https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~langolier/genealogy/BerryDNA/Family...

Biography

John A. Berry was born in 1700 in Virginia, Colonial America. He was a Culpeper County Constable in 1764.

John married Catherine Jemima Berry (Wetherall) before 1740 in Culpeper, Virginia, United States. Together they had the following children:

1. John Berry, Jr.;
2. Malachai Berry;
3. Anthony Berry;
4. Ann Whitten (Berry);
5. Juriah Yager (Berry);
6. Betty Sutton (Berry);
7. Jerusha Stunnell (Berry);
8. Elijah Berry;
9. Elisha Berry;
10. Acrey Berry;
11. Aaron Berry.

He died between May 14, 1777 and July 19, 1779 in Orange County, Virginia, United States and was buried in Virginia, United States.

John leased land from Spotswood's estate in about 1744.

Constable in Culpepper Co., VA in 1764.

His will was proved in Culpeper Co., VA on 5 Jul 1779. Witnesses were Elizabeth Towles and Ann, Mary and John Witherall ( Wetherall).

More information can be found in Lynn Berry Hamilton's book, "Berry/Berrey Family."

From the Memoirs of John Marr Berry, Jr.: George Berry, the great grandfather, of John Marr Berry, immigrated from England to Virginia prior to the Revolution. John Berry, his son, was, perhaps, born and resided in Culpepper county, Virginia, where he was located during the Revolutionary war, in which he participated as a soldier or in the commissary during the whole seven years of the war. He was considered quite wealthy in that day, owning large estates and many slaves.

