Gilson Berryman b.1779 /m/ Ann W. <begat>Thomas Alexander Berryman /m/ Lucy Gower<begat>Ann Mary Berryman/m/Daniel S. Adams<begat>Stanley Gower Adams/m/Stella Dean<begat>William Clifford Adams/m/Lorena Tingle<begat>Mary Louise Adams/m/Charles Ira Brent<begat>Julie E. Brent b.1946

     The appraisal of property of James Berryman (deceased) July Court of 1812 (Fayette Co. Kentucky) also on the Aug. 28,1812 court, slave names listed were Matilda, Aaron Isaac, George and Henrettia, no heir names mentioned. (Could this be Sarah Berryman's Husband?) A Deed of Trust dated Feb. 27, 1811 (Fay. Co. Book E, p. 315 - 97 a 3 r 11 p, David's Fork) between the trustees of Sarah Berryman would be appropriate timing for her husband to have died recently, and one of Sarah's slaves named was Matilda. (Were Richard and James Berryman Brothers?, Richard names one of his children James.)
     The Kentucky Reporter ( Fayette Co. Kentucky)  has an obituary for Richard Berryman in the Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1816 issue ( p. 3 col. 5). It says that he died Saturday last ( Sept. 14?) and he left a widow and children, from Lancaster Co. VA.  The estate of Richard Berryman's wife Anne S. Berryman was sold Dec. 12, 1817.
     The settlement of Richard and Ann S. Berryman's estate in December 1819 (Will Book E- Fayette Co. pg. 183) gave a listing for Sarah Berryman's attorney fees paid. The list of legal representatives of Richard B. are Jane (m. James P. Ellis) James, Juliet, Eliza (m. Edgar M. Crutchfield - Ky. Reporter, Sept. 28, 1831, p.2 col.6) and Margaret)  Gilson Berryman was listed as the Guardian of Richard Berryman's infant Heirs and rec'd payment for their care (Will Book E, Fayette Co. 1819, pa 469-470).  Thomas Berryman was also paid a sum for the boarding of Richard's daughter, Jane.  Gilson was listed as former Guardian for Juliet and in 1825 and new person is Ja. P. Ellis ( Jane's Husband).
     On June 21, 1817 the will of Sarah Berryman was entered in Fayette Co. (Kentucky)  Will Book D,  names Daughter, Ann W. and Son-in-law Gilson Berryman. Five grandchildren mentioned Henrietta N. Berryman, Harriet W. Berryman, Thomas A. Berryman, Martha and Sarah Ann Berryman. The reason why her son-in-law has the same last name as Sarah has not been established.
     In the will of Sarah Berryman dated June 21, 1817,  she refers to a Deed of Trust made to George Webb and William N. Lane in relation to the land on David's Fork creek.  This Deed of Trust dated Feb. 27, 1811 (Fay. Co. Book E, p. 315 - 97 a 3 r 11 p, David's Fork)  is between John & Mary Rice ( record of marriage of Lucinda Rice to Wallace Christian on 5/3/1827 and John Rice to Caroline Walden on 11/12/1834 relation if any not known)  of Fayette Co and Wm. N. Lane and Geo. Webb trustees of Sarah Berryman of Clark Co. this was recorded in the Scott Co. Court. She has amended this document with her later will to include Gilson, and family.
     Listed in the Virginia Land Grants is Wm Lane receiving 600 acres in Fayette Co. on the Waters of the N. Elkhorn on Jan. 29 1783 ( Book 6, P. 76).
     Also recorded in the David's  Fork Baptist Church (on Cleveland Pike near Winchester Rd. founded on Aug. 26, 1801) in Fayette Co. of Gilson Berryman's death  and Ann W. Berryman as a member, also listed on August 23, 1852 is I.S. (Sarah or Sand?) Berryman and Matilda Berryman moving to 1st Presbyterian Church of Lexington.
     The marriages of several of the children of Ann W. Berryman are recorded in the  Fayette Co. KY record Book 1 of Marriages.  Martha B. Berryman married William Thomas on Dec. 16, 1814, David Hardesty presiding. Henrietta Berryman married Jas. Scruggs on Mar. 21, 1819, J. Vandaman presiding.  Harriett Berryman married Thomas E. Christian on November 1, 1820  (Anne Christian wed Thomas Longdon on 4/18/1798, relation not known), James Fishback presiding.
 In a document dated Oct. 3, 1838 dispersing the property of Gilson Berryman deceased, these heirs were listed.  James Scruggs, M.B. Thomas, H. N. Scruggs, A. W. Berryman, Harriet W. Christian, Thomas Christian, Jacob Hughes, Sarah A. Hughes, and William Thomas. This indicates Sarah Ann married a Jacob Hughes before this document was signed.  The estate administrators for Gilson were Thomas A. Berryman and Jacob Hughes.
     A grave stone has been found in Lexington Cemetery, (Founded 1849) Fayette Co., Kentucky for Gilson (sp. Gillson on file card) Berryman.  The inscription says, "Sacred to the memory of Gilson Berryman who was born, June 24th 1779 and departed this life August 2nd, 18(??38). Also buried in the four plots (Lot 71, section D, Location E -1/2) purchased by Ann W. in 1854 when the Lexington Cemetery opened are Ann W. (Oct. 21, 1856 age 92) and Sand Berryman (moved Sept. 26, 1854) The Lexington Cemetery records shows that Gilson (moved Sept. 19, 1854)  and  Sand were moved to this location from and unrecorded location near the time of the purchase of the lots on August 25, 1854. Because the Gilson's name is incorrect on the file card there may be incorrect spelling of "Sand", possibly Sarah is person buried here. Also wonder  if the "92" referring to the age of the person buried in this space is incorrectly positioned by Ann W. because it would make Ann W. fifteen years older than her husband Gilson. It would make more sense for the age 92 to be for Sarah. The cemetery records show no person buried in the fourth space.
     The body of Gilson and Sarah was likely moved from the property on David's Fork when the land was transferred back to the heirs of Moxley later Blakemore in 1845 (see document listed under Gibson Berryman, Fayette Co. Deed book 23 p. 133, Jan. 24, 1845, Quit Claim), to the Lexington Cemetery.  Also recorded (Fay. Co. Deed book 12 pg. 392 - 139 a 3 r on David's Fork) is land Gilson purchased from Thomas Moxley Dec. 15 , 1835. The relationships between Moxley's and Sarah Berryman were likely familial when examining the wording of these documents.  Possible hypothesis:  Ann W. is really Ann W. Moxley, the child of Sarah by a earlier marriage (?), Sarah's maiden name was Moxley (?).
 
