Evelyn Elizabeth Berry

Notes:

I am not absolutely certain that Evelyn belongs to our grandfather, John Holland Berry. However, I have placed her here, based on two factors: 1) John H. is living with Laura A. (identified as his wife) in the 1900 census, and 2) Providence birth records show the birth of Evelyn to John H. & Laura A. Berry in 1900. There could be another couple with the exact same names, but it is a reasonable assumption that Evelyn was born to our grandfather.

Notes:

John's birth record at Fall River identifies his parents as John H. and Eliza A.; father's occupation seaman; father's birthplace South Carolina; mother's birthplace Fall River. (Fall River Vol.123: Pg.108)

John's marriage record to Lillie E. Shippee names his parents as John Berry & Eliza A. Elsbree. (Attleborough Vol.352: Pg.83)

John was 52 when married in September of 1912, and 70 when he died. However, the marriage certificate gives his age as 59, and the gravestone appears to give his birth year as 1854. However, the official record for his second marriage in July 1884 gives his age as 24, more in agreement with the 1859 date as recorded at Fall River, MA.

In the 1870 Federal Census, census, he is age 10, and in 1875 he is 15. At the age of 15 he is listed as a jeweler on the census.

In 1880 he and Mabel are living in Providence; he is 20 and she is 16. John "works in jewelry.".

In 1900, John H. Berry and his third wife, Laura, are living at 222 Swan St. in Providence. With them is "Eliza Alison," John's widowed mother. John's occupation is given as "silversmith." According to census data, John & Laura have been married 3 years; and, at age 19, Laura has had three children, none of whom is still living.

In the 1910 Federal Census, John & Nellie are living at 10 Bowditch Place, Providence, with their two young daughters, Helen & Loretta. The census data states that they have been married four years, and that this is a second marriage for both. Grandma Allison, age 77, is in the home. John is a silversmith in a jewelry shop, and Nellie is a bench hand in a jewelry shop.

In actuality, they were officially married in 1912, and it was a fourth marriage for John, and a second marriage for Ellen. Apparently they had been together since 1906.

From my mom, Edna:
"Both my parents worked in making jewelry, and of course you know that until recently RI was the jewelry capital of the world. That bracelet I gave you once was made of yellow gold by my father as a gift for my mother. For graduation gifts for Helen and Loretta, he gave them watches with bands made by either himself or where he worked. He gave me a bracelet which I still have, though not for graduation, since he had died by then. He had made that also. Elsie had a pendant with a semi-precious stone."

At one time I thought maybe our grandparents had twins that died. John & Ellen Berry had boy/girl twins who were born 27 Oct 1923 in Providence. They both died two hours later. However, the death records for these infants show that the parents lived in Pawtucket and were born in Scotland. There is a another couple named John & Ellen Berry in the 1930 census, living childless in Pawtucket; according to the census data they were married c 1924.

John married Laura A. Blanchard 13 Oct 1897, Providence, RI. Laura was born Jul 1880, Coventry, Kent Co., RI; died 14 May 1918, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She is probably the Laura A. Berry who married Charles J. Nelson on 14 Sep 1909 at Providence. In the 1910 census she appears to be the wife of Charles J. Nelson, and living in Ward 6, Providence. This is a second marriage for both. They have twin daughters, 2 months old, Dorothy A. & Doris M. There is a death record at Providence for Laura A. Nelson, 37 yrs of age, on 14 May 1918. I am making an assumption that this is the same Laura that married John H. Berry.

Notes:

In Sarah's birth record at New Bedford, MA, John's birthplace is given as North Carolina.

However, Eliza Virginia's birth record says he was born in Horntown, VA.

In the 1855 MA State Census, John H. Berry 27 VA seaman and Eliza Berry 22 MA are living in New Bedford.

In the Federal Census of 1860, John H. Berry is 29, his wife Eliza is 25, daughter Sarah M. M. is 2, and son John is 6 months. John H. Berry is a seaman, and his birthplace is given as South Carolina. The family is living in Ward 6, Fall River, Bristol Co., MA.

In 1863, John H. Berry 40 VA mariner is on a Civil War Draft Registration List from Fall River. I think it's he, but the age should be closer to 30, not 40.

In the 1865 RI State Census, the family is in Ward 5, District 73, Providence: John H. Berry 33 SC mariner, Eliza A. 30 MA, Sarah M. 8 MA, John H. Jr 5 MA, and Eliza V. 3 mos.

In the Federal Census on 5 Apr or Aug 1870, John H. Berry 38 and Eliza A. Berry 33 are living in Ward 5, Providence with their children Sarah 13, John H. 10, and Eliza V. 5. A young man, Charles Iakeray (?), is boarding with them. John's occupation is given as "whaler." Again, his birthplace is given as South Carolina, but his marriage certificate and ship's crew list both say he was born in Sandy Hill, MD. Perhaps his parents lived in both places at various times. The family is living near John W. & Mehitable Butts, ages 64 & 60. Could they be related to Eliza? (According to a genealogy at Rootsweb, this is John Wood Butts & Mehitable Wentworth.)

