Life and Times of Lott (Lot) Berry

By John V. Berry


Lott Berry is believed to be this writer’s great, great, great, great grandfather, and is listed as
follows:  William Berry, Sr., Lott Berry, John Berry, William Martin Berry, Henderson Berry,
Gilmer Connelly Berry, John West Berry, to the writer.

Lott (Lot) Berry (1763 – 1832) is believed to have born circa 1763 in the Commonwealth of
Virginia and died in Burke County, North Carolina on March 30, 1831. Lot Berry married Millie
Thompson (Thomson, Thomason, Thomas) in 1784 and they had three sons (Archibald, John & 
David Berry), and one daughter (Elminor (Elminer, Mina, Miner)) Berry.  Over the course of his life 
Lott Berry lived in two or three different locations: likely born in Virginia and living in 
Caldwell/Burke/Rutherford counties in North Carolina during his life.  Lott Berry appears to have 
been born in Virginia. He later appears to have lived with his mother and father in what is likely the 
Town of Icard, North Carolina, today.  


He likely lived in an area near Drowning Creek in what is now the Town of Icard, NC and on the
Lovelady Ford, specifically on Wards’ Creek in Burke County, near the Caldwell County, NC
boundary line.  One reference, for which no citation was found, indicated that Lott Berry lived in an
area known as “Tower District.”  Lott Berry was a son of William Berry, Sr. (1738-1780) and
Elizabeth Montgomery.

Lott Berry is believed to have been born in the Commonwealth of Virginia in about 1763 to parents
William Berry (1738-1780) and Elizabeth Montgomery (c1745 - __). Lott’s older siblings would
likely have come from Maryland and his younger or perhaps some of his other numerous siblings
would have been born in Burke County, North Carolina.  See The Descendants of Lott Berry,
Volume I, by Virginia Berry-Niemeyer, she provided  information that  another Berry descendant, 
Bruce D. Moore, also establishes Archibald, David, and Miner as the children of Lott and "Millie" 
Thomas and that Lott "came from Virginia." Based on Mr. Moore and Ms. Berry-Niemeyer’s data, 
and that from Marguerite (Berry) Carswell and the mother of Ms. Berry-Niemeyer, the cited 
descendancy chart for Lott and Millie (Thompson) Berry came about.

Descendancy Chart

The above chart was provided by Virginia Berry-Niemeyer, a fellow Berry descendant of this line, 
and very respected genealogist, to the Author who she referred to as her “third cousin, once 
removed.” She obtained the chart from Marguerite Aljean (Berry) Carswell, her mother, from data 
collected by her mother, Jean Arbunoth (Norvell) Berry, the wife of William Alvin Berry.  In this 
hand written chart, she provides proof that Archibald, David, John, and Mina are the children of Lott 
Berry and Mille (Thompson) Berry.

While it appears that many of his older brothers and sisters likely were born in the State of Maryland
or in Pennsylvania, Lott Berry appears to have been born in the Virginia, according to records
provided by researcher to the writer in 2009. Virginia Berry-Niemeyer, The Family of Lott Berry and
Millie Thompson of North Carolina, Vol. I, at page 5.  Lott Berry was born circa 1763, most likely in
a part of Virginia within reach of the Great Wagon Road, as the family traveled South to their
ultimate destination in Burke County, NC where the old road still travels up to the family’s old land
grant on Drowning Creek, which was kept in the family for many generations.  Possibilities for more
specific areas of his birth include Fincastle County and Lunenburg County, both in Virginia.

Chronology of Lott Berry

1763       Lott Berry is born to William Berry, Sr. and Elizabeth (Montgomery) Berry in Virginia.

1784       Lott Berry marries Millie Thomson (Thompson, Thomas).  Of note, Millie shares the same
last maiden name as Lott Berry’s brother, Enoch Berry, Barbary (Thomson) Berry.

1784       Archibald Berry (1784 – 1875), the first son of Lott and Millie Berry’s is born in Burke
County, North Carolina on April 14, 1784.  Archibald Berry would eventually marry Martha
Connelly.

1789       Daughter Elminor (Mina/Miner) Berry (c1789-after 1850) is born to Lott and Millie
(Thompson) Berry.

1790       Lott Berry is listed as being part of the Burke County Militia Second Company in 1790.
Annals of Caldwell County, NC, at pg. 63. The Second Company, commanded by a Captain John
Connelly, included Lot Berry, and three of his brothers, Joseph, James and John Berry.  The Second
District Militia Company was listed as operating out of “Eastern Burke County.”  See Burke County
Public Library Summary of Dr. Emmett White’s Notes (Jan. 1985).  As noted in the Annals of
Caldwell County, the “second company, John Connelly, captain, had 78 heads of families living
along the Catawba river and lower Lovelady Township.”  Annals of Caldwell County, at page 2. It is 
hard to say if this location is in Burke or Caldwell county as they exist today. 

1790    Lott Berry is listed as a head of his family in Burke County, Morgan District, North Carolina
Census, having 1 male over the age of 16 (Lott Berry), 2 males under the age of 16.

1790    John Berry (1794 – 1871) is born to Lott and Millie Berry in Burke County, North Carolina.
In her genealogical proofs, Virginia Berry-Niemeyer provides two sources of proof for the father-son
relationship between Lott Berry and John Berry.  The first is a handwritten chart by Tessie Alice
(Wagner) Berry, Virginia Berry-Niemeyer’s mother. The second source of proof are charts developed
from genealogical research conducted by Marguerite Aljean (Berry) Carswell.  See Virginia Berry-
Niemeyer, the Descendants of Lott Berry, Vol. III, CH. 5, at 1

1794    Some resources also indicate that this John Berry was born in 1794. In any event,  John Berry
married Barbara Fry (1795-1861) and then after her passing in 1861, married as his second wife,
Priscilla Bowman (1836-1911).  One source refers to this John Berry as John Berry IV (the fourth),
but it is unknown quite what it meant by this reference.


1798    David Andrew Berry (1798 - 1870) is born in Burke County, North Carolina to Lott and
Millie (Thomspon) Berry.


1798    On June 11, 1798, Lot Berry had surveyed Land Grant #2384, entry #3281, for 50 acres on
Wards Creek on the South side of the Catawba River. This land joined Lott Berry’s own line for
existing property, as well as one Andrew Gwin's line. The chain carriers for the survey, were Andrew
Gwin and John England. A copy of this land survey follows.

For the land survey shown following the written transcription of the survey, which immediately
follows, shows that reading these Colonial-era type property documents can sometimes be a bit
difficult, so the following information is provided:

“State of North Carolina, Burke County. By virtue of a present dated August the 11th 1797 No. 3281
Survey for Lot Berry fifty acres of land lying on Wards Creek that fall in on the South Side of the
Catawba River joining him on line & Andrew Gwins (Goins) line beginning on a p___ his old corner
& runs North ___ to a Hick[o]ry then West to Eight Chains to a post oak in Sd. Gwin's line then goes
fifteen chains to a stake then West fifteen chains to a post oak to a stake then South fifteen chains
crossing (?) the creek to a maple then East twenty-five chains to a stake then north twenty chainsaw
to a stake in his old line then to the beginning survey. April the 11th 1798 The two chain carriers
were Andrew Gwin & John England and signed by William Davenport.”

1798    John Berry (1774 – 1798), Lott Berry’s younger brother, died some time prior to the July
1798 Burke County Court of Pleas and Quarters session.  Furthermore, during the July, 1798 Session 
of the Burke County Court of Pleas and Quarters (from the minutes): Ordered by court that Daniel 
[H]udson have letters of administration on the Estate of John Berry, deceased, together with Lott 
Berry & giving bond with Joseph Morgan & David Thomson, Security in the sum 2000 pounds. John 
Berry, the brother of Lott Berry, with no spouse listed, is indicated as having died prior to the July 
1798 Burke County Court session. Both Lott Berry and Daniel Hudson were appointed 
executors/administrators of John Berry’s estate. See Burke County, NC, Court Minute Book. Lott 
Berry is also listed as a purchaser of items from John Berry’s estate sale.

1798    In July 1798, Lott Berry is Juror #4 on a panel in the case of James Greenlee v. William
James.

1799    In 1799, Lott Berry and Daniel Hudson, John B. Murray tendered a promissory note for six
pounds currency to Lot Berry and Daniel Hudson, as Administrators of John Berry’s Estate.  The
promissory note was found on the back page by the writer of a Revolutionary Pension Application
by John B. Murray’s wife, Rosanna Murray, in materials found at the National Archives.

“I promise to pay unto Lot Berry and Daniel Hudson, Administrator of John Berry dec’d the just and
full sum of six pounds currency of North Carolina to be paid on or before the 30th day of April 1801
it being for value receiv’d of them this 19th date of October 1799 as witnessed by my hand and seal.
This was signed by John Murry (Murray) and also signed (apparently as witnesses) by one William
(Wm.) Fincannon and one William Crye.”
                     
1800    In the Burke County Court of Pleas and Quarters minutes: 590: No. 11. Lott Berry is #4 in
jury impaneled in case of James Greenlee v. William James, Burke County Ct. of Pleas & Quarters,
590, No. 11. (1800).

1800    During the April, 1800 Session of the Burke County Court of Pleas and Quarters, Lott Berry
is listed as an assistant overseer/hand to assist neighbor John England, Jr. in keeping a local road
under repair.  Overseer. Ordered by court that John England, Jr, overseer of the road leading from the
forks at the Widow Englands to the Lovelady Ford on the Catauba (Catawba) have the following
hands to work under him on said road, to wit... Lott Berry...to keep the same in repair for one year.
Issd.


1800    In the July, 1800 Session of the Burke County Court of Pleas and Quarters: Case No. 341 has
Lott Berry listed as the No. 12 juror in Joseph Dobson to use of David Crawford v. Thomas
McGimsey, Burke County Ct. of Pleas & Quarters, 341. (1800). The jury found for the Plaintiff and
assessed damages and costs.

1800    In the 1800 Burke County Census - Lott Berry 3 M under 10, 1 M 10-16, 1 M 26-45, 1 F
under 10, 1 F 26-4 (Family includes, David Andrew, John IV, ? M Archibald, Mina (Elminor), and
Millie).

1800    In the January 1800 session, from the Burke County Court Minutes, p. 118, ordered John
England be overseer of a road from fork at the widow Englands to the Loveland Ford on the
Catawba hands-Rob. Grasby, Lott Berry, Wm. B., Zack Ewing, Samuel Goldsmith, Wm.  Sutherland, 
Wm. Duckworth, Wm. Deal, Henry De----, Jon. Duckworth, John England, Joseph England, 
Ephraim Ewing, John Tizard?

1802    The Burke Journal, February 1999: Morganton 1802. Will Tate's Tax Return of Captain
James Young's Company. Lott Berry is listed with 200 55 acres of land with 1 Pole.

1802    In the April 1802 court session of the Burke County Court of Pleas and Quarters minutes,
Lott Berry is appointed the Overseer of the road from the Forks near the Widow England’s property 
to the Lovelady Ford with the same hands as before, and that he keep the road in good repair for the 
term of one year.  There also is a reference to the order being issues from the room of William 
Duckworth.

1802    In 1802, Lott Berry is listed in the Burke Journal (Feb. 1999), on Will Tate’s Tax Return of
Captain James Young’s Company as having 200 – 55 acres of land with 1 pole.


1803    During the Burke County Court of Pleas and Quarters, in their April Session 1803:  “Jury of
view.  Ordered that the following be a jury to view and mark a road leading from Morganton to the
Lovelady Ford on the Catauba the nearest and best way, to wit . . . Lott Berry . . . and make a report
to our next county court. Issd,” 1804    In May 1804, Joseph Berry sells his brother Lott Berry 200 
acres of property, in an instrument dated 28 May 1804, proven by John McGalliard.  Burke County 
Deeds Registered, 1804 – 1813, at 8 (Referring to the April 1804 Sessions).

1810    Lott Berry is also listed in the 1810 U.S. Census as living in the Drexel/ Morganton section of
Burke County, NC.  Burke County, Morgan District, North Carolina Census Lott Berry 2 M 10-16
(John, IV and David Andrew), 1 M 16-26 (Archibald or ? M), 1 M over 45, 1 F 16-26, 1 F over 45

1813    "Burke County Deeds Registered 1804-1813", pg 8, has Joseph Berry to Lott Berry 200 acres
dated 28 May 1804 proved by John McGalliard; April Sessions 1813

1815    Lott Berry, with 1 tract of land lying on the Catawba, is listed on Martin Kibler's - Burke
County, NC, 1815 Tax List. 1815      

1820    Lott Berry is also listed in the 1820 Burke County, Morganton, NC Census. Burke County,
Morgan District, North Carolina Census Lott Berry 1 M 16-26, 1 M over 45, 1 F 26-45, 1 F over 45
(David Andrew, Lott, Mina, and Millie).

