Brinsley Barnes (c1714-1794) and Elizabeth (—) of Chester Co., PA, Orange and Chatham and Burke and Wilkes Co., NC.

Marty and Karla Grant

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Brinsley and Elizabeth Barnes are my 8 times Great Grandparents.

Reference the book Those Who Were and Would be Named Carter The First 300 Years in America (1682-1982), Charles Marcus Liddell, II. 1982; 2 Vols. This title is currently available from the Mars Hill University book store.

Also reference the book Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Volume I, North Carolina, William Wade Hinshaw, 1969.

Reference the book The ancestry and descendants of Robert Bruce and Catherine Cearley: Including the Bruce, Cearley, Barnes, Lowdermilk and Voncannon families, by Lawrence L. Little, Floyd S. Radis, 1989.

Brinsley Barnes was born before ca 1714, assuming he was 21 and up in 1735 when listed on the Chester Co., PA tax list, the first one I see him listed on. His oldest known child was born in 1734, so if we assume he was at least 18 or 19 then, that works to ca 1715 or earlier, which is right in line with the tax list.

There is a Brinsley Barnes born 5 Feb 1713 in Dublin, Ireland, a son of James and Mary Barnes, who many think is the same man. (From Baptisms in St. Bride's Parish, Dublin. Irish Genealogist (Vol.7, 1988), as noted on Brinsley’s wikitree page).

The age and name are a great match to be our Brinsley later of Chester Co., PA. However, as noted on the wikitree page, there isn’t anything else to link them. However, considering what an unusual name this is, I’d say there is a more than reasonable chance it is our Brinsley. Regardless, it is far from proven.

Alternately, some claim that our Brinsley is a son of William Barnes and Elizabeth Key who married 16 Feb 1708 in Philadelphia, PA at the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, and later lived in Chester Co., PA, in Kennett Township, same as Brinsley. William died there, intestate, in 1731. His widow was named Elizabeth. I have a couple of problems with this one. First, how do we know the couple that married in 1708 is the same couple later in Chester Co., PA, Kennett Township (1718-1731)? The names do match, i.e. William and Elizabeth, so it certainly could be the same couple. Secondly, how do we know William and Elizabeth are Brinsley’s parents? Are there any records showing an association? All I’ve seen thus far is that both were in the same township, but not listed at the same time, as William died in 1731, but Brinsley didn’t appear on those records until 1734/35.

Brinsley Barnes married Elizabeth (—) before 1734. Two of their children are proven by Quaker records, namely daughter Mary Barnes (17 Sep 1734) who married Samuel Carter; and Anne Barnes (17 Mar 1743/44) who married Stephen Hobson. (Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, North Carolina.)

Researchers long before my time concluded that Brinsley’s wife Elizabeth was Elizabeth Lindley (4 Oct 1720) daughter of James Lindley and Eleanor Parke. I have no idea how that conclusion was drawn. However, Barnes and Lindley researchers are now certain that Brinsley’s wife Elizabeth was not Elizabeth Lindley at all, or at least not that Elizabeth Lindley, and perhaps not a Lindley at all. If not a Lindley, then her maiden name is unknown.

Brinsley Barnes (various spellings) was listed on the Chester Co., PA tax lists in Kennett Township for 1734/35, 1735/36, 1737/38, 1739, 1740, 1747/48, 1749/50 and 1751.

They apparently moved away from Chester Co., PA after 1751 since not listed on any tax list there after that year.

I don’t know where they were in the 1750s, but in 1761 Brinsley Barnes received a “Granville Grant” for 640 acres in Orange Co., NC (now Chatham Co., NC) on the Rocky River.

On 18 Jul 1770, Brinsley Barnes, Richard Smith and John Siler witnessed a deed in Orange Co., NC between Placker Layler and wife Elizabeth to Phillip Layler, his son. The land was on the north side of Lees Creek. (Orange Co., NC Deed Book 3, pp. 314-315.)

Chatham County was formed in 1771 from southern Orange County. The Barnes fell into the new county.

On 19 Sep 1771, Brinsley Barnes Senr of Chatham Co., NC made a deed to Brinsley Barns Junr, “son of the sd Brinsley Barns Senr.” It was for 146 acres mostly on the east side of Rocky River. It was described as being part of a 640 acre tract granted to Brinsley Barns Senr 10 Jun 1761 from Earl of Granville. Brinsley Barnes signed the deed. Witnesses were Thomas Hill and Edward Young. (Chatham Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 103-105.)

The deed above proves that Brinsley Sr is the father of Brinsley Jr.

On 31 Mar 1780, Brinsley Barnes was granted 390 acres on east side of Rocky River. The land was entered 10 Aug 1779, described as joining his own land. The survey, dated 13 Sep 1779 showed the land also bordered James Barns and Robert Howell. Chain bearers were Isaac Richardson and Brinsley Barns Junr.

