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Isaac "Jr" Barnes (b. Abt. 1775, d. Feb 22, 1848)
Isaac "Jr" Barnes (son of Isaac Sr Barnes and Lucy Bronson)4 was born Abt. 1775 in Litchfield County Connecticut4, 5, and died Feb 22, 1848 in Wayland Michigan6. He married Martha Atwater on Abt. 1803 in New York.
Notes for Isaac "Jr" Barnes:
Isaac Barnes Jr. was born between 1776 and 1780 in Litchfield County Connecticut. He was one of six children born to Isaac Barnes Sr. and Lucy Bronson. His siblings were Ezra, Loly, Lois, Demas and Tillotson.
In 1801 Isaac, with his parents and siblings, went to Camden (Oneida County), New York. Isaac became a member of the First Society of Camden and often helped with the local church, First Congregational Church of Camden. Because Isaac is often mentioned as a carpenter it is assumed that he helped with the building of various furniture and other items requiring a carpenter.
Isaac married Martha Atwater sometime prior to 1805. As of the date of this written there have been no records found to verify an exact date. Martha Atwater was also born in Litchfield County Connecticut prior to her christening in 1786.
During his time in Camden Isaac served in the War of 1812. It is assumed that he was an officer while during his service.
In January 1816 Isaac and Martha left Camden for Ohio with their four boys. All the boys were under the age of 11 at the time of the move. Their first daughter, Harriet was born in Ashtabula (Ashtabula County), Ohio January 17, 1817(this information was obtained from a listing of the Pioneer Society of Wayland Michigan members, but according to George Barnes’ probate records Harriet is listed at “about the age of 32” in mid 1852).
According to sources Isaac went to Missouri as a missionary to the Indians sometime between the birth of his first daughter and the time he is found in Weymouth (Medina County), Ohio records in 1819. Weymouth is located just outside of Medina.
While in Weymouth Isaac and Martha were two of the founding members of the First Congregational Church of Medina. The first meeting of the church was held in Isaac’s home in February, 1819. He and several families from Litchfield County Connecticut played an important role in forming this church. Once again Isaac’s skill as a carpenter was probably used in the physical construction of the church itself. He and his family remained members of the church while living in Ohio (and maintained their membership for several years while in Michigan).
The two oldest boys (assumed to be George Washington and Lucius Atwater) attended “Hudson” college according to information obtained from the Pioneer History of Camden. George graduated. There are no records found for a “Hudson” College but Western Reserve College (founded by David Hudson) was located in Hudson, Ohio (it is located in close proximity of Medina) so it is assumed that this is the college they attended.
There are no records to verify Julia’s (youngest daughter) birth but it is assumed she was born in Medina sometime after 1820 because she is not listed in the 1820 medina County census.
In 1830, Isaac led a group into Michigan,on May 10th of the same year this group settled and formed Gull Prairie. It is at this time that Isaac is mentioned as having the rank of Colonel. All Michigan historical books mention Isaac as Colonel Barnes and/or the Colonel.
Isaac and the families that followed him to Michigan had high hopes of establishing a congregational church in Michigan but that dream was never fulfilled during Isaac’s life. Often times the Congregationalists and the Presbyterians shared services in the same building.
While in Michigan Isaac bought several pieces of land throughout what was then known as St. Joseph and Kalamazoo County (later became Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ionia counties). His son, George often bought land together with Isaac.
A few years after the family settled in Michigan Isaac founded Richland in Kalamazoo County. Richland was originally named Gull Prairie and was later named Richland. Isaac also founded Geloster (named after his three sons George, Carlos and Lester) which was located just outside of present day Richland, unfortunately Geloster did not remain a permanent township. He and most of his family lived in or around Richland until 1841. Isaac and his family often attended church at the Gull Prairie Church but it is often mentioned that Isaac did not become a member during his stay in Richland.
During the time he lived in Richland Isaac was the first to buy land (1836) in what he named Lumberton (later called Wayland) and, with his sons, built a sawmill that was ran by the family during the time the Barnes family owned the land. A small section of this property was set aside for the use of a cemetery. The cemetery is now believed to be Hill Cemetery (old section).
Isaac’s son, Lester, attended Oberlin College during this time period, as of this date no record of graduation has been found. He is listed as a freshman in 1836.
Isaac and his sons, George and Carlos, were prominent in these counties, often being elected as commissioners for the highways, surveyors, school inspectors, postmasters and various other titles. George became a precinct representative in 1841. Lucius played an important role in providing information to several authors of County histories between 1870 and late 1880’s.
One role Isaac played was the Kalamazoo County Probate judge and one of his duties was to marry couples. The second marriage ceremony he performed was to marry his son Carlos.
Isaac was commissioned as a Lt. Colonel during the Black Hawk war but the group he led never saw battle because by the time Isaac and his group would reach their destination the need for them would end.
Also in Richland, Isaac built a home that was often used as an inn to allow weary travelers to rest during their travels in Michigan. This building was in existence until 1972 when the building was torn down due to termite damage. Fortunately, most of the salvageable parts of the structure were used to build a restaurant (Stage Coach Inn) in its place.
Isaac is mentioned in several history books about Richland. He became the first postmaster and held the office until the late 1830’s. He and his family were considered prominent citizens of the town. Isaac and Carlos were surveyors.
Carlos was the first of Isaac’s children to marry. He married Louisa Godding in 1831, unfortunately Louisa died two years later and there were no children born to them prior to her death. Carlos remarried and had a son named George Carlos in 1839, his second wife’s name was Sarah Mills. Carlos died when George was eleven months old. Carlos is buried in Richland.
In 1841 Isaac and Martha located to Lumberton and ran Barnes Mill. The post office was located at Barnes Mill for several years. Isaac became a school inspector and a highway commissioner in Wayland. He laid the roads for the town that became present day interstate highways ____ and ___. Isaac and Martha ran Barnes Mill until their deaths in 1848. Isaac dying February 22 and Martha dying three days later on February 25. According to family information they were both buried on February 27. It is believed that they were buried in the older section of Hill cemetery since the land the cemetery is located on once belonged to them. There are no death or burial records to verify this.
More About Isaac "Jr" Barnes:
Emigration: May 10, 1830, Gull Prairie (Kalamazoo County),MI.
Military service: Black Hawk war "Lt. Colonel".
More About Isaac "Jr" Barnes and Martha Atwater:
Marriage: Abt. 1803, New York.
Children of Isaac "Jr" Barnes and Martha Atwater are:
- George Washington Barnes, b. Abt. 1804, New York?, d. May 1852, Grand Rapids Michigan.
- +Lucius Atwater Barnes, b. Dec 04, 1808, New York, d. Nov 30, 1891, Pierce County Nebraska.
- +Carlos Barnes, b. 1808, New York?, d. Aug 23, 1839, Richland Michigan.
- Lester Barnes, b. Abt. 1814, New York?, d. Aft. 1879, Massachusetts?.
- +Harriet Newell Barnes, b. Jan 17, 1817, Ashtabula Ohio, d. date unknown, unknown.
- +Julia Barnes, b. Abt. 1821, Ohio?, d. Feb 16, 1849, Orleans Township, Ionia County, Michigan.

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