Richard Thomas Berry was born on September 12, 1832, in Hyde County North Carolina. Berry was a former Lieutenant in the North Carolina militia during the Civil War. After the Civil War he became involved in politics and was elected Mayor of New Bern in 1870. Berry also served as Brigadier General of the 4th Brigade militia from Craven County during the Kirk-Holden War. He would be Mayor of New Bern until his death on November 6, 1875, New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina.