NOTE: Family information in this database is accurate as of the revision date to the best of my, Al Barrs’, knowledge. From time to time and as new or different information is learned I will update the database. If you or someone you know has validated information contrary to or in addition to family information that I have please submit your information to me and I will use it to update and revise our family histories database. Thanks, Al Barrs E-mail albarrs@wfeca.net

YEAR

COUNTY

FORMATION

BARRS / BELL

NOTE:

Dobbs & Duplin Counties, North Carolina,

USA

Lenoir, Duplin and other NC Counties were adjoining counties and were formed from Dobbs County, NC.

Dobbs County was formed 1758 from Johnson County, NC.

The Barrs & Bell families made parallel moves and lived in the same and adjoining American counties over a period of several hundred years from North Carolina to Florida before settling in what is today Lafayette County Florida. Their family histories are a chronological parallel of the history of pioneer America and later the United States of America…Al Barrs, Jr.

1630

Scotland

Hamilton Village

Lanark County

Scotland

United Kingdom

Alexander Bell was born about 1630 and Isobel Lindsay, his wife, was born about 1634 in Hamilton Lanark Scotland. They had several children: Robert Bell was born on June 28, 1665 in Hamilton Lanark Scotland and died in 1733 in Bertie County, North Carolina USA. Robert married Ann Ferguson about 1704 in Virginia. Children of Robert and Ann Ferguson were Isabel, Robert, Jr., Archibald, (Jean And John Twins), George And Penelope.

Alexander and Isobel Bell had at least one other child. His name was Patrick Bell. Patrick Bell was born November 11, 1669 in Hamilton, Lanark Scotland.                               

1665

Scotland

Hamilton Village

Lanark County

Scotland UK

Robert Bell was born June 28, 1665 in Lanark Scotland and died 1733 in Bertie County, NC. He married Ann Ferguson in 1706 in Virginia. They had 7 children. They were the parents of George Bell.

1718

Unknown

Unknown but could have been Bertie County, NC or Virginia.

George Bell was born 1718 in an unknown county and died 1792 in Sampson County, NC. He married Debra in 1738 and had 4 children. They were the parents to Hezekiah Bell.

1400s to 1500s

England

Warwickshire England

Early Barrs ancestors that we have validated are the following, but we know very little about their family, birth place or history. The first Barrs ancestor we know of was named William Barrs. He lived and raised a family in Bulkington Village Warwickshire England.

William Barrs married Elizabeth. William Barrs died on February 20, 1560 in Bulkington. He left a will that was executed by his son, Robert Barrs.

William and Elizabeth Barrs had, we believe only three children, the oldest, a son, was named Robert Barrs. Two daughters, Alice and Catherine Barrs as well as his wife Elizabeth were in William Barrs will. William and Elizabeth Barrs children were born in Bulkington Village Warwickshire England.
Robert Barrs died on May 23, 1595.

Robert Barrs married Joan.  They had a son named Thomas Barrs. Thomas Barrs, was born in 1585 in Bulkington and married Margery in Bulkington Village. Thomas Barrs died on February 20, 1659 in Toft Hamlet Warwickshire and was buried in the St. Peters Parish Church cemetery in nearby Dunchurch Village. Thomas and Margery Barrs had several children. The oldest was named Abraham Barrs (later known as Abraham Barrs of Toft) and the next son was named Nathaniel Barrs were born in Bulkington Village. Abraham Barrs of Toft was born in 1603. He died in 1682 in Toft Hamlet Warwickshire England.

Thomas and Margery Barrs moved their family from Bulkington Village to Toft Hamlet between 1608 and 1612. Thomas and Margery Barrs’ next child, Sarah Barrs, was born in 1613 and was the first of Thomas and Margery Barrs’ children to be born in Toft Hamlet. Thomas and Margery had additional children in Toft Hamlet, where the Barrs family would settle, live, farm and operate other businesses for the next several hundred years.

1603

England

Bulkington Village

Warwickshire England

Abraham Barrs of Toft was born in 1603 in Bulkington and died in 1682 in Toft Hamlet Warwickshire England. Abraham Barrs of Toft was married to Joan. They had the following children: Thomas, Abraham, Nathaniel, Alice, Elizabeth, Ann and Margaret.

1633

England

Toft Hamlet Warwickshire England

Abraham Barrs (2^nd) was born in 1633 in Toft Hamlet Warwickshire England. He was married to Joan. He and Joan had several children. One son was named John Barrs who, like his Grandfather, Abraham Barrs of Toft, became a prominent person in Toft Hamlet, Dunchurch Village and the St. Peter’s Parish Church. He also become know as John Barrs of Toft. Other children were: Abraham, Joan, Nathaniel and an unknown daughter who married D. Henry in 1677, Elizabeth born 1681, Elizabeth born 1683 and Elizabeth born 1687. The first two Elizabeth may have died as children from The Plague. Joan died in 1713 and Abraham died in 1715.

1678

England

Toft Hamlet and Dunchurch Village Warwickshire

John Barrs of Toft was married to Mary and they had the following children: John Barrs (To become John Barrs, Sr. about 1758 when he and Sarah Spears-Barrs, his wife, had their first son, John Barrs, Jr. in North Carolina in America): Abraham, Mary, Elizabeth, Henry, Rachel #1, Benjamine, Daniel the twin to Joseph, Susanna and Rachel #2. Rachel #1 had died in 1729 and Rachel #2 was born in 1735. John of Taft died in 1746 and Mary died in 1776.

1727 1749

England England America North Carolina

Toft Hamlet and Dunchurch Village Warwickshire England & Johnson County NC

John Barrs, (Sr.) was born March 5, 1727 to John Barrs of Toft and Mary in Toft Hamlet which is near Dunchurch Village, Warwickshire, England. On February 19, 1749 John Barrs, (Sr.) married Sarah Spears in the St. Peter and St. Paul Parish Church in Aston Juxta Hamlet near Birmingham Village in west Warwickshire England. John and Sarah Barrs are believed to have immigrated, shortly after their marriage, to "The Colonies" in America and to North Carolina where they bought farmland in what was then Johnson County, NC, started a farming plantation and settled down to raise a family.

1776

America North Carolina

Dobbs County formed from Johnson County in 1758

John Barrs, Sr. volunteered and served in the Dobbs County NC Militia during the American Revolutionary War during the period 1776-1777. He served in 1776 in Charles Young's Regiment of Dobbs County, NC.

