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The research for this book began in 1978 as a joint effort with my father. I did most of the library research while he took care of most of the correspondence and all of the leg work. It continued for a number of years as we were researching our Jones lineage and many allied families at the same time. Since most of the families were in Cherokee County, North Carolina, the best approach seemed to be to work on them simultaneously. It worked very well for a while, but it soon became apparent we were spreading our efforts too thin. In 1980 we decided to focus our energy on the Jones family and establish something to show for our efforts; a book.

We achieved our goal, but our Derreberry files continued to grow. Finding the energy to start over with a new book seemed hopeless. In 1987 I bought a home computer and I could see the organizational value for its use in genealogy immediately. I could envision another book and we began to move in that direction. My father, who can type very well, kept our files very organized. I can only "hunt and peck" and the computer and software I used made it possible to translate his files into this book. My original aim was only to document the data that we had on file. Unfortunately, the way this effort has evolved did not permit us to solicit additional information.

This book is the result of the efforts of many people. There are many more of whom I am not even aware. I am sure every person listed in the acknowledgements has a list of their own. Information has been exchanged many times, copied, amended, recopied, and exchanged again. In the process errors have no doubt been made. We are all amateurs and I hope you will keep that in mind as you read this book.

It has been my philosophy from the beginning to proceed in my research with a theory where there were question marks. In the Derreberry history I presented both theory and fact and tried to present it in a way that would not be confusing. I did this to demonstrate my thinking at the time the research phase of this effort ended. It could serve as an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to continue the search. I offer this as a challenge and would be happy to share my files and ideas with anyone who is interested. The use of brackets [ ] throughout this book indicates educated guesswork.

The Derreberry name has many spelling variations. These variations are largely the result of official record keepers such as county clerks and census takers. We have chosen the "DERREBERRY" spelling as it was the most common. This was done to simplify data input into the computer. In the lineage sections of the book all surnames are in CAPS. If only a first or last name was known it is so indicated. Names without a generation letter or number are always spouses. For multiple marriages, children are listed under the correct spouse if known. Otherwise all spouses are listed and then all the children.

We hope you find this book easy to follow. It is always difficult to present a large lineage in a format that is easy for everyone to comprehend and still be interesting. There are blank family group records and pedigree charts in the back of the book so that you can bring your family up to date.

This book is a nonprofit venture. Our only interest is to preserve our family's heritage and present it in a book that will stand the test of time. We hope you will enjoy this book and that you will share our enthusiasm for this heritage.

Ron Jones

Update: There are no copies of our book available. If enough interest is generated, I would be pleased to reprint it. Bob Derryberry of Garland, Texas published a book in 1995 that covered ALL Derryberry/Derreberrys and other variations. It was a massive undertaking that he sold at his cost to publish it and he sold out in 1998. However, that database as well as additional information can be found at the National Derryberry Family Association website hosted by Andy Derryberry.

MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS

Sam Walker Jones

Hope Derreberry King

Doris Raxter Horne

Edith Hines Leach/Pat Del Frate

Shirley Derreberry Arendt

Lura Derreberry Thompson

Ruby Derreberry Adams

Steen Derreberry Brown

Burke County, North Carolina was formed from Rowan County in the year 1777 and became North Carolina's western frontier. It extended all the way to the Mississippi River including the land that was to become Tennessee. It is here, in this period, that we find the earliest records of our Derreberry ancestors. The early settlers of Burke County were mostly Scotch - Irish and Palatine German, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch. The Scotch - Irish settled in the northwestern and central areas of the county while the Germans settled the eastern and southwestern parts of the county. While there is considerable conjecture in regard to the identity of our immigrant ancestor(s), it is generally agreed that they were German Dutch. They probably came into this country as indentured servants, working for wealthy Pennsylvania farmers for four to seven years to pay for their passage. They would then make their way down the Appalachians and into the Carolinas. They were well suited to the frontier because they were excellent Indian fighters.

