Lewis J. Berry

b. circa 1818, d. 13 July 1862
FatherJames R. Berry1 b. abt 1800, d. 14 Mar 1866
MotherElizabeth Faires1 b. abt 1798, d. bef 3 Feb 1874
Birthcirca 1818 Lewis J. Berry was born circa 1818 in Virginia.2,3 
Migration  Lewis and his brother John H. Berry migrated south to Hawkins County, Tennessee as young men. Lewis purchased 100 acres in Hawkins Co. on Sept. 7th, 1840 and expanded his holdings when he purchased an additional 50 acres on Dec. 3rd. The land was located on the south side of the Clinch River.4  
Marriage22 Aug 1841 He married Hannah (?) on 22 Aug 1841.5 
Cens-18502 Feb 1850  Nine years later Lewis and Hannah were recorded living adjacent to Lewis' brother John H. Berry in Hancock Co., Tennessee. Three children were enumerated with Lewis and Hannah: William (8), Sarah (5) and David (3).2 
  The family was probably living on the land Lewis purchased in 1840 which at that time was part of Hawkins County. However when Hancock County was formed from parts of Hawkins and Claiborne County in 1844, Lewis' land fell in the new county. 
  However a few years later, in Aug. 1854, Lewis and Hannah sold part, if not all of their land in Tennessee. A short time later they purchased land back across the state line in Lee County, Virginia, on the south side of the Powell River.6 
Cens-18607 Aug 1860  It appears the family lived at times on either side of the state line as the 1860 census again enumerated them back in Hancock Co., Tennessee. The post office was noted as Alanthus Hill. This area is also near the Powell River after it flows into Tennessee.3 
  Like many of his neighbors in eastern Tennessee, Lewis supported the Union cause during the Civil War. Tragically, it cost him his life.7 
Death13 Jul 1862 He died on 13 Jul 1862 at Powell Mountain in Lee County, Tennessee.8 
  The events surrounding Lewis' death are best described in words written at the time by a physician from Lee County a few months after his death:


Rowen Rogues, that infested Lee County last July took John D. Sage from his home to Jonesville in company of several others. Some of whom had no money, they were set free. At the jail in Jonesville were James Smith, Jack Myers and Lewis Berry. The next day they were taken to David McKinney's in Scott County. On the 11th they were marched back to Stickleyville and started back to McKinney's the same evening under guard, and to the top of Powells Mountain was taken about 150 yards to Allens Gap and there John D. Sage and Jack Myers was hung up to a hickory tree. On Sunday evening I was on my way to see some patients in Scott County and had crossed the mountain through the woods and the first house I got to I was told of the murders. But was not certain till Monday at 12 o'clock and in the evening I went to help bury them. We covered them up where they lay till Saturday. I had them taken up and buried at the graveyard at old James Duff's in a decent coffin.

I am sad to state that on the north of the mountain we found Lewis Berry's body with the head off, run down below the road in the head of a deep hollow. On all fours, we attempted to cover him up, but did so in so slight a manner the dog took him up and ate his carcass. So in a month his bones could not be found.

They killed others whose forms we found, but they were unknown. All had been robbed of their money and personal belongings.

I will close for want of room.

Yours,

James W. Sage.9

 

Family

Hannah (?) b. 1 Aug 1825, d. abt 1877
Children
  • William J. Berry3 (circa 1842 - 11 Apr 1863)
  • Sarah Berry1,3 (circa 1845 - )
  • David D. Berry1,3 (circa 1847 - )
  • Elizabeth Berry1,3 (circa 1850 - )
  • George Berry1,3 (circa 1854 - )
  • Joseph Berry3 (3 May 1856 - )
  • Isaac Berry3 (1860 - )
  • Mary Berry10 (circa 1862 - )
Last Edited18 Jul 2013

Citations

  1. [S2638] Robert Berry research, (e-mail address), provided by Berry to D. Powell April 2011. Mr. Berry provided this author with his transcription of Washington Co., VA Chancery Case 1875-56 (Elizabeth Berry vs Hannah Berry & others) which he viewed at Washington Co. courthouse (Abingdon) as film roll 44. The case provided various items of interest including the date of death of James Berry, the names of his children with Elizabeth, the names of the daughter's spouses, and the names of the children of James and Elizabeth's deceased offspring.
  2. [S2741] Lewis Berry household, 1850 U.S. cens, Hancock Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Subdivision 32, p. after p. 14 stamped, dwelling 193, family 193, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2011. Enumeration includes: Lewis Berry, 31, farmer, b. VA, owns land worth $800; Hannah, 25, b. TN; William, 8; Sarah, 5; David, 3; all b. TN.
  3. [S2742] Lewis Berry household, 1860 U.S. cens, Hancock Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Four Mile District, p. after page 487 stamped, dwelling 1122, family 1060, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2011. Enumeration includes: Lewis Berry, 42, farming, owns land worth $3,500 and personal property of $1,000, b. VA; Hannah, 33, b. TN; William, 18; Sary, 15, insane by h__ on head; David, 12; Elizabeth, 10; George, 6; Joseph, 4; Isaac, 3/12; all b. TN.
  4. [S2638] Robert Berry research, (e-mail address), provided by Berry to D. Powell Sept. 2011 Mr. Berry cites Hawkins Co., TN Deed Bk Record 18: 291-2 and Deed Record 17: 342.
  5. [S2740] Robert Berry, "Descendants of James R. Berry", compiled 2011 (e-mail address); citing the Civil War pension application of Hannah Berry.
  6. [S2638] Robert Berry research, (e-mail address), provided by Berry to D. Powell Sept. 2011 Mr. Berry cites Hancock Co. Deed Bk L: 234-5 and Lee Co. Deed Bk 3: 392-3.
  7. [S2740] Robert Berry, "Descendants of James R. Berry", compiled 2011 (e-mail address); Mr. Berry cites an obituary titled "David D. Berry" from the Morristown Gazette, dated 9 April, 1879 and republished in Hancock County, Tennessee and its People, Vol. II: 52.
  8. [S2740] Robert Berry, "Descendants of Thomas Berry", compiled 2011 (e-mail address); citing the Civil War pension application of Hannah Berry.
  9. [S2740] Robert Berry, "Descendants of James R. Berry", compiled 2011 (e-mail address); Mr. Berry cites Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia #18 (1894). This publication may be viewed at: http://www.newrivernotes.com/swva/hssv-18.htm#cwm. Mr. Berry also notes that the the letter was transcribed as though it had been written 7 Feb., 1865; the correct year was more likely 1863.
  10. [S2665] Hannah Berry household, 1870 U.S. census, Lee Co., Virginia, pop. sched., White Shoals township, p. 382 stamped, dwelling 364, family 364, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2011. Household includes: [faded] Hannah Berry, 4_, b. Hawkins Co., TN; Sarah, 22, b. same, idiotic; Elizabeth, 20, b. same; George, 18, b. same, insane; Isaac, 9, b. Lee Co., VA; Mary, 7, b. Lee Co., VA.