1756

Dobbs

Dobbs County, NC

Mother's (Evia Adetha Bell-Barrs/Knouse) ancestral Grandfather George Bell was deeded property on three separate entries in Dobbs Co., NC. Book 4 1756-1757 pages 294, 459 and 314. District #9 Dobbs County, NC- East of Kinston but north of Neuse River including Tower Hill Road vicinity, and Kinston north to Wheat Swamp and east of Snow Hill Road. He owned property accordingly: District/Payee #9 and #58 property valued at $3,225.00.

1755

Dobbs

Dobbs formed 1758 from Johnson. (Johnson County became Glasgow & Lenoir Counties in 1791.)

John Barrs, (Sr.) owned farmland in Johnson County, North Carolina during the mid 1700's. He sold 200 acres of land in Johnson County, NC and what would become Dobbs County, NC in 1755-6 to a Thomas Williamson. In January 1777 he was granted land for his military service enrolment in the Dobbs County Charles Young Regiment (American Revolutionary War).

1758

Duplin

Duplin County, NC joined Dobbs County on the SW side. Duplin was formed in 1750 from New Hanover, County North Carolina.

Hezekiah Bell was born 1758 in Duplin County, NC and died 1803 in Duplin County, NC. He married Martha Baggett on December 10, 1778 in Duplin County, NC. Martha Baggett was born about 1762 in Duplin County, NC. They had 5 children and were the parents of Duncan Bell. Hezekiah and Martha received "substantial" property from Martha's father Abraham Baggett.

1769

Dobbs

Dobbs County, NC

John Barrs, Sr. and George Bell were both on the Dobbs County, NC Tax List for 1769.

1770

Surry

Surry County, NC formed in 1770 from Rowan County's, North section.

Surry is north of the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers and joins Rowan County, NC. It is formed from the north section of Rowan County, NC. The 1790 Surry County Census lists one Leonard Barrs, single and over 16 years of age. He is believed to be an older son of John Barrs, (Sr.) and Sarah Spears.

NOTE: My mother, Evia Adetha Bell's family also lived in and was plantation owners during the American Revolutionary War. We believe the Bell family immigrated to America in the early 1600's from Lanark, Lanarkshire, Scotland UK.The Bell family settled in Florida before the Spanish ceded it to the United States. Duncan Bell was an early Florida Pioneer and fought in the Seminole Indian Wars…Al Barrs, Jr.

1774

Dobbs

Dobbs County, NC

George Bell, Lieutenant, returned home to Dobbs County NC with the rest of the Regiment Officers of the “Regiment of Militia in Dobbs County”, NC, on July 14, 1774. He reached the rank of Captain in the Revolutionary War militia of NC. NOTE: I am not positive that this George Bell is our family line George Bell. Anyone with validated information to the contrary is asked to contact Al Barrs at e-mail albarrs@wfeca.net.

1777

Dobbs

Dobbs County retains the same geographical boundaries

John Barrs, Sr. returned to Dobbs County, NC sometime in 1777 with Charles Young's 10^th North Carolina Regiment. John Barrs, Jr. was drafted July 26, 1777 in Captain Kennedy's Company of Dobbs County, NC. He may have been in the battle of Brandywine during September 1777 Revolutionary War. The Battle of Brandywine was the largest battle of of the Philadelphia Campaign and the American Revolutionary War.

1779

Dobbs and Wayne

Dobbs County shrank in size and Wayne County, NC was formed

Wayne County, NC was formed from Dobbs County, NC in 1779.

1781

Duplin

Duplin County, NC

Hezekiah Bell served in the military in 1781 in NC. The American Revolutionary War

1787

Sampson

Sampson County, NC.

Duncan Bell born 1787 or 1795 and died about 1861 in Lafayette County, FL. He and unknown wife had 7 children. They were the parents of Abram Bell. He served in the Confederate Calvary.

1790

Surry

Formed 1770 from Rowan County, North section.

1790 Surry County, NC Federal Census: Leonard Barrs age over 16 years and single appears. He may have been one of the younger sons of John Barrs, Sr. and a brother of John Barrs, Jr. of Dobbs-Lenoir Counties, NC.

1791

Dobbs

Dobbs County split up again.

Dobbs was split into Lenoir, south section and into Green County north section.

1790

Dobbs

Formed 1758 from Johnson. Became Glasgow & Lenoir Counties in 1791.

1790 Lenoir County, NC Federal Census: John Barrs, Sr.  2 males 16 or older; 1 male less than 16; 8 females

1790

Dobbs

Formed 1758 from Johnson.  Became Glasgow & Lenoir Counties in 1791.

1790 Lenoir County, NC Federal Census: George Bell
2 males 16 or older ; 1 male less than 16 ; 8 females ; 7 blacks/slaves

1790

Dobbs

Dobbs County was formed in 1758.

John Barrs, (Sr.) and George Bell were both in the first (1790) Federal Census Report for Dobbs County, NC.

1796

Lenoir

Lenoir County, NC

Arthur Barrs was born 1792 in Lenoir County, NC to John Barrs, Jr. and unknown. Arthur and Nancy Elizabeth Campbell-Barrs, born 1793, were the parents of sons Isaac L., James C. and William W. Barrs and 2 unknown daughters and the youngest daughter Julian F. Barrs born 1835. All children were born in Twiggs County Georgia.

1800

Lenoir

Formed 1791 from west section of Dobbs County, NC.

1800 Lenoir County, NC Federal Census: John Barrs, Sr. Age 45 or older. Born in England in 1727 in Toft Hamlet, Warwickshire, England to John Barrs of Toft and Mary. (John Barrs of Toft parents were Abraham and Joan Barrs) John Sr. was in the 50 to 60-age range in 1800. Household: 1 male 0-10 & 1 male 45 or older 1 female 16-26 & 1 female 45 or older ª Unknown son age 0-10 John Barrs, Jr. Age 27-45. Born 1755 to 1773 (about 1758). Household: 2 males 0-10; 1 male 11-16; 1 male 16-26; 1 male 27-45 2 females 0-10; 1 female 11-16 & 4 females age 27-45 Sons:; Arthur Barrs b. 1792 ª Gideon Barrs; Dempsey Barrs; James Barrs b. 1795

1810

Lenoir

Formed 1791 from Dobbs County, NC.

