Trying to get some information

[brother steve]

Hey everyone, this is my second post so excuse me if it seems noobish. I am trying to get some info on my great great grandfather Major Henry Berry. He was from Richfield Pa.born 6-15-1812 died 12-31-85. I can't seem to find him in any of the pa lists. No one is still alive to let me know anything. I was given his sash in a box that was passed down from my Grandmother and in the box is a handwritten note "This was Dad Berry's". I believe I have and old telescope that was his as well.If anyone can point me in the right direction ,it would be much appreciated.This is a great site!

 

[ExNavyPilot]

Brother Steve,

Without a bit more info, the search might be a little tough. Was Henry living in Richfield at the time of the Civil War? Are you sure about the rank (Major)? Given that he had a sash and telescope, it sounds like he was an officer. At about 50 yrs old during the Civil War, however, Henry Berry would be a bit older than the normal Union officer. Is there a chance that he served in the US Army prior to the Civil War, such as during the Mexican-American War?

Like you, I found no listing for a Major Henry Berry from PA, but lots of Henry Berrys from other states, in the US Colored Troops (where officers were white), etc. None of them are listed as a Major. I also checked listings for the Regular Army (pre-war Army organization) as well as volunteer Pennsylvania units, and looked at different spellings for Berry (Barry, Berrey, etc). No luck.

If you can dig up a bit more info on Henry Berry, it might help focus the search. For example, his middle name or initial, a wife's name, etc, could help me or someone else locate him on Ancestry.com or Fold3 and find some military records.

Good luck with the efforts!

 

[GELongstreet]

Ancestry.com says there´s a grave for a Henry Berry (1812-1885) on St. Peter´s Union Cemetery, they have a picture etc. As I have no account I can´t go further on it (anybody?). Fold3 has Henry Berry from several states on the 1860 census.

There also in an article stating a Henry Berry (1812-1885) as child of a John Berry. This Henry was married first with an Elizabeth (1814-1837) and then a Mary.

So as our dear ExNavyPilot asked: Do you have any more information? Anything? Children? Wife? Middle name? Further service? Not by any chance a military inscription on sash or telescope?

 

[Nathanb1]

Steve....I moved this to the Ancestry forum, where our detective folks hang out, in hopes it will get move views and possibly help you answer your questions.

 

[brother steve]

Thanks so much, His wife was Mary Ann. Facts handed down say he was a major and I have the sash. I looked up uniforms and he would have been an officer. I will try to get some more info. I can't understand why he is not listed.