John Berry

John married Jane Unknown Abt 1858. Jane was born Abt 1830, VA; died Aft 1 Jun 1860. [Group Sheet]

1. William O. Berry was born Abt Oct 1859, VA.
2. Mary C. Berry was born Abt 1865, Accomack Co., VA.
3. Martha Berry was born Abt 1866, Accomack Co., VA.

James married Catherine Rew 18 Jan 1818, Accomack Co., VA. Catherine was born Abt 1798; died Aft 1 Jun 1860. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Catherine was a daughter of Woney Rew. (source: M.K. & Barry Miles in Miles Files Version 7, Eastern Shore Public Library website)

In the 1850 Federal Census, Catharine Rew is age 52 VA, living at Accomack, Accomack Co., VA. With her are children Oliver 14 and Woney 11. Woney is named after Catherine's father, Woney Rew.

In the 1860 Federal Census, Catherine Berry is age 60, still living at Accomack. Her son Oliver, 23, is with her. They are in the household of John & Jane Berry, ages 41 & 30, and their infant son William O., 8 months. John is also Catherine's son.

Notes:

Much of my information on John Berry Hickman (here identified as John Hickman Berry) has come from Miles Files Version 7, compiled by Moody K. & Barry Miles and posted online at the website of Eastern Shore Public Library [http://www.espl.org/research.htm]. The family data there, added to what I already had researched, solved some mysteries in our Berry ancestral line.

"On 30 Sep 1850 in Accomack Co., VA, it was recorded that John Berry Hickman, who made a declaration before his Court on 28 Aug 1832, and John Berry Sr., whose will was admitted to probate on 31 Jul 1843, were one and the same person, and he was in the habit of indiscriminately signing his name as John Berry Hickman or John Berry Sr. It is certified that the following children of John Berry Hickman or John Berry Sr. are now living: Tinney Mears (formerly Tinney Berry), William P. Berry, Samuel Berry, Charles Berry, and Ann Lewis (formerly Ann Berry)."

"John was named as an heir on 11 Mar 1782 in Accomack Co., VA . . . he was [identified] as John Berry, alias Hickman, son of Sarah Hickman, and given 4 acres in the will of James Berry. At probate it was noted that there was no heir at law within the United States." (i.e. - he was the natural son of James Berry, but not a lawful son)

"John's will, dated 14 June 1843, bequeathed the following: $100 each to the 3 children of my son John Berry; my place where I now live to be divided into 5 lots or shares and distributed, one to my daughter Tinney Mears during her life and at her death to my other living children; one to son William Berry during his life . . . one to my daughter Ann Lewis during her life . . . one to the children of my son James Berry to be applied to their special use by their uncles William & Samuel Berry . . . one to the children of my son Charles Berry to be applied to their special use by their uncles William & Samuel Berry. Executors: sons William P. & Samuel Berry. Witnesses: William S. Hope, John H. Custis, Molly Lewis."

My research:

John Berry Hickman, VA Line, applied for a war pension in 1832 at Accomack Co., VA.

John B. Hickman, alias John Berry or John Berry Sr., was born c1763, according to statements made in his Revolutionary War Pension File (#18445). According to the file, John died on or about 25 June 1843.

In the Federal Census of 1810, "John Hickman of B" is listed in Accomack Co., VA. Next to him is Esther Holland; nearby are listed Ann Holland and Isaac Holland. It is possible that these individuals are related to Maria Holland, our ancestor who married John Berry Jr.

The Federal Census of 1820, "John B. Hickman" is listed at Accomack Co., VA. Robert Hickman is listed on the same page. John's household consists of 2 free white males 10<16, 1 free white male 16<26, 1 free white male 26<45, 1 free white male >45 (probably John himself), 1 free white female >45 (possibly John's wife), no slaves; 2 persons in the household were engaged in agriculture.

The Federal Census of 1830 shows his household as follows: 2 free white males 20<30, 1 free white male 70<80 (probably John himself), 1 free white female 15<20, and 1 free white female 20<30. From this data it would appear that his wife has died. Possibly the young woman is a daughter-in-law. They are listed next to a Stephen Hickman (no household data).

In 1840 "John B. Hickman" is still in Accomack Co; he is listed as a free white male 60-70; also in the household is a free white female 40-50. Other Hickmans listed in the county are Margaret, Henry, Samuel, Richard, William K., Edward, John, & Elizabeth.

