He is often confused with the Richard Berry who married Sarah Dorsey (The Dorsey Family) That 'Richard Berry' was born July 20, 1734 and was the son of Jerimiah Berry. That Richard Berry made his will August 26, 1818 and it was probated November 30, 1819 and left " to my son Richard Berry (now in Kentucky) and my three grandchildren, Michael R. Berry, Sarah G. Berry, and Sarah B. Offutt, $20.00 to be divided among them."
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Abstract of Early Kentucky Wills & Inventories
Washington Co., KY, Book A, 1792-1808, page 231
Will of RICHARD BERRY
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, The Nineteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and Ninety-Seven. I, RICHARD BERRY, of the State of Kentucky and County of Washington, now in my proper senses and memory do make this my last Will and Testament. Viz:
I give to my sons RICHARD and FRANCIS BERRY, each a tract of land as it was laid off by Archibald Bilbo, which they have improved.
Also I give to my son EDWARD his mare and saddle and cow and a rifle gun and my Negro boy called Fill and a good feather bed and furniture and a big plow and tacklin.
I also give to my beloved wife RACHEL BERRY the mare colt, Plesure, a good saddle and a bead (bed) and furniture to dispose of as she sees cause. I lend to her my plantation I now live on and all the rest of my estate during her life and after her death. I give said Plantation to my son EDWARD BERRY, then an equal division between my seven children: JOANNA, SARAH, RACHEL, RICHARD, FRANCIS, JANE, EDWARD, of the rest of my property.
Also I authorize my son EDWARD to make a sale of a tract of land on Doctors fork in Mercer County for use and benefit of JOHN BERRY'S two children.
I appoint RICHARD and FRANCIS BERRY to be executors of this my last Will and Testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed Seal this Nineteenth day of August, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven.
Acknowledged in the Presents of James Ryan, Richard B. Brownfield, William Brownfield.
Signed, Richard Berry
County Court, 4 December 1798, this will was proven by the oath of James Ryan, William Brownfield.
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The History of Abraham Lincoln, by J. Henry Lea and J. R. Hutchinson, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston and New York, 1909
Page 85
V Thomas Lincoln, born in Rockingham County, Virginia, 20 January, 1780. He married, 12 June, 1806, at Beechland, Ky., Nancy Hanks, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Shipley) Hanks (born 5 February, 1784, at the house of her aunt Lucy (Shipley), wife of Richard Berry, her guardian, who became surety on the marriage bond, taken out two days earlier."
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NOTES ON ABOVE: Richard Berry, Sr. married Rachel Shipley and she is mentioned in his will as 'wife Rachel'. Richard Berry, Sr.'s will was proved 4 Dec 1798. He may have been guardian to Nancy Hanks before his death. Certainly, it had to have been Richard Berry, Jr. that became surety on the marriage bond of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks in 1806