Re: Lincoln Co. Ont. - Kate (Terryberry) (1772-1858) wife of Christopher Swackhammer
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In reply to:
Re: Lincoln Co. Ont. - Kate (Terryberry) (1772-1858) wife of Christopher Swackhammer
Jennifer Sullivan 6/21/04
Thanks for the response Jennifer.
I have a reasonably complete history of the Swackhammer and Terryberry (Durrenberger) families in my files.The only ancestor whose origin is in question was Elizabeth 'Kate' Terryberry.Using Genealogical references and the Internet I traced all the Terryberry lines and arrived at the following unsubstantiated conclusion.
The most likely ancestry of‘Kate’ is that she was a daughter of Johannes and Lydia Durrenberger.Johannes (7-22-1747 to 1825/30) arrived in America in 1750 aboard ‘the Phoenix’ along with his parents Johann Georg Durrenberger (1709-1767) and Anna Barbara (Zebst). They settled in Sussex County, New Jersey.Johannes adopted the name John Terryberry and they eventually settled in Danville, Steuben, New York.The Durrenberger Web Site lists three sons Thomas (born about 1775 in New Jersey), Christopher (about 1785) and John (born 4-25-1789).Additional information on the family is nonexistent, and there is no mention of daughters.The small size of the family, the large gaps between birthdates, and the absence of daughters is uncommon.The fact that daughters weren't reported is not. Elizabeth 'Kate' married Christopher when she was barely sixteen, and the family of Johannes and Lydia would still have been in Sussex County, New Jersey at that time.
Other alternative lines would have made her a first cousin to her husband Christopher.
Elizabeth 'Kate' has been a mystery in the Swackhammer/Durrenberger genealogy for some time.I've contacted the Grimsby Historical Society and they weren't able to provide any assistance. At this point it's unlikely that any credible proof of Kate's origins is likely to present itself.
I would appreciate any additional information or alternatives you have access to. I can be reached directly at [email protected].
Regards, and thanks again for your response.
Barry Stewart (formerly of Acton, Ontario) . now Concord, California