This county was laid out in 1793; a part taken from Effingham, 1794; and a part set off to Bulloch in 1796.

There are no large towns or villages.

The county site is BRYAN COURT-HOUSE.

Fort Argyle, so called by Oglethorpe, after John, Duke of Argyle, stood upon the west bank of the Ogeechee River; built in 1732, as a defence against the Spaniards.

Hardwick, so called from the Earl of Hardwick, Lord High Chancellor of England, is situated on the south side of the Ogeechee River, fifteen miles from the ocean.

Extract from census of 1850:--- Dwellings, 212; families, 212; white males, 604; white females, 560; free coloured males, 10, free coloured females, 5. Total free population, 1,179; slaves 2,245. Deaths, 63. 209 farms. Value of real estate, $250,000; value of personal estate, $1,235,400.

SAMUEL STILES, with his brother, B. Stiles, came to this country about 1769, and settled a plantation in what is now called Bryan County. When the Revolutionary War commenced, although his family was in Bermuda, Mr. S. Stiles took part with the Americans. His services to the United States were valuable. He was engaged, a large portion of his time, in procuring warlike stores and ammunition for the United States, as well as for the State of Georgia. Much of the powder used by the Americans in the Revolution came from Bermuda. It is said that the Bermudians, being in a starving condition, stole the Government powder from the magazines, and sold it for provisions, and that Mr. Stiles was the person who arranged the trade, and carried off the powder. The British Government offered a large reward for the apprehension of the persons engaged in the theft. Mr. Stiles had the honour of being at the siege of Savannah, at which he had a horse shot under him.

The Count D'Estaing made Mr. Stiles liberal propositions to assist him in taking some of the West India Islands, but unavoidable circumstances prevented his acceptance of the offer.

You can also read about the early pioneers of Bryan here.