DRAFT TRANSCRIPTION -- Will of John Berry (wife: Jemima) & Inventory of Estate (note: called W. John Berry in estate inventory) Culpeper County, Virginia Will Book B (p. 317 - 319) WILL OF JOHN BERRY P. 317 In the name of God Amen I John Berry of the county of Culpeper and Parish of Bromfield in Perfect health and sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my Last will and Testament in manner following - My soul I recommend to Almighty God who gave it me trusting in the merits of a Crucified Saviour to raise me from the Death sin to the life of righteousness. My Body I recommend to be Buried in a Decent manner at the discretion of my Executives hereafter named. And the worldly goods with which it has pleased God to give me I give and bestow in the manner following viz In premises I lend my loving wife Jemima the land whereon I now live and three of such negroes as should belong to me at the time of my decease she taking her first choice, also three cows and p. 318 One House all my house and Kitchin Furniture & one third part of the working tools as well as the carpenters and other tool during her widowhood but in case she should marry I only lend my said wife Two of the choice of my negroes one House Two Cows and one Bed and furniture to be held and Enjoyed by her during her natural life and after her decease to be distributed amongst my children as I shall hereafter Direct Item the 1st The Residue of my Estate both real and personal I desire and hereby require my Executors hereafter named to sell to the Highest Bidder on Twelve months Credit and the money thence insuing after my Just Debts and Funeral charges are Paid I give and bestow to my well beloved children and their Heirs legal Representatives Lawfully begotten forever (namely Malachai, Ann Whiton, John, Juriah Yeager, Anthony, Jerusha Stunnell, Acrey, Elijah, Elisha, and Aaron Berry and to the living children of Betty Sutton my Deceased daughter so as that her children may have and enjoy so much of my Estate as one of my living children may (?) That the said Betty Suttons Children may have and Receive an Eleventh part of my Estate both real & Personal and if any of my other children before mentioned should die before this my will takes place I do desire that their children my have the same benefit of Betty Suttons children Item the 2d The Estate that my loving wife Jemima may Keep during her natural life I direct my Executors hereafter named as soon as may be conveniently be after my wifes p. 319 Death to sell and distribute as the other part of my Estate Item the 3d I Constitute and appoint my well beloved sons Malchiah and Aaron and my Trusty friend Geo. Witherall Executors of this my last Will and Testament and do hereby revoke all former Wills by me made and do declare this to be my Last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have put my hand and seal the 14th day of May 1779 Signed sealed declared & ) John Berry, L.S. Published in presence of ) Elizabeth Towles, Ann Witherall, Mary Witherall John Witherall At a Court held for Culpeper County the 14th day of July 1779 This Last Will and Testament of John Berry deceased was exhibited to the Court by Malechiah Berry and Aaron Berry two of the Executors therein named and was proved by the oath of John Witherall one of the witnesses thereto, and George Witherall ____ being sworn declared _____________ the said Will and that the Inventory: Estate of John Berry Culpeper County Will Book B, p. 329 - p. 329 In obedience to an Order of Culpeper Court we the Subsecibers being first sworn do value and appraise the slaves and personal Estate of W. John Berry deceased as follows viz One Negro fellow ?700 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Negro Wench and child 1300 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Negro Wench 1200 ~ 0 ~ 0 One negro Wench 300 ~ 0 ~ 0 One negro Girl 1200 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Do (Ditto) 800 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Do 800 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Do 800 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Do 500 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Negro Boy 1200 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Do 700 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Do 600 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Do 400 ~ 0 ~ 0 Fifteen head of hoggs 150 ~ 0 ~ 0 Four Cows and Calves 215 ~ 0 ~ 0 Twelve other Cattle 340 ~ 0 ~ 0 Eleven head of Sheep 66 ~ 0 ~ 0 Two Feather Beds and Furniture 900 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Do Do 150 ~ 0 ~ 0 Twenty six pounds of Wool 26 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Small Mare 80 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Bay mare and Colt 260 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Small Horse 200 ~0 ~ 0 p. 330 One Bay horse ?240 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Small Mare 240 ~ 0 ~ 0 6 Pewter Basons and 4 Pewter Dishes 44 ~ 0 ~ 0 10 Pewter plates and Ten Do Spoons 14 - 15 - 0 1 Pewter Quart _______________- 4 ~ 0 ~ 0 4 knives and Two forks 3 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Razor houne and strop 2 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Spice mortar and Pestle 3 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Tin Sugar Box and Lock 3 ~ 0 ~ 0 About half pound of Coffee 0 ~ 15 ~ 0 One Box Iron and heaters 3 ~ 0 ~ 0 One pair Wool Cards (?) 1 ~ 10 ~ 0 One Large Black Jarr 3 ~ 0 ~ 0 Three Juggs and one Bottle 3 ~ 10 ~ 0 One pair Tow Combs and pair Shears 2 ~ 17 ~ 6 One seal skin Trunk & Small do 8 ~ 10 ~ 0 One Candelstick & Snuffers 1 ~ 0 ~ 0 One set of Thelms (?) One marking Iron 1~ 7 ~ 6 One Tea Kettle one Pepper Box 10 ~ 6 ~ 0 One Large Bible and Prayer Book 20 ~ 0 ~ 0 3 old Books & 2 pounds of Spun Yard 6 ~ 6 ~ 0 2 Tea Pots 7 Cups & 6 Saucers 5 ~ 0 ~ 0 One mugg one glafs salt seller 3 ~ 0 ~ 0 Ten Pewter Tea Spoons 0 ~ 15 ~ 0 One Box & Wafers 1 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Brafs Tobacco Box 1 ~ 5 ~ 0 Two Iron Tumblers 1 ~ 0 ~ 0 ? 1 Pair Temple Spectules 0 ~ 12 ~ 0 ? ? Bedsted and ____ 4 ~ 0 ~ 0 p. 331 One Square Table ?40 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Mares Saddle and Cloth 45 ~ 0 ~ 0 Some Sole Leather 2 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Table Cloth and Towell 2 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Chest and Lock 3 ~ 0 ~ 0 One do 5 ~ 0 ~ 0 Five Chairs 5 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Do 1 ~ 10 ~ 0 One Washing Tub and four pails 3 ~ 10 ~ 0 one Large and Five Small wheels 15 ~ 0 ~ 0 Two Scythes and Cradles 15 ~ 0 ~ 0 108 Hachle (?) Teeth 5 ~ 8 ~ 0 about 500 Eight penny Nails 7 ~ 10 ~ 0 One Steel hand saw 7 ~ 10 ~ 0 Five Axes and ? 20 ~ 0 ~ 0 Six old Roup (?) hooks 2 ~ 10 ~ 0 One Broken Bottle of Snuff 0 ~ 12 ~ 0 one Iron Pestle 3 ~ 3 ~ 0 1 Hammer 1 Drawing Knife & ___ Forks 2 ~ 10 ~ 0 A faucet of old Iron 7 ~ 10 ~ 0 one Branding Iron 2 ~ 0 ~ 0 one Bedstead and ? 5 ~ 0 ~ 0 Two Trowell plow hoes 8 ~ 2 ~ 0 four hilling Hoes 8 ~ 0 ~ 0 Two grubbing hoes 4 ~ 10 ~ 0 Seven weading hoes 8 ~ 0 ~ 0 Two Iron potts 25 ~ 0 ~ 0 One Kettle Cover and hooks 7 ~ 10 ~ 0 Frying pan 3 ~ 0 ~ 0 1 Safe 1 Padlock 3 ~ 5 ~ 0 500 00 Tobacco 60 ~ 0 ~ 0 8 Sides of Leather 40 ~ 0 ~ 0 Current Money 1380 ~ 0 ~ 0 p. 332 A Loan ? Office Certificate ?186 ~ 12 ~ 0 ____________________ ?14900 ~ 0 ~ September the 20th 1779 Returned ) Joseph James ___ unto Court and ordered to be ) Ambrose Barbour Remanded Etc. ) Michael Klugge