Most Derreberry researchers agree that the Derreberry name at some point in time was Americanized. That is, it was converted to a name more palatable to the English language. Two of the names suggested are Derenberger and Durenberger. Among the immigrants listed in Daniel Rupp's "30,000 Pennsylvania Immigrants" are a Christoff Durrenberger who arrived in 1738 aboard the ship "Robert & Oliver" and a Hans Georg Dierenberger who arrived in 1750 aboard the ship "Phoenix." Other researchers suggest that the name was changed from Dusenberry or Terryberry. At this time all this remains conjecture.

When Burke County was first formed the Derreberrys were among the first settlers to claim this new land, make improvements to it, and file for grants. John Derreberry Jr. and Michael Derreberry had grants for 100 acres each entered 9 March 1778. This land was located along both sides of Kennedy's Fork on Silver Creek just southwest of Morganton, the county seat. Neighbors mentioned in these deeds include John and Thomas Canadey (Kennedy), John Pearson, and John George and Jacob Hipp(s). There is another entry of 200 acres for Michael Derreberry, 5 December 1784, on Gunpowder Creek, and an entry of 100 acres for Adam Derreberry on Smokey Creek on the same date. In the 1790 census of Burke County, the first census, we find the following listings:

There have been no wills found for any of these Derreberrys. It is impossible to sort them out completely from the information found in deeds and census reports alone. A logical assumption since we have a John Derreberry Jr. is that there was a John Derreberry Sr. It is interesting that the name Hans is the German form of John. Could this John Derreberry Sr. be our immigrant ancestor, the same as Hans Georg Dierenberger? There is a "Widow"Derreberry mentioned in several old deeds. She is mentioned in the same period as John Derreberry Jr. therefore she cannot be his widow. It seems well within the realm of possibility that Anne Derreberry is this "Widow" Derreberry and the widow of John Derreberry Sr. John Derreberry Jr. is not found after 1782 and it seems likely that Hana Direbery is his widow. That would give us this possible scenario:

Andrew Derreberry was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He served as a private under Captain Thomas Kennedy. He filed for a pension 14 October 1832 from Perry County, Tennessee. At that time he was 67 years old. His widow, Sarah Ruichen Derreberry, filed for benefits in 1851, from Madison County, Tennessee. She was 75 and states they were married on 15 November 1795 in Burke County, North Carolina and that Andrew died 5 October 1839. Christopher Pearson relates in one affidavit that Sarah borrowed a mare from him to ride to the wedding at the home of John Hale, Justice of the Peace. He further states that they had left Burke County circa 1815. The only child that could be determined from these records was Andrew Derreberry Jr. Most of the Derreberrys had migrated to Tennessee before 1810. In 1820 there were twelve Derreberry heads of households in Maury and Warren Counties, Tennessee:

Adam Derreberry is found in the 1800 census of Garrard County, Kentucky. In 1810 he is found in Maury County, Tennessee. He married Eve Liggett and had three known children: Jacob, Daniel, and Christena. These children are also found in Tennessee.

On 7 March 1795 Michael Derreberry bought 50 acres of land on the head of Silver Creek from John Sellers. This deed was witnessed by John Derreberry. Those Derreberrys remaining in Burke County after 1810 are all believed to be descendants of Hannah Derreberry (and John Derreberry Jr.?). The census reports indicate that Hannah Derreberry had three sons: George William Derreberry, Michael "Micah" Derreberry, and John Derreberry. The latter falls into the category of educated guesswork. George William Derreberry had three sons that we can be reasonably sure of: Samuel B., William, & John. I have inserted George Derreberry as another son of George William, but I am not at all sure where he fits. Their descendants can be found in McDowell County and Rutherford County into the late 1800s.

This book deals primarily with the descendants of Michael "Micah" Derreberry. The reasons have probably become obvious. He is our earliest ancestor of whom we can be certain. In an old Derreberry family bible we find the following:

It is unclear exactly how much wheat he cut, still it must have been quite an accomplishment for a man his age. His wife died before 1850 and cannot be identified. He had two sons, Benjamin Franklin Derreberry and John Derreberry. The census suggests he had five daughters, but only four can be identified: Hannah, Darcus, Mary (Polly), and Sarah. Sarah married Jonathan Hines. The others lived with their father until his death and never married. In 1880 Polly and Darcus were living with Albert R. Hines, a nephew.