1810 Lenoir County, NC Federal Census: John Barrs, Sr. He does not appear in the 1810 Census. We believe he died between 1800 and 1810 around age 73-75 in Lenoir County, NC. John Barrs, Jr. Household: 2 males 0-10; 2 males 10-16 & 1 male 26-45. 1 female 10-16; 1 female 16-26 & 1 female over 45. Sons: Arthur Barrs; Dempsey Barrs; Gideon Barrs; James Barrs

1820

Lenoir

Formed 1791 from Dobbs County, NC.

1820 Lenoir County, NC Federal Census: John Barrs, Jr. Household: 1 male 10-15; 1 male 16-18 and 1 male 26-44. 1 female 10-15 and 1 female 44 or older; One male age 10-15; One male age 16-18 Dempsey Barrs Household: 1 male 0-10 and 1 male 18-25. 2 females age 0-10 and 2 females 26-44. ª One male age 0-10

1820

Twiggs

Twiggs County, GA

Isaac L. Barrs was born to Arthur and Nancy Barrs 1820 in Twiggs County, GA. He died at age 30 in August 1850 in The Nankin District of Brooks County GA and left a wife, Elizabeth Hinson and 4 young children.

1821

Twiggs

Twiggs County, GA

James C. Barrs was born to Arthur and Nancy Barrs 1821 in Twiggs County, GA. He died in Suwannee County FL between 1800 and  1887

1824

Twiggs

Twiggs County, GA

William W. Barrs was born to Arthur and Nancy Barrs 1824 in Twiggs County GA. He died in Nankin Brooks County GA either 1900 or 1910

Twiggs

Twiggs County, GA

Two unknown daughters were born in Twiggs County GA. We assume the married Twiggs County men and lived out their lives there after the rest of the Barrs family moved to Lowndes County GA after the death of the family head Arthur Barrs in 1843

1835

Twiggs

Twiggs County, GA

Julian (Julia) Barrs was born 1835 in Twiggs County GA. She married Dan Farnell in Madison County FL.

1826

Twiggs

Twiggs County, GA

James M. Barrs, 1st cousin to Isaac L., James C. and William W. Barrs, was born to Dempsey and Unknown wife in 1829 in Twiggs County GA. He died in August 1850 in Brooks County GA at age 30..

1829

Duplin

Duplin County, NC

Duncan Bell his family, his two sisters and their husbands sell their holdings in NC in 1829 and move to Early County, Georgia.

1830

Early

Early County, GA

Abram Bell born August 15, 1830 in Early or Decatur County, Georgia and died March 29, 1900 in Mayo Junction, Lafayette County, FL. He married Susan Clark on September 17, 1857 in Madison County, FL. They had 11 children. They were the parents of Judge W. Bell.

1830

Twiggs

Twiggs County Georgia formed 1809 from Wilkinson County, GA.

1830 Twiggs County GA Federal Census: Arthur Barrs was born 1792 in Lenoir County, NC; Household: 2 males 0-5 (Isaac L. and James C.); 1 male 10-14 (William W.) and 1 male 30-39 (Arthur) 2 females (Julian) 0-5 and 1 female 30-39 and 65 slaves

1830

Twiggs

Twiggs County Georgia formed 1809 from Wilkinson County, GA.

1830 Twiggs County GA Federal Census Dempsey Barrs born in Lenoir County, NC. Household: 1 male 0-5 (James M.); 1 male 5-9; 1 male 10-14; 1 male 20-29 1 female 10-14

1830

Twiggs

Twiggs County Georgia formed 1809 from Wilkinson County, GA.

1830 Twiggs County GA Federal Census: James Barrs was born 1795 in Lenoir County, NC. Household: 2 males 0-5; 1 male 5-9 & 1 male 20-29. 1 female 15-19 and 1 female 20-29. Sons George Grandberry Barrs, John Barrs, James Barrs Plus 6 slaves

1830

Pike

Pike County Georgia is located to the northwest of Twiggs County GA.

1830 Pike County GA Federal Census: Gideon Barrs was born 1796 in Lenoir County, NC. Household: 1 male 0-5; 1 male 20-29 1 female 0-5; 1 female 5-9; 1 female 15-19; 1 female 20-29 and 14 slaves

1830

Decatur

Decatur County, GA

Duncan Bell and family move to and are in Decatur County, GA for the Federal Census of 1830.

1840

Twiggs

Twiggs County Georgia formed 1809 from Wilkinson County, GA.

1840 Twiggs County GA Federal Census: Nancy Elizabeth Campbell-Barrs (Arthur Barrs' wife); 2 males 1-14; 1 male 15-19 and 1 male 40-49 (Arthur Barrs very ill) 1 female 10-14; 2 females 15-19 and 1 female 50-59 and 4 slaves

1840

Twiggs

Twiggs County Georgia formed 1809 from Wilkinson County, GA.

1840 Twiggs County GA Federal Census: Dempsey and James Barrs were still in Twiggs County GA. Dempsey Barrs had 2 males 0-5; 1 male 5-9; 1 male 40-49; 1 female 10-14 and 1 female 40-49 in his household. James Barrs had 1 male 0-5; 1 male 10-14; 1 male 15-19; 1 male 40-49; 1 female 30-39 and 57 slaves.

1840

Lowndes

Lowndes County, GA

In 1840 Federal Census. Duncan Bell and family lived in Lowndes County, GA. 7 males and 3 females.

1850

Lowndes

Lowndes County, GA

1850 Lowndes County, GA Federal Census: James C. Barrs age 30 (actually 29) Household: Elizabeth (Martha E. Land), wife age 30 (actually 29) born 1821 in North Carolina James Henry L. Barrs age 6 born 1845 in GA William T. Barrs age 3 born 1848 in GA Isaac Newton Barrs age 1 born 1849 in GA

1850

Lowndes

Lowndes County, GA

1850 Isaac L. Barrs dies at age 30 and leaves a wife Elizabeth Barrs 23 and 4 children: Joseph 4, Frances 3, James T. 3 and Martha 1.

1850

Madison

Madison County, FL.

