Thomas Berry

https://sites.google.com/site/irishberrygenealogy/john-berry-i#ThB2

Thomas BERRY,(son of John Berry) b. 4 Feb.1737/8 in Ireland, d. 20 Oct 1815. Buried at Eglish on 26 Oct., Thomas lived before his marriage with his father at Broadwood, later at Brookfield, Ballygibbon (about 4 miles from Tyrrellpass) and Eglish Castle. On 15 June 1770 he took over the lease of Eglish Castle, King's Co. from his father-in-law and c. 1776 bought the head interest of the Sterlings, which was sold in Chancery. Coote's Survey states that " he has a well circumstanced demesne and holds a great tract of Ground without the Barony (Eglish) principally grazed by sheep" also that with Roger North of Kilduff he occupies "almost the entire of the green farms of the Barony of Philipstown, and has an extensive bleach green at Eglish." Thomas seems to have farmed some, if not all of his land himself. In letters written by his wife in 1793 and 1795 there is mention of his going to fairs at Roscrea, where he bought 150 sheep, Killavally and Mullingar. The mill and bleaching green for flax was part of a project to give profitable employment to two of his sons, James and Francis. There are references to it being started in letters by Thomas Berry written in 1795 to his wife. James was then twenty five and Francis only sixteen.

The few references to Thomas Berry and the tone of his own letters indicate that he was an energetic and businesslike man. There is also a glimpse of him being a stern father in the case of one of his sons, Sterling, who at the age of twenty eight was apparently still sowing his wild oats and failing to settle down to earning his living as a linen salesman. In a letter of 13th Sept. 1797 Frances Berry writes of her son Sterling that his ...."Father is still so enraged he can't hear his name mentioned with any degree of patience"...

Thomas was a Major in the Eglish Rangers, 29 Aug. 1779.

GEDCOM Note

Thomas lived before his marriage with his father at Broadwood, later at Brookfield, Ballygibbon (about 4 miles from Tyrrellpass) and Eglish Castle. On 15 June 1770 he took over the lease and Eglish Castle, King's Co. from his father-in-law and c. 1776 bought the head interest of the Sterlings, which was sold in Chancery. Coote's Survey states that " he has a well circumstanced demesne and holds a great tract of Ground without the Barony (Eglish) principally grazed by sheep" also that with Roger North of Kilduff he occupies "almost the entire of the green farms of the Barony of Philipstown, and has an extensive beach green at Eglish." Thomas seems to have farmed some, if not all of his land himself. In letters written by his wife in 1793 and 1795 there is mention of his going to fairs at Roscrea, where he bought 150 sheep, Killavally and Mullingar. The Beach green was part of a project to give profitable employment to two of his sons, James and Francis. There are references to it being started in letters by Thomas Berry written in 1795 to his wife. James was then twenty five and Francis only sixteen.

The few references to Thomas Berry and the tone of his own letters indicate that he was an energetic and businesslike man. There is also a glimpse of him being a stern father in the case of one of his sons, Sterling, who at the age of twenty eight was apparently still sowing his wild oats and failing to settle down to earning his living as a linen salesman. In a letter of 13th Sept. 1797 Frances Berry writes of her son Sterling that his ...."Father is still so enraged he can't hear his name mentioned with any degree of patience"...

Thomas was a Major in the Eglish Rangers, 29 Aug. 1799.

In the Public Monitor, 1772-3, a series of articles appeared entitled "A View of St Stehan's Green". This is an imaginary conversation between two imaginary characters, who remark on the people who are supposed to pass by. In the issue of 4 Feb. 1773 we find " Messrs Thomas and James Berry, brothers, two as worthy beings and of as excellent character as walk on this green" [Contrast this with their comment on Jonathan Berry].