One authority defines the name Terry thus: "Not 'the tearful one,' as some entomologists [i.e., etymologists] have it, but a corruption of Theodoric, the personal name."
Mr. Ferguson in his "Teutonic Name System," [i.e., Robert Ferguson, The Teutonic Name-system Applied to the Family Names of France, England, and Germany] classes together the old German names Tarro, Terra, Torro, ninth century Terri, the English names Darr, Darrow, Door, Dorey, Dorre, Tarr, Tarry, Terry, Torrey, and the French names Dary, Dorre, Dor, Dore, Tarie, Terray, Terre, and he derives these from the old Norse word doerr, meaning spear, probably from the Sanscrit root tar. Mr. Samuel Terry, of New York City, has made investigation and thinks it originated among the early French, where under the form of Therry it was not an uncommon personal name, and through the Franks coming to be regarded as French, and is now sometimes found there as a family name in this form and as Therry, and also Terry. The earliest information of the founder of the family in this country is an agreement formed by William Pyncheon and Samuel Terry, October 15, 1650, whereby the latter is to receive a certain amount for his services, and be taught the trade of linen spinner, he binding himself to be diligent in service. Signed by Samuel Terry, Benjamin B. Cooley (his mark), and William Pyncheon, witness Richard Maund and John Benham. Hon. William Pyncheon was in England in the spring of 1650 and there made the contract, and doubtless it was then that he took into apprenticeship the boy Samuel Terry, who may have been of Barnet, a village eleven miles from London. He may have been an orphan whom Mr. Pyncheon had known, and it is unlikely that he would have taken such a boy for less than the entire time of his minority, accordingly he was probably born about the year 1633 or 34. Mr. Pyncheon returned to England, and was relieved of the contract.
Samuel Terry, born about 1633, in England, arrived in America about 1650, was of Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1654, and was granted land, January 7, 1654, consisting of ten acres on "Chuckapee Plain" on condition that he remain in the town five years. In 1658 he forfeited it by leaving. He was granted land at Wononaco town, 1664, and land at Fresh Water Brook (now Enfield) in 1665. He was granted thirty acres of upland, along by his meadow land beyond Chicopee Plain in 1670. He with others was assessed two loads of firewood for the use of their pastor. In 1678 he was appointed a surveyor of highways. His name and that of his son Samuel appear in a list of persons, who took the oath of allegiance, December 31, 1678, and January 1, 1679. He married, January 3, 1660, Ann Lobdell, and the town settled with him for his claim to the land before mentioned by making him a grant a little further south. In May, 1684, his wife died, also his adopted child, Johny Matthews. In 1685 he was one of a town committee to establish boundaries between Springfield and adjoining towns, and the records speak of him as Sergeant Samuel Terry. In 1690 he married Sarah, widow of John Scott, and daughter of Thomas and Margaret Bliss. In 1693 he made an agreement to teach the art of weaving to his stepson, Ebenezer Scott, whence it appears he still practiced it himself. He was also chosen constable this same year. He and his wife parted in 1694, and she died September 27, 1705. In 1730 the administration of his estate was granted to his sons, Samuel and Thomas, and in the record he is called "husbandman," "formerly of Springfield." This was doubtless the year of his death. He signed his name in a free hand, as one much in the habit of writing, so probably he was better educated than most men of his time. His children were: Samuel, Ephraim, died young, Thomas, Mary, Rebecca, died young, Ephraim, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Ann. The line herein traced descends from this family through Enfield, Connecticut, but it has been impossible to get the connection from public records. The absence of any vital statistics, in nearly all the state of New York, in early days renders it extremely difficult to trace any line in this state without the aid of private records.
(I) Horace G. Terry was a farmer near the present village of Alton, in Wayne county, New York. He is mentioned as residing near the pioneer church in that section, but no record can be found showing his wife and family.
(II) Griffith Pritchard, son of Horace G. Terry, was born at Alton, Wayne county, New York. He married Eleanor Lasher. Children: Horace Gerry and Charles Thaddeus.
(III) Horace Gerry, eldest son of Griffith Pritchard and Eleanor (Lasher) Terry, was born in Albany, New York, August 9, 1859. He was educated in the public schools of Albany, finishing his studies at the high school. After completing his years of study he entered the employ of the Albany Banking and Loan Company and later was for two years with the New York Central Railroad Company. In 1881 he entered the employ of H. F. Hemingway & Company, and in 1896 was admitted a partner under the firm name of Hemingway, Terry & Company and engaged in the wholesale oyster trade. Later the firm became Clark, Hemingway, Terry & Company, continuing the same lines. The firm was reorganized as the Albany Oyster Company and as such transacts a large business. Mr. Terry is a member of the Aurania Club of Albany, and in politics is a Republican.
He married, July 15, 1884, Jessie L., daughter of Barnard and Mary (Le Clair) Winne, of Albany. Children:
- Katherine, married Percy S. Brown; child,
- Priscilla, born July 4, 1910;
- Griffith Pritchard;
- Charles Thaddeus.
(III) Charles Thaddeus, son of Griffith Pritchard and Eleanor (Lasher) Terry, was born in Albany, New York, September 16, 1867. He was educated in private and public schools of Albany, was graduated from Williams College, A. B., class of 1889; Columbia University Law School, LL. B., 1893, University of Berlin, Germany, 1890. He began the practice of law as junior partner of an old established firm in New York City, continuing two years, then partner of a law firm of three for six years, then practiced alone. From 1893 to 1895 he was prize lecturer on Practice and Pleading under the New York Code of Civil Procedure, at Columbia Law School; regular lecturer on same 1896-1901, and since then Professor of Law. In 1903, as counsel for the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers, he conducted several test cases and succeeded in having the New York state restriction law declared unconstitutional. During the administration of Governor Higgins he was appointed by the governor commissioner of New York state on "Uniformity of laws in the United States." In 1905 he was elected secretary of the National conference of uniform law commissioners. He is shade tree commissioner of the Tree Planting Association of New York City and actively interested in that movement. He is a member of the New York City and State Bar associations: American Bar Association; president Albany Society of New York City; a member of the Phi Beta Kappa; the Phi Delta Phi; ex-president of the National Society; vice-president of Williams Alumni Association of New York. His clubs are the University, Lawyers, Graduates (vice-president), Phi Delta (ex-president), Phi Delta Phi (ex-president). He married, in New Scotland, Albany county, New York, June 22, 1898, Katherine Lansing Hendrick. Children: James Hendrick, Katherine Hendrick, Thaddeus and Beatrice.