1850 Madison County, FL Federal Census: Duncan Bell age 55 farmer, son of Hezekiah Bell, and his family are living in Madison County, FL. Madison County, FL is adjacent to Lowndes - Brooks County, GA. Abraham Bell 18 M Georgia Martha Bell 17 F Georgia Patrick Bell 15 M Georgia Duncan Bell 13 M Georgia Lydia Bell 12 F Georgia Enoch Bell 9 M

Mid 1850's

Wakulla

Wakulla County, FL.

James C. Barrs and his family took slaves to the mouth of the Wakulla River in Wakulla County, FL and operated Salt Works on the Gulf of Mexico. One child Henry J. Barrs was born there in 1857. Henry J. Barrs was also called “Andrew J. Barrs" and "Ander." He lived in Lafayette County FL and is buried at Day FL.

1855

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Duncan Bell purchased 320 acres of Federal Homestead Act land in the North part of Lafayette County, FL in 1856-1857. This is adjacent and south of today's Madison County, FL. Abram Bell, son of Duncan Bell, also purchased 320 acres on April 19, 1861. See Lafayette County, FL property records.

1860

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Judge W. Bell born October 4, 1860 and died December 6, 1912 in Lafayette County, FL. He married Lula Toole about 1889. They had 4 children. They were the parents of my Grandfather Wilford Franklin Bell.

1860

Brooks

Brooks County, GA

1860 Brooks County, GA Federal Census: James C. Barrs age 39 born GA Overseer Household: Elizabeth 39 born North Carolina James Henry L. Barrs age 15 born GA William T. Barrs age 12 born GA Isaac Newton Barrs age 9 born GA Francis Marion Barrs age 8 born GA John Wesley Barrs age 5 born GA Henry J. Barrs (aka Andrew J.) age 3 FL Parmelia Barrs (female) age 1 born GA 1860 Brooks County, GA Federal Census: William W. Barrs age 36 born GA Farmer and a younger brother to James C. Barrs. Lauraney Barrs age 19 born GA Isabella Barrs age 1 born GA 1.
Others in the household:
Hireling John Robinson age 19 2.
Hireling G. B. Vickey age 27

1861

Taylor

Taylor County, FL

James C. Barrs, giving his residency address as “Lowndes County, FL” purchased 320.12 acres of property in Taylor County, FL northwest of Perry, FL February 1, 1861. Taylor County, FL was adjacent to Madison County, FL and just south of Brooks County, GA where our J. C. Barrs is known to have lived for many years. This would have been the period in which our James C. Barrs was in Wakulla County, FL managing Salt Works at the mouth of the St. Marks River on the East bank. There is a later James Carl Barrs buried in a Perry Taylor County, FL cemetery. He was the son of Henry J. or Arthur J. Barrs, son of my James C. Barrs. There was a James Colquitt Barrs who was a descendent of James Barrs, who was a younger brother of Arthur Barrs, who was the father of our James C. Barrs.

1898

Taylor

Taylor County, FL

There is a James C. Barrs born 1898 and died 1967. (James Carl Barrs was born March 5, 1898 with relative living in Boyd FL who registered in the WW 2 draft in Lafayette County FL) He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Perry, Taylor County, FL. James Carl Barrs was the son of Henry J. Barrs, son of our James C. and Martha Elizabeth Barrs. James Carl Barrs had a younger brother that served in WWI named Isaac Jackson Barrs born 1906. Isaac is buried in Palatka Florida. The location of the Taylor County US Homestead property is directly on a line from Brooks County, Georgia and Wakulla County, FL where our James C. Barrs is known to have traveled in the later 1850's and early 1860's. And, one of our James C. Barrs' children was born in Wakulla County FL in 1857, Henry J. or Andrew J. aka "ANDER" Barrs.

NOTE: Ref. Florida Atlas University Press of Florida by E. A. Dernald and E. D. Purdum 1992, page 90. The resident address, “Lowndes County, FL” that James C. Barrs, recorded on the U.S. Homestead Land Patent on February 1, 1861 may have been the result of a state boundary dispute between Florida and Georgia State Governments. The Nankin District, Brooks County, GA, where “our” James C. Barrs lived, was within the disputed boundary area, which was about a section wide. Brooks Co., GA was created from Lowndes County, GA in 1858. But and if James C. Barrs and his entire family were living in Wakulla County, FL during 1857 to 1859 he may not have known that The Nankin District had became a part of the new Brooks County, GA in 1858.

1861

Twiggs

Twiggs County, GA

James M. Barrs born 1829 in Twiggs County, enlisted on March 14, 1862 at Camp Anderson in the Wakulla Tigers Regiment. He was 5'9” tall, had dark skin and hair, blue eyes, and listed his occupation as “farmer”. He was a first cousin of James C. Barrs. James M. Barrs' father was Dempsey Barrs, brother of Arthur Barrs who was James C. Barrs' father.

1863

Brooks

Brooks County, GA

James C. Barrs was in the Brooks County Militia during 1860-61 at age 42 enlisted August 4, 1863 at Quitman, Brooks County, GA in Captain Wiley W. Groover's 11^th Georgia Calvary Georgia State Guards of Company "D" CSA for a regular enlistment of six months. He was 5'7” tall, had dark skin and hair, blue eyes. His oldest son James Henry L. Barrs also served in Company D of the 11th Georgia Calvary during the same period. James C. Barrs then on May 6, 1864 enlisted at Quitman, GA in Company E, 1^st Regiment (Symon's) of the Georgia Infantry State Reserves CSA for the duration of The War. He was appointed 4^th Sergeant. His Company served at the City Lines in Savannah, GA from May 6, 1864 through June 30, 1864. They then served at Camp Fleetwood from July through August of 1864. His Company's final billet was at Fort McAllister, GA from September until the fort was captured on December 13, 1864 by Union General Sherman's forces.

James C. Barrs was 5' 7” tall, had a dark complexion, dark hair and blue eyes. He was admitted to Hospital #2, Savannah, GA on August 18, 1864 for a lengthy illness (probably Typhoid Fever). He was furloughed home on September 19, 1864. He was “demoted” to Private upon returning to his unit. He was captured with the rest of the CSA Fort McAllister garrison on December 13, 1864 and sent to Hilton Head, SC to await transport to a Northern Military Prison.

