Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-04-18
AMERICAN STAR.

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The following article is from the
Orange Stud Book and is by veterinary
surgeon of that county whose name is
not known to us. The historical part is
probably correct. 1t was sent us by MIR.
Henry X. Berry of Paterson, n. j.,
whose letter is appended:
American Star was Il sorrel horse,
with star and snip in forehead, two white
feet behind above the pasterns, and
about 10 hands high.
PEDIGREE.-American Star was sired
by American Star, he by Cock of the
Rock, he by Duroc and out of Romp,
full sister to Miller's Damsel. by import
ed Messenger. His dam was by the
racehorse Henry; grandam by Messen
ger. That his dam and grandam were
both thoroughbreds there is no doubt.
His pedigree we shall try to prove, to-
gether with his history for the last five
years. The pedigree of the celebrated
horse. American Star, has been a subject
of much controversy, so much so that
we have taken time and trouble to fur
nish correct history of him. The great
value attaching to the progeny of this
horse, in the first and second generations,
makes it of the utmost Importance that
breeders should have exact and reliable
information as to the blood he possessed.
Fortunately, in our travels through Or
ange, Ulster and Columbia counties in
New York, and through IA greater part
of New Jersey, we think we shall be
able. clearly and Enthusiastically to give a
correct and reliable pedigree and history
of the horse, American Star, and supply
every link in the chain from the day he
was foaled. the property of Henry H..
Berry, Esq, of PJmpton Plains, Morris
county, New Jersey, in June. 1887, until
he died. the property of Theodore Du>en-
berry of Goshen, in February, 1861.
Henry II. Berry sought this horse while
owned by Edmond Seeley and Hiram
Smith. and recognized him at once as
the same horse owned and raised by him
till he was seven years of age. This Mr..
Berry told US, which we claim connects
the last link with the first; and we sim
ply mention this because Uncle Edmond
did not give him the same pedigree. He
claimed his dam was Canuck or Canada
mare, therefore some claimed he was not
the horse raised by Mr.. Berry. His last
ing qualities, not only with him but with
his progeny, should be Il proof most
IL
Being a personal friend of Henry H..
Berry, we shall, AS briefly AS possible,
give his own words as he told us in Il
conversation we had with him on this
was in the city of New York, and a par
ticular friend of his, Joseph Gennug.
urged him to buy a very fine mare for
breeding pusposes that a friend of his
of being badly used and driven on the
hard roads, her feet had given out and
she was offered cheap. Mr.. Berry de-
clined to buy her at any price, as he had
horses enough. Mr.. Gennug said her
blood made her especially valuable for
breeding purposes, as she was by the
racehorse Henry, and out of a mare sired
by Messenger. The next spring Mr..
Berry was in the city, and found that his
friend Mr.. Genung had bought the mare
himself, and when he came to see her he
liked her so well that he did not hesitate
moment in making her his own. This
was in the spring of 1888, and Mr.. Berry
owned and lived on large and beautiful
farm on Pompton Plains, New Jersey.
Al the time he bought this mare she was
a beautiful bay animal, somewhat add
vanced in years, l6 hands high, with a
star and snip in forehead, and both hind
feet white above the ankles, smooth
and handsome mare, with a good set of
limbs, but bad feet. Mr.. Genung was a
bachelor, and boarded many years in the
family of Mr.. Berry's brother, in the
city, but died soon after he sold this
mare, and thus all hopes of tracing her
pedigree mere definitely were cut of
That she was by Henry and a Messenger
mare there cannot be a shadow of doubt
Mr.. Berry thinks she was IA thorough
bred. Mr.. Ira Coburn of New York
owned horse called American Star. lie
was IA sorrel horse, with star in forehead
Is hands high, as round as rope, with
good set of limbs, pleasant disposition
and could trot very fast, but left no rec
ord, as he was used afterwards only as a