James Barnett [b.2.4.4]

Our thanks go to Lorraine Wuth for photo & details of James & Eliza's life in Ohio.

James Barnett was the fourth child of George Barnett & Mary Brangwin born July 24th 1814 at Hambleden, & christened October 23rd, 1814 at Pheasant’s Hill Independent Chapel, Hambleden, Bucks.

James emigrated to America in 1836 in his early twenties. He settled in Hinkley Township, Medina County, Ohio.

In 1840 James bought 36 acres of land from a Harry & Sarah Perkins for $351. He cleared & cultivated the land for 6 years prior to returning to England in 1842.

He remained in England for 10 years, working in a brewery in Shropshire.

In 1848 James was a witness at his sister Letitia’s wedding to Henry Hewett at St Pancras.

In 1851 James was living on his own at Friday St, Rotherfield Greys, Oxford & noted as a brewer’s clerk.

James married Eliza Cooke (nee Colling) on June 28th, 1852 at St Pancras Church, Middlesex. Eliza was born c1822, the daughter of the late William Colling. At the time of the marriage James was a brewer living at Grange Rd & Eliza was a widow also living at Grange Rd. Witnesses at the wedding were James’ brother William Barnett & his wife Louisa.

James & Eliza sailed on the American Congress for New York on August 12th, 1852. The manifest shows James’ occupation as a farmer.

They settled at the Hinkley Township farm in Ohio (see above). Besides working on the farm, James also worked a saw mill on Rocky River where he accidentally lost a finger. This fact plus his age incapacitated from service in the Civil War.

The 1860 US census shows James & Eliza living in Hinkley Township with twins Mary & Francis (both 7), Henry (5), Arthur (4) & Emily (2). Also with them was a 19 year old farm hand, Jimmy (Jerry?) Collins who was born in England.

James kept a diary from 1860 to 1873 which provides insight into rural life in Northern Ohio during & after the Civil War. After 13 years James & Eliza sold Hinkley Township Farm & moved. James & his sons walked 100 miles west to Lucas County in the north west of Ohio, taking their livestock with them & with all the family possessions piled on a wagon. Eliza & her daughters followed by train accompanied by a tame chicken!

James & Eliza

The 1870 US census shows James & Eliza living in Providence, Lucas County where James was listed as a farmer with his real estate valued at $4,000. At home were daughter Mary, a school teacher, sons Francis, Henry & Arthur, & daughter Emily.

James bought 160 acres at Providence Township, situated on Box Rd. The family moved into a log house on Box Rd. In the early 1870s the family moved into a better house nearby.

In 1872 James joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Eliza had been a member for some time.

Eliza, aged 53, died on December 1st, 1875 in Providence Township, Lucas County. She is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Lucas County.

The US census of 1880 shows widowed James still living &farming in Providence Township. With him were sons Henry & Arthur who were working on the farm, & daughter Emily (Emma) who was keeping house.

James, aged 74, died on August 22nd, 1888 in Providence Township, Lucas County & is buried in the same cemetery as Eliza.

The children of James Barnett & Eliza Cooke (nee Colling) were:

b.2.4.4.1 Mary Barnett born April 12th, 1853 in Ohio; died August 1st, 1921
b.2.4.4.2 Francis Barnett born April 12th, 1853 in Ohio; died May 27th, 1927
b.2.4.4.3 Henry Barnett born July 18th, 1854 in Ohio; died February 11th, 1940
b.2.4.4.4 Arthur Barnett born August 15th, 1856 in Ohio; died January 24th, 1930
b.2.4.4.5 Emily (Emma) Barnett born June 24th, 1858 in Ohio; died June 3rd, 1928