1822    Lott Berry, along with son David Berry, was chain carrier for a land grant surveyed for
Archibald Berry 20 August 1822.

1830    Burke County, Morgan District, North Carolina Census Lott Berry listed in the N.C. Census
Index as #148.
                     
1831    On March 30, 1831, Lott Berry passed away in Burke County, NC.


1831    Deed Book 34, pg 146, Lincoln County Court House, Lincolnton, NC has a deed for the sale
of 1/5 of 133 acres of land owned by William Berry, deceased, and willed to his brother and heir,
Lott Berry. This land lay on Dutchman's Creek. Proven and recorded at April Sessions 1831. Prior to 
his death in 1831, Lott Berry sold his 1/5 inheritance from either his brother, William Berry, Jr. in 
March of 1831.   See Lincoln County, NC Deed Book 34, page 146 (Mar. 1831).  

1832    Burke County Surviving will and Probate Abstracts 1777-1910:  #50 Lot Berry, presented for
probate April 1832.  The Burke County Record of Inventories of Sales of Estates, 1832-1838, lists
two sales involving Lott Berry.  The first sale, in 1832, Lott Berry, pg 112-114, sale 4 March 1832,
court date of 23 July 1832, lists purchasers as:  Archibald Berry, David Berry, et al.  Lott Berry, with
no spouse listed, is indicated to have died before the Jan. 1820 Session. Robert H. Erwin (Archibald's
son-in-law) and Archibald Berry are Executors or Administrators. This is believed, however, to be a
mistake.

1832    Burke County Surviving will and Probate Abstracts 1777-1910:  Number 50, Lot Berry,
presented for probate April 1832.  In the Journal of Burke County Genealogical Society, May 1997
Issue, page 24, are abstractions from the Deaths recorded in Minutes of the Court of Pleas and
Quarter Sessions, Burke County, NC, 1791-1834.


1834    Lott (Lot) Berry is listed as deceased in a document dated 26 July 1834, Robert H. Ervin,
Administrator of Estate Sale of articles dated 23 July 1832, which lists approximately 100 buyers of
sale items, for a total sale of $249.00.  Among the purchasers of items at the Lott Berry Estate Sale,
were Samuel Williams, son David Berry, Richard Williams, son Archibald Berry and daughter
Eliminer Berry.  The Lot Berry Estate Sale was also apparently dated 21 July 1834 and the
purchasers were also named as Archibald Berry, Elminor Berry, etc. Burke County Record of 
Inventories of Sales of Estates, Lott Berry, pg 156-157, court 21 July 1834. Purchasers: Archibald 
Berry, Elminor Berry, et al.

1850    Elminor Berry age 61 Joseph Baker, Jr. 31, Elizabeth Baker 27, Elisha Baker 9, Moulton
Baker 7, Emily Baker 4, Elizabeth Baker 2.

1866    Book of Deed Abstracts, North Carolina Room, Burke County Public Library, pg 50 30 April
1866 Archibald Berry deeds land to John Wesley Berry adjoining “Lot Berry Tract”

1868    Book of Deed Abstracts, North Carolina Room, Burke County Public Library, pg 375-376 7
December 1868 Archibald Berry deeds land to John Wesley Berry--land known as “Lot Berry Tract.”

1869    In deeds registered 12 Mar. 1869, Numbers 375 and 376, Lott Berry’s son Archibald Berry
grants, to his son, John Wesley Berry, property known as "Lot Berry Tract," on the South Side of the
Catawba River on Josiah Bradshaw's line, constituting approximately 150 acres. 50 acres of the
original tract were sold to John Kincaid (to the mouth of Ward's Creek). Abstracts from Burke
County Public Library, Morganton, Deed Book A.


1898    Book of Deed Abstracts, North Carolina Room, Burke County Public Library, 1 Jan. 1898
John Wesley Berry, Sr. deeds to John Wesley Berry, Jr. land known as Lot Berry tract. John Wesley 
Berry, Sr. deeds to Phifer Erwin Berry land on line with Lot Berry Tract, now known as David Berry 
Place.

