Family of John Berry and Martha Prawl

Husband: John Berry

Additional Information

Wife: Martha Prawl

Additional Information

Child 1: John Berry

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Child 2: Mary Berry

Child 3: William Berry

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Child 4: Mary Berry

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Child 5: Elizabeth Berry

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Child 6: Thomas Berry

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Child 7: James Berry

Note on Marriage

Witnessed by John Prawl and Richard Bedford. In Prawl's day book for the day is the comment" Self, Edwards,Berry, Tremblett, Wreford and Manley not at work." Edwards, Berry, Tremblett, Wreford and Manley were not at work the next day either, but by Wednesday 13th they were back on the job!

Note on Husband: John Berry

At the 1841 census John is living at Park Street, described as a builder, with wife Martha. Both have ages given as 60. Two Mary Berrys are also there - one aged 25 is probably unmarried daughter Mary though she seems to have taken about 10 years off her age. The other, aged 10, is probably the daughter of William's first marriage to Susan Niner.

He retired in 1850²⁸

Note on Child 1: John Berry

John Berry snr apprenticed his three sons to different trades. John was the plumber and carried on his business at 84 High Street. In Billings 1857 Directory he is described as Ironmonger,tinman,brazier and plumber.Slaters Directory for Berks, Cornwall Devon, Dorset 1852-53 lists him as ironmonger(and plumber).Whites of 1850 lists him as a shopkeeper,ironmonger and tinner.Billings 1857 describes him as Ironmonger, Tinner, Brazier and Plumber. Similarly in Kellys 1866 Directory.

William was the carpenter - he took over the family business. Thomas was a mason, but he had no taste for it, and went to sea.

John is recorded at the 1841 census living with Sarah, his first wife, and Elizabeth, daughter of brother William. Their ages are given as 35,35 and 9 . George Rich, a plumber's apprentice age 20 is living with them.

In 1851 he is living in the High Street with my g-g-grandmother and g-grandmother.^29,30

Note on Child 3: William Berry

At the 1841 census William is living with second wife Susan, and their children William 2 and John 3 months

He took over his father's business, which he moved to what is now Wistaria, Western Road in about 1842, where he is living at the 1851 census.

He is still living at 114 St Lawrence Green, Western Road, Crediton at 1871 census, but the builders premises at the back have by now been pulled down to make way for the Grammar School, and the yard has moved to its present site in Union Road. William Berry is at Union Road in Morris 1870 Directory, but it is not clear if this is father or son William Boddy Berry.

He is listed in Billings 1857 Directory as Builder, Western Road.

He is a gentleman, living in Western Road in Kellys 1866, and 1873 Directory. In 1878 the Harrods Directory refers to Mrs Berry in Western Road

The business won a countract to build and maintain 20 of the county's bridges, and to build stations at Crediton and Newton St Cyres. In fact the Berrys won a lot of lucrative railway work.

Note on Child 5: Elizabeth Berry

By 1861 Elizabeth is widowed, and is a housekeeper at a Draper's establishment.In 1871 and 1881 she is still a housekeeper for the Draper at 125 and 126 High Street, Cheltenham

Note on Child 6: Thomas Berry

John Berry snr apprenticed his three sons to different trades. John was the plumber and carried on his business in the High street.

William was the carpenter - he took over the family business. Thomas was a mason, but he had no taste for it, and went to sea.

In 1841 Thomas is living with his wife and two children in Park Street.

In 1851 the Flying Post reports a case heard at the Crediton District County Court on September 1st, when Field has initiated an action against William Berry after Thomas - a sailor home on a visit, together with his brother-in-law Bellringer sold iron objects belonging to John Berry senior to Mr Field, Mary Berry later remonstrated with Field and demanded tha some of the objects be returned, as they should not have been sold. Brother William then took the objects from Field's premises without his permission. The judgement was reserved, but the judge expressed the view that Berry had trespassed, and it would have been better had he sued for recovery of the objects. This establishes clearly that Thomas was a sailor by 1851.³¹

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