SECOND GENERATION

4. Joseph Fontaine BARNETT was born on 1 Feb 1828 in the Common Wealth of Virginia. He immigrated on 27 Oct 1845 to Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. The following was taken from the Marietta Tri Weekly Register of January 9, 1894, pg. 1, col. ?: JOSEPH F. BARNETT. Biographical Sketches. "Joseph F. Barnett, of Barlow, Ohio, was born in old Virginia, in February, 1828, consequently he is almost sixty-six years old. He remained there until the year 1845, when he emigrated to Ohio. He says: "In that State I followed working on a farm for a livelihood. The year previous to our departure we raised two hundred and fifty bushels of wheat, which we had to haul in wagons to market, a distance of forty miles. We could not sell our wheat until we had shown a certificate or order from a white man to another white man that knew the wheat was raised by us. That was done to prevent slaves from stealing wheat from their masters and selling it to free persons. When we decided to leave the State, the first thing to be done was to obtain free papers. When that was done we thought, as a matter of course, everything was all right. Our company consisted of nine persons. We were frequently stopped on our way to show our free papers."

"We reached Parkersburg on the morning of the 27th of October, 1845. Before crossing the river to Ohio we again had to show our free papers and have our wagons searched. When we crossed the river it was almost dark and the whole crowd had but 75 cents, therefore we were compelled to stop traveling. We stopped at Daniel Gross', now T. B. Hibbard's home."

" We then and there put up our tent of canvas. While there many persons came through curiosity to see us. We had been there but a few days when each of us was called upon to give a bond of $1,000, that we would not become a township or county charge, and if we failed to comply we would have to return to Virginia."

"We expected we would have to return. I went to Daniel Goss (sic) and told him of our predicament. He was a good old Christian and belonged to the M. E. church, to which I also belonged. Brother Gross was a good abolitionist. He said to me, 'Get in my buggy and go with me to Belpre', which I did. We then rented a farm of Mr. Beck and went to work. We lived on Beck's farm two years and then moved close to where I now live. My father, brother and myself purchased 100 acres of land ; 33½ (sic) acres each and I did not have a cent to pay thereon. I gained the confidence of good men, of whom Charles and Mark Green were my closest friends, they having helped me with a note of $500."

"Mr. Barnett, by being industrious, economical and prompt, has accumulated quite a fortune. He is the owner of 700 acres of land where he lives in East Barlow. The improvements on his farm are good. He occupies one of the finest residences in Barlow and his barns and out-buildings are numerous. There are four dwellings on his premises. His farm is well stocked with horses and cattle, sheep and hogs. He has for many years made a specialty of the sheep business. I think I can safely say that no man, colored or white, in Barlow Township, has made and saved as much as Mr. Barnett, still he has met with many misfortunes, and at this time he suffers intensely with a chronic ailment. He has been married three times. His last wife is still living. His first wife was a daughter of the late Ambrose Asbury, the father of 5 ministers of the gospel. They are all fluent speakers. I have been informed that Mr. Barnett is out of debt...." He died on 7 Mar 1904 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. He was buried on 9 Mar 1904 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio in the Barnett Ridge Cemetery. The Marietta Times of March 8, 1904, page 1, "Joseph F. Barnett Dead. Joseph F. Barnett, an aged colored man died at his home near Fleming last night at 12 o'clock after an extended illness of fifteen years. His death was due to Brights Disease. The deceased was 76 years of age and was well and favorably known. Interment was made in the family grave yard at Vincent on Wednesday at 2 o'clock."

The Marietta Times of March 9, 1904, page 1, "In Colored Circles. Rev. R. L. King went to Fleming today and officiated at the funeral of Mr. Joseph F. Barnett, which occured at 2 p.m. with burial at Vincent."

The record here was originally created in response to a 1793 Virginia law which required all free blacks, Indians, Free Persons of Color and racially mixed persons to register with the town or county clerk, and obtain a freedom certificate to carry with them at all times as ready proof of their free status. The following is the wording of Joseph's certificate:

"State of Ohio No. No. 221 Joseph F. Barnett's Certificate of Freedom, Virginia, Augusta County Court Clerks Office to Wit: Registered in this office by virtue of an order of the County Court of Augusta, entered on the 25th day of August 1845. Joseph Fountaine Barnett a light mulatto aged about sixteen years (born circa 1829), six feet 1/2 half inches high, long straight hair, a scar on the back of the right hand, also one on the front of the ankle of the left leg, occasioned by cuts and was born free.

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 10th day of October 1845, and in the 70th year of the Commonwealth. Jefferson Kinney, Clerk Attest J. Smith, a Justice of the Peace"

He was married to Emily ASBURY (daughter of Ambrose ASBURY and Elenor "Ellen" JORDON) on 20 Dec 1849 in Washington County, Ohio. Emily ASBURY was born on 28 Jan 1827 in Warren Township, Washington County, Ohio. She died on 25 Mar 1877 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. She was buried in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio in the Barnett Ridge Cemetery. Joseph Fontaine BARNETT and Emily ASBURY had the following children:

+21 i. Charles Henry BARNETT.
+22 ii. William Joseph BARNETT.
+23 iii. Alice BARNETT.
+24 iv. Mary Ellen "Ella" BARNETT.
25 v. Joshua BARNETT was born on 5 Oct 1859 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. He died on 5 Apr 1860 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. He was buried in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio in the Barnett Ridge Cemetery. Twin of Sarah, he died at six months of age.
+26 vi. Sarah Elizabeth "Aunt Sade" BARNETT.
+27 vii. Ambrose Joseph "Brose" BARNETT.
28 viii. FNUK "Girl" BARNETT died on 9 Mar 1864 in Washington County, Ohio. She was born about 9 Mar 1864 in Washington County, Ohio. She was buried in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio in the Barnett Ridge Cemetery. She is a twin of Ambrose.

He was married to Frances "Fannie" MALE (daughter of Adam MALE and Mary Ann HILL) on 18 Apr 1878 in Washington County, Ohio. Frances "Fannie" MALE was born on 27 Nov 1853 in Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. She died on 30 Mar 1887 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. She was buried in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio in the Barnett Ridge Cemetery. Joseph Fontaine BARNETT and Frances "Fannie" MALE had the following children:

+29 i. Oscar H. BARNETT.
+30 ii. Talmadge DeWitt BARNETT.
31 iii. Esstelia G. BARNETT was born on 26 Jul 1886 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. She died on 8 Feb 1887 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. She was buried in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio in the Barnett Ridge Cemetery. The spelling of her given name was taken from her tomb stone.

He was married to Nancy "Nan" SELLERS (daughter of John "Jack" SELLERS and Jane "Redman" ROY) on 26 Feb 1889 in Washington County, Ohio. Nancy "Nan" SELLERS was born in 1870 in Monogahalia County, West Virginia. Joseph Fontaine BARNETT and Nancy "Nan" SELLERS had the following children:

+32 i. Clarence Rudolph "Rudo" BARNETT.