THIRD GENERATION

14. Elender "Ellen" HILL was born in 1828 in the Common Wealth of Virginia. She died on 23 Apr 1867 in Washington County, Ohio. She was buried in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio in the Barnett Ridge Cemetery.

She was married to Benjamin A. BARNETT (son of Peter BARNETT and Anniyaya BOWLES) on 11 Nov 1847 in Washington County, Ohio. The laws which required all free blacks 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 were starting to be enforced as the American Indian removal was entering its last stages. The Trail of Tears spanned the years from 1813 through 1855.

"The year previous to the Barnetts' departure from Old Virginia they raised two hundred and fifty bushels of wheat, which they had to haul in wagons to market, a distance of forty miles."

"They could not sell their wheat until they had shown a certificate or order from a White man to another White man that knew the wheat was raised by them. That was done to prevent slaves from stealing wheat from their masters and selling it to free persons of color. When they decided to leave the State, the first thing they did was to obtain papers to document their free status. Their company consisted of nine persons. They were frequently stopped on the way and requested to show their papers."

"They 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 papers and have 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. They stopped at Daniel Gross' home. They then and there put up their tent of canvas. While there, many persons came through curiosity to see them."

"They had been there but a few days when each of them was called upon to give a bond of $1,000, that they would not become a township or county charge, and if they failed to comply they would have to return to Virginia. They expected they would have to return. Joseph went to Daniel Gross and told him of their predicament. He belonged to the M. E. church, to which Josehp also belonged. Mr. Gross was also an abolitionist. In his buggy he took Joseph to Belpre were they rented a farm from Mr. Beck and the family went to work. They lived on Beck's farm for two years and then moved close to what is now Barnett Ridge. Peter, James and Joseph purchased 100 acres of land ; and did not have a cent to pay thereon. Joseph gained the confidence of good men who helped with loans and other types of support."

Benjamin A. BARNETT was born in 1820 in the Common Wealth of Virginia. He immigrated on 27 Oct 1845 to Washington County, Ohio. He reached Parkersburg, Virginia on the morning of the 27th of October, 1845. Before crossing the river to Ohio his father, brothers and sisters again had to show their " free papers" and have their wagons searched. When they crossed the river it was almost dark.
He died 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 people of color 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 following is the wording of Ben's.

"State of Ohio No. 220 --- Benjamin 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.

Benjamin Barnett a light mulatto man aged about twenty five years (born circa 1820), six feet one & a half inches high, a scar on the front of the ankle of the left leg, 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." Elender "Ellen" HILL and Benjamin A. BARNETT had the following children:

+63 i. Bathsheba "Bashan" BARNETT.
64 ii. Frances E. BARNETT was born in 1856 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio.
65 iii. James W. BARNETT was born on 19 Aug 1857 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. He died on 30 Jul 1859 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. He was buried in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio in the Barnett Ridge Cemetery.
66 iv. Rebecca BARNETT was born in 1859 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio.
67 v. John BARNETT was born on 30 Jul 1859 in Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio. He died on 2 Oct 1860 in Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio.
68 vi. Jennie BARNETT was born in 1861 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio.
+69 vii. Malinda BARNETT.
70 viii. Harriet BARNETT was born in 1865 in Barnett Ridge, Barlow Township, Washington County, Ohio.