My O'Bryant family was in Panola Co MS during the 1870's. By 1880 they had moved north into Arkansas. The family bible says that Thomas Allen O'Bryant was born in Batesville, Panola Co MS on 5 Feb 1875 and that his parents were Samuel N. and Sarah O'Bryant. I do not know his mother's maiden name. From census records it shows that both parents were born in AL.

I'm trying to find out who Samuel's other siblings were and who his parents were for sure. Thomas and at least 2 of his brother's became preachers. Two of the siblings married in the Janson family.

I also have a Thomas O'Bryant from Panola, in my tree. He was married to Cora Whitten. The age difference might make your Thomas a nephew to my Thomas T. O'Bryant

So far I have not found a Thomas as a nephew. Do you know when and where he was born? Or his parents? Mine married a Sarah M
(don't know maiden name) probably around 1868 in Panola Co MS
or nearby

The Lauderdale, Al. to Panola, Miss. is the same route my Whitten relatives took after leaving Laurens County, South Carolina. My T.T. OBryant married 2 Whitten sisters. Some family members were born or married in Lauderdale County before moving to Batesville area (District 3?) I would look at the Whitten line. Some of the families that show up over and again are Shankle(s), Richardson, Stewart, Boyles, Branch, Loyd, Byrd, Brown, Young, Jones. My Thomas might have been a nephew to Samuel.

I ran across this page doing a search of images on O'Bryant
http://www.netease.net/wayne/whitten.htm

It has some Whitten's.

I also found this cemetery listing for Lauderdale Co AL
It has some of the names you mentioned.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~allauder/cem-wesleychapel4.htm

Tina,

I am curious about the Byrd connection you mentioned. My Byrd ancestors were from that area of Alabama and moved to Marshall and Tate Co, Ms.

Darrel

Two Whitten brothers William & Daniel, married Byrds, Emily and Luther Elizabeth. The Byrds were also from South Carolina, earlier on.
There is a Sam OBryant, 20, from Alabama, living near William Whitten and Levi Richardson (my gggg-uncles)in the 1860 census. The Whitten that married Thomas OBryant was niece to the two Whitten brothers married to Byrds. The connections seem very strong.

There is an OBriond family in Lauderdale, Al. in the 1850 census with Samuel as one of the sons. James and Elizabeth listed as parents. Have you seen this family? Several children, too.

The two names Emily and Luther Elizabeth do not many any thing to me right off all though they are probably a little later than I have traced descendants.

Richard Byrd (1750-1803)left a will in Hawkins County, Tn signed by him in 1803. In it he named his wife Elizabeth (Buster born abt 1750-died abt 1815), his children William (a minister in North Al married Lydia Adair), John, David (m Jane Moorehead), Jane/Jean (m Randolph McDonald, Ann/Nancy (m David Day), Michael (m Patsy Logan and Jane), Richard, Elizabeth (may have been the Elizabeth who married Jonathan Adair Burleson), Mary (m James Worry and Daniel Walsworth), James, and Charles.

Elizabeth is thought to have brought her children into NE Alabama after her husbands death.

I am new at this --trying to find family to JW O'Bryant living in Panola Miss. 1860.born Alabama. Married Ellen M (may be Houston born NC)They had a child Geneva. ??JW killed in war as ME O'Bryant is widowed and still in Panola Miss 1880 with children farming. Just above her is AP Houston and ME is listed as Daughter. In the 1850 census JW was James Washer O'Bryant. Trying to trace line going threw Geneva who married Adrian C Smith-Child Lula C smith who married Frederick Ignatious Cairns. Any info will help