Generation 1 Robert Berry (PAC)

The Story of Robert Berry (PAC)#

Robert Berry (PAC) of South Norfolk County, Virginia, married Mary Williamson and established a home in Princess Anne County, Virginia, which is now known as Virginia Beach, Virginia. Robert and Mary had two sons. The oldest was Richard Berry and the baby was Robert Berry “Orange County, NC” (OC) who was born about 1729. Robert Berry (PAC) wrote his will in 1730 and died shortly after Robert Berry (Orange County, NC) was born.

At this time it is uncertain who Robert Berry’s (PAC) parents were, but most likely Robert (PAC) was born in England. This is supported by the fact that most of the early settlers in and around Jamestown, Virginia, came from England. Most of the Scotch-Irish came into Maryland and into central North Carolina through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Mary Williamson’s Ancestors#

Robert Berry’s wife Mary Williamson came from a well-documented family in Princess Anne County.

Ann Foster was born in England in 1620 and died in Princess Anne County, Virginia, in 1692.

Roger Williamson married Ann Foster. Their children:

1. Bartholomew Williamson
2. Sarah Williamson
3. Richard Williamson

Richard Williamson married Mary Kempe — Mary’s parents were George and Ann Kempe. Their children:

1. Bartholomew Williamson
2. Mary Williamson — married Robert Berry (PAC)
3. Sarah Williamson — married Matthew Mathias

After Ann Foster’s husband Roger Williamson died, she married John Caraway. John and Ann Foster Williamson Caraway’s children:

1. Mary Caraway — married Lancaster Lovett
2. Elizabeth Caraway — married a Nichols
3. John Caraway Jr. — married Ann Kemp, Mary Kempe Williamson’s sister

Robert Berry’s (OC) paternal grandmother, Ann Foster, was born in England in 1620 and died in Princess Anne County, Virginia, in 1692. His maternal grandfather Roger Williamson also came from England.

Robert Berry’s Will — 1730#

The two witnesses to this will were Bartho (Bartholomew) Williamson and Sarah S. Mathias. Bartho was Mary Williamson’s brother and Sarah S. Mathias was her sister. Robert Berry (PAC) named his wife Mary, his two sons Richard Berry and Robert Berry (OC), and in the 12th line he states “all my children in the estate.”

Richard Williamson’s Will#

For proof of the relationship of Mary Williamson Berry’s family, view the will of her father Richard Williamson.

After Robert Berry’s Death#

After Robert Berry (PAC) died, his wife apparently lived until 1746, because that is when Robert Berry (OC) indentured himself to Samuel Hollowell. Robert Berry (OC) appeared in the court of Princess Anne County, Virginia, on the 19th day of August 1746 to ask the court to indenture him to Samuel Hollowell to learn the carpenter trade. I think Robert had to be at least 17 years old in order to do that. Samuel Hollowell is believed to have been married into the Berry family and was most likely Robert Berry’s (OC) brother-in-law.

Robert Berry (OC)’s Journey to North Carolina#

Robert Berry (OC) traveled from Princess Anne County, Virginia, up the James River and to Petersburg, Virginia. This is where he followed the old Indian trail that ran from Virginia into Georgia. When Robert Berry (OC) crossed the Flatt River he headed north until he reached the west branch which traversed into the area that is now in Person County near the Orange County line. Robert Berry’s Granville Land Grant is about a mile south of this boundary line.

After Robert Berry (OC) was granted his Granville Land Grant, he named his new plantation “Fiddleton.” There is a Fittleton in Wiltshire County, England.

Children of Robert and Mary Williamson Berry (PAC)#

1. 1. Richard Berry
   Born Princess Anne County, Virginia
   We think he remained in Virginia. Richard Berry married Catherine. Deed records confirm he was still in Princess Anne County as late as January 10, 1787. For more detail, see the Richard Berry section on the Robert Berry (OC) page.
2. 2. Robert Berry (OC)
   Born c. 1729, Princess Anne County, Virginia — Died 1814, Orange County, North Carolina
   Married Elizabeth Cate c. 1759 in Orange County, North Carolina. Robert left Virginia in 1751 and established Fiddleton Plantation in what became Orange County, NC. He and Elizabeth had ten children, all born in Orange County. Robert served as a Private in the North Carolina Continental Line during the Revolutionary War.
3. 3. Daughters (names unknown)
   The will references "all my children in the estate," indicating there were likely additional children beyond the two named sons. None of the daughters' names are known at this time.

Sources and Research#

• Robert Berry Source List — Compiled sources for the Robert Berry (PAC) line
• Robert Berry Resource List — Additional research resources
• Roger Williamson and the Williamson Family — Mary Williamson’s family line

Continue to Robert Berry (OC) Robert and Mary’s son who settled Orange County, North Carolina, in 1751