Person:Thaddeus Berry (1)

Thaddeus (Teague)¹ Berry (O'Barry) was born in Ireland in the first half of the seventeenth century, probably between 1635 and 1645, of unknown parentage. By 1665 he had arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony and had married Hannah Farrar of Lynn, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (-----) Farrar, possibly at Lynn. Thomas Farrar (1614/5-1693/4) was the son of Thomas and Athelred Farrar of Burnley, Lancashire.

The date and place of birth of John, the eldest son of Thaddeus and Hannah Berry, is unknown. The births of four of their children between 1665 and 1670 were recorded in Boston. Prior to June 1672 Thaddeus occupied land in Rumney Marsh and on 12 June 1672 purchased a 30-acre lot there from Samuel Bennett. Eight more children were born after 1670. Thaddeus was of a sufficient age in 1698 to create a "retirement plan" in the form of a deed of half his land to his son Thomas (elder son John having by then already married and removed to Wenham) with the reservation of a life estate for himself and his wife Hannah. The reason for passing over his son Samuel in this grant is unknown. Thaddeus would appear to have expanded his holdings to have died seised of some 23 acres in 1718.

Thaddeus Berry died in Boston (Rumney Marsh) in 1718, survived by Hannah, his wife, and most of their children. He made no known will, and his property devolved under the Suffolk County probate administration of his son John. His wife Hannah was still alive in November 1720. Their dates of death and burial place are unknown.

Thadeus Berry was born (perhaps in Ireland) about 1640, and died at Rumney March (Then part of Boston, later Chelsea, now partly in Saugus, Mass.) before 5 June 1718 when his estate was administered (Suffolk Probate 21:7, 98; 22:20-22). He married, probably at Rumney Marsh or Lynn, Mass., about 1661, Hannah Farrar of Lyn, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Farrar. Thomas Farrar mentions his daughter, "Hannah Berry" in his will dated 3 April 1694 (Essex Probate, 9263). Further proof that Hannah Farrar was the wife of Thadeus Berry and the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Farrar is from the will of Thomas Farrar, Jr., dated 5 January 1733. He bequeathed to his "kinswomen Rebecca Bassett, wife of William Basset, Jr; to Abigail Bassett, wife of John Bassett; and to Hannah Needham, wife of Edmund Needham" (Essex Probate, 9264). All three were daughters of Thadeus and Hannah (Farrar) Berry.

5 Jun 1718: Bond of John Berry of Wenham as administrator of his Father Thadeus Berry late of Rumney Marsh Husbandman dece'd.
Undated (sworn to 30 Jun 1718): Inventory of Thedus [perhaps, it looks like the name was corrected afterwards to Thaddeus] berrey late of Rumney Marsh deacesed: £135-1-0 by Hugh ffloyd, John floyd, Thomas Cheever.
23 Jun 1720: Real estate uncapable of a Division without great prejudice.
8 Nov 1720: Account of John Berry admin'r of his Father Thadeus Berry late of Rumney Marsh Deceased, allowed.
8 Nov 1720: Bond of John Berry of Wenham eldest son to pay brothers and sisters namely Elizabeth Townsend Hannah Needham Samuel Berry Thomas Berry Daniel Berry Sarah Stoker Ethelred Merian [sic] Rebecca Basset Abigail Basset Jerusha Meriam and Mehitabel Berry.