Alexander Berry
ITS ABSTRACT OF TITLE
To Old Christian Church Block In McKinney
DEEDED TO ALEX BERRY
As Trustee For Congregation Now Site of Pastor’s Home.
McKinney Democrat, March 8, 1906
A Democrat and Daily Courier reporter recently had the pleasure of inspecting the abstract of title to Block 49, Wm. Davis survey, city of McKinney, known as the old Christian church site, now partly occupied by the pastor’s home across the street west from the large new First Christian church edifice which was built a few years ago. It is as follows:
Patent to Wm. Davis.
Wm. Davis to commissioners.
Commissioners to Alexander .
Alexander Berry to John Faires assignee for John Fitzhugh, Feb. 10, 1853, consideration $21 all cash.
John Faires to Joseph W. Waddill (of Christian County, Ky., brother of Judge R. L. Waddill,) Mar. 17, 1854; consideration $120.
Joseph W. Waddill, by attorney R. L. Waddill, to Alexander Berry, trustee of the Christian church, $250.00.
Alexander Berry, trustee, to J. H. Jenkins, April 10, 1877, 60 feet on north side and 60 feet on south side, $268.00.
As above stated, the balance or centre of the lot is still owned by the First Christian church whose pastor, Eld. Geo. L. Bush, is occupying the property which has vastly increased in value and is now utilized as a pastor’s home by the large and flourishing congregation. A few years ago the church purchased the property across the street from the old building and erected on it their present imposing $20,000 house worship.
ALEXANDER BERRY
PIONEER McKINNEY LAWYER
McKinney Democrat, March 8, 1906
Born Mar. 24, 1814. Died Jun 4, 1881. By authority of Commissioners’ Court, he issued the original deeds to McKinney town lots....
Alexander Berry was born at Berry Plain, King George county, Virginia, march 24th, A. D. 1814 being the youngest of sixteen children. He came to Texas in the early forties and first located in Clarkesville, Texas. From there he came to McKinney and located at the place still owned by his children which originally included the property where Dr. Largent now lives. He was called the "honest lawyer," and he would not take criminal cases lest he should be instrumental in punishing an innocent man. He was a strong member of the Christian church becoming a member under Dr. Hall. He was a candidate for District judge; being defeated by Judge Waddill in 1859.
He served in the war of 1861 in Martins regiment, he was too old to serve but did so of his own accord throughout the entire conflict, and was not wounded at all.
Mary Washington Berry his wife, was born in Union County Kentucky Jan. 4th 1835. He was married to Mary W. Berry Oct. 14th 1854. They were second cousins. Six children were born to this union two of which died in infancy. The remaining four are: Susan the oldest, Arthur, Lawrence and Sarah, the youngest. Arthur and Lawrence are both married. Arthur resides in Fort Worth, Texas and Lawrence in Kansas City, Missouri. Susan and Sarah still reside at the old home place. Alexander Berry was at one time a member of the state legislature; also notary public. He died June 4th, 1881 and was buried in Pecan Grove Cemetery, being 67 years old at his death. Mary W. Berry died March 25th 1876 at the age of 42. She also was a member of the Christian church.
Alexander Berry studied law in the old town of Fredericksberg, Virginia, where he lived and came from Fredericksberg to this state. He was a man of fine education.
McKinney is located largely on the Wm. Davis survey which was made Sept. 23, 1841 and patented Sept. 6, 1850. At the November term of commissioners court in 1852, Alexander Berry was appointed commissioner to make the original deeds to town lots in the new town of McKinney, which duty he faithfully performed.
According to the best information obtained from our oldest citizens now living, Mr. Berry was possibly the second or third lawyer to claim membership at the McKinney bar.
Uncle Alfred Chandler whose advent to this section ante-dates that of most any other of our old citizens now living is of the opinion that Hon. Sam Campbell was the first lawyer to claim McKinney as his residence after the city was organized in 1849. He was followed by Dr. J. W. Throckmorton who later was elected governor of the state and became McKinney’s most distinguished citizen. Alexander Berry subject of this sketch was then probably the next desciple [sic] of Blackstone to take up the practice of his profession in McKinney.