1799 John Berry Note by Executors Lot (Lott) Berry and David Hudson Signed by John Murray

By John Berry

John Berry was the son of William Berry, Sr. (1738-1780) and the brother of Lott (Lot) Berry.  He is said to have been born in 1744 (perhaps in the State of Maryland) and passed away in July of 1798 in Burke County, North Carolina.  The following is a promissory note from John Murray in exchange for property from John Berry's estate.  His brother Lot (Lott) Berry and cousin Daniel Hudson were executors.  

1799 Promissory Note

The promissory note reads as follows:

I promise to pay unto Lot Berry and David Hudson, Administrators of John Berry dec'd the just and lawful sum of six pounds currency of North Carolina to be paid on or before the 30th day of April 1801 it being for value received of them this this 19th day of October 1799 as witness my hand and seal.

Wm. Fincannon                                         John Murray
Wm. Co___

William Berry, Sr. of Maryland and Burke County, North Carolina

By John V. Berry

This is a synopsis of materials which I have been able to find over the years regarding one of my ancestors, William Berry, Sr., my fifth great grandfather, who is believed to have been born in Cecil County, MD or Rowan County, NC between the years of 1729 and 1738. The exact location of his birth has been the source of much speculation by myself, but I believe that he was born in Maryland due to the number of Berry lines and common names originating from that area. 

I have always found it fascinating that there were 4 Barry brothers that left Cecil County, Maryland: Richard, Andrew, John, Hugh and William Barry and ended up in Mecklenburg, Spartanburg and it is believed what is now Burke. This Barry/Berry family seems well enough off in Maryland to afford the amount of land that was being by William Berry, Sr.  Furthermore, one of the earliest maps shows the word Barry on top of the lands owned by William Berry, Sr.  My working theory is that William Berry was from Cecil County, Maryland and born there, but if anyone can shed light or disprove this theory I would greatly appreciate the information.

Genetically, this Berry line relates to a number of individuals in Burke, Hyde and Spartanburg counties, along with individuals in Georgia.  The Author has had his DNA tested and it appears that our line comes originally from the Devonshire, England area. I am ID #105.  On the page linked above, it shows other genetically matched Berry members. I relate to a Donald Berry whose family is from Swimbridge, in the County of Devon and whose family tree goes back to one Wilhelmus de Berry, born in 1160.

The following is the timeline that I have been able to establish, thus far, of William Berry, Sr.'s life.  

1729-1738 He was born between the years of 1729 and 1738, most likely, according to most researchers, in the State of Maryland. He may have also been born, however, in Rowan County, NC. The majority of evidence that this researcher has seen over the last decade shows a high degree of probability, although not strict proof, that he was from Maryland, likely on the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania in Cecil County or nearby. It is believed by the Author that William Berry, Sr. took the Great Wagon Road down to North Carolina in the late 1750s. Ironically, the land where my grandfather Gilmer Connelly Berry was raised on in Icard, North Carolina is one of the ends of that very trail.  

I speculate that he was part of the family of 3 brothers that moved to the area, with William staying mostly in Burke County and his other potential brothers moving to Spartanburg County, but there is no proof for that proposition as of yet. I believe that he is related to Richard Barry (Berry) (signed of the Mecklenburg Declaration) and Andrew Barry (Berry), but have no proof save for these two and their brother William Barry (Berry) traveled from Cecil County, Maryland to North Carolina and then to Spartanburg, SC.  

1752 - Marriage to Elizabeth Montgomery in Maryland. I have no strict proof for this contention.  It has been on the Internet for at least 15 years, but I have yet to be able to track down the marriage certificate. Elizabeth Berry is one of William Berry’s Executors for his Estate (promissory note) dated 15 Mar 1781 and Michael Montgomery is listed on the document as well, leading one to believe that this is the case.  

1755 - Birth of son, Joseph Berry, born sometime prior to 1755 and who died after 13 Jan 1831.

1755 - Birth of son, William Berry, Jr., born sometime prior to 1755 and who died before Aug 1824.

1757 - Birth of daughter, Abigail Berry, who later married one David Hunter in 1775.  