    T. E. Christian is listed as the other family name when the Lexington Cemetery lots were purchased. Also buried there are Clara Christian ( April 21, 1890  21)  Frances Christian ( Jan. 10, 1874  10)  three infants; Anna Christian (3-22-1873 age 3),  Leonard Christian (2-6-1866) and Harriet Ballard (12-7-1860) age 1; descendants of  T.E. Christian.  Also recorded in this area is Mr. Rebecca Ludwick (Dec. 7, 1863) relation unknown.

Owen County, Kentucky
 
      In 1819  Josias Berryman was recorded as selling 150 acres on Twin Creek (Owen Co.)  to Joseph Conover of Pendleton Co.; the sale was made in 1815 and recorded when Owen Co. was later formed.  Josias was paid 72 pound sterling for this land. There is record in 1820 census of Josiah Berryman in Bourbon Co. and Ohio Co.  Also records in this census record  Ann Berryman in Estill Co. and Gilson in Fayette Co.     Thomas A. Berryman's (b. 1/31/1801) parents were Gilson and Ann W. of New Kent Co., Virginia. 
 
In 1819 Owen Co. was formed from parts of Franklin, Gallatin, Scott and Pendleton Counties. Owenton was  founded to be the County Seat of Owen Co. and put in the central location so all parties would have easy access; earlier Hesslerville was County seat.   Thomas A. Berryman was admitted to the Owen Co. Bar to practice law in 1822. Berryman was a student of Ezra White a distinguished man of his profession in Mr. Berryman's native place. When Berryman was 22 years old in 1823 when he was appointed the superintendent of the first log courthouse built in Owenton. Also in 1823 he was appointed Postmaster of Owenton and remained in that position until 1825.

     On November 7, 1823, Berryman purchased Lot #9 (in 1985 the lot belonged to the Kempers) from the City of Owenton for $32.50.  This is the first of 264 land transactions recorded during the 55 years he practiced law in Owen Co.

     In 1824 Lucy H. Gower turned our young Berryman's head and they requested permission to marry from Stanley P. and Harriet Gower of Spencer Co., Lucy was 20 years old, born May 28, 1804.  Thomas and Lucy married on May 11, 1824.

     Lucy's parents were Stanley Gower and Harriet who came from Inverness, Scotland.  There were other family members in the area as well, as documented by a purchase of a Negro fellow named George (age 40).  Thomas A. purchased for $1.00 the slave so that Stanley's daughter Adaline Vanallen would have the use and profits from this slave for her life and her children.  Adaline was married to James Vanallen of Hesslerville, he owned lot 144 with a house that was sold in 1826.  Vanallen was one of the original Trustees of Owenton. The document for the slave purchase as also signed by Nancy Gower, there is no reference to the relationship of Nancy.

     In 1825 Berryman purchased 1/2 interest in the tanyard located on East Adair St. in Owenton and the 5 acres near it, he was also appointed county attorney and served terms until 1840.