Father: George Berry b: in England

Marriage 1 Jemima Weatherall b: 1709 in Bromfield Parish, Culpepper Co., VA •Married: BEF 1740 in Culpepper Co., VA

Children1. Ann Berry b: ABT 1745 in Virginia

From Descendants of John Berry:

http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/berry/4258/

In the book "Berry - Berrey Family, The Family of Elijah Berry Va., Ga., Ala. and Tex. 1700-1980" by Lynn Berry Hamilton on pages 18 & 19 it states:

Anthony m. Elizabeth. He disappeared from Madison County records in 1794. He is possibly the Anthony (Berry) who M. (2) 1813 Jane Lee in Orange Co., Va. and whose will proved 5 Aug. 1817 mentions son William, grandson Thomas Striplin Berry, dau Sarah Frances.

Anthony Berry is the son of John Berry b. abt 1700 and died 1779 who married Jemima. In my data I show William b. 17 December 1776 although right now I can't lay my hands on the reference for that date. It was not in the book. I hope this helps you in your research.

Betsy Jo

GEDCOM Source

http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=87093837&pid...

Family Jemima (_____) d. Abt 1783, Culpeper County, Virginia
Marriage Abt 1720 [4]
Children
1. John Berry, Jr., b. Abt 1725, Culpeper County, Virginia d. Abt 1797, Madison County, Virginia (Age 72 years)
2. Elijah Berry d. Between 11 Sep and 19 Nov 1781, Culpeper County, Virginia
3. Jerusha Berry
4. Ann Berry
5. Malachai Berry
6. Elizabeth "Betty" Berry d. Bef 14 May 1777
7. Aaron Berry
8. Anthony Berry, b. Abt 1732
9. Juriah Berry, b. Abt 1738, Culpeper (now Madison) County, Virginia d. Bef 27 Dec 1824, Madison County, Virginia (Age < 86 years)
10. Elisha Berry, b. 17 Jun 1748 d. 20 Jun 1814 (Age 66 years)
11. Acrey Berrey, b. Abt 1750, Culpeper (now Madison) County, Virginia d. Between 24 Sep 1806 and 26 Mar 1807, Madison County, Virginia (Age 56 years)
Family ID F25048 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Last Modified 5 Feb 2025

Notes
27 August 1746 John Berry and sons Malchy and John leased 150 acres of land on the north side of the Rapid Anne River during the natural lives of John Berry and of the natural lives of his sons Malchy and John Berry during the natural life of the longest liver of them from the estate of Alexander Spotswood for 800 pounds weight of good sound merchantable or top tobacco clear of ground leaves and trast together with cash made out of the crop to be tendered and delivered in one hogshead and within four years John Berry shall and will plant 300 good fruit trees, a third at least to be apple trees and will enclose with a good and sufficient fence. Lawful for John Spotswood and his heirs to enter and dig and search for any mines of stone, lead, copper, or iron.(Orange County, Virginia Deed Book 10: 390-393 [need copy].).

