Page 104 - The Ancestry of Francis Bryan (1770-1863)

FRANCIS BRYAN'S OBITUARY
Page 90 lists some fun facts about Francis and Phoebe. One fact, which was very disturbing to discover, is that Francis and Phoebe "owned" enslaved people.
While growing up I had been estranged from my father's side of the family and knew next to nothing about his heritage. I identified my history with that of my mother's side of the family, poor Irish farmers who emigrated during the potato famine in 1850. Discovering my father's family was an adventure, but I did not expect to find out that my ancestors had enslaved Black people.
People are complicated. History is complicated. While there is much to admire about Francis and Phoebe and their family history, "owning" enslaved people is a sad legacy. I discuss this further on page 121.
On the next page I pay homage to what little I know about the Black Bryans who were originally enslaved by my ancestors.
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