At one time, Providence was a port for 9 whaling ships (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/55152/55152-h/55152-h.htm).

My mom, Edna, at one time thought her grandfather John was born in North Carolina. I haven't been able to positively determine where he was born. However, the birth record of my grandfather, John Holland Berry, says that his father John H. Berry was a seaman, born in South Carolina. This agrees with the census information.

Notice in Fall River Daily News 29 July 1871 shows that John died before daughter Jennie died: "In Providence, 28th, Jennie, daughter of Eliza A. and the late John H. Berry, aged 6 years, 4 months and 20 days"

John probably died at sea. This needs more research to confirm. It is clear that he died sometime between the 1870 Federal Census and the time of his daughter's death as reported on 29 July 1871, noted above.

By 1875 Eliza Berry is a widow, still living in Providence, along with daughter Sarah 18, son John H. 15 (a jeweler), and granddaughter Ada (illegitimate). Eliza later remarries, to Leon Allison.

"I found a reference in an old book called 'Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,' by Torrence, which said Sandy Hill was 10 miles south of Snow Hill, MD . . . Snow Hill is at the head of navigation on the Pocomoke River, so a few hundred years ago when ship travel was the norm, folks could get from the Virginia Counties on the Eastern Shore up to Snow Hill fairly easy." (from M. K. Miles, compiler of Miles Files Version 7 on the Eastern Shore Public Library Web Site)

"Abstract of Protections granted to American Seamen at the Port of New York, during the 1st Qtr of 1844: 25 Jan 1844, John Berry age 16, height 5'5", light complexion, nativity: Chincoteague Virginia

Horntown, VA, is on the VA Eastern Shore near Chincoteague Bay. Horntown Road leads there from Rt. 13.

Sandy Hill, MD, being about 10 miles south of Snow Hill, must be over the border from Horntown into MD, about adjacent to Purnell Bay or Parker Bay.

Sandy Hill is now known as Girdletree, according to some records. Girdletree is on Rt. 12 in MD, just north of Horntown, VA.

The property owned by John's grandfather James Berry was in Accomack County, VA, east of US Rt. 13 between Mappsville and Temperanceville.

John H. Berry is on numerous whaling crew lists for New Bedford; at least two of these give his residence/birthplace as Sandy Hill, MD. He was 5'7" tall with brown hair and florid (reddish or flushed) complexion.

John married Eliza Ann ELSBREE 19 Sep 1853, New Bedford, Bristol Co., MA. Eliza (daughter of Benjamin ELSBREE and Hannah BUTTS) was born 5 Nov 1832, Fall River, Bristol Co., MA; died 4 Jan 1913, Providence, RI; was buried , Oakland Cemetery, Cranston, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1875 RI Census, Eliza A. Berry is a widow aged 43, still living in Providence, along with daughter Sarah 18, son John H. 15 (a jeweler), and granddaughter Ada (illegitimate). They are living on Colwell St., near Plane.

In 1880, Leon & Eliza Allison are living in District 48 in Providence. Clara Allison, age 32, is in the household. Probably she is Leon's daughter from his previous marriage.

In 1900, Eliza Alison is widowed and living on Swan St. in Providence with her son John H. Berry and his third wife, Laura.

In the 1910 Federal Census, Eliza A. Allison is age 77, living at 10 Bowditch Place, Providence, RI, with her son John, his wife Nellie, and their two young daughters, Helen & Loretta.

According to the death record, Eliza Allison died at age 81 (OS Page 24:225).

See notes for Ephraim Elsbree, Sr., for alternate spellings of the surname.

Notes:

In their marriage record of 1853, both John & Eliza were identified as residents of New Bedford. It was a first marriage for both. John's birthplace is given as Sandy Hill, MD; his occupation is given as mariner. John's parents are named as John and Maria; Eliza's father is named as Benjamin Elsbree (no mother named). (New Bedford Vol.69: Pg.129)

Notes:

As indicated on this family tree, our ancestor John Berry was most likely a son of John Berry Hickman, a Revolution War pensioner, c1763 - 25 June 1843. In his will of 1843, three children of his son John Berry are mentioned (see notes below). According to his pension file, John Berry Hickman (alias John Berry Sr.) resided in Accomack Co., VA.

See notes for John Hickman Berry, father of John Berry, Jr. This family needs further research.

The following notes are from the Miles Files: "John was born circa 1790 at Accomack Co, VA. He was the son of John Berry (Hickman). John died before 14 June 1843. John was named in his father's will on 14 June 1843 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that the will of John Berry Sr. called for the the 3 children of my son John Berry to have $100 each. (NOTE: This probably indicates that his son John was deceased). Source citation: [S688] III Barry W. Miles & Moody K. Miles, Wills and Administrations of Accomack County, Virginia, 1800-1860, p. 60 (will of John Berry Sr.)."

