TRACKING SOME EARLY TERRY LINES

 In a Partial History of William Terry and his Descendants 1724-1981 by Lula Terry Elliot (copy of was received from early Terry researcher Harriet Terry (who lived and died in Pratt, Kansas) there is ubiquitous family crest page. Do not get me wrong; I have great respect for Lula's work. I lived in Clayton, New Mexico where she lived for awhile, even spoke with the reporter who did the article on her included in the work, but a lot of her work was based on records that were obscure, hard to access and with a tree with a lot of the limbs uncharted. It is- and was - a crucial stepping stone to the history of those named Terry in the places and periods she explored. It - like several other works - tended to make some assumptions that are proving incorrect or incomplete.

A lot of work from the period of the 1960's to the 1980's proved to be that because people became aware of their history with the Bicentennial coming and many a tree hunt began searching for a revolutionary hero. Everyone was, I think, seeking reflect glory as lessor known people of the same names were often discarded in the process. They were "forgotten Americans" - those who missed, avoided, or ran from getting themselves recorded (or taxed) or were not viewed by a status conscience era as valuable to a region's history - but important to the process of nation making as much as those who rose to stellar heights.

As for the page in question, for those unfamiliar, those are generic (and often random) pages containing  collections of people with the surname being researched. They are added because they "could" be or "might" be connected to the searcher. The information was a type sold and used to enhance family histories, a walls with plaques and certificates,  by trying to attack a name to people of renown, people of quality, and social rank. 

They are not unique to any particular surname but use a paint ball approach (hit the wall with a big enough blast of history and something is sure to catch). Note - some aspects of the early records of this line , as presented in this book, are open to corrections due to some more recent discoveries.

On page 7 of the Elliot work is just such a page decorated with a crest and arms. (there is no evidence the crest and arms actually connect to any of the lines presented but that is another issue with these types of pages in histories or on webpages. They are the equivalent to genealogical "filler." )  On that page several lines are included and few actually connect (via current DNA) with many of the relatives and descendants of that same William Terry.

In brief, after claiming the name is Anglo-Saxon and said to be derived from several forms of the name, there is mention that people of that name have been found in several English and Irish locations. These include Cumberland, York Huntington, London Buckingham, Oxford, Somerset and Chester in England and Cord in Ireland.

"Among the early records" - again there is no evidence of connection of any group to any location via known family trees at the time this work was put together. Since that time, however, DNA work has begun to clarify many of the lines of descent and cluster families more accurately than previous interpretations of relationships had done.

• A David Tirrey, Cumberland County, England 1273
• Richard Terry of Huntingtonshire and Geoffrey Terri of Oxford shire about 1273
• Johannes Tyree  of Yorkshire, England in 1379. There is a later John Terry of Yorkshire with a DNA Haplogroup of R-BY227213
• Petrous Terre of the late 14th century (no source or location given)
• A John Terri of London 1524. This John is believed to have married a widow named Elizabeth (nee Gale) Pierpont, was a craftsman, and had three sons: William, Stephen and John. Stephen and John are believed to have migrated to American about 1630. [Recent DNA studies seem to indicate that the lines established in eastern Virginia from this core group share a Haplogroup of I-01).
• A William Terry, Esq. Cork, Ireland, early 17th century father of an Ignatius Terry, b.1686.
• Aboard a ship during the Great Migration to America, named THE JAMES (sailed 13 July 1635) were three brothers (wills identify two as brothers and one early history of the region where they settled identifies them as brothers; there is a possibility they might have been two brothers and a cousin). These men were : Thomas Terry (1606-1672, Southold, L.I.) age 28 , Robert Terry (1610-1675, Flushing, NY), age 25, and Richard Terry (1618-1676, Southold, Long Island, NY) age 17. All appear, from other documents to have been born in Kent, England. Thomas md a Maria Bigge #1 and a Mary#2 and had children: Daniel, Thomas, Elizabeth, Ruth, and Mary Terry Reeve. Robert md Sarah Farrington and had children: Rebecca Terry Tilton, John Terry, Anne Terry, Thomas Terry (whose descendants populate Bucks Co., Pa.).  Richard Terry md Abigail Lines and had children: Gershom, Samuel, Abigail, Nathanial (who married a Mary HORTON), Richard Terry Jr. and John Terry (children named in Richard's will). Descendants of the early Thomas Terry in Bucks Co., PA have been proven to link (with Haplogroup I-02) to Robert Terry of Flushing, NY. These men left wills and other documentations that outline children and wives.
• "The American Historical  Record states" that a Samuel Terry (1632-1731), who was born in England emigrated to America in 1650 and settled in Springfield, Mass. He was a man of wealth and his descendants include Rev. James Pease Terry who md Mary E, Cady, daughter of Henry Cady (dec of Samuel Cobb of Connecticut General Assembly of 1700. Samuel md Ana Lobdell about 1661 (had children Samuel, Ephraim, Thomas, Mary, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Ana). This Samuel Terry was apparently born in Barnett, near London, England in 1632. He came to American aboard the PYNCHON in 1650 and settled first near Springfield, Massachusetts. He married twice;#1 Ann Lobdell, second wife named Sarah. He removed to CT where he died in 1731 in Enfield, Hartford, CT. Historic Families of American (Spooner, pg259) and First Families of Connecticut and Massachusetts. 
• According to History of Barrens Co., KY about the "Old Dominion  Terry Family" there were "seven brothers emigrated from Scotland to the Colony of Virginia in the early 1600's". Their father was a Scotsman by birth and their mother "an Irish lady of rank."
• Brothers James and Thomas Terry of Barnet, near London. Unclear if these are related to the Samuel Terry listed above or a separate family group.
• The Quit Rent Rolls of Virginia, 1704 lists Thomas, Stephen, and James Terry of King William County. Note this group has shown up also carrying the Haplogroup DNA of I-01.
• Pittsylvania Co., Va shows Terrys as large land owners. Note this group has shown up also carrying the Haplogroup DNA of I-01.
• William Terry, born circa 1724 appears in Augusta County, Virginia about 1744 and remains there until he dies late fall of 1792.  It is believed the earliest Jasper Terry is the husband of Mary Hart out of Bucks Co., PA who migrated, along with his Hart inlaws, briefly into the area. William's son John Terry, who moved to TN, KY, and then Perry Co., Indiana has had three sons register Haplogroups within I-02 (as did the Jasper-Mary Hart line)..
• Jasper Terry, born circa 1730 appears in Augusta/Botetourt County records possibly as early but how early is unclear as there were possibly two men of that name in the region and the records do not clarify which is which. At two times, eastern Terrys (with the I-01 drifted into the same area briefly and latter some stayed). This man, wife assumed to be Mary Morrison, had son Josiah and grandsons, Jasper Morrison Terry and Aaron Burr Terry (all sharing Haplogroup G-02).

