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Col. John Berry collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS 3119

Abstract

Col. John Berry was a decorated artillerist who served at the Battle of Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812. This is a collection of his papers, certificates, correspondence, and family history. The collection also includes a letter to Major General Winfield Scott.

Dates

  • 1812 - 1952
  • Majority of material found within 1812 - 1822

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.

Biographical / Historical

Col. John Berry was a born in 1791 to Benjamin Berry and Eleanor Lansdale. During the War of 1812, Berry was appointed captain of the 1st Reg. 3rd Brigade of the Maryland Militia. This artillery company served during the Battle of Fort McHenry and gave Berry national attention for his service. At the end of the war he was offered a position within the regular army, but decided to decline the offer from then Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott.

After leaving the army, Berry went into business with his brother Thomas L. Berry and purchased the region northwest of Baltimore known now as Poplar Grove. Following his death in 1856, Berry passed the land on to his son John Summerfield Berry. John S. Berry sold much of Poplar Grove using the funds to create the Dukeland Estate, just southeast of Poplar Grove.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 box; 1 Oversized folder)

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Mrs. Annabel Ebersole, January 17, 2013.

Scope and Contents

This collection is broken into three series. Series I: Subject Files contains reports, receipts, certificates, and miscellaneous papers relating to Col. Berry from 1812-1889. Most of these papers relate to his work as an artillerist and munitions manufacturer during the War of 1812. Series II: Correspondences contains indexed letters, 1814-1818. Series III: Family History consists of papers, newspaper clippings, and letters collected by the Berry family1836-1954. All series within this collection are organized chronologically. Some materials in Series I and II are housed in an oversized folder.



Series I: Subject Files



Series II: Correspondences



Series III: Family History

Title
Guide to the Col. John Berry collection
Status
In Progress
Author
Ben Koshland
Date
2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Revision Statements

  • 2020-04-03: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Mallory Herberger.

Repository Details

Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository

Contact:
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750