2.4.4 James Barnett

[Last amended: May 11, 2003]

James Barnett was the fourth child and second son of George Barnett and Mary Brangwin. He was born on July 24, 1814 at hambleden, Bucks and baptised on October 23, 1814 at Pheasant's Hill Independent Chapel, Hambleden, Bucks.

James emigrated to America in 1836 when he was in his early twenties. His older brother, Henry, died in June 1836 and this event may have been the catalyst for his departure from England.

James settled in Hinckley Township, Medina County, Ohio, not far from Cleveland. In 1840 he bought 36 acres of land, known as Lot 99, from a Harry and Sarah Perkins for $351.00. He probably rented the land prior to purchasing it. He cleared and cultivated the farm for six years before returning to England in 1842. Why he returned to England is unknown. He remained there for ten years, working in a brewery in Shropshire. At the time of the 1851 census he was living in Friday St, Rotherfield Greys, Oxon. He was unmarried, aged 36 and his occupation was listed as Brewers Cl[erk].

James married Eliza Collins. When is unknown but they sailed for America on June 28, 1852 as husband and wife. They settled on the Hinkley Township farm. Besides working the farm, James also worked a sawmill on Rocky River where he accidentally lost a finger. This, plus his age, incapacitated him for service in the Civil War.

In 1852 James and Eliza purchased 12½ additional acres from a Thomas and Eliza Hatch for $225. On September 25, 1860, ½ acre was surveyed for a schoolhouse, and on October 25 of that same year they sold it to the Hinckley Township Board of Education.

James kept a diary from 1860 to 1873 which provides a chronicle of his times and gives insight into Northern Ohio rural life during and after the Civil War. [James' diary is held by a family member and a transcription has been done although this is not yet generally available].

After thirteen years and five children James and Eliza sold their Hinckley Township farm and moved. With all the family possessions piled on a wagon and their livestock, James and the boys walked the 100 miles west to Lucas County in the north west of the state of Ohio. Eliza and the girls followed by train accompanied by a tame chicken.

Meriam White, a distant cousin of James, was also in Lucas County when the family arrived. It is understood that she did not approve of the marriage of James to Eliza as “after all, she was just a working girl”.

James and Eliza

[photo courtesy Harley Barnette]

Upon arrival in Lucas County, James began to look for land upon which to settle. He purchased 160 acres at Providence township from William C. Culver situated on Box Road. The family moved into a log house situated across Box Road located directly across Bailey Road from the farm of John Pollock. This was the beginning of an association between the Barnett and Pollock families as will be revealed shortly.

In the early 1870s the family moved into a better house on the opposite side of the road to the log house. This was a wood sided structure situated on the South side of Box Road.

In 1872 James joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Eliza had been a member for some time. Both were apparently quite religious and believed in strictly keeping the sabbath.

The 1880 US census recorded James as a 68 year old widower living in Providence, Lucas County, Ohio. He was a farmer. Also in the household were Henry (24), Arthur (22) and Emma (21).

On September 29, 1880 James purchased a further 80 acres to the south of his original holding.

In 1882, James' youngest brother George joined the family in Ohio. He was to remain with them until his death.

James died on August 22, 1888 in Providence Township, Lucas County, Ohio, USA. He was 74 years old. He was buried in the Mt Pleasant Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Lucas County, Ohio.

Shortly after the death of James the family was vistied by one of James' Australian nephews, William Henry Barnett, otherwise known as Harry. This visit was noted in a letter to Joseph Hobbs which stated that Harry had found James "newly dead".

After his death, the 160 acres owned by James north of Box Road was divided between three of his children: Mary, Emily and Arthur. Mary and her husband, James Pollock, got the 80 acres facing Bailey Road, and Emily and Arthur split the 80 acres facing Box Road. Henry and Francis split the 80 acres south of the road.

Eliza Collins was born in England on August 16, 1822 the daughter of William Collins and Elizabeth Smith. She was supposedly a lady in waiting for Queen Victoria, but resigned this position to marry James. Little is known of her family except for a nephew, Jerry Collins and Jesse Collins who was either a brother or another nephew. It is believed her parents, William and Elizabeth (Smith) Collins, lived in London.

Eliza died on December 1, 1875 in Providence Township, Lucas County, Ohio, aged 53, and is buried in the Mt Pleasant Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Lucas County, Ohio.

Children of James Barnett and Eliza Collins: