TERRY SETTLERS IN NEW ENGLAND
By William Z. Terry Ogden, Utah
There seems to be several distinct families of Terrys in America. Henry K. Terry, of London, England, in his book, ENGLISH FOUNDERS OF THE TERRY FAMILY IN AMERICA, gives the following list of those who came to New England and the places where they settled!
Stephen Terry, Dorchester, came 1630 John Terry, Winsor, came 1635, when 32 years of age. Thomas Terry, Southold, came 1635, when 28 years of age. Robert Terry, Southold, came 1635, when 25 years of age. Richard Terry, Southold, came 1635, when 17 years of age. Samuel Terry, Springfield, came 1650, when l8 years of age.
Mrs. Mary Terry Bunker, of Salt Lake City, thinks that there was another Thomas Terry who came in l635, and settled in Rhode Island.
Some maintain that the four mentioned by Henry K. Terry as coining in 1635, namely: Joh, Thomas, Robert and Richard, were brothers and that all four of them came on the ship “James”, but this idea does not seem to be born out by the records to which we have access. Quite a number of writers follow the idea of three brothers. Rev. Epher Whitaker in his history of Southold records that Richard Terry sailed from England with his elder brothers, Thomas and Robert in 1635. Both Thomas and Richard subsequently made their homes in Southold. In the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 14, is found this record! “Thomas Terry — age 28, Robert Terry — age 25, Richard Terry — age 17, embarked for America at London, England, in the ship ‘James’. Certificates from the minister on their conformity in Religion and that they are no subsidy men.”
In the history of the Davis Family by Albert Davis, in writing of Joshua Terry (Richard, Gershom, Richard I) of Southold, the following is found! “He was fourth in descent from Richard Terry, who, with his brothers John and Thomas, embarked for America at London, England, in the ship ‘James’ landed at Salem, Mass., 1635. Richard remains in Salem a few years, removed to Springfield, from thence to Lynn and subsequently to Southold, Long Island.
In our family history the tradition is preserved that three brothers, Thomas Terry, Robert Terry and Richard Terry, sailed from London, July 13, 1635, on the ship “James” and landed at Salem, Mass. Thomas and Richard later settled at Southold, Long Island, and have numerous descen¬dants; Robert settled at Flushing, Long Island, in 1640, but our family history has no further mention of him. Also, in printing records there seems to be but little concerning him. We have found him mentioned in the will of Edward Farrington, dated the 4th day of the 4th month, l673, at Flushing, Long Island, as having land adjoining the Farrington’s.
Source:Brent Bunker