Adelaide Speagle Berry (1833 - 1904)

By John Berry

Adelaide Speagle Berry was born in 1833 and passed away in 1904.  She was married to William Martin “Billy” Berry (1825-1911).  The married in 1855. This photo was likely taken in the last 1870s. She had a number of children (9) and lived in Burke County, North Carolina. This would be my great, great, grandmother.  Adelaide's parents were Martin Speagle (1799-1864) and Elizabeth Hudson (1801-1850). 

Adelaide Speagle Berry

Adelaide Berry's children were Ruffin Berry, Martin Bascomb Berry, Martha Ann Berry, Jane Lucinda Berry, Isobella Berry, William Pinkney Berry, Henderson David Berry (my great great grandfather), Stanley Berry and Ezekiel Berry.  

Henderson David Berry (1866-1935)

By John Berry

Henderson David Berry was born on February 11, 1866 and died on February 3, 1935. He lived in Burke County, North Carolina. He was the son of William Martin "Billy" Berry (1825-1924) and Adelaide Speagle (1833-1904). Henderson Berry's farm lies on the same land that William Berry, Sr. (1738-1780) did.

Diagram of Henderson Berry's land in Burke County

He resided on Drowning Creek on a farm and is buried at Mt. Harmony Methodist Church.

Grave Marker of Henderson and Ella Berry

Lou Ella Williams Berry 1910s

Henderson Berry appears in this 1901 Berry Reunion photo, but I have had a
hard time placing him. The following photo contains the 
list of attendees. If anyone can identify Henderson, please let me know.

The list of attendees for the 1901 Berry Reunion, above, is shown below:

1901 Berry Reunion Attendance List

On November 14, 1889, Henderson Berry married Lou Ella Williams and had two sons and two daughters: Gilmer Connelly Berry (1890-1964), Maude E. Berry (1892-1972), Jonsie E. Berry (1895-1989) and Ivey Jones Berry (1901-1961).

In 1906, Henderson Berry engaged in lumber and work associated with the repair of roads and bridges.  In 1910, Henderson Berry was appointed a Democratic election judge in Icard, NC by the County Board of Elections. In 1918, he was named by Burke County as an Agricultural Advisor. In 1919, Henderson Berry was a speaker at a Burke County event on the topic of Growing Wheat.
In January of 1920, Henderson Berry was appointed to a committee for World Prohibition of alcohol in Burke County. In 1922, Henderson Berry was nominated as the Democratic candidate for County Commissioner by the Burke County Democratic Party.

Henderson Berry was into local politics and became part of the Democratic party in Burke County at the time, holding some offices and was known by Senator Sam Ervin.

     

William Martin "Billy" Berry (1824-1911)

By John Berry

William Martin "Billy" Berry

William Martin "Billy" Berry (July 5, 1824 - Nov. 6, 1911) (my great, great grandfather) lived in Burke County, North Carolina and was buried at Warlick's Baptist Church in Icard, NC, a church near (and overlooking) Drowning Creek. Billy Berry was a stage driver, with Philip Warlick and operated a coach line between Salisbury and the Old Fort area. He also hauled provisions during the Civil War for the Confederacy.  

On August 29, 1833, Billy Berry married Adelaide Speagle (Aug. 29, 1833 - Mar. 9, 1904), the daughter of Martin Speagle and his wife Elizabeth Hudson.  They were the parents of 9 children: Ruffin Berry, Martin Berry, William Pinkney Berry, Henderson Berry (my line), Stanley Berry, Audrey Berry (Cook), Ezekiel Berry, Jane Lucinda Berry, Martha Ann Berry and Isabel Berry.

Adelaide Speagle Berry (1833-1904)

A photograph of the Berry reunion, with Billy Berry and Adelaide Berry was taken in about 1901.  The photo is not great, but I hope to someday get a better copy of it. The picture is below:

1901 Berry Reunion - Billy and Adelaide in center

William Martin "Billy" Berry passed on November 6, 1911 and was buried at Warlick's Baptist Church.  His gravestone is shown below:

Any additional information on this ancestor is greatly appreciated.