Mr. John Berry was an aspiring young clerk in the earliest days of the Pittsburgh Steel industry. His family was connected to the Maryland area, but he moved to Pennsylvania and went to work for George Ludwig Anshutz at the Huntingdon Furnace in Huntingdon County. He made what might have been an excellent career move when he married the boss' daughter Mary Anshutz in 1816. Unfortunately, he contracted "hectic fever" (probably tuberculosis) and died in 1820 leaving his young widow and infant son George Berry, who lived a long and prosperous life as a banker and financier. Numerous letters from various members of the Berry family to John and Mary have been preserved. They give clear and often poignant insights into early 19th century family life. There is also commentary on regional economics and a fascinating letter to John from a physician who was referred to him by George Anshutz. I make available a brief genealogy of the Berry family members involved in this correspondence, prepared by Mr. Craig Priebe. If anyone has scans or photographs pertaining to this or any other family group I would be happy to add them to this site with permission of course. Send me an email!!
Four letters, 2 each from John Berry's father Richard Berry and his sister Rachel Berry. Mentioned in the letters are 3 other siblings of John and Rachel, Thomas, Anna, and William (whose faithfulness as a correspondent apparently left much to be desired!).
Eight letters. Politics and economics! And, "write better letters more often!" And William is still a weak correspondent.
Four letters. The fourth one is to John from his father, wondering why he doesn't write. One has to wonder if John's health is already in decline. Further, as we will see, there are no letters available at all for 1819. Were health matters disrupting normal life such that mundane issues like saving correspondence got overlooked?
Five letters. The first is from Dr. John Gloninger, apparently the son of the Mr. Gloninger who was a partner/investor with George Anshutz in the furnace business. It is beautifully organized and written and presents a really vivid image of early 19th century medicine. The others basically represent a family consoling itself over a terrible loss.
Five letters. Caleb has been going down the river to a "wicked place". Letters from Aunt Elenor Longwill and Martin Rahm. Little Margaret's death. One undated letter from Rachel is included here. It is before Margaret's death but its exact placement is not certain.
The last batch. Eight letters and one set of "doctor's orders." Three letters are undated but I have attempted to place them where they might "fit". Anna is very ill but recovers. She then apparently becomes infirm once again as the "doctor's orders" are to her (now Mrs McCormick). She dies 2 weeks later. Family news. A couple of new correspondents. Courting strategies. The last is from young George Berry who has gone off to school.