JACOB AND MARGARET LONG DERRYBERRY

 

Jacob Derryberry married Margaret (Peggy) Long on January 6, 1806 in Williamson Co., TN.

Jacob, born 7 October 1779 in Burke Co., NC, was the son of Adam and Eve Liggett Derryberry. (See article on Derryberry - Liggett) Jacob was a woodcarver, cooper and farmer. He carved most of the wainscoting in the old family home built in the Lasea area in 1802. Jacob had five brothers, Samuel, Daniel, John, Andrew, and Thomas, and three sisters, Caty, Christina, and Elizabeth.

Margaret (Peggy) Long was born 8 December 1790 in South Carolina, the daughter of Rev. soldier David Long and Mary Howe. David Long was born in 1758 in Bedford Co., VA and enlisted in the Revolutionary War from Rowan Co., NC. Serving over four years in the Revolution, he was in almost every significant battle in the Southern Campaign, including the Battles of Brier Creek, Stone Ferry, Ramsour's Mill, Hanging Rock, King's Mountain, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and Eutaw Springs. David died while visiting a daughter in Marshall County in 1845. His burial place is disputed, some saying he was buried in the Long Cemetery in Marshall County, some saying he was buried in the Old Jacob Derryberry Cemetery in Lasea, near his home.

Mary Howe was the daughter of Revolutionary soldier William Howe and Catherine Craig. William Howe, born 1738 in Virginia, was the son of Joseph Howe of Virginia and York District, S.C. He had five brothers, John, Joseph, Jr., Robert, David and James. His brother, Joseph, was captured by the British during the Revolution and held captive on a ship in Charleston harbor. His wife pleaded for his release with British Gen. Sir William Howe, on the basis that they were "of the same family." Gen. Howe did release Joseph, and the family reportedly erected a memorial to him somewhere near the South Carolina-Georgia line. William Howe died soon after moving from York District to Georgia and is buried in Old Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Greene Co., GA. Mary Howe had one sister, Martha.

Margaret Long Derryberry was still living during the Civil War in the house that Adam and Jacob built in 1802. A story was handed down about Margaret chasing a Yankee soldier from her upstairs bedroom all the way to the Indian trail by the house to retrieve her only quilt that he had stolen from her bed.

Jacob died 25 April 1857 and was buried in the cemetery he established near the old homeplace. The house was bought by son-in-law, William Carroll Hardison, and daughter, Emily Howe Derryberry, who had been living with Jacob since their marriage. Margaret died 18 March 1870. Jacob and Margaret had four sons, Henry W., David Long, Joseph Howe, and John Toplin, and four daughters, Elizabeth, Mary A., Esther E., and Emily Howe. (The Howe name was carried in the Derryberry family down through Jacob's great-grandson, Joseph Howe "Joe" Derryberry, born in 1877.)

Contributor: Audrey Derryberry Massey