Chester County Genealogy & History

PIONEER FAMILIES
Of
- Chester County TN

The Cherry Family
Contributed by Tela Davis Holbrook
From the Chester County Independent April 8, 1982
Written by Sylvia Johnson Harris - Centennial History Series

The earliest record of the Cherry Family in Tennessee was of John M. Cherry born 23 November 1803 in NC - died 11 December 1852 in Sardis, Henderson County TN. The first Cherry in "America" was John Cherry, an immigrant from England to Virginia in 1635. He is said to have been the son of yet another John Cherry the "younger," buried at Bray England, January 18, 1685 and this John, the "younger" was the son of John Cherry, the "elder" of Maidenhead in Cookham.
John M. Cherry migrated with his family from North Carolina about 1831/32. He made the journey with his first wife, Elizabeth (Elliott) born 19 February 1803 NC, died in 1838 Henderson County TN, and their two young sons, James L. and Joseph W. Cherry.
The family settled in Henderson County Tennessee near Wild Goose, which later became known as Enville (now Chester County). After moving to Tennessee, three more sons were born - Thomas, Marcus Lafayette and Francis Marion. After the death of his first wife, Elizabeth Elliott Cherry, John M. Cherry married Elizabeth Wingate who came to Tennessee from North Caroline with her brother, Peoples and a sister Linda. Elizabeth Wingate was born 18 April 1819 SC and died 7 Nov. 1899. They had four children; Jane, Mary Ann, John Peoples and William Jasper. John M. Cherry died when the children were still young and Elizabeth was left alone to raise the family. John M. Cherry is buried in the Sardis Cemetery (Henderson County) by the side of his first wife.
Pictured here are the children of Marcus Lafayette & Louisa Caroline (Stanfill) Cherry who lived in the Centre Point Community. They are - (Back Row) Hugh Douglas Cherry (1878-1938 married Sally Seaton buried Cabo Cemetery; Marcus McKenzie "Doc" Cherry and David W. Cherry b 1869 d Boyd Tx; (Front Row) Serenus Cecil Cherry (see below) & Queen Victoria (Cherry) Smith b 1866 died 1926, married William M. Smith. She is buried at Cabo Cemetery; They also had three other children not pictured - John Wash Cherry (1859-3 Apr 1960 Boyd TX), Robert A."Bob Alf" Cherry (1863-30 Aug. 1904 buried Old Jacks Creek Cem. and Betty Ann, born 1877 died Boyd TX married John Williams. Betty Ann and John W. Cherry moved to Boyd, Texas with their father in the late 1800's and remained there to raise their families.
Marcus Lafayette Cherry was born August 5, 1834 Henderson Co TN and died 1893 in Boyd TX, buried at Nelson Cemeery there. His wife died in Tennessee and is buried at Old Jacks Creek Cemetery in an unmarked grave. Marcus Lafayette Cherry answered the call of the confederacy in the War between the States. He enlisted Sept. 1, 1863 under Capt. John M. Carroll and served as a First Lt. in Co. H Wilson's 21st Tenn. Cav. of Gen. Bedford Forrest Corp. Army of the Miss. He fought in the battle of Jacks Creek, Memphis, Hooker's Bend on the Tennessee River and was wounded int he battle of Harrisburg Miss. July 13-15, 1864.
Some descendants of John M. Cherry still living in Chester County include; Glenn H. Harris, Lois Bell, Fred and Carmack Robertson, Jewell Green, Horace and Randy Mount, June Smith, Cherry Melton, Mary Ann Phillips, Von Baro Cloud, Carnell AUstin, Jerry, Janice and Benny Lee Cherry, Clara Mae Holly, Loda Estes, Beecham, Clark Franks, Hoyt Smith, Rhonda Pennington (College student at FHC), Ray Cherry, Elizabeth Russell, John F. Cherry family, Fannie Sue Cherry Alexander, Susie Johnson, Leonard Cherry, Robert Cherry, J.L. and Willard Dunn.

Photo on the left - Scerenus and Beadie Ann (Austin) Cherry with their childen taken late 1899 prior to the birth of their last child Thomas.
Photo above, about 1914 - same children --
Top Row: L/R Tom, Homer, John, Dovie & Nannie
Bottom Row: Marcus, Bill, Claude, Minnie, Edd & Luther

Carl C. & Dovie Esterlee (Cherry) Davis
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Davis of 135 Argus St., Henderson, Tenn.,
observed their 50th anniversary Aug. 20, 1966.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis were married in Chester County and have lived there except for seven years when they lived in Jackson.
They have two sons, Carl Davis of Henderson and Bruce Davis of Jackson.
They also have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Copyright © Christine Walters All Rights Reserved