1863

Brooks

Brooks County, GA

James C. Barrs had fortunately not been wounded in battle. All captured CSA troops from Ft. McAllister were sent to Hilton Head, SC to await Federal transportation to POW camps in the North. James C. Barrs was admitted to the Provost Guard Hospital in Hilton Head, SC with Typhoid Fever on January 10, 1865. He survived the Typhoid Fever and was sent to Fort Delaware Federal Prison. He arrived at Fort Delaware Prison on March 4, 1865. He was released from Fort Delaware Federal Prison on June 16, 1865 after signing the oath that he would not bear arms against the United States of America ever again.” He was sent to New York, NY by way of Philadelphia, PA and put on a boat with 500 other released CSA prisoners and sent to Jacksonville, FL. One young CSA veteran, Samuel Lewis Moore, wrote a vivid account of the events that has since become a part of Jefferson County, FL history records.

1865

Jefferson

Civil War history related by a young CSA veteran in Jefferson County, FL and his acquaintance with “Jim” James C. Barrs.

“History of Jefferson County, Florida” Excerpt pages 79-80 The following story is the account of the personal experience of a living Confederate CSA war veteran, Samuel Lewis Moore. Samual Moore's home at the time was in Quitman, Brooks County, Georgia. He moved to Monticello, Jefferson County, Florida after The Civil War and married Julia Bradley. Samuel Moore was 18 years old when he wrote the following personal account of his military experience. At the young age of 15 years Samuel Moore followed his brother, Spencer Moore, and enlisted in the army of the South in Savannah, GA. Samuel was sent to White Marsh Island, GA six miles below Savannah, GA. Their duty was to see that no Federal or Union boats came up the river. Young Samuel Moore wrote; “During the last two years of the war the Southern Army was largely composed of untrained boys like me and the officers recognized our mistakes and shortcomings, as a result of our youth and lack of military training, and justice was tempered with mercy. Major Patton Anderson knew that (General) Sherman was marching towards Savannah, so he called in two companies of my Regiment from White Marsh Island as re-enforcements for Fort McAllister, twenty-five miles from Savannah, on the Ogeechee River and six miles below the railroad bridge. Sherman had to capture the bridge up the river before he could get to us.

There was nothing but a marsh between us and the bridge, and we boys stood on the battery walls and saw the fight, which lasted about an hour. We knew that our time would come the next day, and the necessary preparations were made to give Mr. Sherman as warm a reception as we could. The roll was called the next morning and 155 men answered for duty. About 10 o'clock in the morning the enemy entered the woods and begun to form in line of battle. We could see the Yankees behind the big trees near the little dairy (McAllister Dairy) and the dairy itself was as full of them as it could hold. Our sharpshooters would take a crack at every “Blue Coat” that exposed himself. One of the boys asked permission to put a cannon ball through the dairy, which was granted, and a thirty-pound rifle shot was sent through the center. Then business picked up!” “At 4 P.M. the bugle of the enemy sounded for the charge and it took them exactly four minutes to capture the fort, as we had only 155 men and they numbered 9,000. Our casualties were 55 killed and 60 wounded. The enemy's loss was 200 killed and 250 wounded. The last shot fired was a 12-pound Howitzer cannon. The man who was to fire the cannon had hold of the lanyard and was ordered to let it go by a Yankee officer, before the white flag was raised. The man replied, 'I'm not taking orders from you yet.'

The officer shot him with his pistol and the weight of the body, when he fell, pulled the lanyard. Some of the enemy was not three feet from the mouth of the cannon and the ball opened a space through the crowd. We killed more men than the number on our side at this battle. General Sherman made the McAllister homestead his headquarters and the wounded from both sides were taken there for medical treatment. I was on the sick list and was placed on a bunk with a badly wounded Yankee boy who died before morning. I told the nurse the boy was dead and he said 'Alright I will take him out directly.' I guess he forgot it for the body was still there when I awoke the next morning. The nurse came and said he was sorry he had not removed it. I told him that was alright, it had not disturbed me at all. We, the prisoners, were carried to Hilton Head, South Carolina. All of the prisoners were issued what was called 'Retaliation rations,' which consisted of one part of rotten meat and a pickle per day. They were retaliation for Andersonville (Infamous CSA Prison in west Georgia).” So we were carried back to Fort Delaware, a downcast, disappointed lot of boys. A great deal could be told of prison life, how much I did not gain in weight, on six crackers a day and an occasional rat stew. At one time the prison was guarded by a regiment of United States Regulars, who had been badly cut-up in a battle in Virginia. They were kind to the Southern prisoners and the officers in charge of the Fort decided the Regulars were too good to us, so removed them, putting a Negro regiment in their place.

I was at Fort Delaware when Lincoln was assassinated after which the prisoners were treated worse than usual. The Negro guards would kick and cuff them for the slightest causes. On July 18, 1865, I took the amnesty oath and was sent, with 500 other prisoners of war, to New York to be transported South.” “We went by way of Philadelphia and were marched up into the city and halted by an open square and children were sent among us with baskets of sandwiches and pitchers of lemonade. One beautiful girl sat at a window and dispensed lemonade and it was lucky for me when the supply gave out, for I was near the breaking point. It was like a change from purgatory to the Seventh Heaven. I was ashamed of my personal appearance, but I was not ashamed of the cause that put me there. Finally, we reached New York and while eating at Castle Garden, awaiting orders, I sold the cotton that was between my quilted blankets, and my woolen socks to an Irish woman for $1.50. This dollar was the first green back I saw and I felt rich. After a few weeks in New York, I was sent South. We had some bad times on the boat, for five hundred men were crowded into the hold of the boat, with 'built-in-bunks.' Something got the matter with the drinking water and they had to condense the water for the passengers. We were given one pint of hot water per day. There were no U.D.C. nor Red Cross chapters to look out for the boys in those days, and they had to look out for themselves.

My shoes were lost over board, but I did not feel the loss of them until I reached Jacksonville, FL and had to walk twelve miles, barefooted, where the railroad bridge was torn up. The train took us up, finally, and when we got to Madison, FL, I had to walk sixteen miles with Mr. Jim Barrs (James C. Barrs) to his home where I spent the night. Mr. Barrs was very kind to me and sent me to Quitman, GA, my home, next day with his boy on a mule.” “When I reached home, my mother did not know me and I was indeed a sad looking spectacle. I had on a blue United States Military shirt, a pair of pants 44 inches in the waist, buttoned around to the suspender button. One leg of my pants was torn off halfway to the knee, and the other leg rolled up to match it. I had on a Confederate gray cap, the visor was torn off. I was barefooted and my hair was down to my shoulders. My appearance did not dampen the joy of my mother and the home folks, however, when they finally realized I was home at last. I guess Sherman made a good, off-hand shot at it, when he made his statement about war, but he had never been hungry, nor thirsty, nor in prison or then he would have said 'War is hell' and then some.”

