MEMBER OF THE ROBERT AND ELIZABETH CATE BERRY FAMILY
SEPTEMBER, 19 2007
JOSHUA BERRY was probably born in 1769, the fourth
child and third son of Robert and Elizabeth Cate Berry. He died on
October 8 1838. His name would indicate that he was the third son
because of the
naming pattern that was used in those days.
The first son was named after the grandfather on his father's side.
(Robert Berry Jr.) The second son would have been named for his
maternal grandfather (John Cate) The third son was Joshua who was named
after Elizabeth Cate's oldest brother (Joshua Cate).
There is another factor that makes me believe that Joshua was one of
the older children.
Joshua listed in the 1790 census with his brother Robert
Berry Jr. and his Father Robert Berry.
IN MEMORY OF PAT HUTCHINGS SEPT 12 1928 TO MAY 31, 2006,br>
Pat Hutchings above exchanged information with me for several years and
attended our Berry reunion in 2006. She was a Joshua Berry descendant.
A third fact is that Joshua was the first Berry male to have his
marriage listed in the Groom's Book. 
His parents and the three older children were married before these
records were kept. Joshua Berry and Nancy Ellison were married
on January 28 1792. VIEW
MARRIAGE BOND One of the best sources for some
of the
names of Joshua and Nancy's children came from an estate settlement of
Nancy Berry, Joshua and Nancy Berry's daughter. Nancy died and did not
leave a will.
VIEW ADMINISTRATOR APPLICATION
On March 6, 1883 Eli D. Berry, Nancy's nephew was appointed the
administrator of Nancy's estate. Eli D. Berry names Nancy's heirs In
this document.
: VIEW
ESTATE SETTLEMENT
There are other children who were not named in Nancy's estate
settlement document. Most likely
because they had removed to other states or Eli D. Berry had lost
contact with their descendants.
In 1811 just before he died Robert Berry sold one half
of the original Granville land grant to his son Joshua. (Book 14 Page
57 Orange County North Carolina) There were 129 acres of land in the
tract and Robert sold it to Joshua for $100. (SEE DEED) The Tract was the West
half of the 260 acres Granted to Robert Berry in 1757.
Some of this property is still owned by descendants of Robert and
Elizabeth Cate Berry. The current owners are from the William Berry
line however and not descendants of Joshua and Nancy Berry.
Joshua borrowed money from William Bowles and William Parker and
placed his property up for security.
(SEE DEED OF TRUST) What
transpired as a result of this transaction has
not been researched at this time.
Joshua was murdered in a grog-shop by Martin ARMSTRONG who had been
drinking heavily was refused more
liquor by Joshua, the owner of the shop. ARMSTRONG seized Joshua and
threw him over the railing of the piazza, which broke his neck/back.
ARMSTRONG immediately made his escape. This was in the Hillsborough
Recorder Wed. 10 Oct 1838. The murder was Monday last. (Source Email
from a Joshua Descendant.)
