1801, Sept. 19.- "Francis Asbury, known as one of the founders of Methodism in the United States visited Terry Chapel near the Reedy River. " [The History of the Pisgah Methodist Church, 200th Homecoming, Fountain Inn, S.C. May 1991] Asbury Terry is, probably named after him, is born in Oct, 1800.

1828-

Married on the 6th inst., by the Rev. Mr. Smith, Mr. Asberry Terry of this District to Miss Nancy Gray of Laurens Dist. (Note: I believe this should be Nancy Graydon, Editor)
[Marriages and Death notices from the Greenville Republican, Issue March 15, 1828, Terry Family Historian, March 1983.]

Asbury Terry may have married two Graydon women. His first wife is listed as Nancy Gray in the marriage of 1828. There is a daughter of Thomas Graydon according to the will of 1840 that includes "Nancy Gradon" but also Asbury Terry, she should be married to him if the editor of the Terry Historian is correct. It is unlikely that a married woman would be listed as a purchaser of the estate using her maiden name. Winnie Graydon, according to family lore is also supposed to be Thomas Graydon's daughter but is not mentioned in the will or the probate files. If a married woman made purchases from the estate her husband would have been listed as the buyer. I have not been able to confirm this. Winnie is the mother of most of his known children.

1892-

JAMES S. TERRY, engaged in the real-estate business, of Dallas was born in the Greenville district, South Carolina, in 1834, the eldest of nine children born to Asbury and Winnie (Graydon) Terry, natives of South Carolina. The father was of English descent, and the mother of Scotch-Irish, and grandfather Terry came from England to South Carolina about 1777. Of the parents' nine children, eight are still living, namely: JAMES S., our subject; SALLY, now Mrs. WARREN of De Soto county, Mississippi; C. W., who resides in Oak Ciff; (TX) WILLIAM H., who came to Texas before marriage, and died in 1884; MARY, now Mrs. WILLIAM FLYNN of Washington county, Arkansas; MATTIE, now Mrs. DUNCAN of West Dallas; GEORGE A., a resident of Dallas.

James S. Terry was reared in South Carolina, and at the age of seven years he emigrated to Mississippi. When twenty-one years of age he went to La Grange, Tennessee, and engaged as a clrk in a store. In 1861 he enlisted in the Southern Guards, Company A, and was in the artillery service twelve months, participating in the battles of Cape Giradeau, Missouri, Belmont, Columbus, Island No. 1p, and New Madrid. They then swam the river to the Arkansas side, then to Fort Pillow, and Corinth. In 1862 Mr. Terry joined the fourth Tennessee Infantry, Company A, and was then taken prisoner and confined at Camp Douglas for some time. He received a gunshot wound at Atlanta, and also three or four other scratches or wounds. Mr. Terry was in thirty-seven battles and many severe engagments. He then returned to Mississippi on foot, where he engaged in farming and threshing until coming to Dallas city in 1872. Here he first engaged in the milling business, and subsesquently erected a woolen mill of his own, which he conducted many years. Mr. Terry has been connected with the Manufacturing interests of this city for a number of years, has aided in opening up and grading the streets and has been active in all things for the good of the city.

He was married in De Soto county, Mississippi, in 1877, to Miss Callie Hicks, a native of Mississippi, and daughter of Charles and Lucy (Ingram) Hicks, natives of North Carolina. The parents moved to Mississippi at an early day, where the father died in 1873, and the mother about 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Terry have seven children, viz.: Hugh Findley, Ruth, Roy, Cleveland, Paul, Roblee and an infant, now decease. Mr. Terry votes with the Democratic party, but is not active in politics. He has witnessed the growth of Dallas city from a population of 2,000 to its present number, and is now living on his income and looking after his landed interests.
[Memorial & Biographical History of Dallas County Texas. Chicago. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1892,. Weatherford Public Library. pg. 673-74

James Terry's Diary

1914 - This biography was written several years after James S. Terry died but gives a number of interesting facts and connections.

