“The owner of this Bible William Joel Bryan was born on the 7th of July 1852 at his Father’s plantation “Retiro” on Oyster Creek, Brazoria county, Texas. William Jack Bryan died on the 27th of January A. D. 1882 at 3½ o’clock P. M. at his Father’s residence; and was buried at 4 o’clock P. M. 28th January 1882 in the Independence Cemetery. Revd Doctor Wm Carey Crane performed the funeral services at the residence at the Cemetery.”

Partial family registry includes genealogical information on: Guy Randolph Bryan, Lewis Randolph Bryan, Stella Louise Bryan, Gustave Beauregard Bryan, Austin G. Bryan, Stonewall Jackson Bryan, Emily Edith Bryan, Stephen Fuller Austin Bryan, Polycarp Lamothe Bryan, Austinia Bryan, James Bryan, William Joe Bryan, Moses Austin Bryan, Adaline Robertson Bryan, Hellen M. Bryan, and Stephen Bryan.