FIRST GENERATION

1. Anniyaya BOWLES was born about 1795. Her father was a young officer in a (British) loyalist regiment, left Pensacola, Florida after the Spanish capture in 1781, and in the ensuing years schemed in New York and the Bahamas. By 1785 he had returned to his Indian family and friends on the Chattahoochee. She died about 1844 in (East) Virginia. The most familiar name, Cherokee, comes from a Creek word "Chelokee" meaning "people of a different speech." In their own language the Cherokee originally called themselves the Aniyunwiya (or Anniyaya) "principal people" or the Keetoowah (or Anikituaghi, Anikituhwagi) "people of Kituhwa." Although they usually accept being called Cherokee, many prefer Tsalagi from their own name for the Cherokee Nation (Tsalagihi Ayili). Other names applied to the Cherokee have been: Allegheny (or Allegewi, Talligewi) (Delaware), Baniatho (Arapaho), Caáxi (or Cayaki) (Osage and Kansa), Chalaque (Spanish), Chilukki (dog people) (Choctaw and Chickasaw), Entarironnen (mountain people) (Huron), Gatohuá (Creek), Kittuwa (or Katowá) (Algonquin), Matera (or Manteran) (coming out of the ground) ( Catawba), Nation du Chien (French), Ochietarironnon (Wyandot), Oyatageronon (or Oyaudah, Uwatayoronon) (cave people) (Iroquois), Shanaki (Caddo), Shannakiak (Fox), Tcaike (Tonkawa), and Tcerokieco (Wichita).

According to some accounts, before the coming of the Europeans, the Cherokee were forced to migrate to the southern Appalachians from the northwest after a defeat at the hands of the Iroquois and Delaware. Some Delaware traditions also support this, but the Iroquois have no memories of such a conflict. While there is probably some historical basis, it is difficult to imagine a tribe as large and powerful as the Cherokee being forced to move anywhere, even the United States Government found it impossible to move all of them west of the Mississippi. Although they may have lost some territory in the north to the Susquehannock, Erie, or Delaware (Lenape). Considering their language differences with other Iroquian groups, the Cherokee probably have been a distinct group for a considerable period. It seems more reasonable to assume that the Cherokee had occupied their mountain homeland for a long time before the arrival of the Europeans or British.

At the time of contact, the Cherokee were a settled, agricultural people living in approximately 200 fairly, large villages. The typical Cherokee town consisted of 30 to 60 houses and a large council house. Homes were usually wattle and daub, a circular framework interwoven with branches (like an upside-down basket) and plastered with mud. The entire structure was partially sunken into ground. In later periods, log cabins (one door with smokehole in the bark-covered roof) became the general rule. The large council houses were frequently located on mounds from the earlier Mississippian culture, although the Cherokee themselves did not build mounds during the historic period. Used for councils, general meetings, and religious ceremonies, the council houses were also the site of the sacred fire, which the Cherokee had kept burning from time immemorial.

Like other Iroquian peoples, kinship and membership in seven matrilineal clans were determined through the mother, although the women's role never achieved the importance that it enjoyed among the Iroquois League in New York. In most ways, the Cherokee more closely resembled the Creek and other southeastern tribes, including the celebration of the Busk, or Green Corn festival. Agriculture relied heavily on the "three sisters" (corn, beans, and squash), supplemented by hunting and the gathering of wild plants. Cherokee villages were largely independent in daily matters, with the whole tribe only coming together for ceremonies or times of war. Leadership was divided according the circumstances: "red" chiefs during war and "white" chiefs in times of peace.

The Cherokee were the only Iroquian-speaking member of the five Civilized Tribes of the southeast United States. Although it is difficult to ascertain what privilege in treatment they received for being classified as "civilized", their achievements were remarkable and accomplished almost entirely through their own efforts. During the early 1800s, the Cherokee adopted their government to a written constitution. They established their own courts and schools, and achieved a standard of living that was the envy of their white neighbors.

Particularly noteworthy was the invention of written language by Sequoyah (George Gist) in 1821. Utilizing an ingenious alphabet of 86 characters, almost the entire Cherokee Nation became literate within a few years. A Cherokee newspaper, the Phoenix, began publication in the native language in February, 1828. Prominent Cherokees are too numerous to list but include Senator Robert Owen and Will Rogers. Despite all they have endured, the Cherokee level of education and living standard ranks among the highest of all Native American tribes.

