Transcript

of

Devon Farmers' Account Book

Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. IX, (January 1916 to January 1917), pp. 219-220.

by

J.F. Chanter

Prepared by Michael Steer

The Note requesting more information on the Berry family relates to an extensive article on a Devon Farmer’s Account Book by E.K. Prideaux, at page 178 of volume VI, The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Note 202. DEVON FARMERS' ACCOUNT BOOK (VI., par. 172, p. 178). - Would E. K. Prideaux kindly inform me if the book referred to contains any further memoranda concerning the Berry family than those given? I have pedigrees of various branches of the widespread Berry family, but the one given by Col. Vivian in his Visitation of Devon is so full of errors that it is most misleading. The first owner of the book referred to, Bartholomew Berry, 1681, was a descendant of the Chittlehampton branch of the family of Berry of Berrynarbor. There was another Bartholomew Berry of this branch at an earlier date who was the King's Escheator for Devon. The Bartholomew Berry of the MS. Book was the elder son of Alexander Berry of Swymbridge, yeoman, by his third marriage. Alexander Berry left his lands in Yeasborrough (i.e. Ernesborough or Insh- borough) and his term in Westmoor to his son Bartholomew; and his estate at Heddon, tenements at Hutcheaston, Revaton and N. Studley, the halfendeal of Middlecot, to his younger son William. Bartholomew Berry of the MS. Book died in 1716, leaving one daughter. He left his lands of East Stowford, Tower, Oat Closes, &c, to his brother William, whom he made executor. I believe William had no children, and the lands passed to cousins, sons of his uncle, William Berry of Bishops Tawton, and their descendants. With reference to the Berry family, can any reader tell me who the Rev. John Berry, Rector of Georgeham, who married Mary, d. of Rev. William Culme, in 1630, was the son of ? He was born circa 1586.                    J. F. Chanter.