1758 - Birth of daughter, Ann Berry that married James S. Young on 15 June 1775, with bondsmen William Brandon and John Cooper. Consent from William Berry, Sr., her father, for the marriage was obtained a few days earlier on 12 June 1775. See Brent H. Holcomb, Marriages of Rowan County, N.C. 1753-1868, p.203 (Genealogical Pub. Balt. MD 1981). Ann Berry Young appears to have been a daughter of William Berry, Sr. “an early settler of old Burke, and his wife, Elizabeth who was probably a Montgomery.” Nov. 22, 1994 Letter from Lawrence E. Wood to C.B. Berry, at 1.

1994 Letter Re Ann Berry

1760 - Birth of son, Ezekiel Berry, who was a chain carrier on his father’s property in 1778, and who may have died with his father at the Battle of King’s Mountain in 1780.  

1760 - 1765 - Birth of son, James Malcolm Berry, Sr. in MD between 1761 and 1765. From MD to Rowan Co., NC before 1770. 

11 Dec 1763 - Birth of son, Enoch Berry, who served in the Revolutionary War, fought and witnesses his father and brother Ezekiel die at the Battle of King’s Mountain in 1780. Enoch Berry received a pension from the Government for his service and died 3 Oct 1832 in Warren County, TN.

1761 – 1765 - Birth of son, Lott Berry, in Virginia, who died before 30 Mar 1831 in Burke County, NC.

1761 – 1770 - Birth of daughter, Lucy Berry, who died after 26 Apr 1831.

1767 - Based on a map in 1767, the name Barry, which was often confused with Berry in the records, is listed in the same location where Henderson Berry's farm (the Author's great grandfather) existed in the early 1900s.  A side by side map is listed, contrasting a map made in 2009 with the one from 1767.

1767 / 2009 Map Contrast

Another map, made a few years ago by another descendant of William Berry, Steve Church, shows his comparison of Henderson Berry's (1865-1935) farm (he was personally familiar with the land) to the land of William Berry, Sr. It is shown below:

Diagram of Steve Church - Re: Henderson Berry land

29 Nov 1768 - North Carolina Governor Tryon exempts William Berry from paying taxes.  

1770 - William Berry appears on the 1770 List of Taxables, entitled "List of Taxables on ye Upper parts of ye Catawba River". NC Archives, Box CRX244. Quaker Meadows. William Berry is living in that part of Rowan County that becomes part of Burke County, NC in 1777.

1772 - William Berry has a land survey conduct and dated December 1, 1772 (1778?) in Burke County on the Catawba River of 381 acres.  

Land Survey for William Berry, Sr. for 381 acres

1774 - Birth of son, John Berry, born prior to 1774 in North Carolina, and who died before July 1798. 

14 Jun 1775 – William Berry, Sr., gives his consent for daughter Abigail Berry to marry David Hunter in Rowan County, NC.

1775 Consent of William Berry, Sr. to her marriage to David Hunter

7 Feb 1777 - "Abraham Scott in room of William Berrey to Hunt'g Creek." Rowan County, NC Court Book 3, p 328.

2 Feb 1778 – 350 acres on the North Side of the Catawba River, beginning at Beaties, below the mouth of the Linville River at Beaties Corner, down the North side for complement. Burke County, NC Land Records, 1778, Vol. I, Abstracted, Compiled and Indexed by Edith Warren Huggins, c. 1977, Carolina Copy Center, page 9, # 96.

4 Feb 1778 - Andrew Blanchard receives a land grant for 320 acres on Pigeon River above where the road cross to the Cherokee Nation, "joining entry by William Berry."  

18 Feb 1778 – 300 acres on the Pigeon River, including the mouth of the creek called the lower meadow creek, the second creek below the long gap of Hominy Creek Mountain. Burke County, NC Land Records, 1778, Vol. I, Abstracted, Compiled and Indexed by Edith Warren Huggins, c. 1977, Carolina Copy Center, page 82, #244.

18 Feb 1778 - 400 acres on the West Fork of the Pigeon River, beginning at a white oak marked up river for complement. Burke County, NC Land Records, 1778, Vol. I, Abstracted, Compiled and Indexed by Edith Warren Huggins, c. 1977, Carolina Copy Center, page 82, # 245.

