Page 101 - WPA Book
P. 101
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
HOUSES
John Berry Home, 1804
Page Two
The following is copied from the registry of immigrants at the port of Philadelphia, arriving from Europe when
America was yet in its infancy; Nicholas Piere (Beery) registered as an immigrant October 16, 1727. The mark
“x” after his name indicates that he was not able to write and that the registry was made by one of the immigrant
clerks, who spelled the name as best he knew, or could understand, or perhaps to suit himself, these immigrants
speaking only German. The spelling of the name would indicate Swiss nationality. The ship upon which he
sailed was called “The Friendship” and sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, with about two hundred on board, June
29, 1727, requiring nearly four months to make the trip. (Today our Ocean Greyhounds require about from four
to six days.)
Abraham Beer (Beery) came from Switzerland and registered at Philadelphia, October 19, 1736. He is claimed
as the progenitor of the line of Berrys.
These two men, Nicholas and Abraham Berry, as said above, came from Switzerland, and first settled in
Pennsylvania, and later in Rockingham County, Virginia. Still later Nicholas emigrated to Fairfield County,
Ohio, and died there, while Abraham remained in Virginia. Tradition has it that three stalwart brothers by the
name of Beery came from Switzerland, the third one going to North Carolina. Again, referring to the registry:
Peter Bier, Sr., Peter Bier, Jr. and Matthew Hutwohl (Heatwole) sailed from Rotterdam and registered at
Philadelphia, September 15, 1748.
Johan Heinrich Bory, registered October 26, 1767.
Jacob Beie “ September 17, 1771.
Johannes Beer “ October 16, 1772.
Frederic Beyer “ October 16, 1772.
To Abraham Beery and wife Mary, were born six children, namely, Abraham, 1762, Nicholas, 1764, John,
1767, Jacob, 1769, George, 1773, Magdalene, 1777. Mr. Beery died at Cross Keys, Virginia, May 26, 1799, at
the age of 81 years, having come to Virginia from Pennsylvania late in life.
Third son of Abraham Berry, [John,] was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, 1767, died June 25, 1834. He
came to Virginia when a young man prior to the coming of his father. He married Barbara Kagy sometime
between 1792 and 1794, and for a few years lived at New Market, Virginia. About 1796 he purchased a large
tract of land near Edom, in Rockingham County, Virginia. Here they made a fine home and reared a large
family of industrious and intelligent children. He erected a fulling mill and carding machine upon his premises.
This building was burned about 1810 or 12 but soon after was replaced, much enlarged and improved, and
built of brick. Here he died June 25, 1835. His dwelling house was built of brick in 1804 and this with the
homestead portion of his estate, came to his eighth son, Henry Beery, and later to Henry’s son, Henry C.
Beery.
While the faith of the Mennonites is opposed to war, yet several of the grandsons of John Beery fought in the
Confederate Army, one of them paying the supreme sacrifice, being wounded in battle at Martinsburg, West
Virginia, and dying the next day. This was Joseph Beery of Company A Virginia Militia, Captain Taylor.
John C. Beery joined August 10, 2024 from Edom, Company B. 7th Virginia Cavalry. Incapacitated by
rheumatism, detailed as a miller for the duration of the war. Died at the age of 68 years. He was a son of John
K. Beery. Isaac N. Beery joined April 1st, 1862 Company C 11th Virginia Cavalry, the “Laurel” Brigade and
Ashbys. After the war John C. and Isaac Beery accepted the results of the war and became active in farming,
milling ,and the business affairs of the community generally.
Page 100 of 482
HOUSES
John Berry Home, 1804
Page Two
The following is copied from the registry of immigrants at the port of Philadelphia, arriving from Europe when
America was yet in its infancy; Nicholas Piere (Beery) registered as an immigrant October 16, 1727. The mark
“x” after his name indicates that he was not able to write and that the registry was made by one of the immigrant
clerks, who spelled the name as best he knew, or could understand, or perhaps to suit himself, these immigrants
speaking only German. The spelling of the name would indicate Swiss nationality. The ship upon which he
sailed was called “The Friendship” and sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, with about two hundred on board, June
29, 1727, requiring nearly four months to make the trip. (Today our Ocean Greyhounds require about from four
to six days.)
Abraham Beer (Beery) came from Switzerland and registered at Philadelphia, October 19, 1736. He is claimed
as the progenitor of the line of Berrys.
These two men, Nicholas and Abraham Berry, as said above, came from Switzerland, and first settled in
Pennsylvania, and later in Rockingham County, Virginia. Still later Nicholas emigrated to Fairfield County,
Ohio, and died there, while Abraham remained in Virginia. Tradition has it that three stalwart brothers by the
name of Beery came from Switzerland, the third one going to North Carolina. Again, referring to the registry:
Peter Bier, Sr., Peter Bier, Jr. and Matthew Hutwohl (Heatwole) sailed from Rotterdam and registered at
Philadelphia, September 15, 1748.
Johan Heinrich Bory, registered October 26, 1767.
Jacob Beie “ September 17, 1771.
Johannes Beer “ October 16, 1772.
Frederic Beyer “ October 16, 1772.
To Abraham Beery and wife Mary, were born six children, namely, Abraham, 1762, Nicholas, 1764, John,
1767, Jacob, 1769, George, 1773, Magdalene, 1777. Mr. Beery died at Cross Keys, Virginia, May 26, 1799, at
the age of 81 years, having come to Virginia from Pennsylvania late in life.
Third son of Abraham Berry, [John,] was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, 1767, died June 25, 1834. He
came to Virginia when a young man prior to the coming of his father. He married Barbara Kagy sometime
between 1792 and 1794, and for a few years lived at New Market, Virginia. About 1796 he purchased a large
tract of land near Edom, in Rockingham County, Virginia. Here they made a fine home and reared a large
family of industrious and intelligent children. He erected a fulling mill and carding machine upon his premises.
This building was burned about 1810 or 12 but soon after was replaced, much enlarged and improved, and
built of brick. Here he died June 25, 1835. His dwelling house was built of brick in 1804 and this with the
homestead portion of his estate, came to his eighth son, Henry Beery, and later to Henry’s son, Henry C.
Beery.
While the faith of the Mennonites is opposed to war, yet several of the grandsons of John Beery fought in the
Confederate Army, one of them paying the supreme sacrifice, being wounded in battle at Martinsburg, West
Virginia, and dying the next day. This was Joseph Beery of Company A Virginia Militia, Captain Taylor.
John C. Beery joined August 10, 2024 from Edom, Company B. 7th Virginia Cavalry. Incapacitated by
rheumatism, detailed as a miller for the duration of the war. Died at the age of 68 years. He was a son of John
K. Beery. Isaac N. Beery joined April 1st, 1862 Company C 11th Virginia Cavalry, the “Laurel” Brigade and
Ashbys. After the war John C. and Isaac Beery accepted the results of the war and became active in farming,
milling ,and the business affairs of the community generally.
Page 100 of 482