This chart is very helpful to begin to locate and track the DNA of various Terry lines (see FamilyTreeDNA - TERRY Y-Chromosome DNA Surname Project )

THOMAS TERRY ARRIVED "THE JAMES" (13 July 1635)

 Aboard the Great Migration ship, The James, the eldest Terry of the trio was Thomas Terry, age 28 (9 Nov 1606 -5 June 1672, Southold, Long Island). The others were Richard, 17, and Robert, 25. They all, apparently, came from Kent in England.

It is believed they landed in Massachusetts, migrated into the Long Island regions, and then some drifted further south (children, grandchildren) into New Jersey and Pennsylvania and beyond.

Thomas, from early records, appears to have married twice. His first wife may have been a Marie LNU who died in 1659 in Southold, L.I. His second wife, may have been named Mary or something else; the confusion in some records as to his wife name being "Mary" or "Maria" may be simply confusion of one name or a hint at the name of a second wife. It was an era where women were often known only as "Mrs" before the husband's name.

He had the following children (according to  his will):

Daniel Terry b. 24 Nov 1706, Southold, L.I.; md Sarah LNU; both died about 1706.

Thomas Terry

Elizabeth Terry

Ruth Terry

Mary Terry Reve; md Thomas Reeve (1611-1665); had children Thomas Reeve (1682) md Agnes Rider; John Reeve  md #1 Hannah Brown #2 Martha LNU; Joseph Terry (1656-1736) md#1 Abigail LNU and #2 Deliverance Human; Hannah Reeve (1657); Jonathan Reeve (1658-1706) md Martha LNU; Walter Reeve (1698, Burlington, NJ) md #1 Susaanah LNU #2 Ann Howell.

ROBERT TERRY, ARRIVED ON 'THE JAMES' (13 July 1635)

Robert Terry, believed to have been born in 1610 in Kent, England was 25 when sailed the Atlantic with to probable brothers in summer of 1635. With him on board were Thomas Terry , 28 (1606), and Richard Terry ,17 (1618).

It is believe, like the others, he landed possibly in Massachusetts, then migrated south into New York, settling in the Flushing, Queens County, of the future New York. 

He married Sarah Farrington and had children:

Rebecca Terry b.ca 1647

John Terry b ca 1650

Thomas Terry b 1653 - ; md Sarah Bowden, d/o Mordacai Bowden (the two men will have land on the Delaware River later in life along an area that was NJ and would be PA). He will die in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania.

Thomas and Sarah will have children:

Clement I b 1677 md Anne ?; have children Abraham b c 1700 about which little is known ; Clement 2 b ca 1700 who md and had children, 

Thomas b 1679 md Mary LNU

Joshua 1691 md Bethiah LNU

Jasper 1685 md Susannah LNU; they had children John b 1719 md Rachel H. Lacy; Jasper b. 1715 md Mary Hart (they had a son Joseph, raised by John); Thomas b.  md Jane Neeld or Neil.

Jasper Terry who married Mary Hart will, along with some of her family and possibly other Terry men will migrate into Augusta County, Virginia. Most of the Harts will head to South Carolina and Jasper, may have migrated with them. 

The DNA Haplogroup of this line, according to recent studies, has been identified as I-02. Terry's in the area of Augusta County, Va (or its subsequent Botetourt and Montgomery County regions) would, no doubt, demonstrate they too carried the I-02 Haplogroup. Indeed, one son of William Terry of Botetourt County, John Terry wife Esther Brown of Perry County, Indiana have had descendants of three sons reveal just that Haplogroup.

The question then becomes, to which Terry group does the William Terry of early Augusta (Botetourt and Montgomery Co.) Virginia belong? 

Some have suggested the William Terry, son of Clement 2, born about 1724 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He married in 1756 in Philadelphia am Eleanor Holmes. She appears in Quaker records for the area but only as "Eleanor, wife of William Terry" but of William there is little sign in that 1756-1763 time span. It appears Eleanor's William Terry either left her or disassociated himself from her faith. A William Terry does show up in Pennsylvania years later but it is unclear his age - was this the same William or a son named William? Divorce was possible in the time but there would have been a large number of court records related to such an act in the time. William, then, it is assumed, remained married to Eleanor and is probably NOT the William Terry, husband of Eleanor nee Holmes.

This leaves, apparently, the other son of Clement 2, Abraham Terry, as a possible father for William Terry b1724 circa and died 1792, Botetourt County, Virginia.  Little is known of Abraham and to date he appears on few census, tax, etc records. More is needed to cancel him as a potential father for William.

However, Robert also had John b circa 1650 and more information is needed on him and his potential offspring.

So the search goes on....

"Brother Josiah in Tennessee" : The Family of Josiah Terry (1782-1869)

 From a letter dated 7 April 1852 from William Terry (1785-1869) of Madison County, Arkansas to his son John Terry (1818-1898) in Red River County, Texas comes the statement that William had heard "we had a letter from brother Josiah in Tennessee...".

Josiah TERRY is believed to be the eldest son of John Terry and Esther Brown Terry. He would have been born about 1782 (based on the 2 February 1781 marriage of his parents in Botetourt Co., Va). His parents, along with other relatives and friends, are believed to have begun migrating out of Virginia between 1795 and 1800. Two sisters of his father John had already left the area, it is believed, and were moving into the areas of Northeast Tennessee accessed via the Cumberland Gap (an area known as the Territory South of the Ohio River that fluctuated between claimants to domain under such labels as Anderson County, Tennessee, the State of Franklin, and the Hawkins County of Tennessee.

Based on birthdates of children, Josiah married his first wife Nancy THOMAS in about 1805 in Anderson County, Tennessee. His father was also living in that area as court records of Botetourt Co., Virginia attest when he gave his brother-in-law Thomas Brown (wife Susannah Terry Brown) his power of attorney to sell his 1/8 share of his father's land in Botetourt County. William TERRY (c1724) probably October-November of 1792 as a December document in the courts notes him as deceased. His wife Rachel MANSON TERRY died sometime in 1803 as legal proceedings occur in 1804 indicating the estate was being settled through various means to divide the property up between his eight children.

Josiah and Nancy Thomas TERRY had two children.

1) Joseph, b. March 7, 1806, Tennessee and died Sept 17, 1863. He married Oct 11, 1832 Minerva STEPHENSON (1811-1894). They, in turn, had six children: Joseph, John, Jim, Edna, Jane, Louise.

2) William, b. October 20, 1808 and died 20 Nov 1881, Randolph Co., Missouri. He married Ithema Payton Dec. 24, 1831. They had children: Josiah, William Y., Nancy J., Mildred A. and Bailey Payton Terry (who went to Dewitt Co., Texas and had a son Bailey Payton Terry Jr. who died tragically after mere months of marriage in Gonzalez, Tx) 

Josiah next married Nancy STEVENS had several children:

1) Martin b.1820 md Nancy Thompson and then Sarah Davis

2) Rachel b. 1821 d. 1890 md. Richard Smith. had 17 children.

