Martha Berry

Early Life and Family

Martha C. Berry was born on February 2, 1869, in Detroit, to Thomas Berry and Janet Lowe Berry. Thomas and his brother, Joseph, ran the successful Berry Brothers Varnish Factory, positioning the Berry family among Detroit’s wealthiest. Joseph's estate was the largest ever probated in Wayne County following his death in 1907.

Quillwork Collection

Martha developed a deep interest in Odawa quillwork, creating a collection dating from the 1880s to 1900. This collection is now housed at the Southwest Museum – Autry, with portions available for public viewing online and featured in the book "Ottawa Quillwork on Birchbark."

Later Life and Legacy

In 1919, Martha applied for a passport in California for a proposed three-month pleasure trip to Asia. There is no record of her completing this journey. She remained unmarried and spent her final years with her sisters. Martha passed away on March 3, 1921, in Pasadena, California, and was buried in Detroit.

The Martha Berry Collection was eventually donated to the Southwest Museum by her sister, Frances Hooper Berry Colby, who was married to Frederick Colby, a furniture maker and buyer for the Berry varnish business. By 1930, Frances and Frederick had relocated to California, and Frederick had retired. They are noted in the census of that year as residing there. Frances passed away in 1936 and is buried in Los Angeles.

Their son, Edward Pendleton Colby, pursued a career as an artist and later established an antique emporium business with his second wife. Edward’s first marriage ceremony took place on the grounds of “Miss Berry’s” estate, suggesting a possible connection to Martha Berry. Edward and his second wife became well-known figures in the antique trade, running a successful business known as Port O'Call Gifts and Antiques in the historic "Oak Knoll" South Lake Shopping District at 388 South Lake Avenue.

1. Autry Museum. "Martha Berry Collection." https://www.theautry.org.

2. Berry, Thomas. Find A Grave. Memorial #36798278. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36798278/thomas-berry.

3. Berry, Martha C. Find A Grave. Memorial #84887557. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84887557/martha-c-berry.

4. Colby, Frances Hooper. Find A Grave. Memorial #137983661. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137983661/frances-hooper-colby.

5. Colby, Edward Pendleton. Find A Grave. Memorial #214171922. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/214171922/edward-pendleton-colby.

6. Gross Pointe Historical Society. "Berry Family History." http://www.gphistorical.org/berry01.html.

7. Los Angeles Times. "Obituary for Edward Pendleton Colby." January 19, 2008. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jan-19-me-colby19-story.html.

9. Watkins, Frances E 1936. "Ottawa Indian Quill-Decorated Birchbark Boxes: The Martha Berry Memorial Collection." Masterkey 9(4): 123-127.