John Berry I (Irish Berry Genealogy )

John Berry I

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First Five Generations of Descendants from John Berry (c.1612-?)

Progenitor of the Eglish Berry Family

1. John Berry, b. c.1612 (or c.1642, see below) was supposedly from Middleton, Wales. The location of this "Middleton" is problematic. James William Middleton Berry, in his 1848 application for a confirmation of arms, submitted that "The family of Berry came originally from Wales, where they possessed a large estate, called Middleton." It seems possible that the 'large estate' was an embellishment and that John Berry came from the vicinity of the village of Middleton on the Gower Peninsular, Glamorganshire, South Wales. There is evidence that the Berry family of Berrynarbor, Devon, had property interests on the Gower Peninsular over several generations, and some members may have lived there. (see Before Ireland).

Children:

2. i John Berry.

Second Generation

2. John Berry, (son of John Berry) b. in Wales c.1645 (or c.1675 if he was brother, not father of Thomas Berry, see below). John Berry is said to have been disinherited by his father for marrying a Catholic - Miss Sweetman, who was a relative of the Catholic Bishop Walter Sweetman. [that he was Bishop is ex Pey 2003; in Isabella Berry's (1815-1897) history he is referred to as "old Walter Sweetman"]

L.A.W. wrote (Chapter One. Early History of the Family) "The pedigree is headed by John Berry of Middleton in Wales, who is said to have disinherited his son John for having married a Roman Catholic, Miss Sweetman, and to have had a son, Thomas, who is the first of whom I can trace any definite evidence." This would make the disinherited son John and Thomas of Knockerville and Killinlahan brothers, not father and son as recorded in Isabella Berry's account of the family history.

He married ? Sweetman.

Children:

3. i Thomas Berry b. c. 1675.

Third Generation

3. Thomas Berry, (son of John Berry ) b. c.1675, d. before 12 Nov. 1739 (he was living in March 1728); L.A.W. notes that he is the first member of this Berry family for whom he can trace definite evidence. Thomas settled at Knockerville Co. Westmeath in the Parish of Killucan. He purchased with several other townlands, Killelan [Killinlahan], Co. Westmeath. A farmer, gentleman, he was resident at Killinlahan [Killelan].

Thomas was Agent to Col. Richard Berry of Wardenstown, but L.A.W. notes that he was "apparently not related to him" as he had to account to Chancery for mortgaging lands belonging to Richard, which he claimed as his own. His only explanation was that there was "an intimacy and friendship between him and Richard". [I don’t see why this precludes the possibility that Richard and Thomas were (distantly) related. Both the Wardenstown and Broadwood Berry families were supposedly descended from the Berrys of Berrynarbor, Devonshire].

Thomas was Churchwarden of Killucan in 1707. L.A.W. notes that one of the surviving daughters [presumably Susanna or Mary] married a Nugent.

He married, c.1701 Elizabeth Dames, (daughter of John Dames and Elizabeth ? of Rathmoyle, King's Co. She was living on 12 Nov. 1739.

Children:

4. i John BERRY b. c.1702.

ii William Berry, b. 1704, d. 1704, buried at Killucan. Died an infant. Baptized at Killucan 5 June 1704, his godparents were Richard Purdon, Maurice Fitzgerald and Mary Dames.

iii Deborah Berry, b. 1706. Baptized at Killucan on 10 June 1706, her godparents being Jacob Stone, Hannah Kelly and Katherine Dames.

iv Richard Berry, b. 1708. Baptized at Killucan on 13 May 1708, his godparents being Cornet Richard Berry, Mr Jacob Smyth and Mrs Katherine Dames.

v William Berry, b. 1710. Baptized at Killucan 13 May 1710.

vi Joseph Berry, b. 1712, d. 1713. Baptized at Killucan 29 June 1712. Buried there 14 Oct. 1713.

vii Phillip Berry, b. 1712, d. 1713. Baptized at Killucan 5 May 1714, buried there 1 March 1715/16.

viii Elizabeth Berry, b. 1715, d. 1715. Baptized at Killucan 22 May 1715, buried there 30 May 1715.

ix Susanna Berry, b. 1716. Baptized at Killucan 28 June 1716.

x Mary Berry, b. 1718. Baptized at Killucan 26 Aug. 1718

xi Robert Berry, b. 1721. Baptized at Killucan 26 March 1721.

xii Dorcas (Elizabeth) Berry, b. 1726, d. 1729. Baptized at Killucan 2 Nov. 1726, buried there 17 Oct. 1729. In a copy of the Register transcribed by the Rector, the Rev. William Falkiner in 1925 this daughter appears among the baptisms as Elizabeth.

Fourth Generation

4. John BERRY, (son of Thomas Berry) b. c.1702 in Ireland, d. 10 Nov 1768 at Broadwood, resident at Killinlahan, otherwise Broadwood, in the Parish of Castletown Kindalen, Co. Westmeath. Buried 12 Nov at Kilbeggan. He bought Killenlehan, which he afterwards named Broadwood, Ballyduff and Killelan, from Bryan Geoghegan, probably to prevent discovery under the Popery Acts. [L.A.W.]

