Edward Bryant, a prominent resident of Cornish, was born in this town, February 7, 1837, son of Daniel and Cloe (Hildreth) Bryant. His grandfather, Israel Bryant, born in Connecticut, came to Cornish when a young man. Israel and his wife were the parents of nine children. Of these Daniel, a native of Cornish, born in 1815, was educated in the public schools of his native town. After completing his education he engaged in farming. Subsequently for many years he was foreman of the stock farm of Ebenezer Pike, having charge of the best blooded cattle in the country. His reputation was that of a man who thoroughly understood how to secure the finest results from the breeding and raising of fine-blooded animals. Devoted to his home, he did not aspire to political distinction. His religious views were liberal, and he was a regular attendant at the Universalist church. On the first day of May, 1834, he married Cloe, daughter of Samuel Hildreth, of Cornish. They had four children-George, Edward, Charles, and Charlotte. George, born January 22, 1836, died in infancy; Charles, born October 3, 1838, died between the ages of three and four years; Charlotte, born in Cornish, was educated in the public schools of the town, at Kimball Union Academy, and at Windsor, Vt. She married William E. Westgate, and has two children-Earl and Martha, both of whom are married.
Edward Bryant obtained his education in the public schools of his native town and at the Claremont Academy. He then went to Mr. Bryant married Miss Julia Helen Gilkey, of Plainfield, daughter of James Gilkey. Born August 5, 1842, she died November 6, 1889. Her four children were: James D., Julia Janette, Charles E., and John G. James, the eldest son, born March 1, 1861, has always assisted his father on the farm. Julia, born March 1, 1872, is housekeeping for her father. Charles, born April 21, 1873, who was educated at Cornish and Windsor, went into the hotel business as clerk, and has been connected with the Windsor House at Windsor and with hotels in Claremont and Lowell. John, born March 4, 1875, after leaving school, learned the jeweller’s business, but was subsequently obliged to give it up. He is now in the hotel business in Massachusetts.