3)James Terry b. 1823 md Tilda or Matilda "Polly" Smith and had 8 children.

4) Alsey (or Alcie or Sarah Alsey) was born about 1827, Scott Co., TN and md Jonathan Phillips in 1847 and had five children. Her death date is unknown - as is her grave location - but she had to have died before 1859 when Phillips remarried Jane Chitwood and added several more children to his line.

5) Edmund b. 1830 md Bettie Hicks and had 4-5 daughters and three sons (Wm, Milton, James)

6) Milton, b 1834 d. 1904 and married Jane Thomas

7) Nancy b. 1836 d? md Ely or Eli Roysden (several will marry into this same family)

9. Ithema  (Themie) b 1838 md Jessie Roysden (and both their names will be terribly mangled in various census records!)

10. Malinda (or Mylinda) b 1839 d 1909 and md Jackson Smith. Josiah Terry, her father, is said to  have been visiting them in Wayne Co., KY when he died. That land was said to be the location of part of the current Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Also, to note that his brother William will make a similar trip to visit a daughter and her family in Greene Co., Missouri from Barry Co., Mo and die there and be buried. Odd coincidence.

11) Josiah Jr. b 1842 and d. 1911 md Johanna Roysden (1839-1925) and had 9 children.

The source for most of this the work of George A. Terry, a descendant of this group who put together a history in The Terry's of Scott Co.,Tn in 1984 which appeared in an issue of the Terry Family Historian.

ELMWOOD REVISITED. Marilyn A. Hudson

ELMWOOD PLANTATION. An image that, I believe, first cropped up in Lula Terry Elliot's book on the descendants of William Terry, . She includes a letter from the library in Roanoke in her work.

According to many researchers this house was the home of the Terry's in what is now Roanoke, VA. It served as the recreation offices of the city in 1944 and later the main library but was demolished in 1964 as the and the libraries grew ( public library). The area is known as Elmwood Park.

The last Terry to reside there on South Jefferson Street was the town's first millionaire, Peyton L. Terry. According to one source, Peyton acquired "Elmwood" in 1868 after the Civil War. This seems to be where the history of the house, from the library, begins its journey. If the name "Elmwood" referred to a plantation (lands as well buildings) it is unclear when that name was first applied. Additional evidence has to be found to answer the question as to when it became "Elmwood." It appears, at first glance, as if the structure could date to the post civil war era and thus the name may have arisen then as it was occupied by the millionaire Peyton Terry.

I tend to believe that the name and the house probably came much later than the 1700's and the life of William and Rachel Terry and their eight children: William, Jasper, Miles, John, Mercy, Susannah, Rachel and Jemima.

In the late 1700's there is evidence that this "eastern" group of Terry's were migrating into the areas of Botetourt and Montgomery Co., Va. After the death of William Terry in 1792 and his wife in 1803 - the heirs largely sold their 1/8 shares and many left to head to Kentucky, Tennessee, Indian, and Illinois (and beyond).

Other sources indicate he was the son of a Stephen Terry and there had been a "Elmwood" in Pittsylvania Co.. Continuing research will clarify the connection as valid or just a really good story.

Peyton Leftwich Terry of the Pittsylvania Co. Va area, was the descendent of Steven (1805-), son of William (1777-1815), son of Stephen (1750-1802), son of Zachariah (1725-1767 and all in the same Pittsylvania Co., Va area) who may have been the son of a James Terry (dates and location unknown). His wife, Mary Terry, wrote a book, "Big Lick Homefront: 1861-1865" written in 1898. A group whose descendants appear to reflect Haplogroup I-01.


Descendants of John Terry, recognized through court documents as the son of William and Rachel Terry, have DNA that reflects I-02. This means the two group are related - far back on the tree - and not a closer relationship.



Although connection to this home is still possible due to many unanswered family history questions. from the information about the last Terry resident (who may or may not have named it), it would appear that there is no clear connection to the Peyton L. Terry of Elmwood and the line of this page.


The TERRY line of this page goes back to William (b. PA?) and Rachel Manson Terry (early pioneer and Rev. War Soldier in Botetourt Co., VA and the Big Lick/Black Creek area). He owned land there at least as early as the mid-1700's. His son John Terry (wife Esther Brown) who settled in Perry County, Indiana and was also a Rev. War soldier, to William and Barbara Ennis Terry, Martin and Mary Ann Reed Terry, John King Terry and Mary Ann Riddle Terry, and Wesley Sartin Terry and Edna Maggie Boyd Terry.


The family tended to be very prolific and to be westward bound - with many lines being the first settlers in numerous locations, from Kentucky to Texas and beyond.

William Terry (1785 to 1869): Tennessee to Missouri, A Brief Outline

 The following outline was created by  family historian Harriet Terry (of Pratt, Kansas) and the information for this list (and others) was sent to this blog's writer in about 1986-1990. She had been in communication with Dennis Ray Terry of Wellington, Kansas, son of Roy Dennis Terry. Her information, copies of her handwritten copies of letters, etc. were shared with this writer (sister to Dennis).  Harriet Terry, in conjunction with other family researchers of descendants in Texas, Missouri, Arkansas and elsewhere transcribed rar

e, handwritten letters sent by William to his sons, letters they sent to him, and letters exchanged among other family members. These were preserved by Red River County, Texas family members who, in turn, handed them over to a state archives at one of the universities. Another descendant, Jed D. Terry, worked with a broad assortment of families to bring together in two volumes copies of most of the letters, annotations, photographs, documents, etc. The Terry Family Letters volumes can be accessed in several major research centers in Missouri, Texas, Arkansas and elsewhere. The following is her outline and my notes in brackets.

"Outline of William Terry's life put together from the letters.

1. Born Hawkins County, Tennessee [other records show sometimes Sullivan Co., Tennessee; but the area was in flux at the time of his birth and research indicates people citing birth in such locations often use several of the names later affixed to the areas]

2.Moved to Gibson County, Indiana "as a young man" [His eldest son is listed on census as being born in Kentucky; it is believed William married  Barbara Ennis about 1806 in Kentucky; bulk of his children born in Gibson County]

3.Moved to Madison County, Arkansas in April 1832 [land records indicate his brother John Jr also left about that time; his sons Martin and John will marry in the same general location in the 1830's as well]

4. Moved to Washington County, Arkansas in November 1854 (10 or 12 miles west of Fayetteville, Arkansas)

5. Spent the winter with son Martin Terry in Little Springs, Madison County, Arkansas (1855-56)

6. Made a trip to see his cousins - "The Martin's of the old stock" who lived "out on Sugar Creek on a place called Pea Ridge (Benton County, Arkansas) on  June-July 1857.  [He makes mention in a letter, also, of hearing about his brother Josiah in Tennessee and from his wife's brother John Ennis in Indiana. It is believed that William, son of John Terry born c 1760 in Botetourt Co., Virginia, would have had an aunt named Rachel Terry who married a John Martin and he or his children may have followed John into Hawkins Co., Tennessee. This, then, would be "the Martin's of the old stock."

