Nathaniel Barnett Family Biography

This was written by Evan Powell Marks befor (sic) his death in 1898

Nathaniel Barnett was originally from Virginia, removed there to Broad River County in Georgia, thence to Montgomery Co., Ala, thence to this neighborhood.  Now Cleveland Co., Ark.  He came here in Nov. 1835 with his son-in-law, John Harvie Marks and settled on section 2 township 11s Range 11west.

 He was a man of fair ability, charitable and well to do, being the owner of a large tract of land and 50 or more slaves.  He belonged to no church and was a strong Whig in politics.  He was affected with white swelling and had his leg amputated. 

He married a miss Hudson, a daughter of Booker Hudson of Montgomery Co., Ala.  She died in Ala. Before he moved to Ark., and he never married again.  His children are as follows, Frances who married Judge Josiah Gould of New York, Dr. William D. who married Lydia Hughes of Louisville Kentucky, Martha who married Dr. Thomas W. Chowning of Maryland, Nicholas who married Miss Bella Hudson and afterward Olive, Sallie, and Martha Matthews, three sisters
living in Smith township of this county.  When he died, he left his children in good condition.

Francis who married Judge Gould died in the 50s, leavingn only one child, James Gould who is now a well to do merchant in Pine Bluff.  Judge Gould resides near Warren Bradley Co. and was a lawyer of note, besides being a man who had the confidence and good will of the people of the state.  He filled the office of Circuit Judge, Senator and representive (sic).  He was opposed to secession and never fully recovered from the loss sustained by the war.  He took very little interest in public affairs after this, hardly ever leaving his farm or intertaining (sic) company.  He hoever, married the 2nd time a Miss Clayton of Louisville by whom he had one son named Clayton.

Dr. Barnett was a graduate of Louisville school of Medicine.  While in school he married Miss Lydia Hughes.  After graduation they made their home with his father.  He started to practice in 1847.  He did an extensive practice and was,  no doubt, a well informed Dr.  He belonged to no church, was a Whig in politics and once represented his county int eh legislature. 

He was well-to-do until the war when his slaves were liberated and left him nothing but a large tract of land.  His children were Fanny, who married D.r J. B. Chowning, his cousin.  William H. who married Ella Marks his cousin. Addie who married G. C. Attwood and Charles who married Betty Graves.

Dr. Barnett, for a short time at the beginning of the war between the states, was a member of the 2nd Ark. Calvery (sic) (Confederate).  Was was distasteful to him and he returned home, where on account of his profession, he was allowed to remain.

Fanny his oldest child married her first cousin, Dr. J. B. Chowning, one of the most honorable men writer ever knew, an excellent physician, he enjoyed a large practice.  He, however, was addicted to drinking he only fault.  And there is no doubt his death was indirectly caused by intemprence (sic).  His death was a great loss to the community as no one was more loved than he.  He belonged to no church and was a democrat in politics.  His wife lives with her children on a part of the homestead of her father.

His children are as follows – Mary who married John Smith, Thomas, Molly and Bailey.  William H. Barnett married his first cousin, Ella Marks.  He is a member of the Methodist Church a mason and a democrat.  His children see under Ella Marks.

Addie married G. C. Attwood who now owns the Dr. Barnett homestead.  He is a wide awake farmer and prosperous and is from South Carolina.  His children are Cora, William D. & Lydia.  Charles Barnett.  Youngest child of Dr. W. B. Barnett married Betty Graves a daughter of B. W. Graves, of this county.  He lives on part of the homestead. 

Marth Barnett third child of Nathaniel Barnett, married Dr. Thomas Chowning of Maryland, was once a whig but now a democrat, belongs to the Methodist Church.  He was once well to do, but lost all during the war.  In disposition is rather extreme but courteous, honest gentleman.  He resides in the  county near Toledo. His children living are N. B. Chowning and Frances who married Ed Emerson.  They live in the neighborhood with their father.

Nicholas Barnett fourth child of Nathaniel Barnett, married Elizabeth Hudson, his first cousin, by whom he had 2 children to-wit. Nathaniel who married Mary Teague and Molly who married W. S. Amos.  His wife Elizabeth dying he married Olive Matthews by whom he had a living son Sidney, who married Sarah Rogers.  His wife Olive dying, he married her sister, Sarah Mathews, becoming separated from his wife Sarah by divorce he married Mollie Mathews Sarah’s sister by whom he had no children. 

His wife Molly dying he remarried his former wife Sarah, from whom he had been divorced.  He was a Whig, aftewards a democrat and a mason.  Just after the war was the wealthiest man in the county.  Served a short time in the war in the 2nd Ark Calvery (sic).  He was a farmer & merchant and represented his county in the legislature for one term.  He resided near Toldeo where his wife Sarah now lives.

Submitted by Patricia Blankenship

*SUBMITTER'S NOTE*

This is a handwritten document discovered at the home of Eva Mann Blankenship in Pine Bluff.  Mrs. Blankenship (who is now 92) is the daughter of Lizzie Barnett Mann, who is the daughter of Charles Caldwell Barnett and Mary Elizabeth Graves.  Charles Caldwell is the son of William David Barnett and Lydia Green Hughes.  William David is the son of  Nathaniel C. Barnett and Mary Margaret Hudson. 

The document consists of 6 pages of lined notebook type paper, and is written in red ink.  The document was found in an old Bible along with various unidentified photographs.  I will not change any spelling or punctuation, in an effort to maintain the integrity and the 19th century feel of the document.  I have no idea if the whole or part of this document is reproduced elsewhere, but I am fairly certain it is a copy of an earlier document.

This was all there was, and the pages are numbered consecutively.  As is evident by the passages alluding to additional information not presented here, more exists somewhere.  In addition, it is evident this copy is not personally written by Evan Powell Marks unless his anticipated his death in 1898.  Furthermore, the document is written in red ball point ink, but the paper it is written on is yellowed with age.