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Bryant Family History

For over ten generations, the Bryant family have dedicated themselves

to their North Shore communities. Their deep commitment to their neighbors is one

of service, professionalism and trust.

 

The Edwin Melville Bryant Family:

Edwin & Mildred Bryant and their sons-Robert, Harry, Melville & Arthur

Bryant Funeral Home Founder- Arthur Bryant, Sr.

Since he was a young boy growing up on a farm in East Setauket, Arthur W. Bryant wanted to serve his neighbors and community. His desire was to do this as a funeral director. None of Art's sons have ever been totally clear as to what or who inspired him to his calling in the funeral profession. However, his dream was delayed by World War II and his service to the country in Europe as Sgt. in the Army Air Corp.

At the end of the war he returned to his community
and married Martha V. Curtis of Port Jefferson. For the next 25 years Art was side-tracked from his boyhood dream, but went onto own and operate three successful businesses, all based right in our town.

In the mid 1960's Art seized the opportunity to go back to school and get his New York State funeral director's license. He worked in the field as part owner of another funeral home. In the early 1970's Art and Mart Bryant decided that at the age of 55, instead of coasting into retirement, they would instead build the Bryant Funeral Home. This was the culmination of a lifetime dream, and since Art and Mart had always worked side by side in their prior businesses, this would be no different.

One by one their three sons went on to college and became funeral directors. What has followed since those early days is a true desire to serve the bereaved and help in any way to assist the families that we serve in the community to move beyond their grief and on to the road to recovery.

Families being served with respect and dignity by the Bryant Family and staff is 

all part of Arthur Bryant's boyhood dream as a young man growing up in Setauket.

Alvin Jayne, Arthur Bryant, Harry Bryant, 1945

        Mart & Art, 1945  

Arthur served as a Sgt. in the Army Air Corp in London.         

Martha taught 2nd Grade at Terryville School.

                         

Arthur and Martha Bryant's Wedding Day, April 21, 1946 at Easter Dawn.

Family from L to R. Edwin and Mildred Bryant; Fanny and Herb Curtis; 

Arthur and Martha Bryant

 

                        Little Artie 1951

 Bryant -Curtis Fuel Oil Company Truck, Port Jefferson, NY.  Arthur and Martha went

into business with Martha's father, Herbert Curtis. They ran a coal yard in Port 

Jefferson, and then a thriving Fuel Oil business, which serviced many local homes in 

Old Field, Setauket, Port Jefferson and Poquott. Note the phone number-82. 

The Bryant Funeal Home uses 473-0082 to this day.

 

Four Generations of Bryant Men:left to right    Edwin Melville

(Arthur Bryant's father); Great-grandfather Alexander Bryant; 

infant brother Melville and Grandfather Melville Havens Bryant

 

Martha and Arthur Bryant's 25th Wedding Anniversary, April 21, 1971

front: Herb Curtis; Martha, Arthur, Mildred Bryant

back: Freddy, Herbie, Artie

  

 

             Arthur Bryant Family 1977 

Front: Artie Jr., Christine Bryant, Mildred Bryant, Fred

Back : Herb, Martha and Arthur Sr.

 

Aunt Julia Smith, Arthur Bryant's Great Aunt, 

and Sister of his Grandmother Jeanette. Her home is one of the oldest in the 

Three Village Area,  known as the Timothy Smith house or 

"The Old House on the Hill" circa 1695.

  

Fred Selling Tomatoes at the family farm in Setauket, 1968      Herbie (named for his grandfather,         

                                                                                                   Herbert Curtis )with flowers grown on  

                                                                                                    family farm, 1958

                                                                                                  

 Cowboy Herbie, Friend Raul, Civil War Soldier Freddie

 

      

Martha, Herbert and Fanny (Pfeiffer) Curtis 1931         Martha Curtis Senior Picture  1936

The Curtis family lived in Port Jefferson on Scraggy Hill, 

across from St. Charles Hospital.

Herb Curtis ran several area business, including a John Deere

Tractor Agency. Martha was their only child.

 

 

Martha Curtis (Bryant) on her father's John Deere Tractor, 1944

  

Adolph Pfeiffer Family, 1895

William; Fannie Viola (Martha Bryant's mother); Eva May and Reed Benedict

 

 

Pfeiffer's Corner, 1912. 

This was the business of Adolph "Doll" Pfeiffer, in Setauket. Doll Pfeiffer was Fanny Curtis's

father. This was both their home and Butcher Shop.

 

Fannie Curtis (Pfeiffer), on left, with sisters Amy and Alice

 

 

Arthur Bryant Sr., August 2009, The Setauket Fire Department Celebrated their 100th Anniversary

Arthur Bryant Sr. was honored for his over 70 years of service.

 

 

Fred, Arthur Sr., Herb & Artie

August 2009, Setauket Fire Dept.

100th Anniversary Celebration