Thomas Terry came from ,we think, from possibly Yorkshire, England about 1785 and settled near Fork Shoals, South Carolina which was identified as "New Ireland" by some locals at the time. If the birth date is correct he would have immigrated at age 40. With his brother-in-law, John Harrison(from Yorkshire), he organized a Methodist Church known as Terry's Chapel. A new church was built in 1843 and again in 1904, now known as "Pisgah." The Pisgah Methodist Church is in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. Some Terry family members still live in the area and are still deacons in the church.

His father: unknown Terry ancestor
His mother: unknown

*This child is from the records of the Hopkins family.
# These heirs are listed in Thomas Terry's will of 20 Oct 1830.
%R. Y. H. Terry writes that Elizabeth, his first wife had 4 to 5 children with all dying of Yellow fever except one girl.

all children were born in So. Carolina
#buried at the Pisgah United Methodist Church Cem. Fountain Inn, S. C.
@all are listed in the indenture of 1816 except Pamalia.

1780's or '90's- he first marries John Harrison's sister, Elizabeth Harrison, of Yorkshire, England. [The History of the Pisgah Methodist Church, 200th Homecoming, Fountain Inn, S.C. May 1991]

According to the Hopkins family records, Elizabeth Terry was the first and only child of Elizabeth Harrison Terry. Because of the birth date she must have been born in England and probably came over with her mother and uncle John Harrison. [email of 12 Mar 1999 from"Daniel Gannon" dannnan@bellsouth.net]

1785 - Robert Y. H. Terry, the grandson of Thomas Terry, says that his grandfather came over about 1785 ahead of the family. He claims that Thomas had a wife and five children that he had left in England. The rest of the family landed in Charleston a year or so later. Charleston was under an epidemic of Yellow Fever and even though they left in great haste by wagon train they were struck with the disease while only half way to Greenville County. "All died except for one little girl 3 or 4 years old Nancy who marries a Mr. Matthews or Mathis. She died young leaving one little girl named Nancy who married a Mr. Woodside. " The facts of at least three survivingchildren came from this earlier marriage are verified by the probaterecords of 1820. [letter of R. Y. H. Terry, photocopy from Mary Vance Norfleet]

about 1780-88- Rebecca "Ann" McDowell comes to South Carolina from Ireland. She is also listed as from Ireland in the census records at the age of 80 in the 1850 census. She may have immigrated with her parents, probably John McDowell, from Ireland at about age 24. So far I have not found a record for the immigration date or ship manifest with them included. [Holcomb 260]

 R. Y H. Terry claims his grandfather met Ann McDowell in Charleston after the death of his family. She was to have immigrated with two brothers.  John McDowell, the rich merchant, was said by R. Y. H. Terry to have been her uncle not her father. She was supposed to have come from Dublin, Ireland. [letter of R. Y. H. Terry, photocopy from Mary Vance Norfleet]

 "He (Thomas Terry) comes to the USA looking for a new home. (ec note - I suspect he was already an ordained minister in the Methodist Church of England and intended to come here to spread the word of God.) He wandered several months before he settled on a place near Fork Shoals in Greenville Co. South Carolina, what is now known as the 'Old Terry Place.'" He immediately sent for his wife but she was not allowed to leave by her parents unless her brother, John Harrison, accompanied her. "They traveled for some weeks until they reached Little River in Laurens Co. There Mrs. Terry become desperately ill and died in a few days. John Harrison did not turn back but pushed on to the home of Thomas Terry where he told of the fate of his sister. " [The History of the Pisgah Methodist Church, 200th Homecoming, Fountain Inn, S.C. May 1991]
Unfortunately nothing was written in this history to indicate that there were any surviving children.

 "He established a small Methodist Church which for many years was known as Terry's Chapel. This church was made of hewn logs. The cracks were filled with mud and the windows were made of oiled paper. Just how many members attended this church is not known, but it is reasonably certain that services continued uninterrupted until it became necessary to construct a larger and more adequate building." [The History of the Pisgah Methodist Church, 200th Homecoming, Fountain Inn, S.C. May 1991]

"John McDowell of Charleston was a friend of the Harrisons and the Terrys and later two of the McDowell daughters married: Susan McDowell m. John Harrison (Bro. in law of Thomas Terry) Rebecca McDowell m. Thomas Terry as his second wife. [Note 94, pg 14, Leanardo Andrea Notes]

1794 - Greenville County, S. C., Deed Bk. "D" 1794-1798
In Deed BK. E. there appears Benjamin Terry, Joseph Terry, Nancy Terry and Thomas Terry.