7. Moved to Barry County, Missouri in 1858. [Where they were during the war years is unclear; from other letters we know Martin Terry and his family were uprooted and they spent several years trying to stay ahead of one army or another, loosing two children to typhus from fouled water created in the troop and ammunition soiled land and waterways.]

8. Lived with Harp and Ennis families (daughter's Nancy and Matilda's families) in Barry and Greene Counties, Missouri, 1867

9. Lived mostly with son Martin Terry in Barry County, Missouri - July1867 - April 1868.

10. Went back to Greene County, Missouri (daughter Nancy Harp or Matilda Ennis) in early 1869 where he died 15 May.

11. Buried in Green County, Missouri on farm owned by one of his son-in-laws."

"William was rather outspoken in his letters. When he didn't like something, she said so! " Harriet Terry, circa 1985.

Profiles and timelines for each of his children will be added in upcoming entries.

HOUSECLEANING

 

A RESPONSE TO THE CHEAKOPE HARRIS LINE RESEARCH

From Geneaology.com I found a source and overview for some the “problems” entering family trees.  I am including this information so I can add annotations and additional information for research and clarity. Every tree is important – no matter the color, religion, or nationality – represented, but it also important that we build our trees brick by brick to make sure it stand strong and steady

“After you read the following excerpt from "Terrys" by Darryl Terry you should go to Google and type in the word "Cheepoake". The only place she seems to fit is as the first wife of William Terry, father of Miles.  Cheepoake Harris was a Cheraw, but when that tribe dissolved about 1730 most merged with the Catawbas, but some may have joined the Cherokees.

 [ITEM: There is little hard-evidence of this Cheepoake Harris being related to the William Terry of Botetourt Co., VA as a “first wife”.  A time line of the activities of William Terry in Botetourt co. shows little room for partnering and fathering two (or more children) who seem focused in Surry Co., NC. He was surveying in the county, serving as constable and buying land.   There are, however, Terry’s out of Halifax, Pittsylvania counties in VA  and NC who might better fit the timeline and the eventual DNA. That group has a large representation within the I-01 Haplogroup. So, that may be the better place to look.  A William Terry there was listed as doing service in the c1755 in the expedition against the Shawnee. See Virginia Militia 1651-1776. Crozier. 1954, pg. 47. He was a soldier under Capt. Joseph Fox under Lewis. He rec’d a bounty for his service in Pittsylvania Co., Marc 21m 1780. Same general location was a Joseph Terry a Sergt under Capt. Wm Philips under Col. Andrew Lewis, similar expedition in 1763. Pittsylvania Co Va rec’d land bounty 1780.]

“I'm a descendant of Isaac Terry and Hannah Horton through their son Isaac and grandson Issac Jr. Rebecca Terry, (b 1862) was my grandfather's sister and a daughter of Isaac Jr. She looked like an Indian and claimed to be Cherokee.”

[I live in Oklahoma and this is not an uncommon claim by people. No disrespect, I have such stories in other of my lines as well. They are, however, not unusual for people  a) seeking uniqueness, b) trying to explain away the odd looking people in the family who do not “fit” in time periods when skin color, hair color, and language were racially divisive aspects of human society, c) seeking to benefit in some manner (land, resources, access to the same) or, d) living with a story passed down through generations of storytellers who, because they are our sacred forebearers, could never ever tell a tall tale!  Finally, e) because they miss-remembered the whole thing and got the story confused themselves. Note that these stores often come a generation or two after the supposed ethnic family member has passed which supports mixed up memories.

The dark skin, hair, eyes, and other traits associated with Native Americans, could also be associated with African Americans, Hispanic and other cultural groups and have been. The Melungeon construct via DNA suggests all that is true with an emphasis on African and Native American roots. Another label used to explain away suspiciously darker looks in that racially abrasive time period was the term of “Black Irish” and “Black Dutch” and other labels.]

The following paragraphs by Darryl Terry (updated in March 2000) tell us a little of what was in some of the claims for Cherokee money filed by descendants of Miles Terry.

 Hannah Horton.

[Item: She was the wife of Miles Terry, married in Botetourt Co., VA 30 Jan 1782 with witnesses Isaac Taylor, Wm Johnson, Caleb Wallace and Susannah Handcock (Book 2, pg.18, Botetourt Co., Va Marriage Records).

“A Rumor is that Hannah's mother is to have been of Cherokee Indian descent. To date no proof can be found on this statement, but their daughter Annie Terry married a "Casebolt" and their son latter applied for a government payment as reparations to the Cherokee Indians in early 1900's.

See information under Annie Terry Casebolt (Miles Terry) This claim was denied but also serves to substantiate other rumors that Hannah was from Indian bloodlines. Given the temperament and resentment for Indians in that day, it would make sense why Miles would move from an area that is still historically a Terry basin of Roanoke VA.”

[ITEM: If life was so difficult for Native Americans and Hannah was one, then it is strange they married there with numerous witnesses. The year before Miles’ brother John Terry also married same place and he was packing up to move out toward Tennessee, Kentucky and eventually into southern Indiana. Perhaps he hoped to follow John?]

“The following claims further add credence to the Indian bloodline.

Lane Shannon Branham, a grandson on Cornelius and Annie Terry Estep, replied to correspondence regarding his Eastern Cherokee Application No. 31011, dated July 25, 1907, under the 1835-1836 and 1846 treaties, as transcribed below

Application No. 31011

Pound Gap WV 6/5/1908

-----

To Hon. Guion Miller

Special Commission Court Claims

Washington DC

Dear Sir:

In reply to within questions will say that I think the removal of my parents and grandparents from Kentucky to Virginia may have been the cause of not being enrolled (if they were not).

I claim Annie Terry Estep, who was a niece of John Ross, as my ancestor.

I think John Ross was a party to the treaties of 1835 and 1846.We pass as white and none of our ancestors were slaves that we know of.   The physical signs on the Indian are distinctly noticeable in our people.

My father and mother were living in Kanawha Co. VA (now W VA) near where I live. For further evidence in this, see affidavits of Loring D. Hill and others filed with the claim of Joseph R Hill (My nephew) of Lockwood, Nicholas Co, W Va. I was born in 1832 and remember my grandmother, Annie Terry and remember her resemblance to the Indians.

Yours Truly,

Lane S. Branham

(we moved from KY about the years 1826-1838)

In the remark section of his claim, Lane Branham stated: "I have frequently heard my mother and grandmother on my mother’s side(whose maiden name was Annie Terry) say that they were blood related to the Cherokee Indians as these Indians frequently camped near them when passing through that country.”

