Bryan, James Madison

Bryan, James Madison a colored Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in slavery in Newbern, N.C., June 1, 1817. He was sold in his twenty-second year to a wealthy planter on Bayou Lafourche, Louisiana, in whose family he became a great favorite, and received careful religious instruction. In due time he joined the Church, and became a useful preacher. He remained with his owners until 1865, when he entered the Mississippi Mission Conference, wherein he served faithfully until his death, January 2, 1876. Mr. Bryan was an excellent man, a close student, a sound Methodist, and a diligent pastor. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1876, page 12; Simpson, Cyclop. of Methodism, s.v.