Two North Carolina Men-- Part 2

Both Frederic Messer and Carl Winford Bryson were born in August, 100 years apart, 1792 and 1892.  Their lives overlapped for 14 years (1892 and 1907).

Both men had large families.  Frederic and his wife Annie, had nine children.  Carl Bryson and his wife Ninnie McElroy had eleven.

Both men loved the Bible, though Fed Messer reportedly could not read or write, but he had heard and memorized the passages and stories and he was quite conversant in anything from the Bible.  Carl was known as one of the oldest and most faithful members of the Antioch Baptist Church during his lifetime.

Both men loved to walk.  Federic Messer  was reported to have walked the 21 miles to Waynesville from his home in White Oak several times  after turning 100.  Carl often walked the half mile to church services in his 90s.

Both men had distinctive styles of dress.  Fed claimed he only buttoned his shirt twice in his life.  Carl was particularly fond of his overalls.

--Brock-Perry