 

Other excerpts from other claims of relatives:

“Cornelius T Estep / Claim No. 44239

My grandmother Terry was said to be 1/2 Indian Cherokee.”

 

“Wilson McGraw /Claim No. 44207

Miles Terry, Annie Terry Estep's father's father was Miles Terry Sr., who was called Devil Jet and belonged to Chief John Ross Tribe of Cherokee Indians.”

 

“Ruby McGraw Vencill / Claim no. 44159

My great grandparents was Cornelius Estep and Annie (Terry) Estep's father's father was Miles Terry Sr., who was called Devil Jet and belonged to Chief John Ross Tribe of Cherokee Indians."

 

“Also in 1907 a Jesse Terry who was at this time seventy-four years old stated in an affidavit that Annie Terry Estep was a Cherokee Indian. This was the same Annie Terry who was Miles and Hannah's Daughter. The paper also stated that some Terrys had changed their last names prior to this to avoid being connected to the Cherokee Indians.”

“Note: Records indicate there was a Miles Terry Jr., son of Miles and Hannah Horton Terry, but he was a brother to Annie Terry. No research has yet revealed if Annie Terry was in fact a niece to Chief John Ross.

Ross's father was Scottish and his mother part Cherokee. Ross's first wife was Cherokee. If there was a kinship, likely Annie Terry may have been the niece of Ross by marriage.”

“ALL EASTERN CHEROKEE CLAIMS FILED BY VARIOUS ESTEP, BRANHAM, HILL, MCGRAW AND O'DELL ANCESTORS WERE REJECTED. In addition to "REJECTED", it was filed too late. The enrolling agent wrote "It does not appear that any ancestor ever enrolled but it does appear that applicants ancestors came from Kentucky to W VA in about 1835.They were therefore not living anywhere near the Cherokee domain and were not parties to the treaties of 1835-6 and 1846. Show no connection with the Cherokee tribe.”

[ITEM: Just to play Devil’s Advocate for a moment. Mere “Rejection” is not a statement of authentication or accuracy. Native Americans have been found to have been rejected in later research because the purposes of these rolls were not to track Native lines but were driven by purely economic and political reasons. People wanted what the government had “given” to the Native Americans in treaties land that now the non Native Americans coveted. Use the rejections as a guide but be aware were mistakes made.]

“Most of our ancestor's claim forms stated that "Devil Jet" belonged to Principle Chief, John Ross of the Eastern Branch of the Cherokee. Ross was born October 3, 1790 and died in 1866.From 1819 to 1826, Ross served as president of the National Council of the Cherokee and assumed his position as Principle Chief of the Eastern Cherokee in 1828. His Cherokee name was GU'WISGUWI'and in boyhood was known as TSAN'USDI, "LITTLE JOHN".”

[This is an example of the problem. Is it Cheepoake, Hannah or Miles who is the Native American? The role appears to be quite fluid in many trees. Here is where DNA will be saving light in untangling these lines and getting out from under the mess being made of many trees.]

“Continuing research has revealed Hannah Horton Terry was most likely Cherokee.”

[ITEM: What was the continuing research, source claims so others can follow your work, and prove it for themselves.]

“The Eastern Cherokee Claims that were filed no doubt represent a tradition that passed word of mouth for several generations. The claims, in part were somewhat contradictory. In reviewing the copies of the claims, it appears they were incorrectly filed through the descent of Miles "Devil Jet", as they should have been filed through the descent of Hannah Horton Terry. After her marriage, Hannah Horton, lived in the white man’s world and was never enrolled on any Indian census or lived on any designated Indian lands.”

[ITEM: While it is good to see the confusion and cross over aspect noted it is unfortunate so many never read this posting originally and have not answered its questions but merely added without thought, sources, or evidence.]

Source: https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/terry/6253/

 

Suggested Steps in the Miles and Hannah Horton Terry line research:

1.       All males in the line should have their DNA down and add their information to the building picture on places such as Family Tree DNA/ Terry Surname Project. That site already contains lines from eastern Virginia, NC, and SC etc. with the I-01 Haplogroup. Offspring of three sons of a presumed son of William and Rachel Manson Terry, John Terry who married Esther Brown, have had their DNA done as well and the results were I-02. Another line in Botetourt/Montgomery Co., Va of Jasper Terry/Mary Morrison and son Josiah and grandson Jasper Morrison Terry have all revealed a different Haplogroup of G-02. As you can see these are going to be tremendously valuable in sorting out all these people.

2.       Great strides are taking place in fine tuning the Native American DNA being found and this is an exciting time to be able to add to the body of knowledge and break down centuries of racial, social, and national stigma’s along the way. Each person, every family, is unique and valuable and it may be possible to teach a lesson to the globe that we human beings are not divided by our uniqueness but instead we celebrate both out distinct aspects as well as our shared ones.

The Will of William Terry Jr. 1824 - UPDATED

It is believed that this man is the son of William Terry and Rachel Terry of Botetourt Co., Va. In 1771 they assigned 100 acres to him on Black Run  identifying him as "son."

" 826 Book 4 page 203, Feb court- William Terry will;

His wife, Patience Terry will enjoy all property until her death, then To Isaac Terry, son of Miles Terry, $100 in property to be paid after his wife's death. 

[Note:  The Miles Terry with son Isaac would be the brother of this William, Miles married Hannah Horton).

The land where he lives will go to nieces, Patience and Elizabeth Cooper, daughter of Washington Cooper from whom he bought the land.

[Washington Cooper was a brother of his wife Patience Cooper. Her lineage and connection as wife of Wm Terry is attested to in her father's will]

All negroes at wife's deth be set at liberty which they are to have, two choice horses and gears and waggon and 2 plows and furniture sufficient to ceep house, one acre apiece and two best wheels.& provisions sufficient to take them to a free state and ten dollars apiece for all that is groon. To be taken out of my wife's estate at her deth. At my deth, the plantation where Frank lives to be sold to highest bidder and the money to my wife.

[Who "Frank" is remains unclear; however the treatment of the "negroes" is out of the ordinary and goes a long way to supporting a connection to the Jasper Terry and Mary Hart Terry who came from strong Quaker stock in Pennsylvania; a strong theory suggests William Terry Sr. was a cousin or other relative of that group]

30 Dec. 1824.

From Montgomery County, Va. Will Books / will proven Feb 1826 indicating his death date range.

His wife, Patience Cooper, also left a will according to information in the work Over the Mountain Men by Worrell (pg.54). The will probated Feb 1847, Floyd Co., Virginia (which had area carved from old, previous Montgomery Co., just as that county had been carved from Botetourt and Botetourt from Augusta and Augusta from the massive lump Orange Co., Va that covered a vast portion of mid and western Va.). In her will,  is named Isaac Terry, Elizabeth, Mary and James Cole, James Craig, and Patience (wife of Lewis Day). These constitute the same Isaac Terry, Elizabeth and Patience Cooper of William's earlier will.

