The 1704 Tax List of Nansemond Co., Virginia shows the following men:

"John BRYAN 200 acres

William BRYON 350 acres

Lewis BRYON 400 acres"

To the best of my knowledge, the above tax list shows the first appearance of a William Bryan among the Virginia records. Is this John Bryan Sr. or John Bryan Jr.? Lewis Bryan is probably the same man who was indentured to John Bryan Sr. and the same man who lived adjacent to John Bryan Sr. 1 May 1689. Some researchers seem to think John Bryan Sr. was dead by 1704.

The first mention of the name Needham Bryan that I have been able to find in early records is mentioned in the will of John MacLAND dated 1 June 1705 and probated 9 Nov 1705 in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia. This is recorded in Book 2, page 473.

John MacLAND names daughter, Alice Bryant; grandchildren Nicholas, John and Elizabeth Perry; grandchildren, Needham, William, John, Mary and Alice Bryant; wife Elizabeth Extrx. Wit: Arthur Smith, Mary Smith, Elizabeth West.

It seems more likely, than not, these Bryant grandchildren are sons and daughters of John Bryant and Alice MacLand. I further see the possibility that this Needham Bryant later married Ann Smith, daughter of John Smith. If you notice, Arthur Smith and Mary Smith witnessed John MacLand’s will.

To show this possibility please note Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, page 265, dated 17 February 1713, the following deed signed by Needham Bryan and his wife Ann Bryan:

"This Indenture the Seventeenth Day of February in the twelfth year of the Reign of our Sovereign ????? ????? by the Grace of God of Great Britain, ?????? and Ireland, Queen Defender of the faith Anno Domo 1713: Between Needham BRYANT of the upper part of Nansemond County of the one part and James NOLLEBOY of the Lower Parish and County of Isle of Wight of the other part Witessneth that the said Needham BRYAN for and in consideration of the natural love and affection I have and do bear unto my well beloved brother John BRYAN and likewise for the valuable consideration of eighteen pounds paid to him my said brother John BRYAN in hand ????? paid by the said NOLLEBOY at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof we the said Needham and John BRYAN do hereby (At this point text was inserted between the lines that is difficult to read, but will try.) ??????? ???? ???? and of land parcel ??????? ?????? acquired exonerate (End of inserted text) and discharge the said James NOLLEYBEY his heirs, executors and Administrators and every of them by these presents he the said Needham BRYAN Hath granted aliened bargained and sold and by these presents Doth fully clearly and absolutely give grant alein Bargain ????? and confirm to him the said James NOLLEYBOY and heirs administrators and asignees forever a certain tract or parcel of land containing by estimation One hundred and Seventy acres be the same more or less Situate and lying and being near the line that divides Nansemond and the Isle of Wight Counties and bounded as followeth (Vizt) Beginning at a marked pine at the head of Edward BRYAN’S Land and so along the first line of the patent to a white oak a corner tree for its length; thence along the second line of the patent to a marked pine for its breadth son on a line of marked trees to MASON’S line to the first station the same being part of a patent of three hundred forty four acres formerly granted unto John BRYAN deed bearing Date the 20^th Day of April 1682.

Said one hundred and Seventy acres of land in the ???? and occupied by the aforesaid John BRYAN all woods and ?????? swamps marked Cow ground, meadow ????ings, water and water Courses therein contained together all other privledges ?????? Commodities and (word meaning buildings?) whatsoever to the same or any part thereof belonging or otherwise appertaining To Have and to Hold the said Tract or parcel of Land and other ???????? herein or hereby before granted bargained and sold and every part and parcel thereof ?? ???????? and every these apparttenances unto him the said James NOLLEBOY his heirs and assigns forever And the said Needham BRYAN for himself his heirs Exe. And Administrators ans everyone of them by these presents Doth Covet promise grant and agree to and ?? the said James NOLLEBOY his heirs and assignees in manner and form following that is to say that he, the said Needham BRYAN, hath in himself good rights and absolute power and authority to grant bargain and sell the hereby granted bargained and sold land and premises ????? apartenances unto the said James NOLLIBOY his heirs and asignees at herein or hereby before mentioned or recorded and also the said James NOLLIBOY his heirs and asignes and every of them shall or lawfully may? From ??? Land and all therefrom have hold any ????? and engage the land and (unable to read two words) and every of them appartenance ??? the lawful let (unable to read two words) erection ?????? or disturbance whatsoever by him the said Needham BRYAN or John BRYAN his brother their ?? either of their heirs and assignees any other persons or persons claiming by from or order from them their ??? Either their heirs, administrators assignees or any other person or persons forever laying lawful claim thereunto or any part thereof.

Witness whereof the said Needham BRYAN hath hereunto set his hand and seal dated the Day and Year above mentioned.