JOHN B. HICKMAN, ACCOMACK COUNTY, PRIVATE VIRGINIA MILITIA
$80.00 ANNUAL ALLOWANCE
$240.00 AMOUNT RECEIVED
OCTOBER 10, 1833 PENSION STARTED
AGE 71
Virginia Pension Roll of 1835
Report from the Secretary of War
In relation to the Pension Establishment Of the United States 1835
Copied and indexed by
William R. Navey, P. O. Box 251, Hollyridge, NC 28445-0251
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/pensions/vapen_h.txt

From Miles Files:

John was born in 1763 at Accomack Co, VA. His military pension file shows that he was age 16 in 1779, which puts his birth at 1763..2 John served in the Revolutionary War in in 1775 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as John Berry (Hickman), a soldier in the Army. On 30 Sep 1850 in Acc Co, VA, it was recorded that John Berry Hickman, who made a declaration before his Court on 28 Aug 1832, and John Berry Sr., whose will was admitted to probate on 31 Jul 1843, were one and the same person, and he was in the habit of indiscriminately signing his name as John Berry Hickman or John Berry Sr. It is certified that the following children of John Berry Hickman or John Berry Sr. are now living: Tinney Mears (formerly Tinney Berry), William P. Berry, Samuel Berry, Charles Berry and Ann Lewis (formerly Ann Berry)..3,4 John was named as an heir on 11 March 1782 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that he was shown as John Berry, alias Hickman, son of Sarah Hickman, and give 4 acres in the will of James Berry. At probate it was noted that there was no heir at law within the United States. (NOTE: It is assumed that he was the natural son of James Berry, but not a lawful son.).1 He married Mary Pettitt on 13 February 1787 at Accomack Co, VA. Thomas Hickman was the security on the M.L.B. of John Berry Hickman and Mary Pettitt..5 He made a will on 14 June 1843 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as John Berry Sr. To son Samuel Berry my lot near Newtown. To the 3 children of my son John Berry $100 each. My place where I now live to be divided into 5 lots or shares & one to my daughter Tinny Mears during her life & at her death to my other living children. One to son William Berry during his life ... One to my daughter Ann Lewis during her life ... One to the children of my son James Berry to be applied to their special use by their uncles William & Samuel Berry. One to the children of my son Charles Berry to be applied to their special use by their uncles William & Samuel Berry. Sons William P. & Samuel Berry Extrs. Witt: William S. Hope, John H. Custis & Molly Lewis..6 John died before 31 July 1843 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that his will was probated..6
(sopurce: http://espl-genealogy.org/MilesFiles/p493.htm#i49249)

John married Mary PETTIT 13 Feb 1787, Accomack Co., VA. Mary was born Abt 1765; died Bef Jun 1843, Accomack Co., VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Her father may have been William Pettitt.

Notes:

John Berry Hickman m Mary Pettitt 13 Feb 1787, Thomas Hickman sur.

Notes:

The surname is sometimes spelled Barry in court records.

The following information is adapted and/or quoted from Miles Files Version 7, compiled by Moody K. & Barry Miles and posted online at the website of Eastern Shore Public Library [http://www.espl.org/research.htm]:

James Berry bought land in 1770 in Accomack Co., VA. He bought a portion of Whitelaw's tract A140, which is north of Mappsville and east of present US Route 13 up to Temperanceville. In 1782 James Berry left 4 acres to John Berry, alias Hickman, and directed that the balance be sold, which was done the next year, to Thomas and Robinson Custis.

James Berry's will, dated 11 Mar 1782 at Accomack Co., VA, mentions no heir at law within the United States. It does mention John Berry, alias Hickman, son of Sarah Hickman; John is to receive 4 acres of James's land. It also mentions a friend Levin Joynes; estate is to be sold and proceeds divided between Rebeckah and Allah, sisters who are daughters of William Berry of the Parish of Burt, County of Donnegal in Ireland, and eldest son of uncle Thomas Berry. James's clothing is to be divided between John Berry, alias Hickman, and Nathaniel Polk. Executors: friend Levin Joynes, David Bowman, and Alexander Stockly. Witnesses: Joseph Matthews and Henry White.

On 14 Oct 1767 at Accomack Co., VA, James Berry witnessed the will of Edmund Allen.

On 25 Sep 1771 at Accomack Co., VA, James Berry was named administrator of the estate of Robert Walker. On the same date he was named as security on the administration of the estate of Thomas Justice.

On 27 Apr 1774 at Accomack Co., VA, James Berry was granted administration of the estate of William Rowley.

My notes:
By the wording of James's will, it can be assumed that John Berry, alias Hickman, is his biological son and heir, although not born within marriage. Another possibility is that James could have been John's guardian or caretaker and that their relationship was neither biological nor legally binding. However, the wording of the will, naming John and his mother, implies that James is the father.

James's friend Levin Joynes may have been a son of William & Margaret Joynes. They had a son named Levin; William Joynes died in 1775. (source: The Joynes Family of Accomack and Northampton Counties, Virginia, compiled from court records by Susie Warren Johnson)

James — Sarah HICKMAN. Sarah was born Abt 1743. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Sarah's ancestry has not yet been determined.