Family History
Barrett
Barrett
Edward Barrett
John Barrett
Article submitted by Flora L. Barrett VerStraten. I would like to share my journey, in locating not only my great-grandfather, John Barrett, but also identifying his six brothers and their place in Jefferson County history.
As I begun my search many years ago for my great-grandfather, John Barrett, who served in the Civil War, I had no idea that my journey would take me where I ended up – locating all seven brothers that served during the rebellion. I located my great grandfather’s obituary, many years ago, which wasn’t much help in aiding with his military career details. I was later able to gather enough data about his service from his Pension files. Still, upon researching local military files and sources, various vital records, I only knew of six Barrett brothers. I always thought only five served in the military during the war.
Several years ago, my friend, Cindy Stock, located yet another obituary for my great-grandfather that I didn’t know existed. This obituary was quite lengthy and included details about my great-grandfather and his SIX brothers.
{Steubenville Wkly. Herald, 2 Jan., 1913, pg. 4} John Barrett, one of the oldest residents of this community, died at his home 147 South High Street on Thurs. at 5p.m. aged 70 yr. old December 18, 1912. His death was due to heart failure…He was born at Wintersville, this county but had lived here for about 50 years. He was married to Harriett Atkinson, who died 14 years ago. These children survive: Mrs. James Marquis, Charles and George; of Steubenville; Raleigh of Youngstown; Mrs. Otto J. Schaefer of Pittsburg; Ross of California. Also one brother, Wilson of Dayton, and two sisters, Mary of Steubenville and Sadie of Bowerston.
During the Civil War he served in Co. F., 25th Ohio. He was one of seven brothers who went out in the Union army. Two brothers were killed on the field of battle and one died of wounds from battle… He was a member of the Finley Methodist Church and a patriotic, industrious, and respected citizen. He is survived by 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. (My father was almost three years old when his grandfather, John Barrett died.)
Comparing census problems with chapter member, Vicky Shoppe, I realized that our problems with the Federal census, listing incorrect dates of birth, ages etc. - we had similar problems proving our Civil War ancestors. (See Bickerstaff Family History.) From each census period, John Barrett’s age and birth date didn’t match up. I finally realized that several other researchers have had a similar experience in verifying the census accuracy concerning ages and dates of their veterans from the 1850, 1860 and 1870 Federal Census for Jefferson County, Ohio.
Photo above of Charles Barrett’s military tombstone, Co. E, 157th Ohio Inf. He is buried in the Old M.E. Church Cemetery, Cross Creek Twp., Jefferson Co., Ohio. The Wintersville Methodist Church owns and cares for this cemetery. It has recently taken on a cleaning/restoration process.
Above - Edward Barrett, bronze marker - photo taken by Flora L. VerStraten, dated September 2004. He is buried at the Steubenville Union Cemetery, Civil War section.
The following information lists all seven Barrett brothers and some of their Civil War information as well as other genealogical data:
William Barrett – The oldest son of John and Sarah Cole Barrett. William enlisted in the 77th O.V. I., Co. H (or B). He died Jan. 22, 1863 from wounds received in battle.
Edward Barrett – He was married to Maria Thompson and served in the Civil War in the 25th O.V.I., Co. F. He was severely wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg, PA. He enlisted as a private and quickly became a captain upon his recovery from wounds sustained in the battle of Gettysburg. He died in 1891 and is buried in the Steubenville Union Cemetery, in the Civil War area, section I-2. He has a G.A.R marker, a bronze military marker and the original military tombstone still stands.
Charles Barrett – He served as a private for the 157th O.N.G., Co. E under the command of Captain Robert Boals. He married Rebecca Palmer and they are both buried in the old M.E. Church graveyard in Cross Creek Twp., Wintersville, OH. He died in 1889 and has a military tombstone at the foot of his grave and a regular tombstone marking his grave at the head. He was a member of the Wintersville Methodist Episcopal Church.
John Barrett – He served as a private for the 25th O.V.I. in Co. F. He is buried in the Steubenville Union Cemetery, St. Paul’s Church section. He shares a tombstone with his wife, Harriett Atkinson (of Brooke Co., WV) on the Schaefer family plot where his daughter (who married a Schaefer) is also buried. He also has a G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic) marker.
