | Thomas Jefferson Franklin | ||
Mother | Elizabeth Sizemore | ||
CHILDREN | |||
F | Erin Elizabeth Miles | ||
Birth | 1836 | Wawbeek, Escambia, Alabama | |
Death | 20 AUG 1868 | Wawbeek, Escambia, Alabama | |
Marriage | 1 MAR 1857 | to James Lazarus Bryars at Escambia, Florida | |
M | Burgess Miles | ||
Birth | 27 NOV 1825 | Alabama | |
Death | 21 NOV 1903 | ||
Marriage | to Frances A. | ||
F | Margaret Miles | ||
Birth | |||
Death | |||
Marriage | to James Monroe Williams | ||
M | John P. Miles | ||
Birth | ABT 1830 | Alabama | |
Death | |||
Marriage | to Laura E. | ||
F | Irena Miles | ||
Birth | ABT 1832 | Florida | |
Death | |||
Marriage | 5 JAN 1851 | to Merida Beasley at Escambia, Alabama | |
M | William Zebedee Miles | ||
Birth | 1834 | Florida | |
Death | 1876 | Alabama | |
Marriage | to Sarah Jane Leatherwood | ||
M | Francis Marion Miles | ||
Birth | FEB 1841 | Florida | |
Death | 30 SEP 1916 | Escambia, Alabama | |
Marriage | to Marzilla Ann Hammac | ||
Marriage | 1910 | to Mary Ann Beasley | |
F | Teresa Anette Miles | ||
Birth | ABT 1843 | Florida | |
Death | |||
F | Lucretia Ellen Miles | ||
Birth | 15 FEB 1837 | Atmore, Escambia, Alabama | |
Death | 3 NOV 1916 | Escambia, Florida | |
Marriage | 20 MAR 1859 | to Benjamin Henry Bryars at Escambia, Alabama |
PARENT (M) Benjamin Henry Bryars | |||
Birth | 6 NOV 1836 | Baldwin, Alabama | |
Death | 28 FEB 1920 | Escambia, Florida | |
Marriage | 20 MAR 1859 | to Lucretia Ellen Miles at Escambia, Alabama | |
Father | Charles Edward Bryars | ||
Mother | Catherine Margaret Hubbard | ||
PARENT (F) Lucretia Ellen Miles | |||
Birth | 15 FEB 1837 | Atmore, Escambia, Alabama | |
Death | 3 NOV 1916 | Escambia, Florida | |
Marriage | 20 MAR 1859 | to Benjamin Henry Bryars at Escambia, Alabama | |
Father | James Miles | ||
Mother | Lucretia Ellen Franklin | ||
CHILDREN | |||
F | Mildred Theresa Bryars | ||
Birth | 9 MAR 1860 | Davisville, Escambia, Florida | |
Death | 6 DEC 1952 | Escambia, Alabama | |
Marriage | 19 SEP 1880 | to Andrew Martin Lowery at Escambia, Alabama | |
M | Charles Edward Bryars | ||
Birth | 28 NOV 1861 | Davisville, Escambia, Florida | |
Death | 9 AUG 1949 | ||
Marriage | 17 MAY 1885 | to Mary Hattie Thomley at Baldwin, Alabama | |
Marriage | ABT 1897 | to Rhonda Gibson at Alabama | |
Marriage | to Henrietta Georgia Boone | ||
M | Lewis Lorenzo Bryars | ||
Birth | 29 JUL 1863 | Davisville, Escambia, Florida | |
Death | 15 JUN 1943 | ||
Marriage | to Hattie Stewart | ||
M | James Henry Bryars | ||
Birth | 8 JAN 1866 | ||
Death | 11 JAN 1943 | Escambia, Alabama | |
F | Elizabeth Ellen Bryars | ||
Birth | 23 DEC 1867 | Escambia, Florida | |
Death | 23 NOV 1949 | Escambia, Florida | |
Marriage | 5 AUG 1894 | to James Wesley Barclay | |
F | Vallie Virgie Bryars | ||
Birth | 20 SEP 1868 | ||
Death | 7 NOV 1951 | East Brewton, Escambia, Alabama | |
Marriage | 5 JUL 1891 | to Oscar Robert Lowery | |
M | William Martin Bryars | ||
Birth | ABT 1869 | ||
Death | |||
M | Francis Oliver Bryars | ||
Birth | 27 DEC 1872 | Davisville, Escambia, Florida | |
Death | 5 OCT 1956 | Escambia, Florida | |
Marriage | to Bettie Patrick | ||
M | Benjamin Cellie Bryars | ||
Birth | 6 MAY 1875 | ||
Death | 12 MAY 1959 | Escambia, Florida | |
M | Burgess Miles Bryars | ||
