126 BURKE COUNTY. 



gress. To have such a man in their possession, was an ob- 

 ject with the British commanders, and accordingly, three nights 

 after the reduction of Savannah, Lieut. Clark, of the Phoenix 

 or Fowey man-of-war, and a party of armed men, were de- 

 spatched up Union creek, to his plantation in South Carolina, 

 took ^im and his son James prisoners, and placed them on 

 board one of the prison-ships. Mrs. Morel, afterwards Mrs. 

 Wyley, waited upon Commodore Hyde Parker, and upon her 

 knees solicited the release of her aged father. The unfeeling 

 Commodore denied her supplication. The venerable patriot 

 and his son James were sent to New- York, and after remain- 

 ing a considerable time on board a prison-ship, were placed on 

 Long Island with the American prisoners. He was finally 

 exchanged, repaired to Georgia, and continued to the end of 

 the war an active and determined patriot. In Wayne's en- 

 gagement with Brown, Mr. Bryan, although 80 years of age, 

 took a conspicuous part. In 1778, fears were entertained for the 

 safety of the public records, and such confidence was placed in 

 Mr. Bryan, that they were removed to his house at the Union. 

 He closed his mortal career, March 12th, 1788. He was a 

 tall and large man, of wonderful strength and hardihood, and 

 of imposing appearance. He was the friend of the Wesleys, 

 and Whitefield. His heart was the seat of kindness. To his 

 neighbours he was obliging, to his servants remarkably in- 

 dulgent ; and to his praise be it said, that he took active mea- 

 sures to supply them with the ministrations of the Gospel. 

 An old and favourite servant of Mr. Bryan, named Andrew, 

 was the founder of the first coloured church in Savannah. 



BURKE. 



Boundaries, Extent. — This county is bounded North 

 by Richmond, East by the Savannah river, South by Scriven, 

 Southwest by Emanuel, and West by Jefferson. This divi- 

 sion of the State was laid out as St. George's Parish in 1758, 

 and the name and designation changed to Burke county in 



