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.

1889, Nov. 6

Death of Mrs. Terry.
The announcement of the death of Mrs. Winfred Terry will be received with profound regret by the friends of that lady and of the family. Mrs. Terry died at the residence of her son-in-law, J. T. Duncan, in West Dallas, at 2 o'clock this morning in the 84th year of her age. The funeral will take place from the First Methodist Church in this city to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. The deceased was an old resident of Dallas county and leaves a large number of friends and acquaintances to mourn her loss. She was the mother of J. S., C. M. and T. G. Terry, well-known citizens.
- November 6, 1889, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 5, col. 2.

Mrs. Winfred Terry, at o'clock 2 A. M. Nov 6, 1889, at the residence of her son-in-law, J. T. Duncan, West Dallas. Funeral from First M. E. Church at 10 o'clock Nov. 7. The deceased was the mother of J. S., C. M. and T. G. Terry, and was in her 84th year.
-                [November 6, 1889, Dallas Daily Times Herald, p. 5, col. 4.]

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 Cliff; (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 clerk 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 engagements. 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 subsequently 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 half 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 citizens. 
    Of an old southern family, James S. Terry was born in Greenville district of South Carolina in 1834.  He was the oldest in a family of nine children whose parents were Asbury and Winney E. (Graydon) Terry.  Both parents 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 arrived 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 business 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 with 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, Columbus, Island No. 10, and New Madrid in the defensive operations of the Confederates along the Mississippi river.  With a number of his comrades James S. Terry swam the river to the Arkansas side, rejoined the Confederate forces at Fort Pillow, went on to Corinth, and in 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 avenue 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 Beauchamp in the flouring mill enterprise.  Then James S. Terry bought an interest 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 undertakings for which he deserves special remembrance was his 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 individual enterprise and contribution of private means were employed in the opening up and grading of streets, and otherwise building up Dallas as a city.  The 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 years old his father died, leaving eight children younger hant the sone James, and as the eldest he imposed upon himself the duty of education of 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 thoroughly, 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 found 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]

1909, Feb. 12 - Thomas Graydon Terry dies in Tippah, Mississippi, 

"T.G. Terry was born 1849 in Tippah Mississippi, the son of Asbury and Winnie [Graydon] Terry of South Carolina. T.G. Terry married Lillie Bowen in 1870, and the family migrated to Texas during the reconstruction period following the 1861-65 War Between the States[1]. The family was involved in many business and civic activities in Dallas. In 1871, T. G. Terry, and his father, Asbury Terry, established a lumber planing mill, located on what is now Pacific and Ervay streets. Later, the Terry family established a flour mill in partnership with Charles Beauchamp, their mill near Austin Street about four blocks south of the courthouse. T. G. Terry spent the last twenty years of his life unselfishly serving in the interests of Dallas public schools in the capacity of Dallas School Board Secretary, devoting his time and energies to the building and improvement of Dallas public schools[2]. As of this date, I find no mention, anywhere, regarding the construction date of T. G. Terry School. The 1949-50 PTA Directory notes the organization of a PTA in 1920, and names twenty-one past presidents. It is plausible the construction of the school occurred about 1928, after the death of Mr. Terry and thus named in his honor. In 1909, at the age of 60, Thomas Graydon Terry died in Dallas. His final resting place is in Greenwood Cemetery, in the Terry family plot, located just outside the heart of downtown Dallas, at the corner of Oak Grove and McKinney Streets[3]. Information provided by Nancy Carter." [ www.findagrave.com]

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.

Terry Family Index || Elroy's Family Index || Ancestor Chart #12
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