Culpeper County, Virginia Will Book B: 317-319
317
Jno Berry's Will
In the name of God Amen I John Berry of the County of Culpeper
and Parish of Bromfield in Perfect health and sound mind and
memory do make and ordain this my Last will and Testament
in manner following -
My soul I recommend to Almighty God who gave it me trusting in
the merits of a Crucified Saviour to raise me from the death sin to
the life of Rightousness -
My Body I recommend to be Buried in a decent manner at the
discretion of my Executors hereafter named -
And the worldly goods with which it has pleased God to give me
I give and bestow in the manner Following viz.
Inprimises I lend my loving wife Jemima the Land whereon
I now live and three of such Negroes as shall belong to me at the
time of my decease she taking her first choice, also three Cows and
318
One Horse all my house and Kitchen Furniture & one third part
of the working tools as well as the Carpenters and other tools
during her widowhood but in case she should Marry I only lend
my said wife Two of the choice of my Negroes one Horse Two
Cows and one Bed and Furniture to be held and Enjoyed by
her during her natural life and after her decease to be
distributed amongst my children as I shall hereafter direct
Item the 1st The Residue of my Estate both real and personal
I desire and hereby require my Executors hereafter named to sell
to the Highest Bidder on Twelve months Credit and the money
thence arising after my Just debts and Funeral charges are
Paid I give and bestow to my well beloved children and their
Heirs legal Representatives Lawfully begotten forever (namely)
Malchia, Ann Whiten John, Jeriah Yeager, Anthony Jerusha
Stinnell Acrey, Elijah Elisha, and Aaron Berry (and to the living
children of Betty Sutton my deceased daughter so as that her
children may have and enjoy so much of my Estate as one of my
living children may (IE) that the said Betty Suttons Children
may have and Receive on Eleventh part of my Estate both real &
Personal and if any of my other children before mentioned
should die before this my will takes place I do desire that their
children my have the same benefit of Betty Suttons Children
Item the 2d The Estate that my loving wife Jemima may
Keep during her natural life I direct my Executors hereafter
named as soon as my be conveniently be after my wifes
319
Death to sell and distribute as the other part of my Estate
Item the 3d I Constitute and appoint my well beloved sons Malchiah
and Aaron and my Trusty friend Geo. Witherall Executors of this my
Last Will and Testament and do hereby revoke all former Wills by
me made and do declare this to be my Last Will and Testament In
Witness whereof I have put my hand and seal the 14th day of May 1777 [or 1779]
Signed sealed declared & } John Berry, L.S. Published in presence of } Elizabet Towles Ann Witherall Mary Witherall John Witherall
At a Court held for Culpeper County the 19th day of July 1779
This Last Will and Testament of John Berry deceased was exhibited
to the Court by Malechiah Berry and Aaron Berry two of the Executors
therein named and was proved by the oath of John Witherall one of
the Witnesses thereto, and George Witherall Gent being sworn declared
he drew the said Will and that the decendent in his presence acknow-
ledged the same and it is thereupon ordered to be recorded And on the' motion of the said Executors Certificate is granted them for obtaining a
Probat thereofe in due form they having made oath and given bond and Security according to Law
Teste John Jameson Cl Cur

