William Bryan

William Bryan (23 October 1724 28 November 1781) was a Brigadier General over the New Bern District Brigade in the North Carolina militia during the American Revolution. He was also active in North Carolina politics and was a delegate to North Carolina's Third Provincial Congress in Hillsborough in August 1775 and represented Johnston County, North Carolina in the North Carolina House of Commons in 17781779.

Early life He was born on October 23, 1724, in Bertie Precinct, Province of North Carolina. His parents were Needham Bryan and Anne Rombeau. In 1744, he married Elizabeth Smith with whom he had nine children: Lewis, William M., Arthur, Elizabeth, Hardy, Blake, Esther, Susannah, and John.

Military service He was appointed as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Johnston County Regiment of the North Carolina militia under Colonel Needham Bryan on September 9, 1775. He saw action at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge on February 27, 1776, with this regiment. On April 22, 1776, he was promoted to colonel as commandant of the Johnston County Regiment after Colonel Needham Bryan resigned his commission.