Terry Family

Bill Terry brought back from the reunion a Deed Transcript: William Erwin Senr. to M.E. Church South. Also known as Wesleys Chapel.

This is the deed transfer from WIlliam Erwin. His granddaughter, Martha Elizabeth Erwin, was married to John C Terry.

I tried to use AI to transcribe it. It's not perfect but the transcription reads:

Deed Transcript: William Erwin Senr. to M.E. Church South. William Erwin Senr. This indenture made and entered M.E. Church South into the 4th day of February in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty Eight between William Erwin Senior of White County State of Tennessee of the one part, and John D Erwin, John Sullivan, Henry Lawson, Hezekiah Dildine] and William Baker, all of White County and State of Tennessee Trustees in trust for the uses and purposes of the members of the ME [Methodist Episcopal] Church South of the other part Witnesseth That the said William Erwin Senr; doth by these presents give grant bargain, release, Confirm and convey unto Him the for [said] John Erwin, John Sullivan, Henry Lawson, Hezekiah Dildine, and William Baker and their successors in office, trustees in trust for the uses and purposes of the members of the Methodist E [Episcopal] Church South, all the estate right title and on [interest, property,] and demand whatsoever is the [either] in law or Equity which he the said William Erwin hath in to or upon all and singular a certain Lot or piece of land Situate Lying and being in the County of White Civil District No Sixth [Fifth] and state aforesaid, and and [bounded] butted as follows:
Begining [Beginning] on a white Oak record [near a] Branch and running North 34 poles to a post Oak sappling on John Sullivers [Sullivan's] South bounders [boundary] line Their [Thence] west with said line 19 Rods [Poles] to a Black Oak, Then South 34 poles to a post oak thence East to the Beginning Containing and laid and [out] for four acres of land more or less together with all and singular the Houses, woods: waters, ways, priviles [privileges] and appur Unonas [appurtenances] thereto belonging or in any wise pertaining with however this reveral [reservation], that he the said William Erwin is to own one [and] hold the Grove Yord [Yard] a Rice [piece] of land three Rods Square King [lying] North [South] of the same so if the Church should every [ever] sell the land, the Grand Lord [Grave Yard] should not be sold with it to have and to hold all and singular the above described lot or piece of land Except the Grove Yord [Yard];
situated lying and being as aforesaid unto them the said Westers [Trustees] and their successors in office forever And the said William Erwin Ten [Senr] doth by these presents warrant and defend all and Simple [in Fee Simple] the before mentioned and described Lot or piece of land with the appurtenances belonging unto them the said trustees and their successors forever from the Claims or Claim of him the said William Erwin his heirs and assigns from the Claim or Claims of all persons whatever In testimony whereof the said William Irwin [Erwin] hath hereunto set his hand the day and year aforesaid William Erwin ! Sealed & delivered in the presents [presence] of us John Sullivan # J D Erwin File and note in Receipteen [Reception] Book No 2 page 134 [184] March the 4th 1895 at 4 Oclock P. M. H L Frour [Prower] Register

Decoration Day was filled with love, memories, and family. Despite the crazy rain, we had an amazing turnout with 45 family members coming together. We are all thankful for the time shared and the traditions that keep us connected year after year. 🤎 So great to see more people this year!

Dinner pics! Thank you everyone for coming out this was such a great evening. We will definitely try to make it a tradition to meet somewhere for dinner while we are here every year.

Dinner update! We just stopped by the restaurant to talk to them and they do get busy on Saturday night so we’re gonna be there at 4:30 to get in line for big party but everyone has to be there to be seated so if everyone can get there closest to 5:00 would be ideal. Otherwise wait might be hour. Super cute place!

In Loving Memory: Clennie M. Terry (Gracey)
1907 – 1987

We honor the life and legacy of our beloved matriarch, Clennie M. Terry, who passed away 39 years ago today, on May 7, 1987.

Born in the hills of Sparta, Tennessee, Clennie was the daughter of William David Gracy and Brady Almara West. She carried the strength of her Tennessee roots with her when she eventually made her home in Indiana. A woman of immense resilience and heart, she raised a large, vibrant family that continues to grow and honor her memory today.

She was a devoted mother to her ten children and a steady branch in our family tree. Whether she was known as Clennie, "Ma," or "Grandma" she was the glue that held so much of our history together.

Today, we remember her spirit, her journey from White County to Beech Grove, and the deep roots she planted for all of us.

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

Rest in Peace, Grandma Clennie. Always in our hearts.

A Brief Life Sketch
Born: September 10, 1907 | Sparta, TN

Departed: May 7, 1987 | Beech Grove, IN

Resting Place: Wesley Chapel Cemetery

Legacy: Mother to Fannie, Lena, William, Donald, Carl, Ruby, James, Robert, Erbie, and Jennifer.

It’s almost time 🌸 Decoration 4th Sunday in May! We are also planning dinner that Saturday night at Foglight. We gathered for years at Center Hill Restaurant with our families and now the restaurant is gone. We’d like to start new traditions with more extended family coming.
❣️ Please comment below how many for dinner so we can get enough seats.

Terry Family Research Update: Fact vs. "Copy-Paste" 🔍
Hi family! I’ve been digging deeper into our 3rd Great-Grandfather Joseph Terry, and I’ve reached a point where I’m challenging the "common knowledge" found in a lot of online family trees.

The "Echo Chamber" Warning
If you look at most Terry trees on Ancestry or FamilySearch, they link us directly as children of Major Stephen Terry. While our DNA definitely proves we are closely related to that specific line, I’m finding evidence that the popular "Son of the Major" theory might be a simple copy-paste error that’s spread over the years.

Why I’m Skeptical:
The Missing Inheritance: I’ve analyzed Major Stephen Terry’s 1866 Will. He was extremely detailed and named the children of his other deceased son—but he never mentioned Joseph or any of Joseph's children. If we were direct heirs, we should be in that document.

The Birthplace Mystery: On our Great-Grandfather John C. Terry’s death certificate, Joseph’s birthplace is listed as "Unknown." If Joseph were a direct son of the well-documented Major Stephen, that South Carolina/Georgia connection usually would have been a point of family pride. "Unknown" suggests Joseph was from a different "branch" that lost touch.

The Blacksmith Clue: Our Joseph was a blacksmith in Monroe County, TN. We are looking for a Joseph Terry with that specific trade, not just anyone with the right name.

My New "Nephew" Theory
DNA matches can be tricky. You can share a lot of DNA with a Great-Uncle’s descendants and have it look like a direct line. I believe Joseph was actually a nephew of Major Stephen—perhaps a son of one of the Major’s brothers (like Benjamin or John).

This would explain why our DNA "pings" the Major Stephen line so strongly, but the legal paperwork doesn't show us as his children.

How You Can Help:
I’m looking for Primary Sources (not just other people's trees!):

Does anyone have an old Family Bible or Letters mentioning a Joseph Terry who moved to Tennessee?

Do you have any records mentioning James D. Terry? (He is the man our orphaned John C. Terry lived with in 1860, and he is likely Joseph's brother).

Let’s find the real story, not just the copied one! If you’ve seen anything in your own research that contradicts the "Major Stephen" link, please reach out.

https://www.simplicityfuneralandcremationcare.com/obituaries/Carl-Benton-Terry?obId=47410804

Obituary information for Carl Benton Terry View Carl Benton Terry's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.