James C. (Jim) Barrs' family in The Nankin District of Brooks County, GA had given him up for dead, when in October 1865 lice and vermin ridden he reached home. His son John Wesley Barrs said that he stripped outside, bathed, put on clean clothes and burned his old clothing before going into their home.

1866

Brooks

Brooks County, GA.

James C. Barrs served on a committee to help destitute widows from The War during April of 1866. (See page 8 “Brooks County Georgia: Echoes of Its People.”)

1870

Pulaski

Pulaski County, GA adjoins Twiggs County, GA on the southwest side.

1870 Pulaski County, GA Federal Census: James Barrs (Brother to the Father of our James C. Barrs...Arthur Barrs.) Household Age 74. Born 1796 in North Carolina. Property valued at $100. Anne E. Pipkin, Wife, (Was she his third wife…he was much older than she.), age 55 with a James' grandsons William age 14 and James age 6 whose father was George Grandberry Barrs. He had been killed in 1866 at Coley's Station in Pulaski County Georgia.

1870

Brooks

Brooks County, GA.

1870 Brooks County, GA Federal Census: James C. Barrs age 49 (Martha) Elizabeth Barrs, Wife age 49 and Mother of all J. C. Barrs' 7 children (James Henry L. Barrs age 25 is not on this Census Report. He may have left James C. Barrs' household and was married but did not get counted in the 1870 Census for Brooks County, GA. He settled in west central Florida) William T. Barrs age 23 Isaac Newton Barrs age 20 Francis Marion Barrs age 18 John Wesley Barrs age 16 Andrew age 14 born 1857. He is Henry J. Barrs born 1857 Wakulla County FL. Henry was also called “Andrew J. Barrs." Permelia Barrs age 12 female. She is "Amelia Barrs"

1870 Brooks County, GA Federal Census: William Barrs age 46 (J. C. Barrs' brother) Raney age 30 Florence age 13 John age 12 Jackson age 9 William age 7 James age 2 Nancy Barrs age 78 born 1792 (She is the Widow of Arthur Barrs and mother of Isaac L. Barrs, James C., William W. Barrs. Also, 2 unknown daughters and Julian F. Barrs.

1870

Suwannee

Suwannee County, FL.

James C. Barrs and some family members moved to Suwannee County, FL traveling part of their journey on a cotton barge via the Withlacoochee, Suwannee, and perhaps Santa Fe River system. A Spring on the Santa Fe River is known as Barrs Springs as is a Landing called Barrs Landing. They settled in the area of Ichetucknee Springs and River. In the late 1800's (about1870 to 1884) a town named Barrsville existed 15 miles from Lake City and 8 miles from the Santa Fe River on the old wire road. Today historians believe Barrsville is now called Ellisville, which is about 20 miles south of Live Oak at the intersection of I-75 and US 441/SR41. In reality the Barrsville site is west of present day Ellisville, FL.

1872

Brooks

Brooks County, GA

Isaac Newton Barrs is mentioned in a Nankin Community Newspaper abstract dated April 12, 1872, regarding the Offices of the Nankin Division, S. of T. This appears on page 93 of “Brooks County Georgia: Echoes of Its People.” He was also an officer in the Offices of Nankin District, S. of T. April 12, 1872.

William Barrs appears on page 94 as Postmaster appointed 12/14/1900 for the Nankin Post Office. William Barrs was the Treasurer, Office of Nankin District, S. of T. April 12, 1872, page 95 “Brooks County Georgia: Echoes of Its People.” Probably a first cousin to Isaac Newton Barrs and son of William W. Barrs brother of James C. Barrs.

1874

Brooks

Brooks County, GA.

Isaac Newton Barrs married Mary Elizabeth Boyet on January 15, 1874 in Brooks County, GA. They were the parents of Oscar Marion Barrs and others. Both died in Day Lafayette County FL.

1879

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Oscar Marion Barrs born to Isaac Newton Barrs and Mary Elizabeth Boyet on January 5, 1879 in Day, Lafayette County, FL. He was the father of Alfonso Barrs, (Sr.)... my Father. He married Bertha Lee Newman. Both died in Day Lafayette County FL

1880

Suwannee

Suwannee County, FL

1880 Suwannee County, FL Federal Census: James C. Barrs Age 60 (actually 59) Household: ? Elizabeth Barrs 60 ? Amelia (Parmelia) Barrs 20

1880

Pulaski

Pulaski Co, GA borders Twiggs Co., GA on the southwest side.

1880 Pulaski County, GA Federal Census: There were several Barrs families listed. All are probably descendents of James C. Barrs' uncle James Barrs. William Barrs age 24 farm worker and Susan Barrs his wife of 24. Jim Barrs age 27 Farmer with Laura his wife of 25. They had children Frances 8, John 6, Henrietta 4, and Andrew 2. Henry Barrs age 24 Farmer with Nancy his wife age 22 and a daughter called Nettie. William Barrs age 24 married to Petty Ann Age 24 with children Frank and William 2 months old.

1887

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Isaac Newton Barrs and Mary Elizabeth Boyet - Barrs last child is born in Day, Lafayette County, FL. Household: Mollie Campbell Barrs born 1875 FL ("Campbell" was G-G Grandfather James C. Barrs middle name and his mother G-G-G Grandmother Nancy Elizabeth Campbell-Barrs' surname.) William Newton Barrs born 1877 FL Oscar Marion Barrs born 1879 FL Eddie J. Barrs born 1881 FL Ille Effie Barrs born 1884 FL Gilley Orel Barrs 1887

1890

Suwannee

Suwannee County, FL

1890 Suwannee County Federal Census: the 1890 Federal Census was mostly destroyed and information is scarce. James C. Barrs died between 1880 and 1887. Elizabeth Barrs may have died between 1880 and 1890 in Suwannee County, Florida. No record has been found of the dates he and Martha Elizabeth Land-Barrs, his wife, died or where either is buried. It is speculated that they may be buried in now unmarked graves in the Ichetucknee Methodist Memorial Cemetery, Columbia County, FL where his son John Wesley and his wife Laura along with a young daughter are buried. There are several nearby graves that are unmarked in this old and small cemetery. Wooden markers would have long ago rotted away or been removed.