1800 - South Carolina.  In this record we see Thomas Terry and perhaps his brothers and their children living nearby.

 

Terry, John [ Laurens 16 ]	3 0 0 1 0 - 0 1 0 1 0 - 0 0
Terry, John [ Edgefield 137 ]	1 0 0 2 0 - 4 0 0 1 0 - 0 4
Terry, Thomas [ Greenville 274 ]	2 0 0 0 1 - 1 0 0 1 0 - 0 0
Terry, William [ Greenville 265 ]	1 0 0 0 1 - 0 0 2 1 0 - 0 0
Terry, William Jr. [ Laurens 15 ]	1 0 0 1 0 - 0 0 1 0 0 - 0 0
Terry, William Sr. [ Laurens 15 ]	0 1 2 0 1 - 0 0 1 0 1 - 0 0

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.

1814- Abstract, Book I, page 485, Greenville County Deeds

John Terry of Laurens District sells to Alexander Peden of Laurens District for $70 a tract of 70 acres of land, it being part of the 120 acres of land the said John Terry purchased from Robert Creswell, located on a branch of the Reedy River in Greenville District and bounded by the said Alexander Peden, William Sims, William Choice and John Stennis.
Dated 4 Jan 1814
/s/ John Terry
Witnessed by Joseph Lyon and John Stennis.
Proved 5 Feb 1814
Recorded 4 Apr 1815

1816- A seperation of property is filed in Greenville Co., S. C. which calls into question many assumptions I've made of the years especially about the name of the wives of Thomas Terry and my grandmother, which should according to this be Nancy (probably McDowell) Terry.

Agreement Between Thomas Terry and Nancy Terry, BK. I, pl. 485 RMC. Office for Greenville County, S. C., dated 22d January 1816 recorded 2 April 1816

 South Carolina
Greenville District

 This indenture made the 22d day of January (twenty-second written in words), in the year of the Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixteen between Thomas Terry of the District and State aforesaid of the First Part, and NANCY TERRY, his wife, John McDowell Terry, Julius (or it may be Jabez Jabus) Terry, Asbury Terry, Rebecca Terry, Gaston Terry, Charles Terry, Hannah Terry, of the Second Part, and James Alexander, Trustee for and in behalf of the said NANCY and her children aforesaid of the Third Part, WITNESSETH: Whereas some unhappy differences hath lateley arisen arisen between the said THOMAS TERRY and his wife, mutually agreed to refer all matters and differences which exist between them, the said THOMAS TERRY and NANCY, his wife, TO ARBITRATORS, THE AWARD WHEREOF HAS BEEN AGREE UPON BY THE ARBITRATORS SO SELECTED, for the decision of the difference aforesaid, and being presented to the said THOMAS TERRY and NANCY his wife, received their assent and approbation.

 He, the said THOMAS TERRY, in compliance with the award aforesaid and as of now WITNESSETH : That by this indenture doth hereby for himself, his executors and administrators and for every of them covenant and agree with the said James Alexander, Trustee, his executors and administor and assigns and doth also agree with the said NANCY TERRY, JOHN, JULIUS (or it may be JABEZ) ASBURY, REBECCA, GASTON, CHARLES, AND HANNAH TERRY, manner and form following, that is to say that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Nancy Terry and her children aforesaid, that the said THOMAS TERRY shall and will permit and suffer for the said NANCY and their children from time to time and at all times from henceforth during her and their natural life to live apart and separate from him and to reside and be in such place or places and at such family or families and with such relations, friends and other persons, and to follow and carry on such trade or trades and business as she, the said NANCY and their children aforesaid from to them and at their will and pleasure, (notwithstanding the present converture of the said NANCY, wife as aforesaid and minority of the aforesaid children as if the said NANCY were a femme sole and unmarried and their children were adults and of age, (to wit, 21). shall think fit). And that he the said THOMAS will not at nay time or times hereafter sue the said NANCY or nay of the foresaid children in any cort of law or equity of living separate and apart from him, or for the proceeds arising from the labor or industry of the aforesaid children compel her, the said NANCY, to cohabit with him, or the to sue, molest, distrub or trouble her or the aforesaid children for such living apart and separate from him or any other person or person whomsoever for receiving, harboring, or entertaining her or their children aforesaid, Nor shall or will he, without the consent of the said NANCY and her children aforesaid visit them or knowingly come into any house or place where she or they shall or may dwell, reside, or be.

 And he the said Thomas Terry doth by these presents, in consideration of the natural love and affection which he yet bears toward his below...

