|
a.
|
Note: I first started looking for John in May 1998. He, by far, has been the toughest family member to find a paper trail on. Though his marriage record states he was born in Marshall Co. Kentucky in 1832, I have my doubts because Marshall Co. was formed from Calloway Co. in the mid 1840's. So how could he have been from there? I have narrowed it down to two possibilities. The first being that he was born in a part of Calloway which today would now be Marshall. The second, if he were born in Livingston Co, which borders Marshall to the north. As his marriage record confirms he was married in Livingston Co.
He is listed in the 1850 Livingston census as age 17, living in Livingston Co Ky., working as a farmer in the Watson family home. Madison Watson, the head of the house, married Julia Harmon who is the daughter of Clary Harmon and this is one connecting piece of information that confirms John grew up in Livingston. Clary married Samuel Harmon, who once had a ferry business which would shuttle people across the Cumberland River there in Livingston Co.
On July 29, 1857, John marries Ethelinda Ellen Jenkins. They marry at Clary Harmon's place in Livingston Co. 7 yrs. now have passed and he is still near the Harmon family.
The 1860 Lyon. Co Kentucky census lists John and his family. This family is living right next door to Clara Harmon. So 10 yrs. has now passed and he seems to have stayed close to the Harmon family. As families traveled around a lot together, this seems to hold weight as to confirm I have the right "John Berry." John has no land to his name and is listed with $385.00 of personal property. I imagine in this time frame that was an amount to keep the family living, but by no means was he wealthy. There may be "Deed records" out there in Lyon Co. or perhaps Caldwell Co. (where his 2nd and 3rd children are born) that might indicate he sold a horse, or maybe sold some chickens, something that may give more evidence as to where his family comes from.
Listed on the 1873 Murphysboro, Jackson Co. Ill tax listing. In 1870 he is listed on the Murphysboro Census as a coal minor.
As his daughter Elizabeth died sometime betewwn 1860 and 1870, the remaining 4 children are listed in the Duquoin, Perry Co. Ill census of 1880, living across 3 different homes. The two youngest, Ida and Guy, are living together in one home. My thought are that something happened to mother Ellen shortly after Guy's birth in 1871 (Murphysboro, Ill) and John placed the 4 children in the Anderson's home, (probably a friend from Murphysboro). As time grew, the Anderson's moved 7 miles up to DuQuion, and when the two oldest became of age, they started out on their own life, as they are listed in two other homes as servants in the DuQuoin area.
I found a marriage in Murphysboro, Ill for John Berry and Sarah Morgan, dated Dec. 12, 1872. No additional information is available on it.
|