 "James S. Terry. For nearly hald a century the name Terry has been one associated with useful activities and of both business and civic prominence in the city of Dallas.  Various members of the family have been farmers and planters, manufacturers, successful business men, and while unusually prosperous in material circumstances have at the same time performed the part of public spirited citizens, and the community of Dallas has been better for their services and activities.  Perhaps the most conspicuous of these men was the late James S. Terry, whose death at Dallas in 1901 removed one of the city's ablest and best known citzens. 
    Of an old southern family, James S. Terry was born in Greenville district of South Carolina in 1834.  He was the oldest in a famiy of nine children whose parents were Asbry and Winney E. (Graydon) Terry.  Both parentsw were natives of South Carolina, and on the paternal side the ancestry was English, and Scotch-Irish on the maternal. The grandfather of the late James S. Terry came from England to South Carolina about 1777, and fought for American Independence.  A characteristic of the Terry family is that they have been for several generations stanch Methodist.  This leaning is indicated in the name, Asbry Terry, who was given that name in honor of the noted for their attributes of physical and mental power.  Of the brothers and sisters of james S. Terry only two are now living : George A. Terry and Mrs. Mattie Duncan, both living at Oak Cliff, Dallas. In the generation to which James S. Terry belongs, the first of the brothers to come to Dallas was C. M. Terry, who arived in 1866.  George A. and T. G.  Terry came in 1808, and Will Terry and James S. Came in 1872,
     James S. Terry at the age of seven years accompanied his parents and other members of the family ot Mississippi, first locating in Tipppah county, and about 1848 moving to Desoto county in the same state, where his father was engaged in buisness as a cotton planter.  When twenty-one years of age James S. Terry moved to Tennessee and was employed as a clerk in a store at LaGrange of Major Cossett, who built and endowed the Memphis Public Library.  A few years later wth the outbreak of the war between the states in 1861 he enlisted in the Southern Guards, Company A, and spent twelve months in the artillery division, his command being stationed respectively at Cape Girardeau, Belmont, Coumbus, Island No. 10, and New Madrid in the defensive operations of the Confederates along the Mississippi river.  With a number of his confrades james S. Terry swam the river to the Arkansas side, rejoined the Confederate forces at Fort Pillow, went on to Corinth, and isn 1862 Mr. Terry was assigned to Company A of Fourth Tennessee infantry, and with that command participated in the invasion of Kentucky, and in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesbory, Chattanooga, Chickamuga, Nashville, and at the last named place was captured and spent some time in Federal prison at Camp Douglas in Chicago.  he rejoined his command in time to take part in the defense of Atlanta, where he received a gun shot wound, and  during his career as a soldier received several other wounds. His record included thiery seven pitched battles.  At Richmond, Virginia, in 1865, he received his parole, returned across the country on foot to Mississippi, and was employed in varied labor on the farm and in threshing until moving to the city of Dallas in 1872.  
     For a number of years, beginning about the time Dallas took on an importance as a commercial center as the result of railroad building, the firm of Terry Bros. was prominent as local manufacturers.  The original firm, composed of T. G. and G. A. Terry, in 1871 established a planing mill, located on what is now Pacific aveneu and Ervay street. Some time later a flouring mill was established by C. M. Terry, in 1871 established by C. M. Terry joined Terry and Beaudhamp in the flouring mill enterprise.  Then james S. Terry bought an interst in the flour mill, and in a short time was the leading spirit in the operation.  The city of Dallas during the '70s was not lacking in men of exceptional ability and originality but amound them the late James S. Terry was a leader in affairs, and one of the undertakins for which he desiervess special rmembrance was hsis establishment of a woolen mill, whihc was operated successfully for a number of years.  His industrial activities were finally discontinued in order to afford him time and opportunity to devote to his real estate property. Not only his influence as a member of the community but his indivdual enterprise and contribution of private means were employed in the opening up and grading of streets, and otehrwise building up Dallas as a city.  Teh old planing will site, on Pacific avenue and Ervay street, at the intersection of Bryan street, in the heart of a busy commercial district, is still owned by Mrs. james S. Terry. 
     While in business affairs he stood in the front ranks of his contemporaries, james S. Terry was also notable for the strenth and nobility of his personal character.  When sixteen yers old his fatherdied, leaving eight children younger hant the sone James, and as the eldest he imposed upon himself the dty of educationg these children and helping his mother to rear them, a duty which he fulfilled with unshrinking fidelity.  It was on this account that he himself did not marry until he was forty-two years old. When he left the arm in 1865 he had not a penny, and was still almost a poor man when he started in business in Dallas.  No man deserved his success more throughly, and won it more creditably than the late james S. Terry.  To his own children he gave the best of opportunities for education and advancement, and at his death left his family in comfortable financial circumstances. 
      In this connection some mention should also be made of his brother, the late T. G. Terry, who was a member of the original firm of Terry Bros.  T. G. Terry spent the last twenty years of his life unselfishly in the interest of the public schools of Dallas, being secretary of the school board for about the length of time, and devoting practically all his time and energies, for a very small remuneration, to the upbuilding of Dallas' public schools. 
      In De Soto county, Mississippi, in 1877, james S. Terry married Miss Callie Hicks, who still lives at the Terry home in Dalls. She was forn in Mississippi, a daughter of Charles Hatcher and Lucy (Ingram) Hicks, who came from North Carolina to Mississippi at an early day, when her father died in 1873 and her mother about 1881.  Of the children of the late James S. Terry and wife one died in infancy, and Hugh Finley Terry, who was born in Mississippi, and who became a physician in Dallas, is also deceased.  There are now seen children living, named as follows: Toy Hicks Terry, Grover D. Terry, Paul L. Terry, Robert E. Lee Terry, Mrs. W. J. Schaefle, Miss Katharin Nell Terry and Miss Lucy Helen Terry.  Tese cildren were all born and educated in Dallas with the exception of eldest, and Roy Hicks Terry, who was born in Mississippi.  The youngest son, Robert E. Lee, is now a student in the law school of the University of Texas.   [Johnson, Vol. II,  p. 1315-16]

Source:

Corrigan, Hugh. records and Journal of James S. Terry, 1852-1856 and Diary of Charles M. Terry 18956-1860 3809 Shenandoah St., Dallas, TX 75205, pub. 2000, hc4@home.com
Johnson, Francis White. A History of Texas and Texans, Vol. 3.  Am. Historical Soc., Chicago/NY,. 1914
Memorial & Biographical History of Dallas County Texas. Chicago. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1892,. Weatherford Publick Library. pg. 673-74
Norfleet, Mary Vance, thanks for her vast collection of records and history as recorded by her grandmother, Anne Elcybeth "Elsie" Terry Vance. 63090 Opossum Lane, Montrose CO 81401-9603. 3/5/03 - email- mvn471@montrose.net
Terry, Robt. M. editor. Terry Family Historian, March 1983, Greenville County, South Carolina Probate records, .p. 26. (records on-line)
US census records.

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