 

The Will of Jasper Terry 1819, Montgomery Co., Virginia : Children Keziah Graham, Jemima DeWeese, Karen-Happuch Rose, implied sons Jonathan Terry, Silas Terry, Elijah Terry, William Terry

" In the name of God Amen; I Jasper Terry of Montgomery County and State of Virginia being low in health, and of perfect mind do make this my last will and Testament. That is, I resign my soul to God that gave it and first of all I give to my loving wife Margaret Terry the plantation I now live on during her life to enjoy it peaceably and freely and one cow and one two year heifer, one serviceable horse the price not to exceed sixty dollars, twenty dollars in bank notes and eight dollars in specie, one barrow, one sow and two shoats, one kettle, one pot, one ewe and lamb, one flax wheel, and all the property that she possesed of that she brought with her here, and an equal part of the crop of small grain that is now growing. The cow, heifer, hogs, ewe lamb and wheel is her own property to dispose of as she pleases; the pot and kettle no to carried from the house and to be returned to my heirs after her decease; if she dies possesed of a horse that is to be returned to my heirs also; I desire that my wife shall give my stepdaughter Susannah Snido the privileges on the plantation that she formerly has had. 

[From the will's wording, which calls her mother merely Margaret Terry, this may be a married name for the stepdaughter. There was a large Snidow family in Montgomery Co., Va at the time with long roots across the state. The assumption was made that this was the married name of Margaret but that is just an assumption until other evidence presents itself and it opens an avenue for searching that has been closed because of that assumption.]

The land I now live is to be sold as soon possible after the decease of my wife Margaret Terry and the money to be equally divided amongst my three daughters; Kezia Grayham, Jemima Deweese and Karon Happuck Rose. 

[Note all the girls had been named for the three daughters the Biblical Job had been blessed with after his trials. Kezia Terry (md Lawson Graham), Jemima Terry Deweese, and Karon-Happuck (often spelled Karen-Happuck) wife of Joseph Rose.]

My land going James Banks; and my land in Franklin County on Snow Creek to be sold also and divided equally amongst William Terry, Jonathon Terry and my three daughters above mentioned; my perishable property of all kind to be sold the last of November 1819 any part of my household furniture that my wife stands in need of she keep it until her decease then to be divided between William Terry and Jonathan Terry; I give Silas one dollar. I give Elijah Terry one dollar. 

[The assumption is that these are his children, perhaps from a first marriage. From deed and marriage records William Terry may have married a woman named Elizabeth, Jonathan a woman named Elizabeth, Elisha a Mary Right, Silas a Caty Rutrouth,]

I do nominate, and appoint my trusty friends Daniel Shelor and Joshua Young my Executors of my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I Jasper Terry doth hereunto set my hand and seal the seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and nineteen. The 43rd year of Independence. Sealed signed and acknowledge in presence of Will Barton, William Shelor, John Hill. 

Jasper Terry"

Montgomery Co., VA Will Book 3, pg. 121. Dated 1819; Probated July 6, 1819.

Marriage and deed records from Botetourt Co and Montgomery Co., Virginia reveal much about the heirs listed that can help researchers.

Keziah Terry - Married a Lawson Graham (Jasper Terry father), 21 June 1797 Wit: Ezekiel Boucher, Silas Terry, and Joseph Asley. Note: A Jemima Terry, d/o William Terry (Rachel Manson) md an Ezekiel Boucher in 1796 but apparently died before a year had passed as her husband remarried in 1797.

Jemima Terry - Labeled in her father's will as Jemima Deweese inferring she had married into that family.

Karon-Happuck Terry - 21 Dec 1813 md Joseph Rose, (Bk A, pg 361).

William Terry - Deed books list a William Terry with wife Elizabeth ca 1805

Jonathan Terry - Deed books list a Jonathan Terry with wife Elizabeth? same time period (1793 and 1801)

Silas Terry- A Silas Terry md a Caty (Catherine?) Rutrouth, wintesses John Grimes, John McHenry and Elijah Terry (Book A pg 89); He is also listed in a deed book of 1806 inferring he or another Silas Terry was deceased

Elijah Terry- An Elijah Terry md a Mary Right 09 Oct 1795 (both of age) Witness Jonathan Grimes (Reg A. Index bk 2, pg 59 and 352)

UNTANGLING THE TERRY OF BOTETOURT CO., VA

 Several decades ago I recall joining my brother Dennis Terry in the family history search. He interviewed, surveyed cemeteries, communicated with people far and wide.

At the time, several people were busy collecting primary document information from sources in Montgomery and Botetourt Co., Va. Snippets of old letters (1850's and collected by Jed Terry into The Terry Family Letters found in major research libraries) gave us clues to connections, travels, kin and etc. 

As they all combined many discoveries were made and many assumptions as to relationships. Now, as DNA presents additional information, some of those assumptions will need to shift.

Recently some bad data has flooded the Terry lines, and just about any line from the regions, as people attempt to "connect" their dead ends and brick walls.

I suggest that we take everything back to the beginning. Start at those brick walls, gather all the data, and then look at things from a different perspective.

Looking at Virginia as a whole, with its revolving county development that confuses "newbies", it is clear that the coastal area developed first and fastest. Ships came to ports, sailed down the coast, and used the massive rivers dumping into the sea as highways deeper in country. Most of that region was settled by English, Scots-Irish and people migrating into the area from New Jersey as land was opened or awarded. Some came down from New York and the New England regions, following the shore or using the King's Highway.

TERRY AREA  1

The areas of Pittsylvania, Halifax, Orange, Louden, Fairfax, Essex, Spotsylvania, Lunenburg. etc. was home to a large group of Terry. Most trees cite their start in the area with one James Terry, b 1666, Lunenburg Co., VA (however, Lunenburg did not exist then so it was probably Charles City or the future such location since it was formed as the original location from which Lunenburg would later emerge.).  This man would have a son Benjamin Terry (see a tree with a collection of notes associated with it at James TERRY 1666-1744 (objgenealogy.com).

James Terry 1666-1744

sons:

1. James 1690-1767  (lives and dies in Va)
2. Benjamin  1700-1771
3. Stephen 1702- d.1769, South Carolina
4. Joseph 1707-1785 (Va)
5. Champness 1720 Pittsylvania Co., Va. d. 1758 Louisa Co., Va
6. Nathaniel 1725-1778 Halifax Co., Va.

*Benjamin 1700-1771 had children: Joseph b in Halifax; Nathaniel b 1724 ; Sarah b 1730; Benjamin M. b 1730;a Levinia b. 1740?