Birth | 2 APR 1877 | Davisville, Escambia, Florida | |
Death | 28 APR 1959 | Davisville, Escambia, Florida | |
Marriage | 16 APR 1899 | to Emma Estelle Watkins at Davisville, Escambia, Florida | |
Marriage | 3 SEP 1938 | to Lela Mae Boggan | |
F | Gertrude Delee Bryars | ||
Birth | 11 FEB 1880 | Davisville, Escambia, Florida | |
Death | 9 MAR 1908 | ||
Marriage | 16 JUL 1898 | to Ralph Norman McCoy |
1 Lucretia Ellen Miles b: 15 FEB 1837 d: 3 NOV 1916
+ Benjamin Henry Bryars b: 6 NOV 1836 d: 28 FEB 1920
2 Mildred Theresa Bryars b: 9 MAR 1860 d: 6 DEC 1952
+ Andrew Martin Lowery b: 21 JUN 1855 d: 22 JUL 1938
3 Bertha Irene Lowery b: 12 SEP 1881 d: 21 OCT 1897
3 Lula Estelle Lowery b: 2 JUN 1883 d: 27 MAR 1967
3 Andrew Martin Lowery b: 21 JAN 1885 d: 11 AUG 1969
+ Mattie Ola Dunaway b: 25 FEB 1888 d: SEP 1965
3 Infant Son Lowery b: 18 MAY 1887 d: 18 MAY 1887
3 Stella Alyne Lowery b: 3 JAN 1897 d: 2 JUN 1981
+ Simon C. Wilson b: 24 AUG 1890 d: 22 SEP 1977
3 Ethel Lucille Lowery b: 1899 d: 27 SEP 1946
+ Charles M. Neal b: 1890 d: 1965
2 Charles Edward Bryars b: 28 NOV 1861 d: 9 AUG 1949
+ Mary Hattie Thomley b: 1868 d: 18 APR 1897
3 Oscar Bryars b: MAY 1886
+ Rhonda Gibson b: 1875 d: 1 AUG 1900
3 Annie Lou Bryars b: 15 MAY 1898
+ Henrietta Georgia Boone b: 1885 d: SEP 1933
3 Alton Parker Bryars b: 14 AUG 1904 d: 16 DEC 1999
+ Loree Franklin b: 7 AUG 1915 d: 22 JUL 1991
3 Myrtle Bryars b: 1908 d: 1965
2 Lewis Lorenzo Bryars b: 29 JUL 1863 d: 15 JUN 1943
+ Hattie Stewart b: JAN 1860 d: 14 MAR 1924
3 Earl Aubrey Bryars b: 2 JUL 1899 d: 22 FEB 1975
+ Verdie Estelle Jones b: 18 AUG 1903 d: 24 APR 1966
2 James Henry Bryars b: 8 JAN 1866 d: 11 JAN 1943
2 Elizabeth Ellen Bryars b: 23 DEC 1867 d: 23 NOV 1949
+ James Wesley Barclay b: 29 OCT 1858
3 Minnie Ola Barclay b: 1895
+ Fennere Floumay Hubbird b: 13 SEP 1888
3 Infant Barclay b: 1897
3 Benjamin Wesley Barclay b: 1899
2 Vallie Virgie Bryars b: 20 SEP 1868 d: 7 NOV 1951
+ Oscar Robert Lowery b: 15 JAN 1866 d: 16 MAY 1954
2 William Martin Bryars b: ABT 1869
2 Francis Oliver Bryars b: 27 DEC 1872 d: 5 OCT 1956
+ Bettie Patrick b: 5 OCT 1878 d: 14 SEP 1945
3 Ruth Bryars b: 13 APR 1904 d: 11 SEP 1990
+ Morris
3 Mary Lou Bryars b: 10 NOV 1909 d: 5 JUN 1972
+ Wright
3 Francis Oliver Bryars b: 12 OCT 1912 d: 3 AUG 1990
+ Christine McDuffie b: 3 NOV 1916 d: 30 JAN 1973
3 Benjamin Henry Bryars b: 1 FEB 1916 d: 5 JUN 1919
3 Gilbert Arnold Bryars b: 9 SEP 1901 d: 25 AUG 1973
2 Benjamin Cellie Bryars b: 6 MAY 1875 d: 12 MAY 1959
2 Burgess Miles Bryars b: 2 APR 1877 d: 28 APR 1959
+ Emma Estelle Watkins b: 19 NOV 1879 d: 6 SEP 1964
3 Lloyd Thomas Bryars b: 14 FEB 1900 d: 11 AUG 1977
+ Catherine Margaret Howell b: 15 FEB 1900 d: 8 NOV 1996
3 Floyd Llewellyn Bryars b: 18 FEB 1901 d: 16 MAR 1986
+ Annie Mae Davis b: 18 NOV 1907 d: 18 DEC 1986
3 Delbert Ray Bryars b: 28 FEB 1903
3 Bessie Lucretia Bryars b: 22 JUL 1904 d: 13 JUL 1938
+ Floyd Knox Hubbard b: 22 MAR 1891 d: 15 MAR 1972
3 Lena Estelle Bryars b: 26 APR 1909 d: 2 MAY 1994
+ Ernest Gary Dennis b: 19 MAY 1905 d: 8 JAN 1974
3 Roberta Bernice Bryars b: 1910
3 Minnie Esther Bryars b: 22 SEP 1912 d: 7 AUG 1986
+ John Cecil Irwin b: 7 MAR 1906 d: 28 MAR 1973
+ Lela Mae Boggan b: ABT 1900
2 Gertrude Delee Bryars b: 11 FEB 1880 d: 9 MAR 1908
+ Ralph Norman McCoy b: 21 FEB 1878