 { A section seems to be missing here from the photocopy- ec}

 Trustee, for and in behalf of his wife, NANCY, and her children, John McDowell Terry, JABEZ (?) TERRY. ASBURY TERRY, GASTON TERRY, RECACCA TERRY, CHARLES TERRY, AND HANNAH TERRY, all that tract of land where Mrs. NANCY TERRY and her children now live, containing two hundred and ninety acres, more or less bounded on the NoWest by Mrs. Gaston's plantation, So/West by West on Baker's land; So Easterly by William Peden's land, NEasterly by John Barr's Land, to Harrison's corner, N. West by harrison to Gaston's line on a spring (?), a piece of said tract of land to be taken off and to added to the the Fork Shoals tract, which is to be run as follows to wit: BEGINNING on William Peden's Line line and running a direct course with a certain partition fence dividing a field that James Smith tends from my own, and continuing on a direct line to Wilson Baker's line, tegether with all and singular the rights members, hereditaments, and apurtenances to the same belonging on in any wise connected or incident appertaing thereto. To have and to hold all and singular the premises above mentioned unto the said NANCY and her children aforesaid forever, and I do hereby bind myself, my heirs and executors and administrators to warrant and forever defend the said premises aforesaid unto the siad NANCY the children aforesaid, their heirs and assigns, against myself and every my heirs and others lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof which has not been excepted, and I do further covenant and agree with the said JAMES ALEXANDER, Trustee, as aforesaid, and NANCY, my wife and children aforesaid that I will effect a division of the personal property which belongs to her her held by me and that a third part thereof shall be given immediately to my wife NANCY and my children aforesaid , and that from the execution of this deed of settlement a third of the said personal property now held by me is given to my seaid wife NANCY, lives to her and the children above alluded, and further that I will at a tome hereafter claim or demand any of the siad property which by this deed is given to my said wife, NANCY, and children, or any other which she or they may at any tiem hereafter buy or purchase or which shall be devised or given to them, or they shall otherwise acquired, and that they shall and may enjoy and absolutely dispose of the same as if she were a femme so and unmarried and the aforesaid children were adults.

 And it is further agreed in consideraton of the aforesaid settlement of lands bounded and situated as above mentioned and of the personal property which accompanies the same, given to the said NANCY, with of the said thomas in manner and form as aforesaid and of the provisions so made for her by the said recited indenture of settlement in manner aforesaid, the said NANCY doth hereby agree to accept and take in full settlement for her support and maintenance, and of all claims to dower, and , doth further renounce any claim she may have or has upon the estate of her said husband, THOMAS TERRY, during coverture. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

Witness: s/ Thomas Terry (seal)
Daniel Tillinghast Nancy Terry (by mrk)
Robt. H. Briggs. James Alexander (S)
Greenville, District, South Carolina
Personally appeared Daniel Tillinghast before me a subscribing justice and maketh oath that he signed as witness and a a deed of settlement made by THOMAS TERRY to NANCY TERRY and that Robert H. Briggs was a subscribing witness with him at the same time.

 Sworn and subscribed before me 2 April 1816
THOMAS EDWARDS, J. Q. D. H. Tillinghast.
 
 

Other probate records list his heirs as Nancy Mathews(apparent wife of Thomas Matthews), Elizabeth Hopkins (apparent wife of Solomon Hopkins, an administrator), wife of James Alexander, John M. D. Terry, Jabez Terry, wife of William Meares, Asbury Terry, Gaston Terry, Charles Terry, and Hannah Terry.

"We the undersigned Arbitrators indifercully(sic) chosen as will appear from the written bond having had all the matters refered to us in mature consideration to find and award, that in as much as the case Thomas Terry in his life time did convey and set over to James Alexander property for his wife and their children as he thought and we believe a just proportion of his Estate, we award that, Solomon Hopkins the administrator, pay all the expences & the Administration and then that the balance in his hands be equally divided between Nancy Mathews, and Elizabeth Hopkins, children of Thomas Terry Dec.d by a former wife (italics mine - EC) Given under our hands and deals this 20th day of Oct, 1830.

John H. Harrison
Micajah Terry
Alexander Peden
Daniel Ford
Alexander Thompson
Adam (Turner) Stennis
W (?Glsonnely)

Bruce Reynolds reports that Adam Turner Stennis is the son of John Stennis and was the grandson of Alexander Peden. [Bruce Reynolds email 1/16/08]
(seperate document)
I Anna Terry do herby bind my self in manner and form the same as the Legal Heirs of Thomas Terry my Late husband in the above bond, and do hereunto set my hand & afix my seal the 20th Oct. 1830.

