Nicholas Berry, Mary Tolor (Taylor), Mary Davis and Catherine Halket (Hackett)
I recently discovered that my ancestor, John Berry (c. 1701-1778) of Killinlahan, otherwise known as Broadwood, in the Parish of Castletown, Kindalen, Co. Westmeath included bequests in his handwritten, unwitnessed will "To sister Nugent £10 per annum for life. To natural daughter Mary Davis £10. To children of natural daughter, Catherine Halket £10. To natural son, Nicholas Berry, born of Mary Tolor, £20.". This was in addition to more substantial bequests to his four legitimate children.
There are records of a Nicholas Berry living in Loughnagore, Kilbeggan, in 1825 and 1834 and as a voter in Kilbeggan in 1832, which would have been about 100 years later than the birth of illegitimate son, Nicholas, but whether there is a connection is unknown. The 1911 census also records a Nicholas Berry living in Loughnagore, aged 32. Can anyone know of an existing Berry family in Westmeath or possibly Offaly that might be descended from Nicholas?
Has anyone come across any of these names (Davis, Tolor (possibly Toler or Taylor) and Halket (possibly Hackett) in Westmeath? They would probably have lived in the vicinity of Kilbeggan.
Also, any suggestions as to which Nugent John Berry's sister (possibly Mary) was married to?
Patrick Berry