Benjamin's son Nathaniel , ca 1724 died in 1780 and had son Robert, b 1776 in Halifax Co., Va.

Many of the children of the James Terry 1666-1744 drifted into South Carolina, North Carolina in the same way a later generation would drift into Kentucky, Alabama, or other southern locations.

From results of various Terry men a large number of Terrys in those areas appear to show a large number are members of DNA Haplogroup I-01. 

Now, combined with careful evidence building, and research, it is possible that a more precise tree for the Terry's of Eastern and Central Virginia, and elsewhere, might be constructed. As more of this group track and add their DNA to ongoing studies great leaps may be possible and truth found.

TERRY AREA 2

Augusta County in Virginia began as this huge area that encompassed regions now identified with about three states. As people settled these areas, smaller sections appeared.  Into the general region of Botetourt County in 1744 appeared two men never listed on records in the region until then (along with many others of course). What brought Jasper Terry and William Terry to the estate sale on the Monahan place is a guess. 

Jasper Terry, believed to be a cousin of William Terry based on one theory and a father or brother in another end up sticking around the region. They remain, from documentary evidence of early records, in the area of Botetourt Co. and the future Montgomery Co. until William dies in about 1792 (based on a court document).

A word about the theories. One theory suggests that Jasper Terry was a cousin. This merges with a Jasper Terry, b c1715 in Bucks Co., Va who married in 1736 there a Mary Hart. Note, the Jasper left in Bucks Co. Pa is a probable uncle of this Jasper Hart. Mary Hart came from a historic and active Quaker family.  Shortly after their marriage Jasper Terry, along with his in-laws including Thomas, Miles, Aaron, Silas, and John Hart lived and worked in the area (road building, surveying, etc.). Since Mary Hart Terry's father, and several brothers?, migrated to Union Co., South Carolina where it is believed Thomas Hart died c 1790's, it is possible that Jasper and Mary Hart Terry migrated that was as well. Since it is believed that this Jasper and Mary Hart Terry had only one son, Joseph, who was raised by his Uncle John Terry in Bucks Co., PA, it is also possible they may have died in Virginia and that would have resulted in his son being sent back to relatives to be raised or fostered. What is known is that the largest cluster of Terry's in Bucks Co., PA fall into the DNA haplogroup of I-02. There is an earlier Jasper there as well and many of the names familiar to later Terry's can be found as well. An interesting essay or two can be found on them at "Five Generations of Terry's of Buck Co., PA" at 29deadpeople.com, as well that explores the descendances of the line of that Bucks Co. Thomas Terry to Southold, Long Island and the arrival of three Terry me (relatives) from England in 1635.

Aligned with this theory is that , as cousins, William might be the William Terry who married in 1756 in Philadelphia one Eleanor Holmes. She is mentioned, always as Eleanor Terry (wife of William) in Quaker records of the time in Pennsylvania. There is a later mention of a William Terry but it is in the early 1800's and may constitute a son. William (spouse of Eleanor), seemingly disappears, and while divorce was uncommon it did happen. I do not believe this is the same man, but another "cousin?" He appears to have disappeared about 1760 (as Eleanor turns up as the only figure in records in 1760-1761). If, however, the William Terry who married a Rachel Manson in 1759 at Christ Church in Philadelphia is the same man in Botetourt Co., Va (and in over thirty years of people searching a William and Rachel to match the Botetourt couple mentioned in court documents, no one has found a marriage matching the names to suggest otherwise) then he married Eleanor in 1756 (fathered Wm and another child) and then married Rachel in 1759. Note, both marriages are outside the Quaker Meeting model and held in Presbyterian churches too. Also, if Eleanor did not die, then the children joining William in Virginia becomes harder to explain. So, for those reasons I suspect this is yet another cousin amid the larger Bucks Co., Pa group.

A timeline of William's life as recorded in early records of the area indicate that in 

1744 - Appeared at an Estate sale with Jasper Terry

1750- Named a constable for the area of Botetourt

1753 - Named as a neighbor in relations to a will being probated

24 Nov 1753 - busy "Surveying and building roads" in the area of Augusta, Virginia, British Colonial America.   Along with Jasper Terry, Miles Hart, Aaron Hart, Wm Graham, etc.

c 1755- [Assumed birth date of son William Jr]

c1756 - Marriage of a William Terry and Eleanor Holmes in Philadelphia]

1759 -  Marriage of a William Terry and a Rachel Mansion in Philadelphia

1760's - Children born in Botetourt Co., Va

-Jasper Terry who married a "Ruth" but probably not the one who married a Margaret Snidow (see Terry Unknowns below)

-John Terry b c 1760 md Esther Brown + See DNA note

-Susannah Terry md Thomas Brown (brother of Esther Brown)

-Rachel Terry md John Martin

-Miles Terry md Hannah Horton

-Mercy Terry md Jonathan Harrison

-Jemima Terry md Ezekiel Boucher in 1796 but died before he remarried in 1797.

1779 - Court orders team to inspect road and report back. Botetourt, Virginia, United States

Wm Terry, Jasper Terry and Leonard Huff

1780 - Age 56 (average age for death was around 40 in this time) William Terry Exempted from paying taxes due to "Age" Note, the mention of a William Terry in this time period probably refers to his son Wm Jr. whose wife was Patience Cooper (identified as wife of Wm Terry in  her father's will and her nieces inherit in Wm Jr's will of 1810). 

1791 - Age 67, The Whiskey Rebellion occurred. A tax protest in the early 1790s was caused by the first tax imposed by the government on the American people after the United States became its own country. 

 1792 - Court documents of February 1793 referred to William Terry "deceased" and his widow Rachel and name several children. Other children will be named and identified after the death of Rachel around 1803.

1793 - A William Terry, likely the son of this William, granted a license to keep an ordinary in his house at Christianburg, Montgomery Co., Va. An ordinary could be an inn, pub or both; a crucial service in the time of long journeys.  (Nov. 5, 1793). There is also a William Terry listed as potential son in the will of a Jasper Terry who left a widow named Margaret (Elijah, Silas, Jonathan,William, Keziah (Mrs Graham), Karen-Happuch (Mrs. Rose) and Jemima (Mrs. Deweese). The actual parent of this Jasper is unsure (he may connect to the G-02 group ;simply unknown to date).  

It is clear that except for two possible trips to Philadelphia for marriage, William Sr. stayed in Botetourt Co., area of the state.  The gaps in his time line are brief and his behavior suggests a man who, although actively involved in building his community (constable, surveyor of roads, and member of the local militia) he did not actively engage in conflict or similar activities (another link to roots in the early Friends?).

Also of note, is a trace that indicates in those early Quaker records regarding Eleanor that perhaps she married outside the society (and its processes);  that often meant a spouse was not an adherent. 

