Record book
Isaac C Derryberry
by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy
The Derryberry family of McNairy County is not related to me and to my knowledge have not intermarried into my family. My father’s ancestors lived in the Guys/Chewalla area and the name Derryberry was always around. My Haynes and Wardlow ancestors are buried at Indian Creek Cemetery along with other relatives. In looking at the list of burials in the 19th century I got interested in the Isaac Derryberry family. Derryberry is a very misspelled name and often misread. Isaac Perryberry was in Tishomingo County, Ms by 1840. He is still in Tishoming County in 1850 as Isaac Derryberry but the one translating the census for Ancestry says Dayberry. Listed as Isaac C Derilery in 1860 in Lawrence County, Ark with his wife and son Calvin. Finally by 1870 he is in McNairy County at census time, although except for his time in Arkansas, he didn’t live far from Chewalla on the Mississippi line. In 1850 he has eight children listed and although his children have unusual triple names which must have been a Derryberry tradition or maybe it was his wife’s. The ones listed are Isaac age 52; Catherine age 32. A look at the original her age is 52 - hard to read. Male children: Newton 25; Harvey 23; Calvin 21; Pleasant 18; Gilbert 13; and Benton 8. Female children: Emily age 16 and Emiline 10. Both problem names. Unusual to have a child Emily and one Emiline. When Emily married she went by the name Emaline C C Derryberry. Much to my dismay, the census takers were not the most educated or have the best handwriting but the one with the most political power to get the job. They took notes and when returned home had to write to the official census paper which caused some problems. Other problems was because the parents and older children were in the fields working and which ever one that kept the small kids at home had to answer the questions. Another problem was nicknames. Back to the girls named Emily and Emiline In my work, I think the oldest daughter listed is Emaline Christine Caroline and the youngest is Emaline Elizabeth Paralee. ???? It is known by most genealogists Calvin was killed when he visited home from the Civil War in 1864. In searching through Ancestry, there is what I think is error on the Gilbert Derryberry. Most genealogists have Gilbert going to Dunklin County, Missouri by 1860 and having a family. He is about the same age. But– by looking in Dunklin County in 1850 there is a Gilbert of correct age as the son of Michael Derryberry. It is my opinion this is not Gilbert, son of Isaac. He died before the case at McNairy County Court in 1883 to settle the estate of Isaac Derryberry and he is not listed, nor any heirs, in this case. It is possible he died before 1860, since he was never found after 1850. The children listed in the home in 1850 are six boys, two girls and the eldest son living next door, which makes nine known children. According to notes above Calvin died in 1864 and Gilbert maybe before 1860, which leaves seven children. According to the County Court Case, there were eight shares of the estate which means one is missing. Makes a total of ten children. With the help of the court papers and two nights of searching and searching the eldest child or next to the eldest child was found, quite by accident. Next will be the paper filed Dec 19, 1883, along with my notes in red.
To the Worshipful County Court of McNairy County, Tenn, holding sevil court at Purdy. (Actual spelling of Civil.) B W T Derryberry, etals VS H D B Derryberry, etals Petition for participation (land) Filed 10th Dec 1883, J R Adams, Clk Your petitioners, B W T Derryberry, N L C Derryberry, P J M Derryberry, A H Derryberry, John I Hurly (and) wife Martha, John H Austin (and) wife Elmina, and J W T Derryberry would respectfully represent that I C Derryberry, departed this life on the 14th day of September, 1880, leaving surviving him the following named heirs representatives, petitioners: (1) B W T (Benton W T Derryberry) (2) N L C (Newton Lorenzo Columbus Derryberry) (3) P J M (Pleasant Jasper Marion Derryberry) All of McNairy County, Tennessee (4) H D B (Henderson Degraffey Barnhardt Derryberry), a resident of Arkansas (5) Caroline (Emaline Christeen Caroline