John Derreberry came to Cherokee County, North Carolina about 1839. He bought land at the first land sale at Franklin in the same year. He had Grants of 190 acres and 164 acres. He paid twenty cents an acre for this land that was located on Vengeance Creek. He is found in the Cherokee County census in 1840 and 1850. In 1850 he is listed as a wagon maker. It is not clear what happened to him or his wife Sarah after that. They had two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Darcus. Mary married J. Henry Dale and Darcus married Thomas Vandiver Palmer. These families and their descendants were found in Cherokee County after 1850.

Benjamin Derreberry was not too far behind brother John. Family tradition suggests that they came at the same time. On 18 September 1839 Benjamin bought 50 acres of land on Silver Creek in Burke County and is found there in the 1840 census. Benjamin Derreberry had married Susannah Hipp in Burke County 15 February 1827. She is believed to be the daughter of George Hipp(s) Jr. Benjamin and Susannah came to Cherokee County with their six children before 1850. Since John had no sons, all the Derreberrys in Cherokee County descend from Benjamin. They are numerous and well represented throughout this book. By 1900 the only Derreberrys remaining in Burke County were the Hines' descendants.

Benjamin was described by a granddaughter as being Dutch German with a short stocky build and brown eyes. He claimed land from the top of the mountain above Vengeance Creek to south of Valley River. He lived alone for a long period of time in a small cabin above the old homestead. In this area there are many landmarks named after him: Benny's Falls, Benny's Branch, Benny's Ridge, and Benny's Cove. He was a farmer by trade but turned to making whiskey for the state. Eventually indebtedness forced him to sell most of his land. Benjamin and Susannah are buried side by side in the Peachtree Community Baptist Church Cemetery. There are no markings on their headstones.

Benjamin and Susannah had four sons and two daughters: William L., John McCamey, Robert Newton, Elizabeth, Minerva, and Michael Alexander. Benjamin's four sons were farmers and all four served for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. Unlike many records of those who served, their records are well documented. One of the most interesting facts that has surfaced regarding their service was an account of the "Battle of Hanging Dog Creek" by John H. Stewart. John Stewart was a lieutenant in the same company and later became a school teacher in Texas. John McCamey Derreberry, and Hugh Hayes, were given credit for firing the last shots of the war east of the Mississippi River. This occurred on 6 May 1865 twenty seven days after Lee's surrender at Appomatox, Virginia. They went into the battle with six rounds of ammunition each. It was more of a skirmish than a battle and was of little consequence. A few days later they laid down their arms and returned to their homes.

Three of Benjamin's sons remained in Cherokee County. John eventually settled in Copper Hill, Tennessee. Elizabeth married Dan Webb and moved to Tennessee. She returned on at least one occasion to visit family. Minerva never married and is found living with her brothers in the census reports.

Michael Alexander Derreberry, known as Alex, panned for gold in nearby Gold Mine Creek often accompanied by his daughter Margaret Elizabeth. He did this to supplement his income and help pay his taxes. He would take the gold and other supplies across the mountain into eastern Tennessee to trade for much needed staples. He tanned his own leather and made shoes for his family. Alex was a member of the Masonic Order, the Republican Party, and the Baptist church. His first marriage was to Eliza Jane Grigsby. She lived with and worked for a Whittaker family while courting Alex. She had also worked for a Jarret Family who lived on Nantahala. She was born in Roane County, Tennessee, but one report states that she came to North Carolina from northern Georgia. Alex and Eliza had eight children before she died. Alex then married Alice Jane Johnson and they had seven children. Eliza is buried in the Peachtree Baptist Church Cemetery. Alex and Alice are buried side by side in the Derreberry Family Cemetery.