6 June 1778 - NC Land Grant #926, Burke Co., NC - 350 acres to William Berry at the location that he had settled on in 1770. (Found in NC Land Grant Office, book titled "Burke: The History of a North Carolina Country, 1777-1920" by Edward W. Phifer, Jr.). Grant 0084, Item # 431

1778 Land Grant

1 Sept 1778 - NC Land Grant #819 for 300 acres on the North Side of the Catawba River included the mouth of the Linville River going WIlliam Berry to Baty's Branch, transferred to Thomas Montgomery.

16 Oct 1778 - NC Land Grant # 533, Burke Co., NC - 640 acres to William Berry on both sides of Drowning Creek. The Chain bearers listed on the Plat that accompanies the Plat were John Ervin and Zekiel Berry (likely Ezekiel Berry, a son).

Survey of 640 Acres - 1780

16 Jan 1779 - Land grant officer Charles McDowell, in No. 926 required a survey of six hundred and forty acres lying on both sides of the Drownding (Drowning) Creek for William Berry, Sr.

1779 Land Survey Order

25 Feb 1780 - William Berry, Sr. is provided payment for corn provided for revolutionary efforts.  

Corn Payment Voucher

8 Oct 1780 - William Berry, Sr., died at the Battle of King's Mountain, fighting with the colonial forces against the British.  

Before 15 Mar 1781 - William Berry’s death. Appears to have been killed at the Battle of King's Mountain, SC in the Rev War on 7 Oct 1780. Rev War Pension record # 8128, Enoch Berry, dated 3 Oct 1832. "The declarant, his father, and brother were all engaged in the battle, his father was killed, and his brother wounded, who died of his wounds shortly after he returned home."DEATH: Before 15 Mar 1781. "Burke Co., NC, Miscellaneous Papers, Promissory Notes and Bills of Sale, 1780-1800." 

Charles O'Neill Affidavit of Service for Enoch Berry

Before 15 Mar 1781 - William Berry, Sr. was documented as having been killed by British troops during the Battle of King’s Mountain by Draper contained in the Wisconsin State Historical Society’s Calendar of the Tennessee and King’s Mountain Papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts. See Calendar of the Tennessee and King's Mountain Papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts", pp. 314-15 ---"Huckk's Defeat Celebration ... Toasts to the Memory of ... , William Berry."

15 Mar 1781 - Estate of William Berry: "Elizabeth Berry" is one of the "executors" [sic] of the Estate of William Berry, [promissory note] dated 15 Mar 1781. Promissory Note to Estate of William Berry In the NC Archives. Promissory note from David Vance to William Moore and Elizabeth Berry, executors of William Berry. Burke Co., NC, Miscellaneous Papers, Promissory Notes and Bills of Sale, 1780-1800.

As the note states:

We, or either of us, our Heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assigns do Hereby promise to pay or Cause to be paid to William Moore & Elizabeth Berry Executors of the Estate of William Berry, Deceased or their Certain Attorney, Heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assignees the just and full sum of two-thousand six hundred and sixty six pounds current and lawful money of the State of North Carolina, to be paid twelve months after the Date hereof for value received by them. Witness our hands & seals this 15th of March 1781. Signed John Montgomery and David Vance, attested to by Michael Montgomery.

1781 Promissory Note

9 Nov 1781 – A Revolutionary War Voucher for William Berry was issued: "This is to certify . . . William Moore, Executor of the Estate of William Berry, deceased, was allowed thirty-two pounds, thirteen shillings for sundry supplies furnished." Dated 9 Nov 1781.

1781 Revolutionary War Voucher

7 Aug 1787 - Land grant 1015, Adj Entry 1708, recorded 7 Aug 1787 and dated 13 Jan 1779 from Book 65, p389. This entry references two owners, Joseph Patton and Reuben Perkins (believed to be related to the Berry family, on Drowning Creek, both sides. The property is located next to Widow Richey, and witnessed by James Moore and George Houk. The grant references the property being adjacent to the Widow Berry on the South Line of the property.  This would have been Elizabeth Berry, the widow of William Berry, Sr. 

Apr 1788 - Land Entry record for a Washington McGomery (Montgomery) for 100 a acres on the North Bank of he Catawba River "William Berry's corner" to David Montgomery's line with his line to the mouth of the Linville River.

The line of descent of this writer goes from William Berry, Sr. to Lott Berry to John Berry to William Martin “Billy” Berry to Henderson Berry to Gilmer Connelly Berry to John W. Berry.