Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-11-20

MiddlcburY, Vt.
EARLY TENNESSEE TURF HISTORY.
BY ALBION IN THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES,
1877,

BY ALBION IN THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES,
Grey Medley. however, met with but
few thoroughbred mares in his new
home. The country was unsettled Ten
nessee had only been admitted into the
Union three or four years before. The
rapid strides made by the new State on
the road to prosperity soon attracted
more blood and fresh enterprise \ few
years later (lS06) there came young
man to the State by the name of Green
Berry Williams, and with him he brought
string of thoroughbreds. This man,
by his energy, intelligence, manlness,
strict attention to business and incor-
ruptible integrity. earned and modestly
bore the title which he richly merited of
"the Father of the Turf in Tennessee" He
was Il native of Burke county, Georgia.
and was one of six children, and the
third son of Charles and Celia Williams.
there being three sons and three daugh-
tiers.
lie was the companion and friend of
General Andrew jackson, Colonel George
Elliott, the Barrys, Colonel Eli Odom.
the kirkmans, the Folks. DR.. John Shell
by. the courtly and genial Dr. Sapping-
ton, Colonel James jackson, Mr.. Robert
Smith, General Desha, Governor Newton
Cannon, the McGavocks, General Will
lam G.. Harding, and last but far from
the least, that generous soul wrapped III
the folds of chivalry and manliness that
were so peculiar to the times in which he
lived, Col. Bale Peyton. Colonel Pey-
ton loved Uncle Berry Williams. as he
was tamiliarly called by everyone, very
dearly, and, until the death of Uncle
Berry in 1872. they were much together.
and for the following facts relative to
the life of the pioneer turfman of Ten
nessee, we are indebted to the survivor
OF these friends. Colonel Peyton:
Berry Williams father was a native of
Brunswick county, Virginia. and was
raised on the Roanoke river. near Eaton's
Ferry. His mother, whose maiden name
was Wall. was also native of Virginia.
His parents, though neither rich or dis
tinguished, were in easy circumstances,
and III personal character were among
the most respectable inhabitants of the
colony.
Several years before the commence
ment of the Revolutionary war Charles
Williams and two of his wife's brothers
removed with their families to Georgia.
where Green Berry was born, on Brian
Creek, in Burke county. After the be-
ginning of the war these emgrants suf-
fered greatly. Both the Walls were kill
ed, the dwellings of all were burned. and
thelr personal property and negroes were
carried of by the Tories and Indians
Charles Williams thus had three families
TO support, with which he returned to
Virginia, where he remained till the
close of the war, and again removed 70
Georgia, where he died, leaving Green
Berry boy.
The eldest son, Noah, was afterward
sheriff IN Burke county. The father, ell
der brothers and cousins of G.. b. Will
Jams were devoted to horses, and owned
and raced some of the swiftest Quarter
nags of that day, when quarler-racing
was the Fashionable sport among the first
gentlemen of the South
1t was at this time, when small boy.
that Berry Williams commenced his
career as quarter-race rider, and soon
become celebrated as one of the best
riders of the country. He rode MANY
distinguished quarter-horses. amongst
Others Ready Money, son of the famous
Twigg (Goode's), a son of imported ia
nus Ready Money never lost race.
On one occasion he made dead heat. or
draw race, with the celebrated Georgia
Bellair. Berry also rode the distinguish
ed quarter-horse, Hunters String. As
stated, quarter-racing at this period was
patronized by the first gentlemen of Vir-
glnia and throughout the South. We find
Northumberland accounts of the pedi.
gree and performances of the aboye-men-
toned horse, Goodies Twigg, attested by
many of the most distinguished turfmen
OF the Old Dominion, who state that
Twigg was beautiful bright bay horse,
heavily made, with large blaze in face.
and two white hind feet, fourteen hands
and one inch, very compact. highly
formed, and possessed of great muscular
power, symmetry, action and strength.
lie was qnarter-race horse of the very
FIRST class. His speed was unknown to