From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 491 - 492
 
WILLIAM BERRY was born at Salem, Massachusetts, December 20, 1780; married 
April 3, 1798, Nancy MELLEN, of Pelham; moved to Madison county, New York, and 
thence to Cortland county, where he held for a term a nominal judgeship of the 
court of common pleas.  (From 1823 to 1847 each county of New York having forty 
thousand inhabitants had such a court, composed of a first judge, who was 
presumably competent, and four associate judges, in common speech called "side 
judges."  The first judge and at least two of the associates made a quorum; but 
the latter usually had no voice in the court's rulings and decision.  Some 
amusing incidents are told of these court ornaments.)  In 1843 Judge BERRY came 
to Honey Creek, and in 1846 was member of the first constitutional convention - 
the oldest member of that body.  Because of his delayed attendance he missed 
assignment to a committee.  He died late in 1848.  Mellen BERRY, his son, died 
July 5, 1859.  He had also a daughter, Sally Ann.
 
Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)