To Old Christian Church Block In McKinney
DEEDED TO ALEX BERRY
As Trustee For Congregation Now Site of Pastor’s Home.
McKinney Democrat, March 8, 1906
A Democrat and Daily Courier reporter recently had the pleasure of inspecting the abstract of title to Block 49, Wm. Davis survey, city of McKinney, known as the old Christian church site, now partly occupied by the pastor’s home across the street west from the large new First Christian church edifice which was built a few years ago. It is as follows:
Patent to Wm. Davis.
Wm. Davis to commissioners.
Commissioners to Alexander .
Alexander Berry to John Faires assignee for John Fitzhugh, Feb. 10, 1853, consideration $21 all cash.
John Faires to Joseph W. Waddill (of Christian County, Ky., brother of Judge R. L. Waddill,) Mar. 17, 1854; consideration $120.
Joseph W. Waddill, by attorney R. L. Waddill, to Alexander Berry, trustee of the Christian church, $250.00.
Alexander Berry, trustee, to J. H. Jenkins, April 10, 1877, 60 feet on north side and 60 feet on south side, $268.00.
As above stated, the balance or centre of the lot is still owned by the First Christian church whose pastor, Eld. Geo. L. Bush, is occupying the property which has vastly increased in value and is now utilized as a pastor’s home by the large and flourishing congregation. A few years ago the church purchased the property across the street from the old building and erected on it their present imposing $20,000 house worship.
ALEXANDER BERRY
PIONEER McKINNEY LAWYER
McKinney Democrat, March 8, 1906
Born Mar. 24, 1814. Died Jun 4, 1881. By authority of Commissioners’ Court, he issued the original deeds to McKinney town lots....
Alexander Berry was born at Berry Plain, King George county, Virginia, march 24th, A. D. 1814 being the youngest of sixteen children. He came to Texas in the early forties and first located in Clarkesville, Texas. From there he came to McKinney and located at the place still owned by his children which originally included the property where Dr. Largent now lives. He was called the "honest lawyer," and he would not take criminal cases lest he should be instrumental in punishing an innocent man. He was a strong member of the Christian church becoming a member under Dr. Hall. He was a candidate for District judge; being defeated by Judge Waddill in 1859.
He served in the war of 1861 in Martins regiment, he was too old to serve but did so of his own accord throughout the entire conflict, and was not wounded at all.
Mary Washington Berry his wife, was born in Union County Kentucky Jan. 4th 1835. He was married to Mary W. Berry Oct. 14th 1854. They were second cousins. Six children were born to this union two of which died in infancy. The remaining four are: Susan the oldest, Arthur, Lawrence and Sarah, the youngest. Arthur and Lawrence are both married. Arthur resides in Fort Worth, Texas and Lawrence in Kansas City, Missouri. Susan and Sarah still reside at the old home place. Alexander Berry was at one time a member of the state legislature; also notary public. He died June 4th, 1881 and was buried in Pecan Grove Cemetery, being 67 years old at his death. Mary W. Berry died March 25th 1876 at the age of 42. She also was a member of the Christian church.
Alexander Berry studied law in the old town of Fredericksberg, Virginia, where he lived and came from Fredericksberg to this state. He was a man of fine education.
McKinney is located largely on the Wm. Davis survey which was made Sept. 23, 1841 and patented Sept. 6, 1850. At the November term of commissioners court in 1852, Alexander Berry was appointed commissioner to make the original deeds to town lots in the new town of McKinney, which duty he faithfully performed.
According to the best information obtained from our oldest citizens now living, Mr. Berry was possibly the second or third lawyer to claim membership at the McKinney bar.
Uncle Alfred Chandler whose advent to this section ante-dates that of most any other of our old citizens now living is of the opinion that Hon. Sam Campbell was the first lawyer to claim McKinney as his residence after the city was organized in 1849. He was followed by Dr. J. W. Throckmorton who later was elected governor of the state and became McKinney’s most distinguished citizen. Alexander Berry subject of this sketch was then probably the next desciple [sic] of Blackstone to take up the practice of his profession in McKinney.
