After the conquest of England , estate were granted by William the Conqueror to many of those who distinguished themselves. A number are listed in the Domesday book as being given to Berry's. Two of the largest estates given the Berry's were in Devon in Southwestern England. These estates were Berry Narbor, and the Caste of Berry and Pomeroy. Both of these are listed in the Domesday Book.

Of the fifty-seven Berry's who assisted William the Conqueror, a number returned to France, some were killed in action, and others stayed in Britain. We do not know much of the Berry's until 1689 during the reign of William III. At that time, a Sir John Berry of Devon was a naval advisor to the king during the war with France and Louis XIV. The Berry family that still holds estates in Devon is descended from this John Berry. Sir John Berry seems to be a brother to our ancestor.

Ralph Berry was a brother to Sir John Berry. He too was from Devon. 

Thomas Berry was the grandson of Ralph Berry. I have been unable to determine Thomas's father's name, in his enlistment he names himself as grandson to Ralph Berry, so it seems that perhaps Ralph was well-known, or Thomas's father was a "black sheep". This is just speculation, however it seems odd that Thomas did not name his father, but only his grandfather. 

It appears that Thomas was born in Yorkshire and later served in the British Forces in the 38th Regiment during the revolutionary war in America. (I am trying now to determine the 38th's role in the war). After the war, he was discharged from the 38th Regiment in 1783 was granted land in North America for his service to the crown. His first grant was in Nova Scotia, I am unsure why he chose not to stay there. It was in Turtle Creek, NB that he was granted his second grant of land, but because the ground was so stony he asked for and received a grant in the parish of Coverdale near where the golf course is now located in what is now Riverview. Prime real estate these days.

By the year 1809 he had married Rebbeca Ricker, (a daughter of Jacob Ricker, one of the original settlers to the area) and had 10 children, Mathias being the oldest (not confirmed, but always named first among the children - and born within three years of Thomas' discharge. Mathias was the father of Solomon Berry, grandfather to Bliss, great-grandfather to Harry.

Military Records should be at the Public Records Office in Surrey, England under WO-76. These records should indicate something of his ancestry in England, as well as a physical description and records of where he served, ranks, honours (or dishonours) and other information. If anyone is going to southern England and would like to do some research, I'd like to talk with you about tracking down Thomas Berry and his story.

It is thought, but not confirmed, that Thomas's great-grandfather was nobility (as we do know his Great-Uncle was Sir John Berry, Naval Advisor to King William III during his conflict with Louis the XIV of France).