On 1 Dec 1784 Brinsley Barnes and wife Elizabeth, of Chatham Co., NC made a deed to John Chamness of Chatham. They sold him part of land granted to him on 23 Oct 1782 for 400 acres (original grant amount) 250 acres being sold. Brinsley Barns signed. Elizabeth made her mark. Witnesses were John Barns, Jacob Teague and Thomas Doan. (Chatham Co., NC Deed Book C, pp. 498-499.)

In Wilkes County court (I didn’t get the date), “Ordered that Brinsley Barns Senr be exempt from paying a Poll Tax for the year 1785 having given sufficient reason to the court.”

The reason wasn’t listed, but it was almost certainly due to his advanced age. He would have been about 72 then. Alternately, he didn’t yet live in that county.

On 22 Jul 1784, Brindley Barns (sic), entered 100 acres on the Lower Little River in Burke Co., NC.

On 7 Aug 1785 Brinsley Barnes and wife Elizabeth, of Chatham Co., NC made a deed to Jacob Teague of Chatham. They sold him land on branches of Nises Creek being 150 acres. Brinsley Barns signed. Elizabeth made her mark. Witnesses were David Teague and John Barns. (Chatham Co., NC Deed Book D, pp. 18-19.)

The 1787 state census is lost for Chatham Co., NC, nor was he listed on the surviving fragment of the 1787 state census for Burke Co., NC.

Brinsley Barnes moved westward to Burke Co., NC by 1788. I believe some of his children already lived there.

On – — 1787 (month and day left blank), Brinsley Barns Junr made a deed to Andrew Culberson for 240 acres on both sides of Rocky River. It was described as being part of a tract granted to Brinsley Barns Senr 10 Jun 1761 from Earl of Granville, and deeded from Brinsley Senr to Junr 19 Sep 1771. Brinsley (Junr) signed with a mark “B.” Witnesses were Jacob Teague and John Barns. (Chatham Co., NC Deed Book D, pp. 196-197.)

The Sheriff of Burke Co., NC was apparently ordered to detain James Barnes in the suit against him (I couldn’t quite make out the plaintiff’s name). Brinsley Barnes and Jehu Barnes were his security (bondsmen). The bond, dated 13 Feb 1788, listed all three men as residents of Burke Co., NC. James Muprhy was a witness to the bond. (Burke Co., NC Civil Action Papers.)

All three men signed with a mark, Brinsley with a “B” suggesting this was Brinsley Jr, since he signed at least one deed that way. However, Brinsley Sr used a similar mark when he was older.

In 1788, Elizabeth Barnes made a suit against Daniel Vinson for trespassing. Brinsley Barnes was her surety (bondsman). I’m assuming this was Brinsley’s wife, though I don’t know why she filed the suit in her own name and not her husband’s. Perhaps this is a different Elizabeth? (Burke Co., NC Civil Action Papers.)

In 1789, a section of Burke County was annexed to neighboring Wilkes Co., NC and it seems the Barnes lived in that section, for they were in Wilkes County from then on. This area is Alexander Co., NC now (formed 1847).

Brinsley Barnes is not listed on the 1790 census. He should be in Wilkes Co., NC. He is most likely residing with one of his children, thus not the head of household himself.

On 5 May 1790, Brinsley Barnes Sr of Wilkes Co., NC, made articles of agreement with Jehu Barnes promising to give Jehu a tract of land on the Lower Little River of the Catawba containing 290 acres, and all the rest of his estate for maintenance during the course of his life. Brinsley signed with a “B” mark as did Jehu. Witnesses were Thos Adams, George Brown and Larken Cearlee. After the witnesses: “NB That the said Jehu Barns is to give unto Benoin (?) Hobson one hundred acres of the said land.” July Term 1790. (Wilkes Co., NC Wills 1778-1799.)

Although this doesn’t come out and say it, I believe the above more or less proves Jehu is a son of Brinsley Sr.

On 14 Mar 1791, John Barns of Wilkes Co., NC made a deed to John Carter of Chatham Co., NC for 195 pounds for 150 acres on the west side of “Rockey” River, described as being part of the land of Brinsley Barnes Sr obtained 10 Jun 1761 from Earl Granville, and deeded by Brinsley Barnes to John Barnes 26 Aug 1766. John Barns signed. Witnesses were George Hobson, William Ward and David Vestal. (Chatham Co., NC Deed Book E, pp. 192-193.)

George Hobson (1765) is Brinsley’s grandson. John Barnes is Brinsley’s son, I believe. I don’t know if David Vestal is related. John Carter (1759-1844), the grantee, was Brinsley’s grandson, and thus a nephew of John Barnes.