     A little more than a year after their marriage, on May 25, 1825 Ann Mary Berryman was born, she was the only child of Lucy and Thomas A. Berryman. Perhaps they lived in a log house on Lot #9 until there was the means to build a larger home. The courthouse records indicate that Berryman purchased lots 112 & 113 for $90., where he built the historic Berryman home (see Historical Society Records in Owen Co.) that you see pictured here.

   Josias B. name appears again in the courthouse records in January 1838 with Thomas A. Berryman.  A deed was recorded for 2/9 interest in land on 671 acres near Owenton. Thomas A. acquired this land from George and Squire Davis of Fayette Co.

     Ann Mary, Lucy and Thomas' daughter, marries at age 15, to Dr. Daniel S. Adams, who was 26 years old.  Their wedding was on November 4, 1840.  Dr. Adams was born on April 19, 1814, his parents were probably Walter and Judith Adams (b. 1/16/1783).  There is documentation to  show the will was settled on Oct. 10, 1845 for Walter Adams grandfather of  William Adams, and D.H. Arnold, Daniel received a share of this estate, without clear indication of Daniels relation.

     An early document dated 3/7/1840 had S.P. Gower signature indicating he was still alive at this date.

     Ann Mary and D.S. were married 16 years before their first child Lucy Gower was born on 6/20/1856.   There is no indication of other children or stillbirths before Lucy.  Ann Mary was a busy practicing nurse helping her husband care for the local people. Then Nov. 19, 1859  Daniel Avery was born to Ann Mary & D.S.  Civil War broke out in 1861, surely this increased the trouble in Owen Co.  Then in 1863 on July 29 my great grandfather Stanley Gower Adams was born. In 1865 the Civil War ended.
     T.A. Berryman gives his daughter Ann Mary a tract of land on the Kentucky River that was to become the site of Inverness. In 1870 the plans for construction of Inverness with the builder Benert were approved. Thomas A. was co-signer on a note for $9100.00 - $2000. down and another $2516.04 on 4/2/71 to be used for the purchase of materials.  Benert was to complete the work by Nov. 1871 and surrender the keys.  A.M. and D.S. married 30 years before they get their dream home. The children Lucy was 15, Daniel Avery 12 and Stanley was 8 when they moved in.
        I have no record of where they lived before they built this house at Inverness.
        Lucy H. Berryman died on 9/21/1872 and the lot 113 where the Berryman house in Owenton stood was sold to Virgil Herrick about that time as well.  T.A. moved into the Inverness home shortly before he passed away on December 12, 1875.  They were both buried in the family plot behind the house at Inverness.

     Thomas A. Berryman left all of his Estate to his 2 grandsons. He left his only granddaughter Lucy out of his will because she married Andrew S. Louden, he disapproved of the marriage. Lucy was 19 when he died. T.A. left arrangements for his grandsons to be educated in college. Daniel Avery was a physician in Owenton, Kentucky, known as Dr. Avery.

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Related information from Fayette Co. Kentucky

Will of Sarah Berryman
(Page 280 Fayette Co., Kentucky in Will Book D - Dated June 21, 1817)

 In the name of God, Amen, I, Sarah Berryman of the County of Fayette being weak in body, but in perfect sense and memory. Thanks to God for the same; do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit, first I give my soul to almighty god, who gave it me, hoping for pardon and redemption    of my sins through the all attoning death of his son Jesus Christ. Secondly, my body to the dust from whince it came to be decently buried. It is my wish that my land in Fayette County whereon I now live with all my negros by name, Jane, Joshua, Moses, Mary, Emeila, Malitda, Lewis, Jack, Seller, and Emma with my carriage and harnes, horses, cattle sheep pig, plantation utensils, household and kitchen furniture, and every  description shall remain together, and continue until the  death of my Daughter Ann W. Berryman for her purpose use and support, and the support of my son in Law, Gilson Berryman as long as he lives according to the full intent of ... of a Deed of Trust made to George Webb and William N. Lane of the County of Clark. But of in case my daughter Ann W. Berryman should die before my son in law Gilson Berryman then and in that case said Gilson to have a  gentel support out of said Estate during his life.  ... should my grandchildren Hennritta N. Berryman, Harriet W. Berryman, Thomas Berryman and Sarah Ann Berryman remain single that they should continue together on said plantation untill the Girls marries off, or dies  work giving  ...... , household & Kitchen .... my carriage and harnes  and after the death of my Daughter Ann W. Berryman my negros ..... equally divided among her five children, Henrietta Berryman, Martha, Thomas, Harriet Berryman, Thomas ? & (?Garyan? Sarah) Berryman and that my lands and ..... shall be sold to the best advantage and the money ....

The History of the Old Adams Home
Inverness Landing
 

This information for this story was originally printed in the Owen County local newspaper in the 1960's, it has been updated and edited with information taken from the records of the Owen County Historical Society by Julie E. Brent in 1994.

