Benjamin Holland was a Immigrant from Ireland, one of the many victims of the great potato famine. Benjamin entered the U.S. through the Port of New York about 1848 with 6 brothers and 1 sister. He then settled in Northern Alabama (as told to writer by Yarberry's Grandson, Reverend James Shelby Holland). It is highly probable that his brothers and sister also settled there.
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Yarberry married Matilda Hamilton in Madison county on Oct. 14th, 1849. In 1850, they were living in Lincoln Co. Tennessee in an area known as Pleasant Plains (Now known as Blanche). Their property was near Kelly's Creek near the Elk River. Although he could not read or write, he was an active member of the community and records show he was present at all town meetings. He also sent all his children to school.
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During the Civil War he joined the Tennessee 44th Infantry, this left his wife at home raising 5 small children and expecting a 6th. Upon completion of his 12 month enlistment, he promptly returned home where he was badly needed. His muster papers always showed him present until the month his enlistment was up.
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Before the war, Yarberry had been a plantation manager for the CHEATHAM family on Cheatham Bend by the Elk River. After the war, he became a farmer to feed and care for his family. Later on in his life he again managed a plantation for James and Rebecca Cheatham's daughter, Elizabeth Cheatham-Patterson.
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Benjamin and Matilda had 9 sons and 2 daughters. It is possible they were 3 other children that were either stillborn or died in infancy.
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It is unknown when Benjamin died. He is shown on the 1880 census as head of household at 60 years of age. The 1890 census was burned, and the 1900 census shows Matilda living with her son Cal as Benjamin is apparently deceased. He is believed to be buried near his wife in the Patterson Cemetery, but the cemetery has been wrecked by time and cattle leaving no headstones.
(Excerpts from "THE HOLLAND AND JOHNSON LINES and RELATED FAMILIES by Eddie Doris Holland-Smith)