Brinsley Barnes was dead by 4 Nov 1794, for in Wilkes Court that date, letters of Administration was granted to John Barns for the estate of Brinsley Barns, deceased. George Brown and Edwin Brown were securities (bondsmen).

There was apparently a Will, now lost unfortunately, for in Wilkes Court on 5 Feb 1795, Attorney Wallace Alexander made a motion to have the Will of Brinsley Barnes, Senr proven in court. Will was taken by attorney R. Wood in behalf of Brinsley Barnes Junr. In the same court session, John Bradburn, Esq, or Burke County relinquished his Executorship.

The above suggests the Will was either filed in Burke County before the county changes, or that it was perhaps dictated to the attorney by Brinsley before he died.

On 7 May 1795, in Wilkes Court, Jehu Barnes sued John Barnes, Executor of Brinsley Barns, deceased. He made exception to the Will of Brinsley Senr. Jehu claims Brinsley was not of sound mind and that the Will was obtained by fraud. Jury trial was granted, but it was declared a mistrial for some reason.

On 5 Aug 1795, Jehu Barnes vs John Barnes, Executor of Brinsley Barnes deceased was heard again. This time the jury found for the plaintiff, and said the Will was invalid. However, John Barnes appealed. Brinsley Barnes and Magnis Teague were his securities. That is likely John’s son Brinsley and not his brother Brinsley who was in Kentucky by this time.

The case continued (or a new case commenced) in Burke court, July 1798, now titled Jehu Barns, Adr vs John Barns, “In Trover.” John was found not guilty. Jehu Barnes (“B” mark), George Brown and James Watts were bondsman for the prosecution bond. Plaintiff’s Witnesses included: George Brown Esq, Samuel Wilson, William Reed, Richard Brown, Charles Forister, Robert Bogle and Benoni Hopson. Defendant’s witnesses included: James Reed, Samuel Carson, John Bradburn, John Teague, John Barns Senr, James Barns, Brinsly Barns and James Barns Senr. (Burke Co., NC Civil Action Papers.)

I didn’t find a record naming all of Brinsley Barnes’s heirs, nor whether Elizabeth outlived him.

Children

Brinsley Barnes and wife Elizabeth had several children, some proven, some not proven, but are probably theirs based on circumstantial evidence.

Daughters Mary Barnes Carter and Anne Barnes Hobson are proven by Quaker records. Brinsley Jr is proven by a deed. Jehu Barnes is proven (more or less) by Brinsley giving him all his property reserving life rights when he was quite old. Jehu was also administrator of the estate.

John Barnes was Executor of the Will, whether fake or not, which also suggests he was a son. He was also deeded land from Brinsley early on, though that deed does not specify their relationship.

James Barnes was in proximity to the others and associated, so he’s likely a son too.

Other researchers include a Thomas Barnes, Solomon Barnes and Elijah Barnes as Brinsley’s children, but I don’t know what that’s based on. Solomon did live in Wilkes when Brinsley did, so that may show a connection. It is noted on the wikitree page for Brinsley that Solomon’s descendants are not a DNA match for Brinsley’s, so unless there is a “non-paternal” event in that line somewhere, that would mean Solomon is definitely not Brinsley’s son. I have no opinion on that subject yet due to lack of study on my part.

1. Mary Barnes (1734-1823) married Samuel Carter ca 1756 in Chester Co., PA. She is a proven child of Brinsley and Elizabeth per Quaker records. These are my ancestors. See their page for more on them.

2. John Barnes (1741-1822). Brinsley deeded him land in 1766 as referenced in a much later deed. I don’t know if their relationship was given in the 1766 deed. They were associated, and John was the Executor of Brinsley’s supposed fraudulent Will.

3. Anne Barnes (1743/44-1775) married Stephen Hobson ca 1762. She is proven by Quaker records.

4. Brinsley Barnes (Jr) (c1740s-1823), moved to Kentucky. Brinsley Jr is proven by a 1771 deed from father to son.

5. Jehu Barnes (bef 1755-1821). He is proven (more or less) by a 1790 agreement between Brinsley Sr and him, and further, he was administrator of Brinsley’s estate.

6. James Barnes (bef 1755-aft 1800). He was associated with Brinsley and the other children of Brinsley, so is likely a son too, or if not, a nephew at least.

7. Thomas Barnes. I don’t know what there is to link Thomas to Brinsley. I have nothing on him so far.

8. Solomon Barnes (bef 1755-c1807) died Wilkes Co., NC. He was in Wilkes at the same time as Brinsley, but I don’t know if there is anything to connect them.

9. Elijah Barnes. He was in Wilkes at the same time as Brinsley, but I don’t know if there is anything to connect them.

For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Brinsley Barnes.

Revised: January 28, 2025

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