She was married to Peter BARNETT (son of FNUK LNUK and Molly BURNETT) about 1815 in (East) Virginia. At the top of the 2nd page of the 1833 list of free colored registrations, Henry Barnett is listed as a 40-year old farmer living near James Woods. Apparently in the same household are 80-year old Molly Barnett (housekeeper) and 16-year old Jefferson Bowls. This list also gives "How long in County" and says Molly has been in county 80 years, in other words, she was born in Albemarle County, the Commonwealth of Virginia. Although no relationships are given, I do not think that suggesting that Molly was Henry's mother would seriously stretch the association found in this document. If Molly had one child born in the 1780s, perhaps she had others. Peter BARNETT was born on 15 Jun 1789 in Scottsville, Albermarle County, Virginia. Scottsville was named in 1744 when Scott's Landing became the county seat of the newly formed Albemarle County. Scottsville was a major river port in the trade of goods and produce in the mid-1800's. The James River gave way to the railroad as the primary mode of transportation in frontier America. The history of settlement in early America and westward expansion are the history of Scottsville. Men from Scottsville were in the first rank of Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg. General Lee surrendered his valiant but famished Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant at nearby Appomattox. The stately homes of Presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe are all within a pleasant hour's drive. Scottsville is 20 miles south of Charlottesville in the Piedmont Region of Virginia. It is easily accessible from I-64 at the Route 20 South exit.

He immigrated on 27 Oct 1845 to Washington County, Ohio. The family reached Parkersburg, Wood County, Virginia on the morning of the 27th of October, 1845. Before crossing the river to Ohio they again had to show their "free papers" and had their wagons searched. When they crossed the river it was almost dark and the whole crowd had but 75 cents, therefore they were compelled to stop traveling.

He died on 21 Apr 1875 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. He was buried in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio in the Barnett Ridge Cemetery. The record here was originally created in response to a 1793 Virginia law which required all free blacks, people of mixed races and free people of color (Native Americans etc.) to register with the town or county clerk, and get a freedom certificate to carry with them at all times as ready proof of their free status. The State of Ohio required such paper be produced plus a $1000.00 bond before entry into the state.

The following is the wording of Peter's certificate: "State of Ohio No. ?? Peter Barnett's Certificate of Freedom, Virginia, Augusta County Court Clerks Office to Wit:

No 56 Augusta county Court Clerk's office, to wit- Peter Barnett, now about Thirty three years of age five feet ten inches high, a free man of a dark mulatto complexion, a scar on the back of the right hand, a scar on the forefinger of the left hand and a scar on the inside of his right ankle certified by the court of Albemarle county the 9 day of August 1815. Given under my hand with the seal of the Court affixed the 28th day of October 1823 Vincent Tapp DC AC Renewed the 1st of Septr 1832 ' the 10th of Septr 1842' by order of court, entered at Term 1843 and deld to self Octr 13th 1845

Registered in this office, Peter Barnett now about fifty five years (born circa 1790) of age. Five feet ten inches high, a free man of dark mulatto complexion, a scar on the back of the right hand, a scar on the forefinger of the left hand, and a scar on the inside of his right ankle; and certified by the Court of Albemarle County the 9th day of August 1845.

In testimony whereof I, Jefferson Kinney, Clerk of the County Court aforesaid, have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office at Stauton this 13th day of October 1845, and in the 70th year of the Commonwealth. Jefferson Kinney, Clerk Attest Benjamin Crawford, a Justice of the Peace. "

Barnett, James

No 85 Augusta County Court Clerk's Office, to wit:
Registered in this office by an order of the County Court of Augusta made on the 23rd day of August 1825 James Barnett a free man of colour of a dark mulatto complexion - aged (now) about 24 years - five feet 10 inches high marked with a Scar on the top of the right foot -occasioned by the cut of axe and with a scar on the left foot - and was born free as appears by his indentures binding him to Reuben Kennerley. Given under my hand this 18th day of October 1826. Erasmus Stribling C AC. Renewed Nov. 19 1839 N. K. Trout, DC

Anniyaya BOWLES and Peter BARNETT had the following children:

+2 i. Benjamin A. BARNETT.
+3 ii. Henry BARNETT.
+4 iii. Joseph Fontaine BARNETT.
+5 iv. Elizabeth BARNETT.
+6 v. Lucretia Jane BARNETT.
+7 vi. Harriet Ann Frances BARNETT.
+8 vii. Sarah Ann Elizabeth BARNETT.