William Bryan (23 October 1724 – 28 November 1781) was a Brigadier General over the New Bern District Brigade in the North Carolina militia during the American Revolution.
He was later elected to represent Johnston County in the North Carolina House of Commons in the 1778–1779 legislative session.
He resigned his commission on April 27, 1779, and returned to life as a civilian politician, except for a short re-activation as commander of the Johnston County Regiment at the Battle of Guilford Court House on March 15, 1781.
The Johnston County Court minutes for November 1780 give an account of the trial and conviction of a slave named Jenny, who poisoned Needham Bryan and other members of his family.
Jenny was burned at the stake in Smithfield, North Carolina, for the murders of three members of the Bryan family.