Andrew (Anderson) Barrett – Mustered in August 28, 1861 at Camp Chase. He was killed at the battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) MD. He enlisted with the 30th O.V.I., Co. G.
Wilson Barrett – He fought with the 11th O.V.C., Co. H. He enlisted 31 July 1863 at Camp Dennison. He was still living when his brother, John, died and is referred to as living in Dayton, Ohio in John’s obituary dated January 1913. (Possibly at the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home.)
Joseph Barrett – He served as a private in the 77th O.V.I. He enlisted the 4th of Sept. 1862.. He died from wounds at the Battle of Gettysburg, PA on July 13, 1863 and is buried at the National Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA. {The National Cemetery Register has him listed as serving in the 73rd Regiment, Co. G under the Ohio veterans. He is buried in grave no. 18, section C.}
Note - To learn more about the Barrett family, refer to the Jefferson County Lines Military Newsletter, Winter Issue, 2003.
CHARLES BARRETT - Infirmary Director, died at his home in Wintersville on Wednesday last, in his 61st year. Mr. Barrett was a native of this county and his whole life has been such that his friends and acquaintances considered him one of the most honorable and upright men in the county. His family connections are large, but scattered over the country. He, with his brothers served during the war; some of whom lost their lives in battle...He was married to Miss Rebecca PALMER, who with eight children survive him; his children are, William, John, Edward, Anderson, Ellen, Sarah, Lizzie and Hetty. Funeral Thursday afternoon.
Western Herald Newspaper, Steubenville, Ohio - Week of Friday, May 31, 1889
FRIDAY - The funeral of CHARLES BARRET took place Thursday afternoon from the late residence in Wintersville, the interment being in the Forks burial ground.
Flora L. VerStraten, descendant of the Barrett family has a photo of the M.E. Cemetery where Charles and his family are buried. We have just recently noted that the M.E. Church Cemetery was also referred to as the "Forks" Burial Ground.
JOHN BARRETT
Source: History of the Pan-Handle of West Virginia 1879
Pg. 355
Submitted by chapter member Flora L. VerStraten
JOHN BARRETT - Esq. was born on the 17th of December 1807, in Jefferson County Ohio, within three miles of the town of Wellsburg.
His father came from Northumberland County, PA and here he was born, grew up and was married. His name was also John Barrett. the following incidents of his life are furnished by his son, the subject of this sketch.
Born December 3rd, 1709 in Northumberland County, PA. He married Elizabeth Kelly on the 11th of September 1798 and reared a family of five sons and two daughters. He moved from Northumberland County to Lycoming, and started from there for the western County in November 1801. He stopped at Big Redstone, in Fayette County, where he remained until the spring of 1804, when he went to Jefferson County, Ohio. He purchased land there and carried on farming throughout his life. He was elected to the Legislature of that State in the year 1819, and served two sessions. He served as Justice of Peace for a consecutive period of more than thirty years. He also served in the office of County Commissioner for a number of years, being appointed to fill a vacancy, and subsequently elected for three consecutive terms. He died on 1st day of April 1839, highly respected by all who knew him.
Our subjects grandfather was born in Ireland, June 11th 1695, and died March 20th 1800, in the 105th year of his age, living throughout the seventeenth century and witnessing all its events. The following obituary was published in a Northumberland County, in the 105th years of his age, John Barrett; he was born on the 11th June 1695, and departed this life on the 10th of March 1800.
"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, they rest from labors and their works follow them"
Our subject was reared in Jefferson County, Ohio educated at the common schools, and went on the river when scarcely twenty years of age. He was first engaged in the transporting of flour on flat-boats, and made his first trip to New Orleans in December 1827, in company with his brother, James, who died at Natchez the following March. His brother Israel was engaged as Captain of a steamboat as early as 1929, and run the boat Neptune from St Louis to New Orleans. This boat was sunk in 1830, and the following account in relation to it was published in the Steubenville Herald of that date.