Derryberry) who intermarried with L B Estes, Both residents of Texas As his only (living) children; And the following grandchildren: (6) J L Smith, a resident of Arkansas - Although it took me some time to find J L Smith, I knew who he belonged to. I was told the first person buried in Indian Creek Cemetery was John Derryberry who died in 1863. However in looking at the Cemetery Book by Albert Brown, I found that Marquis Smith was born Oct 16, 1858 and died Jan 14, 1862. His tombstone says Marquis Alvin Smith, son of J F and E P Smith. The second known person buried at Indian creek is Elizabeth P Smith. Born Feb 24, 1840 and died April 1, 1862. Tombstone says Elizabeth P Smith wife of J F Smith. So, this is the mother of Marquis that died at age four. The third known burial was Daniel House, a sick Confederate soldier who died Apr 25, 1862 in Turner Wesson’s barn and Turner buried him in Indian Creek, so the fourth known burial would be John Derryberry. My first thought was this Elizabeth is a Derryberry. She didn’t belong to John, but was the correct age to be the daughter of Isaac. The big problem was her name and her sister’s name. Both went by the first name Emaline. The daughter listed above as Caroline who married L B Estes was listed in 1850 census as Emily, 16 years old. When she married Estes Feb 12, 1852 in Tishomingo County she is listed as Emaline C C Derryberry. Elizabeth is listed as Emalin, age 10, in the 1850 census in the Isaac Derryberry household. In 1860 she is listed as Emolin age 20. Her tombstone says Elizabeth P. I have her listed as Emalin Elizabeth P Derryberry. In 1860 her family is listed in the 6th district in McNairy County. John F Smith, age 25 is a school teacher. Emolin is age 20, Marcus A is listed at 2 and probably John’s sister, Mary A Smith is age 15. I have never connected John F to his parents. Found John F Smith in Crittenden County, Ark in 1880. He was age 45 and a merchant; wife Martha 37; J L (son of John and Eliazabeth) age 18 and store clerk; Emma age 16; Willie 10; Frank G 7; Mary Grace 3; Charles 2 months. John was born Dec 10, 1834 and died Jan 12, 1916 in Pulaski, Ark, living with his son. His
second wife, Martha was born July 15, 1842 and died Nov 24, 1912 in Crittenden Co. Ark. They are both buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, Tenn and so is their son Frank and daughter Mary Grace. As about the heir, J L Smith, never have found death record or he his marriage. There was a J L Smith that married a King girl in McNairy County in 1881, but I have never connected it to the heir, although it is possible. (7) N L C Barnett J L M Barnett J C C Barnett M D C Boon W H Boon J J Boon, Georgia Ann Boon E J P Davis N L J Harris S C C Jordon, all residents of Texas. The list of these names meant there was an unknown daughter of Isaac Derryberry and meant another long search. The names listed above just didn’t appear until I almost passed it. The oldest child or next to the oldest was Alsey This name did not go down through the Derryberry line although she gave several of her siblings names to her children. If she had three given names they have not been found, nor her death date. She married Isaac Barnett about 1839 in Tennessee. In 1850 they are listed in Itawamba County, MS. The name is misspelled as Barnell. Isaac age 31; Alsy age 37 (an error, probably 27, in 1860 she is listed as 38.) John 10; Catherine 7; Caroline 6; Emeline 2, All born in Miss except John born in Tenn. They left Mississippi, probably going to Texas through Arkansas. Isaac died in Arkansas about 1857/58. She then married J G Boone in Arkansas. In 1860 Alsy and her new husband are in Tyler Co, Texas. 