At mile 20 on the Kentucky River is an Owen County Kentucky landmark, the old Adams home known as Inverness.  It was built prior to the Civil War in 1870 -71 by Peter Benert by noted Owenton Lawyer Thomas Alexander Berryman. The home was destroyed by fire in 1987 as captured in a picture by the photographer at the Owen County newspaper. It was a gift with 747 acres of land to his daughter Ann Mary who married Dr. Daniel S. Adams. 

This 3-story building of 12 rooms and 2 halls is built of brick made by slaves on the farm and the front porch faces west overlooking the river. The house is built square, and at one time had a full veranda across the front.  This was replaced by a smaller porch at a later time.  Mint Spring is about midway between the house and river.  There were huge pines and weeping willow trees around the house transplanted from Virginia.  The family cemetery is at the rear, about 25 yards from the NE. corner of the house.

The high ceiling bedrooms once were furnished with four poster beds, each covered with a canopy, and high enough from the floor for a trundle bed to go beneath them.  The McClure family of Frankfort, KY bought the four poster beds.  A rosewood piano imported from London, England is said to have been the first piano in Owen County.  It was ruined by the 1937 flood at the Carrico home at the Blue Lick at Carrollton, KY and its remains were made into end tables.  The whereabouts of other  antiques furnishings of the old home are unknown.

The Springport Ferry franchise belonged to the estate; the road to it branching from the Gratz road, which at that time rand along the base of the hills of what is now Perry Park, up Indian Hill and along the ridge through the McDowell and James Landers Farm to "The Narrows."

Inverness was an important landing in the days when almost all travel was by river. Visitors from Louisville, Cincinnati, and Frankfort, attended by those from the then famous spa Drennon Springs.  Many attended the gala affairs held at the big brick house. Often, music was furnished by orchestras from the city, and it a guest book were in existence, on its pages might be found the names of Sally War, the famous Kentucky beauty, James O. Blaine an instructor at the Kentucky Military Academy when it was located at Drennon, and others.  The Governors of thirteen states attended one affair at Drennon Hotels.

As was customary at the time ice cut from ponds in winter as stored in an icehouse on the place for summer use. Grape arbors and a large orchard furnished fruit in season for storage. All vegetable, including peanuts and asparagus, were home grown.

Thomas Alexander Berryman owned extensive property in Owenton. What is now the Joe Holbrook farm and the bring home that now belongs to the Estes sisters was once part of his estate. He was born January 31, 1801 the son of Gilson and Ann Berryman of Virginia. His wife, Born May 28, 1804 was Harriet Gower, Daughter and only child (?) of Stanley and Lucy Gower.  The Gowers were from Inverness, Scotland.  John Gower 1325 (?) 1408 was a famous poet.

Ann Mary daughter of Thomas A. and Harriet Berryman was born May 12, 1825.  She was  nurse visited the sick on horseback regardless of weather, including those at some distance and carried her nursing kit in saddlebags.  She married Dr. Daniel S. Adams son of Walter and Judith Adams, Born April 19, 1814 died 1902. The Adams family were from Lexington, Fayette County.

The children of D. S. Adams and Ann Mary Berryman Adams were:
Lucy Gower, b. June 20, 1856 who married a Louden.
Daniel Avery, b. November 19, 18--  d. 1930,  he never married,  was a physician and was known by Dr. Avery.
Stanley G., b. July 19, 1853 d. May 30 1936 married
Stella Dean, daughter of Thomas Edward and Margaret Lavena (Myers) of  Cincinnati, OH.

Pictured left to right are: Stanley G. Adams, Stella Dean Adams, John Leach who was Mrs. Hardins brother & Mrs & Mr. Harden the grandparents of Fisher Harden.

The children of Stanley G. and Stella D. Adams were:
Ula Berryman, b. December 30, 1894
Ann Mary, b. April 12, 1897
Dora Gayle, b. March 28, 1898, died at birth.
Margaret Dean, b. June 29, 1899;
Daniel Thomas, b. November 29, 1901;
William Clifford, b. October 15, 1903, died 1986
Charles Edward, b. September 19, 1906;
Stanley Prentice, b. September 15, 1909;
Naomi Francis, b. May 29, 1912; died 1998
Ralph, b. April 16, 1915 died at age 9.

  The Adams "Inverness" house was used as the Sportmen's Clubhouse at Perry Park Resort.  The field behind the  house where once the orchard and some buildings stood has been used as the Perry Park Airport. Shattered foundation stones used to show the site of some of the old buildings, before the storm and fire destroyed the house in October 1987.

The Springsport Ferry and rows of hogsheds of tobacco lined up for shipment by the boat at Inverness Landing are only a memory, as is the way of life of over a century ago.