He married, c.1736, Hester Fleetwood, (daughter of John Fleetwood and Lydia Armstrong) b. c.1716, d. c.1767, buried at Kilbeggan. According to LAW. Hester was the only child of her parents. This marriage gave rise to the Berry family’s claim to be descended from Oliver Cromwell on the basis that this Hester was supposedly the grand-daughter of General Charles Fleetwood, Commander in Chief of the Protector, by his wife Bridget, daughter of Oliver Cromwell, and widow of General Ireton. However, this claim has been disproved by Sir Edmund Bewley. (Bewley, Sir Edmund T. "An Irish Branch of the Fleetwood Family" The Genealogist xxiv (1877-1921): 217-241)

Children:

5. i Thomas BERRY b. 4 Feb.1737/8.

6. ii James Middleton Berry b. 1745.

iii Michael Berry, b. 1746, never married. Referred to as "Uncle Mich" by Isabella Berry. Living in Feb.1815.

iv Catherine Berry, b. 1748, d. March 1823 in Charlemont St. Dublin. She married, 1784, James Hanover Berry, (son of Jonathan Berry and Patience Sterling) of Portobello. James was "Ensign 25th Foot 28 Oct. 1776. Lieut. 15 July 1778, senior Lieut. in 1783. Capt. Lieut. with rank of Capt. in the Army 5 Ap.1786. Retired 9 Dec. 1789. Barrack Master Glancree in 1810. Lived for many years at Portobello. Died without issue.

Fifth Generation

5. Thomas BERRY,(son of John Berry) b. 4 Feb.1737/8 in Ireland, d. 20 Oct 1815. Buried at Eglish on 26 Oct., Thomas lived before his marriage with his father at Broadwood, later at Brookfield, Ballygibbon (about 4 miles from Tyrrellpass) and Eglish Castle. On 15 June 1770 he took over the lease and Eglish Castle, King's Co. from his father-in-law and c. 1776 bought the head interest of the Sterlings, which was sold in Chancery. Coote's Survey states that " he has a well circumstanced demesne and holds a great tract of Ground without the Barony (Eglish) principally grazed by sheep" also that with Roger North of Kilduff he occupies "almost the entire of the green farms of the Barony of Philipstown, and has an extensive beach green at Eglish." Thomas seems to have farmed some, if not all of his land himself. In letters written by his wife in 1793 and 1795 there is mention of his going to fairs at Roscrea, where he bought 150 sheep, Killavally and Mullingar. The Beach green was part of a project to give profitable employment to two of his sons, James and Francis. There are references to it being started in letters by Thomas Berry written in 1795 to his wife. James was then twenty five and Francis only sixteen.

The few references to Thomas Berry and the tone of his own letters indicate that he was an energetic and businesslike man. There is also a glimpse of him being a stern father in the case of one of his sons, Sterling, who at the age of twenty eight was apparently still sowing his wild oats and failing to settle down to earning his living as a linen salesman. In a letter of 13th Sept. 1797 Frances Berry writes of her son Sterling that his ...."Father is still so enraged he can't hear his name mentioned with any degree of patience"...

Thomas was a Major in the Eglish Rangers, 29 Aug. 1799.

In the Public Monitor, 1772-3, a series of articles appeared entitled "A View of St Stehan's Green". This is an imaginary conversation between two imaginary characters, who remark on the people who are supposed to pass by. In the issue of 4 Feb. 1773 we find " Messrs Thomas and James Berry, brothers, two as worthy beings and of as excellent character as walk on this green" [Contrast this with their comment on Jonathan Berry].

He married, c.1701, Frances Berry, b. 16 Aug. 1743, (daughter and heir of Knight Berry and Sophia Sterling) d. 25 May 1807 Buried at Eglish. From surviving letters written to one of her sons, Robert Fleetwood, she seems to have been a warm hearted person, a fond mother interested in all the doings of her family and neighbours and perhaps a little garrulous. She was somewhat in awe of her husband. This may have been in part due to the fact that she was only sixteen when she married him.

NB Thomas Berry’s children (the sixth generation of descent from John Berry) who left descendants are each dealt with on separate pages.