1860 Tyler County, Texas J G Boone age 40 born Ga; A - age 38 born Tenn; W H - 10 months born in Ark. J G had seven children listed from a previous marriage which I have not listed. Her children J Barnett 20, Tenn; S C 17 (girl) Miss; MCA 15, girl Miss; E J P 13, girl, Miss; N L C 10, Miss; I CC 9, Miss; N L J 5, girl Ark. Joseph G and Alsey were never found after 1860 but she had died before 1880. (1) If she had been living during the court case she would have been entered (2) Their youngest children, William age 21, Jackson age 17 and George Anna age 13 were living with their half sister Alice Boone Quick in Goliad Texas in 1880. So the 10 children listed above are - not in the same order: J L M Barnett - John LaFayette Monroe Barnett - born May 1, 1839 in Tennesse, died Feb 25, 1911 in Val Verde, Texas and buried at Masonic Cemtery, Val Verde, TX. S C C Jordan - Sarah Catherine Elizabeth Barnett Jordan, (error on initials in court case). She was born Mar 1, 1843 in Miss and died Feb 26, 1913 in Vernon Parish, La. Buried in Holly Grove Cemetery. Aug 1, 1860 she married Andrew C Jordan. M D C Boon - M D Caroline Barnett Boone was born Oct 1845 in Miss, died Oct 25, 1915 in Goliad, Texas. She married a Boone, maybe her step brother. E J P Davis - Emeline Julia Paralee Barnett Davis - born May 1848 in Miss, died 1908 in
Bandera, Texas. Buried in Oak Rest Cemetery. Sept 5, 1870 she married a Davis. N L C Barnett - Newton Lorenzo C Barnett - b ca 1852, died Jan 1, 1894, Gillespie, TX. J C C - Isaac Calvin C Barnett - listed above and in census as J CC. Death records show Isaac, which would be after his father and grandfather. Born 1851, died Mar 29, 1929 Gonzales, TX. Buried Thompsonville Cemetery. N L J Barnett Harris - in 1860 she was listed by initials. Have never found her but she did marry a Harris. Born ca 1855. W H Boone - William H Boone born 1859 Ark and died Apr 4, 1931 in Otero, NM
J J Boon - Joseph Jackson Boon - born Jan 1863 and never found after 1910 when he was in LeFore, Ok Georgia Ann Boone - born ca 1868 in Texas, died Mar 14, 1950 in Eddy, NM. Buried in Woodbine Cemetery. She married a Huffman. (8) Martha Hurley, wife of John I Hurley, Elmina Austin, wife of J H Austin A H Derryberry J W T Derryberry Nisa Derryberry, a minor Who with J H Austin and John I Hurley are residents of McNairy County These are all children of Harvey Jefferson Monroe Derryberry who died in 1876. Petitioners further show that said I C Derryberry died seized and possessed of the fee simple to an undivided interest in the lands described in exhibit A herewith filed and asked to be taken as part of this petition, but not to be copied, and they charge that said land is unencumbered in any way, and is so situated and is of such quality that it cannot be partitioned in kind among the numerous heirs; and that it is —– to the interest of all concerned that it should be sold for partition among those entitled thereto. Said land described to the petitioners and other heirs as tenants in common in fee simple as follows: N L C Derryberry 1/8 P J M Derryberry 1/8 B W T Derryberry 1.8 H D B Derryberry 1/8 Caroline Estes 1/8 J L Smith 1/8 Martha Hurley, Elmina Austin, A H Derryberry, J W Derryberry, Nisa Derryberry 1/8 collectively N L C Barnett, J L M Barnett, J C C Barnett, MD C Boone, W H Boon, J J Boon,
Georgia Ann Boon, E J P Davis, S C C Jordan, N L J Harris, 1/8 collectively Petitioners state that the names and places of residence of the heirs are respectively as before stated. P— considered petitioners pray that —issue to said minor, who is made defendant hereto, that guardian – be appointed for here; that publication be made for non-residents who are also made defendants and that ll said defendants answer this petition fully and upon a final hearing, that siad lands be sold for partition in accordance with the respective rights of the parties, and upon such term as may – to the court and they also pray for general relief. D W Herring, Solicitor State of Tennessee ) McNairy County ) B W T Derryberry makes oath that the statement made in the foregoing petition – to the best of his knowledge and belief. Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 10th day of Dec 1883. T L Barnhill, JP It is unknown when Isaac’s wife Katherine/Catherine died and where she is buried. If she was buried at Indian Creek her marker did not survive. According to the statement above, Isaac died Sept 14, 1880. Usually census in taken May and June and Isaac should be on the 1880 census, but has never been found. T J Hurley purchased the Isaac Derryberry estate land Jan 2, 1888 (or 87) 126 for $147.00 and 71 ac for $40. Total $187.00. Had to pay County Court Cler $56.00 for court case to sell land. Without a will, land could not be sold by heirs without going before a judge. So that left $131. Does not tell if adm got any money for handling the case.