Two children were the fruit of this marriage, my sister Nancy and myself, Lucy A.Delaney.
While living in Franklin county, Major Berry became involved in a quarrel with some gentleman, and a duel was resorted to, to settle the difficulty and avenge some fancied insult.

The major arranged his affairs and made his will, leaving his negroes to his wife during her life-time and at her death they were to be free; this was his expressed wish.
My father accompanied Major Berry to New Madrid, where the fatal duel was fought, and stayed by him until the end came, received his last sigh, his last words, and closed his dying eyes, and afterwards conveyed the remains of his best friend to the bereaved family with a sad heart.

Though sympathizing deeply with them in their affliction, my father was much disturbed as to what disposition would be made of him, and after Major Berry was consigned with loving hands to his last resting place, these haunting thoughts obtruded, even in his sleeping hours.
A few years after, Major Berry's widow married Robert Wash, an eminent lawyer, who afterwards became Judge of the Supreme Court.

One child was born to them, who, when she grew to womanhood, became Mrs.Francis W.Goode, whom I shall always hold in grateful remembrance as long as life lasts, and God bless her in her old age, is my fervent prayer for her kindness to me, a poor little slave girl! We lived in the old "Wash" mansion some time after the marriage of the Judge, until their daughter Frances was born.

How well I remember those happy days! Slavery had no horror then for me, as I played about the place, with the same joyful freedom as the little white children.
With mother, father and sister, a pleasant home and surroundings, what happier child than I! As I carelessly played away the hours, mother's smiles would fade away, and her brow contract into a heavy frown.