Generation 3 Elizabeth Berry

Book Chapter: Read the full story in Chapter 8: Elizabeth Berry from Our Berrys in Frontier America

What Is Known About Elizabeth Berry#

Elizabeth Berry was born about 1768 in Orange County, North Carolina, the sixth child and only other daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Cate Berry. She never married.

On August 20, 1791, Elizabeth filed a bastardy bond against William Riley. Her daughter, Mary Berry, was born later that year or early in 1792. (Note: This is the same William Riley who fathered Elizabeth Leathers Berry, daughter of Mary Blalock, who was later adopted by David J. Berry Sr. Both events occurred in Orange County around the same period.) Elizabeth and Mary lived with Elizabeth’s parents, Robert and Elizabeth Cate Berry, at the family plantation.

Mary Berry was the only grandchild named in Robert Berry’s 1812 will. On March 7, 1809, Mary married Thomas Berry, and the couple moved to Person County, North Carolina. Elizabeth moved from her parents’ home to live with her daughter and son-in-law in Person County around 1810.

Elizabeth Berry’s will was probated on May 6, 1815, in Person County, North Carolina. She would have been about 47 years old.

Children of Elizabeth Berry

Only one child is known.

1. 1. Mary Berry
   Born late 1791 or early 1792, Orange County, NC
   Daughter of Elizabeth Berry and William Riley. Mary was the only grandchild named in Robert Berry's 1812 will. She married Thomas Berry on March 7, 1809, and they moved to Person County, NC. Mary and Thomas had a son, Josiah Berry, who later moved to Alabama. Mary's grandson, Preston Berry, was orphaned and became the subject of correspondence from Obadiah Echols in Auburn, Alabama, back to Orange County seeking a copy of Elizabeth Berry's will.

Key Documents

• Bastardy bond against William Riley — Filed August 20, 1791, in Orange County, North Carolina
• Robert Berry’s will (1812) — Elizabeth was listed; her daughter Mary was the only grandchild named
• Elizabeth Berry’s will — Probated May 6, 1815, in Person County, North Carolina
• Inventory sale notice (1816) — Elizabeth Berry’s estate inventory was published after her death

Census Records

No census records have been located for Elizabeth Berry individually. She likely appeared as part of her parents’ household before 1810 and in her daughter’s household in Person County after 1810.

Notable Descendants

• Mary Berry — Elizabeth’s only known child. Married Thomas Berry, moved to Person County, NC.
• Josiah Berry — Mary’s son, who moved to Alabama.
• Preston Berry — Mary’s grandson, orphaned. Subject of letters from Obadiah Echols in Auburn, Alabama.