St Louis, October 20, 1830 Steamboat Disasters: We have information of the loss of two more steamboats on the Mississippi. The Neptune, Capt. Barrett, from this port for New Orleans, on the morning of the 17 instr. struck a snag a short distance below the mouth of the Ohio, and sunk in two minutes, in twenty two feet of water. Boat and cargo wholly lost. The passengers escaped by jumping on board the boats which the Neptune had in tow, all baggage was lost.... (Capt. Barrett, whose boat is lost as above stated, is a son of John Barrett, Esq., of this county, and is a most worthy and enterprising young man. From our knowledge of Capt. Barrett, we will venture to say, that the accident is not attributed to any negligence or want of care on his part._
There is further details on this story in the above stated book. This book is available at the Brooke County, WV library.
Click on the following links to read more about this family!
Genealogy Story - “A Christmas Gift from my Father”
Source: HISTORY OF THE PAN-HANDLE OF WEST VIRGINIA 1879, Pg. 355
JOHN BARRETT, Esq. was born on the 17th of December 1807, in Jefferson County, Ohio, within three miles of the town of Wellsburg.
His father came from Northumberland County PA, here he was born, grew up and was married. His name was also John Barrett. The following incidents of his life are furnished by his son, the subject of this sketch.
Born December 3rd, 1709 in Northumberland County, PA. He married Elizabeth Kelly on the 11th of September 1798 and reared a family of five sons and two daughters. He moved from Northumberland County to Lycoming, and started from there for the western county in November 1801. He stopped at Big Redstone, Fayette County, where he remained until the spring of 1804, when he went to Jefferson County. He purchased land there and carried on farming throughout his life. He was elected to the Legislature of that State in the year 1819, and served two sessions. He served as Justice of the Peace for a consecutive period of more than thirty years. He also served in the office of County Commissioner for a number of years, being appointed to fill a vacancy, and subsequently elected for three consecutive terms. He died on the 1st day of April 1839, highly respected by all who knew him. [He is buried on the BARRETT CEMETERY owned by Mr. Charles Bucey, ( currently November 2009) Tarr Hill, Wells Twp., Jefferson County, Ohio, along with his wife, Elizabeth and several other family members, including a son. There is an active mining project AEP neighboring the cemetery]
Our subjects grandfather was born in Ireland on June 11th 1695, and died March 20th 1800, in the 105th year of his age, living throughout the seventeenth century and witnessing all its events. The following obituary was published in a Northumberland newspaper of the olden time, longevity:
"Died at his home in Derry Township, Northumberland County, in the 105th years of his age, John Barrett; he was born on the 11th of June 1695 and departed this life on the 10th of March 1800."
"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, they rest from labors and their works follow them"
Our subject was reared in Jefferson County, Ohio and educated at the common schools, and went on the river when scarcely twenty years of age. He was first engaged in transporting flour on flat-boats, and made his first trip to New Orleans in December 1827, in company with his brother James, who died at Natchez the following March.
His brother Israel was engaged as Captain of a steamboat as early as 1829, and ran the boat Neptune from St. Louis to New Orleans. This boat was sunk in 1830, and the following account in relation to it was published in the Steubenville Herald [newspaper] of that date; St. Louis, October 20, 1830, Steamboat Disasters: We have information of the loss of two more steamboats on the Mississippi. The Neptune, Captain Barrett, from this port for New Orleans, on the morning of the 17th inst. struck a snag a short distance below the mouth of the Ohio, and sunk in two minutes, in twenty-two feet of water. Boat and cargo wholly lost. The passengers escaped by jumping on board the boats which the Neptune had in tow, all baggage was lost. The new steamboat, New Jersey, which left this port on Thursday last for New Orleans, when near St. Genevieve, was snagged and filled with water to the guards. The boat, it is thought would be raised. Captain Barrett, whose boat is lost as above stated, is a son of John Barrett Esq. of this county and is a most worthy and enterprising young man. From our knowledge of Capt. Barrett, we will venture to say, that the accident is not attributed to any negligence or want of care on his part.
NOTE: There is further details on this story in the above stated book. This book is available at local libraries in Brooke County, WV and Jefferson County, OH.
(Researched by Flora L. Barrett VerStraten