As is evidenced in the pages to follow, most of Alex's children also had large families. Most of them remained in Cherokee County. Quincy and her family moved to Naples, Texas in the early 1900s. In the mid 1920s as the cotton industry was growing, Jeff, Nola, and Ida and their families moved to Gastonia, NC seeking work in the mills. Some found their way back to Cherokee County.

It is ironic that the few memories that remain of the children of Alex are often a result of the adversities in their lives. Julia's first husband, David Raxter, was killed after being thrown by a horse. She then married a cousin but died at an early age herself. Nola had diabetes and before she died had to have both legs amputated. Polly had no children but she and her husband, Charlie Barker, did raise his son by a previous marriage. Wiley's wife, Mila, died shortly after giving birth to twins. Ida and her husband, Harvey King, returned from Gastonia to raise the twins. Wiley had polio as a boy that affected him physically for the rest of his life. He was well educated and taught school as well as music. Wiley and his family lived on Alex's old home site. Susie's husband, Eddie Raxter, had dreams for his family that took them on two long trips "seeking their fortune." The trips to Oklahoma and Florida left them penniless and when they returned to North Carolina they had to borrow money to start over. Susie had epilepsy and died a few days after having a seizure and falling into an open fire place. Margaret's husband, Walker Jones, died in 1916 and she moved her family into Andrews where she lived to be 100 years old. She had a reputation as an excellent cook and always made sure she prepared enough to feed unexpected company.

The following is an partial overview of of the way I believe the Derreberry family tree is structured through five generations:

Update: Considerable more research, by others, has been done on this lineage most of which can be found in Bob Derryberry's book and its addendums. The scope of my book did not include the DERRYBERRYs who were not in Burke County, North Carolina after 1820. The structure of the early generations of the following summary is still educated guesswork. While many have tried to sort it out, these generations remains a mystery.

I. Daniel Derreberry

II. Michael Derreberry

III. Jacob Derreberry

IV. Andrew Derreberry Sr.

     Sarah Ruichen

A. Andrew Derreberry Jr.

V. Adam Derreberry

     Eve Liggett

VI. Jacob Derreberry

VII. Daniel Derreberry

      Christena Derreberry

VIII. John Derreberry Jr.

       Hannah

A. John Derreberry

B. George William Derreberry

1. John Derreberry

   Edey

i. William Derreberry

2. Samuel B. Derreberry

    Mary Fincannon

i. William Derreberry

ii. Elizabeth Derreberry

iii. Gracy B. Derreberry

iv. Karrisa Derreberry

v. Margaret Derreberry

vi. John Derreberry

vii. Martha H. Derreberry

viii. Martha Derreberry

ix. Catherine Derreberry

x. Harriett B. Derreberry

3. William Derreberry

    Mary (Polly) Grissim

i. Barny Derreberry

ii. Susan Derreberry

iii. James Derreberry

iv. John Derreberry

v. Thomas H. Derreberry

4. George Derreberry

   Jane

i. Archibald Derreberry

ii. John Derreberry

iii. William Derreberry

iv. Jane Derreberry

C. Michael "Micah" Derreberry

    [Elizabeth]

1. Benjamin Franklin Derreberry

   Susannah Almarinda Hipp(s)

i. William L. Derreberry

ii. John McCamey Derreberry

iii. Robert Newton Derreberry

iv. Elizabeth Derreberry
(See "Daniel S. and Elizabeth (Eliza) Derreberry Webb" by Rick Williams)

v. Minerva Derreberry

vi. Michael Alexander Derreberry

Michael (UL), Minerva (UR) John (LL), & Robert (LR)

Elizabeth (L) & William (R)

2. John Derreberry

   Sarah

i. Elizabeth Derreberry

ii. Dorcas Ann Derreberry

3. Sarah M. Derreberry

   Jonathan McDowell Hines

i. Albert R. Hines

ii. Louisa Hines

iii. John Hines

iv. Michael B. Hines

v. William J. Hines

vi. M. T. Hines

4. Mary (Polly) Derreberry

5. Darcus Derreberry

6. Hannah (Annie) Derreberry