Website:
http://www.espl.org/research.htm
http://espl-genealogy.org/Miles7/p1189.htm#i49249

John & Maria had three children who presumably were still living as of June 1843, according to the will of John's father. (source: M.K. & Barry Miles in Miles Files Version 7, Eastern Shore Public Library website)

John married Maria HOLLAND 9 Oct 1822, Worchester County, MD. Maria was born Abt 1800, VA or MD. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I found this record at Virginia Marriages to 1800, Ancestry.com:
Holland, Thomas & Selby, Elizabeth, 12 Jan 1799 Virginia Accomack County

Could this couple be the parents of Maria?

A Maria Frances Holland was born/christened in Baltimore, MD, in 1797, d/o John Holland and Charity Barney (ancestry.com). However, a Barney genealogy says this couple were John Holland Barney and his wife Charity Barney (maiden name Stiles). It appears to be well documented.

Also, in the 1820 Federal Census, there are two Holland families in Accomack County, VA:

John W. Holland: free white males 1<10, 1 16<26; free white females 1 10<16, 1 16<26, 1 45+; 2 male slaves & 1 female slave; 2 persons involved in agriculture

William Holland: free white males 1<10, 1 10>16, 1 45+; free white females 2<10, 1 10<16, 1 45+; 7 males slaves & 1 female slave; 8 persons involved in agriculture

Either of these two households could include our ancestor Maria Holland.

From Miles Files:

Maria Holland
F, b. circa 1800
Maria was born circa 1800 at Accomack Co, VA. She married John Berry, son of John Berry (Hickman) and Mary Pettitt, on 9 October 1822 at Worcester Co, MD. They were shown only as John Berry and Maria Holland. No other information was given..1
Family John Berry b. c 1790, d. b 14 Jun 1843
Child ?John H. Berry+ b. 1827

Citations
1.[S594] Jody Powell, Worcester Co, MD, Marriage Records, 1795-1865.

Notes:

I have a photocopy of the original marriage register, obtained from the Maryland Archives.

Notes:

"Benjamin Elsbree, stonecutter, house New Boston" is listed in the Fall River City Directory of 1853.

In the 1840 census, there are five Elsbra (Elsbree) family heads listed in Fall River: Hannah (female age 30-40 with two young females and a young male), Henry, Aaron, Benjamin, and Joseph.

Benjamin's household is as follows: 1 FWM<5, 1 FWM 30-39, 2 FWF 5-9, 1 FWF 20-29.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Benjamin Ellsbree is age 36 MA and his wife Ruth is age 32 MA. Their ages do not agree with their marriage record, as he was 40 and she was 35 when they married in 1848. In the household with them are the following: Emery Read 15 MA, Abel Read 15 MA, & Joshua Ellsbree 10 MA. Benjamin is a stone cutter. (In 1860 Ruth is age 44, a widow, and living with Abel Davis and family, next to Emory Davis and family, at Fall River.)

In the 1855 Massachusetts State Census, Benjamin Elsbree is age 48 and wife Ruth is 42. With them are Emery and Abel Davis, both 19, and Sarah Elsbree, 21. Benjamin is a fisherman.

Benjamin Elsbree died at age 48 y 7 m, of typhoid fever. The death record identifies his birthplace as Fall River, and his parents as Joshua & Rhoda Elsbree (Fall River Vol.102: Pg.69), as does the record of his second marriage (to Ruth [Read] Davis) in 1848. (Fall River Vol.37: Pg.78)

Benjamin married Hannah BUTTS 13 May 1832, Troy, Fall River, Bristol Co., MA. Hannah was born Abt 1810, Fall River, Bristol Co., MA; died 14 Sep 1845, Fall River, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Hannah Elsbree, wife of Benjamin, died at Fall River at age 35, cause of death -- consumption (Fall River vital records, vol. 20 p. 50).

She may be a descendant of Thomas Butts & Elizabeth Lake, the first Butts family in southeastern MA and RI.

As yet I have been unable to determine Hannah's parentage. Her death record says she was born at Fall River.

The 1810 census shows a "David Butt" at Troy, Bristol Co., MA; he could be Hannah's father. According to an online tree, this couple was David Butts and Rebecca Crapo (dtr of Francis Crapo and Margaret Beale). The census data shows the household consisted of 3 males under 10, one male 10-15, and one male 45+; 2 females under 10, one female 10-15, and one female 26-44.

It is known that this couple had a daughter Margaret born 1805 in Fall River; she married Philip Cowan in 1823 and died in 1883 at age 77 y 9 m.

A David Butts of Freetown married Content Cleveland in 1790.

In 1820 there's also a Benjamin Butt in Freetown who has 2 females under 10.