Berry, Alexander, 1781 – 1873

Alexander Berry (1781-1873), merchant, landowner, pastoralist and parliamentarian was born at Fife, Scotland, son of James and Isobel Berrie. He was educated at Cupar Grammar School and the Universities of St. Andrews and Edinburgh where he graduated in medicine. After travelling as a surgeon's mate to China and Madras he abandoned medicine for commerce.

Berry first arrived in Sydney in 1808 before further travels. During his further travels Berry met Edward Wollstonecraft who was to become his business partner. Berry arrived in Sydney in 1819 establishing a business before travelling back to England in 1820.

Wollstonecraft, who arrived at Sydney shortly after Berry, was a partner in the business which he managed while Berry was in London. Wollstonecraft was granted land on the North Shore of Sydney. On his return to Sydney Berry acquired land in the Shoalhaven River region of NSW in 1822 separately and in partnership with Edward Wollstonecraft. In 1827 he married Edward's sister, Elizabeth Wollstonecraft. Berry's brothers, John, David and William later managed the estate based at Mount Coolangatta on the north side of the Shoalhaven River.

Berry was a nominated member of the Legislative Council (1828-1861). Edward Wollstonecraft died in 1832 and his estate was left to his sister Elizabeth Berry. Elizabeth Berry died in 1845 having had no children. Alexander Berry died in 1873 and his estate passed to his brother David Berry. When David Berry died in 1889 there were legacies to various institutions and the property 'Coolangatta' passed to his cousin once removed, John Hay (1840-1909) who had been born and brought up at 'Coolangatta'.