Anna (her mark) Terry
Done in presence of
John H. Harrison Q. U.
James Alexander JP

[photo copy of documents provided by Mary Vance Norfleet]

Nancy Terry   
           males       0 (U-10),  2 (10-16),  0 (16-26) ,  3 (26-45) ,  0  (45+)
           females    0 (U-10),  1 (10-16),  1 (16-26) ,  0 (26-45) ,  1  (45+)
Solomon Hopkins
            males       2 (U-10),  1 (10-16),  0 (16-26) ,  1 (26-45) ,  1  (45+)
            females    0 (U-10),  2 (10-16),  2 (16-26) ,  0 (26-45) ,  1  (45+)
Charles Terry
            males       2 (U-10),  0 (10-16),  0 (16-26) ,  0 (26-45) ,  1  (45+)
            females    0 (U-10),  2 (10-16),  0 (16-26) ,  1 (26-45) ,  0  (45+)  

John McD. Terry Jabez Terry, Asberry Terry, William Meares, Gaston Terry and Hannah Terry of Greenville Dist. S. C. agree to give to Charles Terry of Greenville Dist. S. C. on obligation bond for use & purpose below mentioned and Charles Terry bound in the sum of $1480 - signed on Oct. 28, 1833.
CONDITION of the above obligation is such that if the above bounded Charles Terry does liven and continue with Ann Terry, our mother, until her death, does make & furnish her with a good and comfortable support during her lifetime, pay or cause to be paid unto John McD. Terry, Jabez Terry, Asberry Terry, William Mears, Gaston Terry and Hannah Terry our heirs or assigns among the heirs - etc - and oblige themselves to make good and lawful titles to the said Charles Terry, to land on which our mother now lives containing 303 1/2 acres more or less, lying and being in the State & District aforesaid in the neighborhood of Fork Shoals, to warrant and forever defend the same from the claims of ourselves, Executors, etc.

Wit:  Nathan Nesbett               J. McD. Terry  (Seal)
      William A. Terry             William Meares "
      Harrison Thompson            Asberry Terry   "
                                   Gaston Terry   "
                                   Hannah Terry    "
                                   Jabez Terry    "

Recorded: Jan 6, 1834.

 About 1833 George Terry is thought to have moved to Franklin County, Indiana with five of his children. Here he died at the age of 74 and is buried on the farm he used to own in 1838. R. Y. H. Terry says that George Terry leaves South Carolina because he couldn't deal with slavery.[letter of R. Y. H. Terry, photocopy from Mary Vance Norfleet]

Before 1838- Th following letter was written to George and Mary Terry, Thomas' brother, by Harrison and Elizabeth Thompson, their daughter who remained in South Carolina. Here she is referring to Ann Terry, widow of Thomas and Alexander Peden, whose family eventually marries into the Terry family.

Ann Terry is yet a living and is injoying modderet helth and hoeing these few lines will find you inJoying the same blessing She Sais that it has binn a long time Sience She say anny of you altho She wishes to be remembered by you all She yet remembers her love to you all She is yet living at the Same place by her Self only the negros She is caring on a pirtty Samart farm making out verry well She sais that she is gitting old verry fast She Sais She has nothing more at presant but remains your untill death Ann Terry ------------ also Harrison Thompson and Elizabeth Thompson wishes to be Remembered by you all as this is all the way wee have of converssing with wone another wee are all well at this time and hopeing these few lines will find you all in the same State of helth. wee are living where Gaston livied when you left his country we have baught it and is doing well wee think better that wee was doing before. weee have no importent new only Elizabeth has a fine Son the 25th of Febuarry last and we call him James Morgan also you wanted to hear from your old neighbors as to Mrs Woodside She livs at the Saime place wher She did when you was livng in this countery and is doing verry well also William Syms and family is well and is doing well also old uncle John Terry and family is as much as usual also olad Alexander Peden and wife is yet a live the old leady is gone blind and has a Sore betwizt her sholders that wil Ende her days on earth wee have no doubt So wee must come to a slose as we ahve nuthing more at pressent but remains your loving Son and daughtor iuntill death harrison Thompson and Elizabeth Thompson
[Bolin collection and transcription]

1848 - This letter was written by Wm and Mahala Terry to their mother, Mrs Mary Terry, George Terry's widow. In it is mentioned the Charles Devenport who are in Mississippi with them.

