Joseph F. Barnett

The Marietta Register, January 11, 1894

Joseph F. Barnett of Barlow, Ohio, was born in old Virginia in February, 1828, consequently he is almost sixty-six years old. He remained there until the year 1845, when he emigrated to Ohio.

He says: "In that State I followed working on a farm for a livelihood. The year previous to our departure we raised two hundred and fifty bushels of wheat, which we had to haul in wagons to market a distance of forty miles. We could not sell our wheat until we had shown a certificate or order from a white man to another white man that knew the wheat was raised by us. That was done to prevent slaves from stealing wheat from their masters and selling it to free persons. 

"When we decided to leave the State, the first thing to be done was to obtain free papers. When that was done we thought, as a matter of course, everything was all right. Our company consisted of nine persons. We were frequently stopped on our way to show our free papers. 

"We reached Parkersburg on the morning of the 27th of October, 1845. Before crossing the river to Ohio we again had to show our free papers and have our wagons searched. When we crossed the river it was almost dark and the whole crowd had but 75 cents, therefore, we were compelled to stop traveling.

"We stopped at Daniel Goss', now T. B. Hibbard's home. We then and there put up our tent of canvas. While there many persons came through curiosity to see us. We had been there but a few days when each of us was called upon to give a bond of $1000, that we would not become a township or county charge, and if we failed to comply, we would have to return to Virginia.

"We expected we would have to return. I went to Daniel Goss and told him of our predicament. He was a good old Christian and belonged to the M. E. church, to which I also belonged. Brother Goss was a good abolitionist. He said to me, 'Get in my buggy and go with me to Belpre,' which I did. Col. Jack Stone, Capt. Putnam, Francis Stone, and Mr. Browning signed our bonds. 

"We then rented a farm of Mr. Beck and went to work. We lived on Beck's farm two years and then moved close to where I now live. My father, brother and myself purchased 100 acres of land - 33-1/3 acres each - and I did not have a cent to pay thereon. I gained the confidence of good men, of whom Charles and Mark Green were my closest friends, they having helped me with a note of $500." 

Mr. Barnett, by being industrious, economical, and prompt, has accumulated quite a fortune. He is the owner of 700 acres of land where he lives in East Barlow. The improvements on his farm are good. He occupies one of the finest residences in Barlow and his barns and outbuildings are numerous. There are four dwellings on his premises. His farm is well stocked with horses and cattle, sheep and hogs. He has for many years made a specialty of the sheep business. I think I can safely say that no man, colored or white, in Barlow Township, has made and saved as much as Mr. Barnett. Still he has met with many misfortunes, and at this time he suffers intensely with a chronic ailment. He has been married three times. His last wife is still living. His first wife was a daughter of the late Ambrose Asbury, the father of five ministers of the gospel. They are all fluent speakers. I have been informed that Mr. Barnett is out of debt.

In conclusion, I will relate an incident I am reminded of by Mr. Barnett's bond business, and his mentioning the name of Sheriff Mark Green. Once upon a time a large family consisting of twelve persons, who were exceedingly poor, had been time and again ordered to leave the townships in which they lived, or give bond that they would not become a township charge. Finally they moved to Marietta, which was at the time Mr. Green was Sheriff of this county, and the painful duty of ordering them to leave or give bond devolved upon him. The Sheriff had learned what a time they had had moving from place to place, and no doubt he had compassion on them, as he was a very kind and humane man. He addressed the head of this ungodly family as follows: "Old man, I have come to order you off of the face of God's green earth."

John W. Tuttle