ROBERT BERRY HOME

GEORGE RUFUS BERRY was born on February 29th 1829 in Orange County North Carolina
George Ruffus Berry was only about 6 years old when his mother died and his father decided to remove the family to Fayette Alabama where other Berry Family members were already settled. George's sister Elizabeth Jane was only 4 years old and the baby, Roan Frances Berry was just 2. William Clarence Berry walked to Alabama with these three children in 1835. George R. was only 7 years old when his father married his second wife Massa Ann Tomkins in 1836. Working with his fathers and younger brothers, George spent the next twelve years learning all the necessary skills required to be a succesful farmer. On January 10th, 1848 George R. Berry married Sarah Catherine Farquher in Fayette County Alabama. In 1849 George R Berry had a half sister born and his stepmother named her Sarah Catherine Berry suggesting that Georges's new wife was well loved by his family. On September 20th 1854 George R. Berry was granted land in Fayette Alabama. The Civil War began 0n April 12th 1861. This War was to have many terrible effects on the lives of George Rufus Berry and all of his relatives living in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa and North Carolina. On March 3rd 1862 George R. Berry was elected constable in and for Fayette County in Berry's Beat. There was a Baliff Bond for $1000 issued in his name and William G. Whitson and David Berry were co-signers.
Two of George's half brothers and one brother-in-law had entered the CSA army. John Thomas Berry enlisted as a private 26th, Alabama Regiment Company A on September 17th 1861. In January 1862 Roan Berry Kizzah's husband, Riley Kizzah enlisted in the War with the 41st Alabama Infantry Regiment, Company H. Riley Kizzah was killed in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in November 1862. Henry T. Berry enlisted in the 41st, Alabama Infantry Regiment Company H on March 3rd 1862.
On April 7th 1863 George Rufus Berry enlisted as a private Company E. 13th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers: CSA Calvary. When the War ended George was in Greensboro North Carolina about 30 miles from his relatives in Orange County. My speculation is that he may have visited his relatives in Orange County before returning to Fayette Alabama. (SEE NOTE*)
Picture of George Rufus Berry Below
After George Rufus Berry returned to Alabama Texas Fever abounded every where and especially in Alabama. George and Catherine Berry sold their 160 acre farm to his sister, Elizabeth Jane Berry Whitson and her Husband A. G. Whitson for $250 in 1867, Description: E 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of S-12;TS-16; R-12W: then NW1/4 of the NW 1/2 TS-16:S-7: R-11W:also NW1/4 of the NE 1/2 S-12; TS-16; R-12W(; vol.#I;p.196)

After selling their land in Fayette Alabama George Rufus Berry, his half brother John Thomas Berry, his other half brother Henry T Berry and his widowed Sister Roan Kizziah and their families joined a wagon train bound for Burnet County Texas to homestead land.
Sarah Catherine "Katie" Farquhar Berry wife of George Rufus died in Burnet County Texas on January 23 1905.
George Rufus Berry died in Burnet County Texas on Dec. 25th 1909

NOTE* The Civil war ended on April 9th 1865 and the treaty was signed at the Bennett house outside of Durham North Carolina. General Johnson was camped on My 3rd great grandfather's sister's farm. The farm belonged to Alexander and Elizabeth Wilson Dixon. I am related to this family through my grandmother Ida Ann Wilson Berry.
Alexander Dixon House on the left is currently being used as the Welcome Center in Hillsborough NC. The Bennett House is on the right
General Sherman was Camped in Durham North Carolina. The Bennett house was located about half way between Durham and Hillsborough. The first day that the two Generals met General Sherman told General Johnson as they walked away from earshot of any of the guards was that President Lincoln had been shot and killed. General Sherman said that it was his opinion that the troups not be told this news at this time. His fear was that it would reinstate the animosity and riots might result. General Johnson concurred.
Many of the facts that I have quoted here came from the book Wagons South, Wagons West by Victor Glenn Berry great-great-grandson of William Clarence Berry

• CHILDREN:

• Sarah Berry born in 1852 Fayette Co. Alabama

• Thomas P. P. Berry Born in 1854 Fayette Co. Alabama

• John D.D.Berry Born in 1857 Fayette Co. Alabama

• James H.H. Berry Born in 1860 Fayette County Alabama

• George Berry Born in 1862 Fayette County Alabama

• William Berry Born in 1867 Fayette County Alabama