Intriguingly, there are several lines (one is the Clement Terry line of Bucks Co., Pa) that indicates at the time William b1724 would have been seeking a wife, others before him in Terry groups had stepped outside the "proper" order of things to marry in "public" or in a civil ceremony. Thus, there is record of some weddings at the historic Presbyterian churches of Philadelphia of those who, as in one case in particular, two months after the civil ceremony at another church they had a proper Quaker one at the local meeting house. An important element in accepting Eleanor Holmes as the first wife of this William would be to discover how Quakers viewed divorce. If a woman did not marry in the Meeting House is it possible her marriage could be overlooked or set aside (something the Catholic Church does) if she herself was upstanding and faithful to the tenets of the Meeting? There appears to be some indication of this in records.

Also, note on the DNA related to this grouping. Several descendants of John Terry who married Esther Brown have had their DNA tested and the results place them in that same I-02 haplogroup.  See an informative article on the Y-DNA of the Buck's Co., Pa group related to Virginia at Addendum 1. Analysis of Y-DNA markers – 29deadpeople  and explore the links provided to names at the Terry Family DNA results at Test Results at Terry - Results | FamilyTreeDNA and the classic chart at FamilyTreeDNA - TERRY Y-Chromosome DNA Surname Project

TERRY UNKNOWNS

A. In that central and SW Virginia area of Wm Terry and Rachel can be found another Jasper Terry. (Or the same and no familiar connection between Wm and Jasper of 1744).  This one is identified by the presumed name of his spouse as "Jasper and Mary Morrison Terry.

They had at least one son Josiah who married a Mary Lloyd. 

This Josiah had children (more but these are the only ones I am listing) Jasper Morrison Terry and Aaron Burr Terry.

This family group, from the previously mentioned sources, had haplogroups in opposition to those of the other groups - a G-02. Other research indicates this group too may have come out of New Jersey very early but more data is needed to be sure of migration; not enough have added their DNA to the mix to determine more.

B. The "Two Jasper Terry's". Many trees have added these two together to be either the son of William and Rachel Terry I-02 or part of the Jasper Terry G-02 group of Terry-Morrison. Lately, some trees show they are connecting people and lines identified from I-01, I-02 and G-02!

Here is my take on the situation. Most trees say that this Jasper Terry who died in 1819 in Montgomery Co., Va had two wives and the first was named "Ruth" and the second "Margaret" (presumed Snidow married name). This is based on land records of the 1793 to 1804 mentioning a "Jasper and wife Ruth." The will of this man, however, merely says "Margaret Terry" and calls his step-daughter Susannah Snidow/Snido (from that it has been assumed that was Margaret's married name but it could also be Susannah's married name! A large group of that name are in the same area). So a pre-marriage name of Margaret Snidow is an assumption until documentary evidence appears to clarify the situation and the dates.

The major problem is that for this man to be the same husband to both Ruth and Margaret, the time line does not line up based on working assumptions.  For "Jasper Terry and wife Ruth" to be together as couple in 1793-1809 time period, Ruth had to die before 1819. The will of 1819 of Jasper Terry appears to imply the wife would survive him.

No death or cemetery has been found related to his or her death or that of a first wife.  At that late date, a record seems expected if he had mothered Elisha, Silas, Jonathan, William, Karon-Happuck, Keziah, and Jemima and then remarried Margaret and then died in 1819. The children were grown and married. Yet no marriage records survive just as no death records survive to verify any of that.

Two, given the names of the three daughters - blessings after a time of trial- (the loss of a beloved first wife?) it seems probable that Margaret was the mother of the girls (born after hardship of war, loss of a spouse, something else? Some dark night of the soul?) and a first wife mother of the boys. Only as records or DNA from those who hail from the genes of Silas, Elijah, Jonathan and William is analyzed can an answer be suggested.

I assume that this Jasper-Margaret may link to the G-02 group and that any descendants of the "Jasper and Ruth" may prove to be of the I-02 group. Thus proving these are two distinct family units.

Who knows?   The presumed descendants of this Jasper (Elisha , Silas, Jonathan, William ) should be encouraged to have their DNA done and thus help to clarify the lines of tangled tree called TERRY.

Hopefully, this will encourage people to begin a new discussion about what they assume to know or claim about the Terry Trees in Virginia. Each one played strong roles in the formation of the state, the nation and the family groups they birthed. May we do as much in the lives we are given.

Happy hunting!

THE DNA SHOULD TELL THE TALE: Origins of Barry Co., Missouri Terry Families

Note: There appears to be a clear correlation between the Terry family of Barry County, Missouri (Wesley Sartin Terry, John King Terry, Martin Terry, William Terry, John Terry, William Terry,,,with wife Rachel ...) and Terry's who migrated on the ship The James in 1635. These three men - brothers or cousins - settled primarily in Long Island first, then drifted into Flushing, and then into Bucks Co., Pa. One group - directly related to the Barry Co., Mo line - moved into Virginia (same locales with shifting names of Fincastle, Augusta, Montgomery) with some then moving toward frontier bounty award lands in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. Finally, into Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas and all points west.

DNA should provide some clear guidance to linking family lines. My brother did his DNA and it firmly placed our line in the descent from a group in Botetourt Co., Va with links back to Bucks Co., PA. This line - my own - from Barry Co., Missouri was revealed to have a Paternal Haplogroup of 12a2.  

According to the Family at DNA (Terry - Results | FamilyTreeDNA) my line of Terry should be clear.

Family letters identify a Josiah Terry in Tennessee as a brother to my William Terry.   Again, DNA confirms this - Kit # 90918 Group I-02

0 William Terry b 1724 d 1803
+ Rachel Manson

1 John Terry b 1760 d 07 Dec 1842
+ Esther Brown

2 Josiah Terry b abt 1780 VA
+ Nancy Thomas; m(1) d 1868 Oneida, Scott Co TN
+ Nancy Stevens; m2 (Source- above link)

This group reflects the family of one known ancestor - so again DNA confirms: 

Kit # 90695 Group I-02 =

0 William Terry b 1724 d 1803  
+ Rachel Manson

1 John Terry b 1760 d 07 Dec 1842 (Note someone has added "Burris" to his name without any citations and an unverified story of its source and his parentage). 
+ Esther Brown (The Terry, Brown, and others had strong Pennsylvania ties to Quakerism).

2 William Terry b 07 Nov 1785 d  15 May 1869
+ Barbara Ennis [My Line!!]

3 John Terry b 09 May 1818 d  13 Sep 1898
+ Lucinda King Reed

Other studies and DNA confirm a link from this William and Rachel back to the Bucks Co., PA group. That information confirms a relationship between this William and a Jasper Terry with wife Mary Hart (whose mother was named Miles) through DNA.

Another jasper often tacked on or thought to be the same man, a Jasper Terry with wife Mary Morrison, comes from an entirely different haplogroup: G-02.

This should help to clarify connections and remove some profound mistakes being repeated without any supporting evidence.