Mrs Mary Terry
Indiana,
Franklin County,
Sedir Grove PO

 Miss Tipah County May the 7 1848

 Dear Mother with pleasure i embrace the presant oportunity of sending you a few lines to let you know that wee are all well at present hoping this may find you all enjowing the same blessing i received your letter a few weeks ago which gives us great satisfaction to hear that your was all well times is extremely dull here at present corn is selling from $2 to $2.5 per bushel cotton from $3 to $4 per hundred in memphes bacon $3 per hundred there is a great Deal of sickness around here at this time fever and chills and fever Asbury has got the chills at this time his family is all well him and nancy is fixing to go to greenville they think to shortly the friends in greenville was all well when wee heard from them last January it lis my intention to start to see you between the middle and last of June without some providential accident take place with some of us it is very Dry and cool here the spring crops is very backward wheat crops is indifferent here this spring Charles Devenport and family was well a few weeks ago Mahala says tell you hat she has sold 75 doz of eggs since Christmas got from 8 to 12 1/2 cents per dozen she says she has 65 young chickens and has sold several Dollars worth of butter and hens tell Isaice Loper to rite to me soon i must bring letter to a clos by remaining your affectionate children tell Death

Wm and Mahala Terry

 we wish to be remembered to all of our brothers and sisters and their children we want you to rite to us soon no more at present.
[Bolin collection and transcription]

The following obituary was written in the Southern Christian Advocate in 1852.

"Died on the 3rd Jan., Mrs. Ann Terry, in the 88th year of her age. She was born in Ireland, 1764, but emigrated to America in 1788. .. maiden named was McDowell. Married soon after her settlement in Charleston, from which place she removed with her family to Greenville Dist... left children and grandchildren. A. W. W." [Holcomb. Brent H. Marriages and Death Notice in the Southern Advocate, Volume I: 1837 - 1860, p. 260]

 our Cuntry is getting so old and scarse of news I scarsly know what to write most all the people that you left here is ded or moved away there is but few here that you know Thomas Peden the Gunsmith is ded Mager Berry is Ded I heard to Day old Samuel Baker is Ded Nancy Baker is Ded Wilsin Baker is still living at the same plase and old Mrs Woodside and that is about all the old nabors that is left that you ware aquanted with I had like not to have thout of uncle Sipio getting quite feable and Eldan and Betty Stinises & Robert Peden Samuel Ramsy is stil alive
We still ahve peas and plenty and that is all we can expect I still live at the ______ plase I am still trying to make a living I have sold the old home plase and baut more above me I some times think of moving to the west but I have not gone yet I dont know what I may do I can make a living here yet with industry and it is about s plesant a country to live in as anny I can here of as yet perhaps ther is plases where a person cold make a living with more ease but I have got to believe that a person sees as mutch satisfaction to imployed as to live in idleness or at least I have found it so
we still have preaching Pisgay we have two preachers on this serkit this next yeare we have a good Church there now and we have Divison of the suns of temperance there also with a good manny suns the ablutionists I am in hopes there is none in your part that wold stoop so low as to belong to a clan that is devising plas to take the lives of inaset people that is doing thim no harme. I am in hopes people will learn more sence I have not heard from the west latly Brother John Famely has mostly gone west Harris Thompson and family was well last acount and doing about like they always Done
there has bin a great manny moved from this part this year to west corn is _____ hear and land high 12 15 dollars per acre
we have seven children at home yet I want some of you to write when you git this and let on now how you all are
I have bin think of writing to Isac Loper for some time but we fergot the post ofise I must Close by wishing you all well.
Gaston Terry
[Bolin collection and transcription]

Corrigan, Hugh. Diary of Charles M. Terry 1856 - 1860 and Journal of James S. Terry 1852-1856.pub. 2000. 3809 Shenandoah St., Dallas, TX 75205
Devenport/Davenport records 3/9/00 from Jim Devenport email - jdport@concentric.net Greenville County, S. C., Deed Bk. "D" 1794-1798
Greenville So. Carolina Cemetary Survey in 5 volumes, Vol. I, Pisgah Methodist Church, Fountain Inn, S. Carolina
Holcomb, Brent. Marriages and Death Notices from the Southern Christian Advocate 1837-1860, Vol. 1 & 2, Southern Historical Press, Abbeville, S. C.
History of Pisgah United Methodist Church, 200th Anniversary,1993 Fountain Inn, SC
Bolin collection and transcription of letters to George Terry and kin, in the records of Ellen Bollin , 1139 Eastridge Dr., New Albany, IN 47150, forwarded by Hugh Corrigan, 3809 Shenandoah St., Dallas, TX 75205
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. 5/5/08 - email- mvn471@montrose.net

return to Terry Family Index || Return to Elroy's Family Index || Ancestoral Chart #12

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