Children:

i Sophia Berry, b. 21 Jul 1760, d. 15 Oct 1760.

ii Hester Fleetwood Berry, b. 29 Jan 1762, d. 4 Jun 1832.

iii Jane (Jennie) Berry, b. 16 Jun 1763, d. 7 Sep 1842.

iv John Berry, b. 8 Jul 1764, d. 1815

v William (Willie) Knight Berry, b. 8 June 1766, d. Aug 1811.

vi Lydia Berry, b. 31 Oct 1767, d. 3 May 1768. Buried at Killbeggan.

vii Thomas Sterling Berry, b. 14 June 1769, d. 25 Dec 1846. He married Dorothea Homan

viii James (Jemmie) Armstrong Berry, b. 13 July 1770, d. 9 Oct 1827.

ix Sterling BERRY, b. 10 Oct. 1771 at Eglish Castle, d. 10 April 1828. Buried at Eglish

x Marlborough (Mallie) Parsons Berry, b. 30 May 1773, d. 28 Oct 1842.

xi Frances Sophia Berry, b. 11 Jan 1775, d. 11 Jan 1775. Buried at Killbeggan.

xii Robert Fleetwood Berry, b. 1 Jan. 1777, d. 8 April 1848

xiii Francis (Frank) Octavius Berry, b. 10 June 1779, d. 31 Oct 1864 at Tullamore. Buried at Eglish

xiv Luke Michael Berry, b. 11 Nov 1781, d. pre 26 Feb 1815. Buried at Eglish.

Luke Berry

xv Catherine (Fannie) Frances Berry, b. 13 May 1784, d. 2 June 1845; buried at Liss.

possibly Catherine Berry

She married, Jan 1802, Thomas Homan Mulock, b. 1765 d. 16 Jan.1843. They had no issue. She adopted her eldest brother John’s daughter, Frances Sophia Berry, who married Thomas Edward Mulock Molloy (Homan-Mulock). He assumed the name and arms of Homan-Mulock by Royal Licence, dated 3 March 1843 so as to inherit the estate of Bellair from his maternal uncle, Thomas Homan Mulock (1765-1843).

xvi Smith Massey Berry, b. 3 April 1787, d. 26 Feb 1863.

6. James Middleton Berry, (son of John Berry), b. 1745 at Killelan, Co. Westmeath, d. April 1823 (intestate), resident at Killinlahan, otherwise Broadwood, Co. Westmeath. He renamed Broadwood as "Middleton" sometime after his marriage in 1774. Lt. in Fertullagh Cavalry in 1776. J.P. Co. Westmeath.

On 2 April 1771, with his brother Thomas, he obtained a grant from the Vestry of Killbeggan of a piece of ground, 20 feet by 13, in the churchyard to commence 64 feet from the S.W. corner of the church to build a vault for the burying places of themselves and their families.

He married, 1773 or 1774, Mary Dames, b. c.1750 at Rathmoyle, Kings Co., (daughter and co-heir of Thomas Dames and Martha Wakely) d. July 1830; buried at Killbeggan. Mary was the daughter of Thomas Longworth who assumed the name of Dames on succeeding to the estates of his maternal grandfather, Thomas Dames. (Isobella Berry - LAW PRONI 1021 #25). See also Mary Longworth (1893) daughter of E. Dames Longworth. Thomas Dames of Greenhill was a nephew of Elizabeth Dames, wife of Thomas Berry of Knockerville.

Children:

i Martha Matilda Berry.

She married (1) 1803 John Spunner, b. c. 1761, d. Aug. 1824, buried at Shinrone.

She married (2) 3 Dec. 1832, Thomas William Moffat, d. 1835. 2nd Lieut. in Col. Josiah Champagne's Foot (later 1st Ceylon Foot). 27 April 1806. Lieut. 66th Foot 1 Oct. 1808. Senior Lieut. in 1824. Capt. 7th Garrison Batt. 27 April 1825. On British h.p. 1 Dec. 1825.

7. ii John Middleton Berry

iii Maria Berry. According to L.A.W. she died as a young woman while on a visit to Bath with her parents, of a fever which developed as a result of too much dancing!

Sixth Generation

7. John Middleton Berry,(son of James Middleton Berry) b. 1787, d. 1830, of Middleton, Co. Westmeath. High Sheriff, Co. Westmeath 1814.

He married, 1810, Letitia Catherine Smyth, (daughter of William Smyth, M.P. for Co. Westmeath for 30 years, and Frances Maxwell).

Children:

James William Middleton Berry (son of John Middleton Berry), b. 1812, d. 1855. He died suddenly while hunting, intestate and without issue; educated at --- and Brasenose Coll. Oxford, where he matriculated on 8 April 1829. B.A. 1832. M.A. 1836. Called to Bar, Inner Temple, 1838. He sold Middleton to Rochfort Boyd in 1846. He succeeded to Ballynegall under the will of James Gibbons, who had married his mother's sister. On his death this passed to Thomas James Smyth, son of Rev. Thomas Smyth by Mary Anne, daughter of Adam Tate Gibbons H.E.I.C.S., and niece to James Gibbons.

James was J.P. and D.L. Co. Westmeath. High Sheriff 1848. In 1848 he obtained from Sir William Betham, Ulster King of Arms, a confirmation of arms which incorporated elements of James Gibbon’s arms.

He married, 1851, Caroline Augusta (Cusack-) Smith, b. 1824, d. 1896 who was his second cousin, once removed. They had no children.