II 



WILLIAMS' VIRGINIA CAREER 



After the successful issue of the Revolutionary War, 

 turf racing was revived in the Southern States and was 

 controlled by men of wealth, intelligence and high social 

 position, among whom Uncle Berry formed his courteous 

 manners and imbibed his incorruptible principles. 



Regular courses were established at the principal cities 

 in Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas. Uncle Berry was 

 associated with the most noted trainers as a rider, or 

 assistant trainer, until about his ipth year, when he re- 

 moved to Virginia and took charge of some of the most 

 distinguished horses in the Old Dominion. Before leav- 

 ing Georgia he rode the celebrated mare called Queen of 

 May, beating the renowned Virginia horse, Clitus, 4-mile 

 heats, at Augusta. He afterwards trained and rode 

 Clitus, beating Queen of May the same distance over the 

 same course. 



Uncle Berry was quite small until after his 2oth year, 

 but grew to be a man 5 feet 10 inches in height, weighing 

 165 pounds. He was remarkable for symmetry and activ- 

 ity and muscular power. In Virginia he was first trainer 

 for Hugh Wyllie, of Charlotte County, and in the first 

 campaign won 1,340 pounds, Virginia currency a very 

 successful beginning, considering the small purses which 

 were rarely more than $300 or $400 for 3 and 4-mile 

 heats. Before he left for Tennessee, he met on the course 

 some of the most distinguished men of Virginia, among 



