In Part 1 of my story of 2XGreat Grandfather Christopher Christmas BERRY I made reference to family “lore” and the belief that our BERRY family was related to that of Alexander BERRY, born 1781, and his brother David, who were among the more prominent of the first families who settled in New South Wales, Australia. A great claim to make when one learns that Alexander BERRY a pioneering Australian merchant and property owner was arguably Australia’s first millionaire.
My research has proven this belief as myth, one which however was strongly held to be fact by earlier generations of the family.
My Cousin, Scott CHALMERS has now provided me with a copy of our Great Grandfather, Charles BERRY’s Last Will and Testament to illustrate just how firmly our forebears believed in the relationship and placed great store on an inheritance. Charles in his Will bequeathed “.. all my estate and interest as heir to the Berry Estate property left by my uncles Alexander Berry and David Berry in New South Wales Australia to my children ….” and I have documents showing that some ascendants, including my Grandmother, born Vivienne Julia BERRY, went as far as taking legal action and visiting Berrytown, NSW in pursuance of the claim.
Sorry Cousins we shall have to rely on Lotto, luck and hard work to be able to afford that Lamborghini or other toy that has been your dream.
