Eliza Bryant
Eliza Simmons Bryant (1827 – May 13, 1907) was an American humanitarian. She was the daughter of a free woman of color, possibly Native American. She moved to Cleveland, OH during the 1850s. After the American Civil War, she and her mother helped former slaves who came to Cleveland. With a group of other women, she established the Cleveland Home for Aged Colored people in 1896 which has become the longest continuing home for aged colored people. In 1960, its name was changed to Eliza Bryant Home for the Aged, in honor of its founder. Later, in 1999, the name was changed to Eliza Bryant Village (EBV). Early days Mary Simmons nicknamed "Polly" was born in 1804 to Fereby Simmons, a free woman of color in North Carolina. Therefore, Eliza Simmons Bryant, who was her daughter, was also born free. It is possible these women were descended from the Winyaws Tribe of the Tuscaroras Nation. Eliza was raised on a plantation in Wayne County. Polly Simmons bought property from her brother Calvin in 1838 and additional land from a neighbor Kinon Milard in 1847. Needham Bryant applied for a marriage license for himself and Eliza Simmons in Cuyahoga County in