1894

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Grandfather Wilford Franklin Bell born January 2, 1894 in Lafayette County, FL and died November 18, 1970 in Day, FL. He was married to Anne Maude Morgan on September 24, 1914. They were the parents of Evia Adetha Bell...my Mother.

1900

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Grandfather Oscar Marion Barrs married Bertha Lee Newman December 16, 1900 in Day, Florida. She was born in Suwannee County FL to George Crosley “Cross” Newman and Lucy Virginia Gressman of Lafayette County FL.

1904

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Isaac Newton Barrs builds a “large General Store in Day, Lafayette County, FL in 1904.” He also owned and operated The Day House an early pioneer boarding house or B & B.

1905

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Oscar Marion Barrs purchased 80+ acres of Federal Homestead Act land in Lafayette County, FL June 3, 1905 builds a two story pine lumber unpainted house and begins to farm tobacco. Legal description of the land is Section 2, T4S, 10E. He was born January 5, 1879 in Day, Lafayette County, FL and marries Bertha Lee Newman in Day, FL December 16, 1900. Died July 18, 1940 Lafayette County, FL on his Lafayette County farm.

1907

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Isaac Newton Barrs take on partners in his general store in Day, FL. Free Mason Lodge Number 166 was formed January 16, 1907 in Day, FL. Isaac Newton was a member of the Day Town Masonic Lodge. They were also members of the Brewer Lake Baptist Church in Day, FL. His and Elizabeth's headstones in the Day Cemetery bear the Free Mason insignia. Elizabeth died in 1925 of blood poisoning from a chicken that spurred her while she was dispatching it to cook for a meal. Isaac Newton Barrs died 1933. Both are buried in the Day Town Baptist Cemetery. Oscar Marion Barrs and A. J. Evans build a General Store and Livery Stable in Day, Lafayette County, Florida in 1907.

1910

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

1910 Lafayette County Federal Census: Oscar Marion Barrs Bertha Lee Newman - Barrs wife of Oscar Barrs was born February 11, 1885 in perhaps the northeast section of Lafayette County, FL near the Suwannee River or Suwannee County, FL near Dowling Park. She died December 13, 1970 in Day, FL. Father George Cross Newman. Mother Lucy Virginia Grissman - Newman. (Parents Abraham Grissman and Sarah Bush) George Newman's family was one of the earliest pioneer families to move into the Lafayette County, FL area when it was still a part of Madison County, FL. He and his large family are listed in the 1910 Lafayette County Federal Census. The Grissman's and Newman's owned land and farmed in Lafayette County, FL. Bertha Lee Newman-Barrs sold her and Oscar's farm in Lafayette County, FL after his death in 1940. She moved into a small house that her son Alfonso Barrs, Sr. built in the northwest section of Day, FL near Brewer Lake. She worked in the Day Junior High School lunchroom for many years. She dies as a result of a fall off of her porch in Day Town, FL. Virigie Mae Barrs born 1902 (d. 1904) Ethel Phylessie Barrs born 1904 Bessie Mae Barrs born 1907 Oscar Denard Barrs born 1911 Alfonso Barrs (Sr.) born 1917 Homer Tasso Barrs born 1921 Hazel Vivien Barrs born 1924

1917

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Evia Adetha Bell born November 6, 1917 and died February 16, 1998. She was married to Alfonso Barrs, (Sr.) August 18, 1936. They had 4 children. They were the parents of Alfonso Barrs, Jr....me! And I'm still kicking at age 66! (2005)…ENJOY!

1917

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Alfonso Barrs, (Sr.) son of Oscar Marion Barrs and Bertha Lee Newman / Barrs was born January 24, 1917 on the farm of his parents in Lafayette County, FL. He died January 26, 1960 in Deland, Volusia County, FL. There is a St. Johns River landing named after him between Astor, FL and Lake George. He built the landing to ship paper wood from Volusia County, FL to a Savannah, GA paper mill. Alfonso Barrs, Sr. was married to Evia Adetha Bell April 16, 1936. She was born on her parent's farm located just a mile east of the Oscar Barrs farm. She died February 16 1998 in Orlando, FL but was a resident of Lake Kathryn (Paisley, FL area), Lake County, FL where she had lived with her second husband, Albert Knouse, for many years. Her parents were Wilford Franklin Bell and Annie Maude Morgan-Bell.

1939

Lafayette

Lafayette County, FL

Alfonso Barrs, Jr. was born on March 11, 19__ on the farm of Oscar Marion and Bertha Lee Barrs to Alfonso Barrs, (Sr.) and Evia Adetha Bell - Barrs. Alfonso Barrs, Jr. married Priscilla Lee Jones on November 28, 1957. Priscilla was born February 15, 19__ to Marvin E. Jones and Hazel Platt - Jones. Priscilla was born in DeLand, Florida. Children of Alfonso and Priscilla are Deborah Lee born in Volusia County DeLand, FL, Susan Elaine born in Volusia County DeLand, FL and Terri Ann born in Leon County Tallahassee, FL.

1745

Rowan

Rowan County, NC located about 150 miles west of Dobbs-Lenoir & Duplin Counties, NC and was a well-known farming area in America by the turn of the 1700^th century.

To clear-up confusion about the Barrs and Barr families who lived in North Carolina during the 1700's. Ref. Excerpts from “A Colonial History of Rowan County, North Carolina” By 1745 Scotch-Irish immigrants had established themselves in the fertile and well-watered farming area between the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers in Rowan County, NC. Among them were the “Barrs” and "Bell” “families along with many other Scotch-Irish families. “The Scotch-Irish were known for their religious, bravery and were liberty loving people.” From this history of Rowan County, NC we do not know if the referenced family surname was actually “Barrs” or plural for “Barr”, meaning more than one family had settled in the Rowan County area. Since Scotch-Irish families are particularly mentioned it is probable that these families were the Barr and Bell families with Scottish roots instead of English. Also, Reference the 1790 Rowan County, NC Federal Census where only Barr and Bell families are enumerated: A Hugh, John, and a Patrick Barr appears, each with a family. In 1850 there is still a Barr family listed on the Census of Rowan Co., NC. There are also Bell families listed on the 1790 and 1850 Census Report. Also, there was a John Barr, Jim Barr and Richard Barr who was deeded 21 separate parcels of property in Washington County, Virginia from 1782 through 1784. This was probably the “John Barr” in the 1790 Rowan County, NC Census Report.

