William Joel Bryan

Who was William Joel Bryan?

William Joel Bryan was a Texas soldier and land owner.

Bryan was born at Hazel Run in Sainte Genevieve County, Missouri to James Bryan and Emily Austin Perry. He attended school at Potosi, Missouri until 1830. In 1831, William Joel Bryan's mother and stepfather James Franklin Perry followed Stephen F. Austin to Texas. They settled in the eastern part of Brazoria County, Texas. In 1832, the family moved to Peach Point Plantation, in Jones Creek, Texas, where Bryan was instructed by a governess and his parents together took care of the plantation, cattle and other such property of Bryan's uncle Stephen F. Austin.

In 1835, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. Bryan took his part in the revolution at his uncle's side, along with the rest of the Brazoria County Volunteers, during the siege of Bexar. He also served with Sam Houston in the retreat of the army across Texas. However, he became ill with the measles shortly before the battle of San Jacinto. Between 1836 and 1839 he served in a managerial capacity at Peach Point.