HENRY BERKSHIRE
(1746-1826)

By Mrs. Billie (Mrs. Glynn) Bushart

  My Revolutionary ancestor was Henry Berskhire (third great 
grandfather), born in 147 (whereabouts still unknown) and 
died May 14, 1826 in Harrison County, Indiana.

  It is felt Henry was married twice, but no record has been 
fond on first wife, but it is reported her name was Lucretia.  
Henry's second marriage was to Criscilla Burton, born in 1748
in Virginia and died in 1829 in Floyd County, Indiana.  She was
the daughter of John and Elizabeth Burton.  Henry and Criscilla 
were married February 15, 17709 in Frederick County, Maryland.  
The proof of this marriage is cause of assumption on first 
marriage as Henry had three children before 1779, namely: Polly 
born 1867, Charles born 1770, and Joseph born 1777.  Henry and 
Criscilla had three children also.  John born February 14, 1780, 
Nancy born March 15,1784, and Richard birth date unknown.  Nancy 
is a real daughter and her tombstone is still standing in a 
cemetery at Galena, Indiana.

Henry's war record make's one wonder if he were "quite a character" 
or a conscientious husband and father.  Part of his will would make 
you think the latter as he stated, ".... excepting my son Richard 
and should he return home breaking off from such women as he heretofore
associated with."   It has been reported that Henry deserted three times.  
In this day and time, that sounds awful, but desertion in the days of the
Revolution were considered differently.  A man might learn of a sickness 
or death at home and leave; his horse might die and he would go for 
another; his food would run out, etc.

The earliest records show Henry a member of the Flintstone Militia 
and the then Pennsylvania Territory at start of Revolution and that 
he deserted.  He was later shown in the Flying Camp Militia of Frederick 
County Militia of Maryland under Captain Phillip Maroney, where he was 
wed and again deserted.  Henry took Oath of Allegiance in Frederick County,
Maryland, in 1778.

In 1790 Henry was in Rowan County, North Carolina, according to census 
and deed to a farm.  In 1804 he sold his farm and migrated following 
Buffalo Tail through Kentucky, crossed Ohio River and settled in what 
was then Clark county, Indiana Territory, the second county to be formed 
in that Territory, where he filed a claim for a 160 acres farm.  He 
received a deed for this farm from the government at the first land 
sale in 1814. Henry and Criscilla were buried in the Bethel Church 
Cemetery which adjoined this original farm.  Their tombstone have since
disappeared.

The name Berkshire had its beginning with William Day of Southern Wales.  
The Welsh had no heritary surnames until the era of Queen Victoria.

I joined the Daughter of the American Revolution on Henry Berkshire as 
this was an unestablished line and personal desire made me go this route.
Since, I have added two supplements on the established lines of Christopher
Trinkle born 1752 in Montogmery County Virginia and Azariah Crandall, Sr., 
born May 18, 1739, in Stonington, Connecticut.

Local DAR members who are descendants of Henry Berkshire include Mrs. Glynn
Bushart, Mrs. Keith Hockman, and Mrs. W. E. Rice.