1745

Rowan

Rowan County, NC

Continued Research of England records has validated that the surname BARRS has its roots in England rather than Scotland or Ireland. We see the surname Barr in Ireland and Scotland a great deal, but generally Barrs appears consistently in numbers within England. Barrs is a surname in use in England by families even today whom we have had occasion to communicate (Amy Barrs). This being the case, the Barr families in Rowan County, NC was probably related to the Barr families of Virginia and not the “BARRS” family of Dobbs-Lenoir Counties North Carolina. The John Barrs' (Senior and Junior) who shows up in Dobbs and Lenoir Counties, NC in the mid to early 1700's could have migrated there from Virginia or England. Records in Warwick, Warwickshire, England indicate an Abraham Barrs who had a son named John Barrs who was born in 1727 in Dunchurch, Warwick, England. This Abraham Barrs may have been the last generation of our Barrs line to have been born and died in the “old” country of Warwickshire, England. The Barrs in Dobbs and later Lenoir County, NC would have probably been acquainted with the Bell family of Dobbs, later Lenoir, and Duplin Counties, NC. Possibly the families knew each other in England before immigrating to America. All these NC counties were intermixed and adjoining during the 1700's. The BELL family probably came to North Carolina from either Virginia, or directly from England.

1600's

England

Leicester, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Cambridge, Stafford, and Huntingdon, England all have Barrs candidates for the first of “our” Barrs line to arrive in America.

Continued: The Barrs and Bell families may have immigrated to “The Colonies” together from England or at least they may have knew each other in North Carolina and perhaps even in England. Both families were farmers as far back in history as can be determined. The Barrs in England had been farmers in Leicester, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, England since at least the early 1500's. Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire are in the south-central farming area of England and are in near proximity to each other. The Barrs first names of Michael, John Abraham, James, Richard, George, Leonard, Dempsey, Nathaniel, Thomas, William, etc. are common Christian or "fore" names we see handed down from our Barrs line generation after generation as far as we have records beginning in the early 1500's. Evidence exists that indicates the surname BARRS was and still is spelled BARRE in Belgium and France. There is evidence that the BARRE surname first surfaced in the area of Normandy, Belgium before expanding into France proper. Evidence exists that the reference of Barre was to those who guarded or protected the gate to the city. There are many Barre in Belgium and France and a town named Barre, with several towns having the name Barre in the hyphenated town name. Wilkes - Barre, PA in the USA is an example of direct migration of Barre from Europe.

1600's

England

Leicester, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Cambridge, Stafford, and Huntingdon, England all have Barrs candidates for the first of “our” Barrs line to arrive in America.

There are many Barre who imigrated to American directly from Europe and still use the surname Barre. The first Barre may have traveled to England in 1068 with William The Conquer and may have fought in The Battle of Hastings when Normandy attacked England. The Normans won The Battle of Hastings and never left England. Some Barre ended up in Ireland and became O'Barrs and others ended up in Scotland and became Barr. They would have begun answering to the English translated surname of BARRES and later BARRS in the 14th century and well before traveling further south to the fertile farming areas of south central England. Their move could have been forced by poor weather conditions In Ireland that would have made their crops fail. They would have also left the southern England farming area to voyage to “The Colonies” in the later 1600's or early 1700's because there was nowhere further south to go in England. We are currently researching immigration ships passenger lists of embankment from England to America to determine when and where they arrived in “the Colonies” of America and which other families may have arrived with the Barrs.

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American Revolutionary War Service information. SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION...

John Barrs, Sr. served during 1776 in Charles Young's Regiment of Dobbs County, NC Militia. John Barrs, Jr. served during 1777 in Captain Kennedy's Company of Dobbs County, NC Militia. Hezekiah Bell served during 1781 in North Carolina Militia. George Bell served in the Regiment of Militia of Dobbs County, NC. 1773-4. He was a Lieutenant of the Regimental Officers of Dobbs County, NC Militia.

United States Of America Civil War Service information. SONS OF THE CONFEDERACY...

James C. Barrs served during 1863 in Captain Wiley W. Groover's 11th Georgia Calvary, Georgia State Guards Company "D" CSA for a regular 6-month enlistment. He then re-enlisted and served "for the duration" in 1864-65 with Company "E", 1st Regiment (Symon's), Georgia Infantry State Reserves CSA and was appointed 4th Sergeant. He was captured along with the entire garrison at Ft. McAllister, Georgia on December 13, 1864 defending the attack of Union General Sherman's army on their "march to the sea." He was released, after taking "the oath" (Not to ever again take-up arms against the United States of America), on June 16, 1865 from Ft. Delaware Federal Military Prison. He was a Confederate War veteran.

Duncan Bell enlisted in 1837 during the Seminole Indian Wars, many years before the Civil War began, in the 2nd East Mounted Regiment (Colonial Mills' regiment), Florida Mounted Volunteers in Captain Livingston's Company. He enlisted at Ft. Pulaski and brought his own "bay horse." He served during 1838 in the 3rd Seminole War in Madison, FL, which included Lafayette and Gulf Counties, FL at the time, which was still a Spanish possession until seceded to the USA in 1845. Abram Bell, Duncan Bell's son, enlisted in the CSA during 1861 in Muskogee County, Georgia and served during the Civil War. He was a Confederate War veteran.

By Al Barrs, Jr. 4731 Georgia Road Greenwood, Florida USA 32443-1839

Compiled by: Alfonso (A. F. / Al) Barrs, Jr. E-mail Address: albarrs@wfeca.net
Telephone: 1(850) 569-5142

© Copyrighted Material by Al Barrs, Jr. No part of this material may be re-produced by any method without the express written consent of Al Barrs, Jr.

MSWord Document Date: March 11, 2000 Revised October 15, 2005 by Al Barrs, Jr.