For those researching the various Berry J. Bridges: Here's a bunch of stuff on the Berry J. Bridges who was the son of David Bridges in Oglethorpe Co, GA. Below are his & his wife's wills, and after that, their marriage, deeds and census records. Put together, it looks like this is all the same Berry J., son of David. Hopefully this will be helpful... and should eliminate this particular Berry J. Bridges as an ancestor, since this one apparently did not have any kids. ~Jeanne ______________________ Will of Berry J. Bridges Madison County, GA Will Book A-B, Page 41 12 Feb 1847 Georgia: I, Berry J. BRIDGES of the county of Madison and State aforesaid, do make this my last will and testament, being of sound mind and disposing memory but affected in body and knowing it is appointed for all men one to die, I do will, bequeath and dispose of my property in the following manner. First, I give, will and bequeath to John H. TUCKER, a boy whom I have taken to raise, one horse, bridle and saddle when he arrives at the age of seventeen, provided he, the said John H. TUCKER, shall remain with my wife Mary BRIDGES until he is seventeen years old and is an industrious, dutiful and obedient boy. If not, then he the said John H. TUCKER is to have nothing of my estate. Second, I give, will and bequeath to Orra AKINS, a young woman I have raised from her infancy, one bed and furniture, one chest, one stock of cattle and their increase, one saddle, all of which she now claims and is of right her own property but in my possession, at the time of my decease, also $50 at the same time. Third, I give, will and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Mary BRIDGES the balance of my estate both real and personal (after my just debts & which I allow her to pay by selling & disposing of any part of my property in any manner, either by private or public sale, as she may think proper) during her natural life and the one half of my estate as above named I give will and bequeath to my wife Mary BRIDGES as her own right, to will and dispose of as she may think proper and at her, my said wifes decease, I give will and bequeath unto the aforesaid Orra AKINS the other half of my estate, real, personal and perishable, that may be remaining at that time. Fourth, I nominate, appoint and ordain my beloved wife Mary BRIDGES as my sole Executrix of this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills heretofore made by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th day of February 1847. Berry J. BRIDGES Witness: Bennet SIMS Ranford E. HITCHCOCK Nathaniel C. BRIDGES Recorded September 1848 __________________________ Will of Mary BRIDGES Madison Co, GA Will Book A-B, page 222 27 Nov 1850 I, Mary BRIDGES, of said state and county, being of sound mind and disposing memory, and by the blessing of God in common health, but knowing that all man kind has once to die, do make this my last will and testament. First, in consequence of having no legal bodily heirs, I do give, will and bequeath unto Ora AKINS, a young lady that I have raised from her infancy, all my estate, both real and personal, (to wit), all my lands, stock of horses, hogs, sheep and cattle, all my ready money and notes and other papers of value, all my household and kitchen furniture, and farming tools of every description, oxen and cart, also my negro man CLAIBORN and every other thing or things of value. But it being my will that said negro CLAIBORN, as he has been a good and faithful servant, shall be well treated and taken care of. Second, I nominate, constitute and appoint the above mentioned Ora AKINS my executrix of this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made, in witness whereof the said Mary BRIDGES has hereunto set her hand and seal this 27th day of November 1850. Mary (x) BRIDGES Witness: John CUNNINGHAM Randford E. HITCHCOCK Bennet SIMS Recorded 4 Jan 1867 _________________ Other Notes: Berry BRIDGES m. Mary FREEMAN 2 Jul 1797 in Oglethorpe Co, GA 18 Feb 1790 Wilkes Co., GA Estate of David BRIDGES Adam SIMMONS, Robinson HENDON, Thos. EMBRY appraisers. Receipts of Berry J. BRIDGES, 15 Jun 1797; Baynes BRIDGES 15 Jul 1798; of Merrell BRIDGES 20 Jul 1799; of Nancy BRIDGES 15 Jan 1800; and of Jesse BRIDGES 26 Oct 1801 calling themselves legal heirs; [Early Records of GA Vol. II; Grace Gillam DAVISON; 1932] 1800 Census -Oglethorpe Co, GA Berry BRIDGES 1 male 16-26 1 male 26-45 1 female 16-26 1 slave 10 May 1804 Oglethorpe Co., GA, Deed Book D; pg. 361 Zachariah COLLEY, Warren H. MOORE, and Moses BAILEY of Elbert County, and William MARTIN of Oglethorpe, to Berry J. BRIDGES, for $600 , 200 acres on Beaverdam Creek, adj. WEBB, originally granted to Salley MOORE in 1789. Signed: Zachariah COLLEY, Warren MOORE, William MARTIN, Moses BAILEY, Salley MOORE. Witness: Robinson HENDON, Baynes BRIDGES, Merrill BRIDGES. 13 Jan 1809 Oglethorpe Co, GA, Deed Book H, pg.140 Jesse BRIDGES to Berry J. BRIDGES, both of Oglethorpe, for $180, 60 acres on Beaverdam Creek. If Jesse's right is not sufficient to hold land, then Jesse is to pay back to Berry $180 and Berry is to give up deed to Jesee. Sign: Jesse BRIDGES. Wit: Wiley SIMS, Baynes BRIDGES, A. PONDER. 12 Apr 1815 Oglethorpe Co, GA, Deed Book H, pg. 489 Jesse BRIDGES and BERRY J. BRIDGES to Luke JOHNSON, 205 acres on Millshoal Creek waters of Beaverdam Creek, adj. JOHNSON, HENDON, Berry J. BRIDGES and others. Signed: Jesse BRIDGES. Berry J. BRIDGES. Wit: Stephen ALLEN, Johnson HENDON, Wm. M. STOKES. 1 Dec 1818 Oglethorpe Co, GA, Deed Book J, pg. 165 Berry J. BRIDGES relinquish all my right, title and interest to tract in Oglethorpe Co on Mill Shoal Creek, 350 acres, to Phillip P. COLBERT for value received. Signed: Berry J. BRIDGES. Wit: John C. JOHNSON, Thomas GRAHAM. 1820 Census - Oglethorpe Co, GA Berry J. BRIDGES 2 males 45+ 1 female 10-16 1 female 26-45 1 slave 1830 Census - Oglethorpe Co, GA Berry J. BRIDGES 1 male 50-60 1 female 15-20 1 female 40-50 2 slaves 1840 Census - Oglethorpe Co, GA 235th Dist Berry BRIDGES 1 male 60-70 1 female 20-30 1 female 50-60 2 slaves (County borders changed... they didn't move): 1850 Census - Madison Co, GA Household 250 Mary BRIDGES...72...F...GA Ora AKINS...40...F...GA 1860 Census - Madison Co, GA Household 170 Mary BRIDGES...82...F...Farmer...GA Ora AKINS...50...F...GA John H. TUCKER...23...M...GA