From Don Johnson:
Inventory: Estate of John Berry Culpeper County Will Book B, p. 329 - p. 329
In obedience to an Order of Culpeper Court we the Subsecibers being first sworn do value and appraise the slaves and personal Estate of W. John Berry deceased as follows viz
One Negro fellow £700 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Negro Wench and child 1300 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Negro Wench 1200 ~ 0 ~ 0
One negro Wench 300 ~ 0 ~ 0
One negro Girl 1200 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Do [Ditto] 800 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Do 800 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Do 800 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Do 500 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Negro Boy 1200 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Do 700 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Do 600 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Do 400 ~ 0 ~ 0
Fifteen head of hoggs 150 ~ 0 ~ 0
Four Cows and Calves 215 ~ 0 ~ 0
Twelve other Cattle 340 ~ 0 ~ 0
Eleven head of Sheep 66 ~ 0 ~ 0
Two Feather Beds and Furniture 900 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Do Do 150 ~ 0 ~ 0
Twenty six pounds of Wool 26 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Small Mare 80 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Bay mare and Colt 260 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Small Horse 200 ~0 ~ 0 p. 330
One Bay horse ?240 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Small Mare 240 ~ 0 ~ 0
6 Pewter Basons and 4 Pewter Dishes 44 ~ 0 ~ 0
10 Pewter plates and Ten Do Spoons 14 - 15 - 0
1 Pewter Quart pott 1 Tin Lanthern - 4 ~ 0 ~ 0
4 knives and Two forks 3 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Razor houne and strop 2 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Spice mortar and Pestle 3 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Tin Sugar Box and Lock 3 ~ 0 ~ 0
About half pound of Coffee 0 ~ 15 ~ 0
One Box Iron and heaters 3 ~ 0 ~ 0
One pair Wool Cards 1 ~ 10 ~ 0
One Large Black Jarr 3 ~ 0 ~ 0
Three Juggs and one Bottle 3 ~ 10 ~ 0
One pair Tow Combs and pair Shears 2 ~ 17 ~ 6
One seal skin Trunk & Small do 8 ~ 10 ~ 0
One Candelstick & Snuffers 1 ~ 0 ~ 0
One set of Thelms (?) One marking Iron 1~ 7 ~ 6
One Tea Kettle one Pepper Box 10 ~ 6 ~ 0
One Large Bible and Prayer Book 20 ~ 0 ~ 0
3 old Books & 2 pounds of Spun Yard 6 ~ 6 ~ 0 2
Tea Pots 7 Cups & 6 Saucers 5 ~ 0 ~ 0
One mugg one glafs salt seller 3 ~ 0 ~ 0
Ten Pewter Tea Spoons 0 ~ 15 ~ 0
One Box & Wafers 1 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Brafs Tobacco Box 1 ~ 5 ~ 0
Two Iron Tumblers 1 ~ 0 ~ 0 ?
1 Pair Temple Spectules 0 ~ 12 ~ 0 ?
To Bedsted and Cord 4 ~ 0 ~ 0 p. 331
One Square Table ?40 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Mares Saddle and Cloth 45 ~ 0 ~ 0
Some Sole Leather 2 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Table Cloth and Towell 2 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Chest and Lock 3 ~ 0 ~ 0
One do 5 ~ 0 ~ 0
Five Chairs 5 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Do 1 ~ 10 ~ 0
One Washing Tub and four pails 3 ~ 10 ~ 0
one Large and Five Small wheels 15 ~ 0 ~ 0
Two Scythes and Cradles 15 ~ 0 ~ 0
108 Hackle Teeth 5 ~ 8 ~ 0
about 500 Eight penny Nails 7 ~ 10 ~ 0
One Steel hand saw 7 ~ 10 ~ 0
Five Axes and ? 20 ~ 0 ~ 0
Six old Reap hooks 2 ~ 10 ~ 0
One Broken Bottle of Snuff 0 ~ 12 ~ 0
one Iron Pestle 3 ~ 3 ~ 0
1 Hammer 1 Drawing Knife & ___ Forks 2 ~ 10 ~ 0
A parcel of old Iron 7 ~ 10 ~ 0
one Branding Iron 2 ~ 0 ~ 0
one Bedstead and Cord 5 ~ 0 ~ 0
Two Trowell plow hoes 8 ~ 2 ~ 0
four hilling Hoes 8 ~ 0 ~ 0
Two grubbing hoes 4 ~ 10 ~ 0
Seven weading hoes 8 ~ 0 ~ 0
Two Iron potts 25 ~ 0 ~ 0
One Kettle Cover and hooks 7 ~ 10 ~ 0
Frying pan 3 ~ 0 ~ 0
1 Safe 1 Padlock 3 ~ 5 ~ 0
500 00 Tobacco 60 ~ 0 ~ 0
8 Sides of Leather 40 ~ 0 ~ 0
Current Money 1380 ~ 0 ~ 0
p. 332
A Loan ? Office Certificate £186 ~ 12 ~ 0
____________________ £14900 ~ 0 ~
September the 20th 1779 Returned ) Joseph James ___
unto Court and ordered to be ) Ambrose Barbour
Remanded Etc. ) Michael Klugge

19 June 1780 John Berry Inventory. Adam Yager, husband of Juriah Berry, is reported to have purchased the bible for £30 (Culpeper County, Virginia Will Book B: 831-387 [need copy]).

Sources

1. [S0042644] John Blankenbaker, The Wife of Anthony Berry, (Name: Beyond Germanna, 6 no. 3, May 1994: 326;).
2. [S0049038] E-mail correspondence from Don Johnson to Cathi Clore Frost, (Re: Yager/Berry, 28 March 2006; Re: Nicholas Yager, 17 September2006; Re: Update, 16 October 2006).

location Broomfield Parish, Culpeper Co.

1. [S0048002] Culpeper County, Virginia Will Book B 1770-1783, (County Clerk's Office, Culpeper, VA, viewed 6 March 2009), 317-319. will written 14 May 1777 [or 1779] and proved 19 July 1779
2. [S0049038] E-mail correspondence from Don Johnson to Cathi Clore Frost, (Re: Yager/Berry, 28 March 2006; Re: Nicholas Yager, 17 September2006; Re: Update, 16 October 2006).

• Reference: TNG Genealogy - SmartCopy: Mar 26 2025, 14:30:25 UTC

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