Myron Wesley BARNES
Birth:
10 Apr 1811
Hillsdale, Columbia, New York
Death:
5 Dec 1885
Okemos (Meridian Twp), Ingham, Michigan
Burial:
Leek Cemetery, Alaeidon Twp
Marriage:
27 May 1832
Middlebury, New Haven, Connecticut
Father:
Mother:
Notes:
From "A History of Ingham County, Michigan" Early Settlements (Durant),
p age 278
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Myron W. Barnes was born in Columbia Co., NY, in 1811. About 1835 he
remov ed to Genesee County [LeRoy] and from thence to his present
residence on t he southwest quarter of section 33, in 1842, arriving
October 2d. Onthe 8 th of October in the same year he entered at the
government land officefo rty acres, to which he has since added forty
acres. [The governmental land records shows a purchase of 40 acres June
1, 1848 - a copy of this la nd patent is included in these records.] His
land was densely timbered, a nd he built the first log house between
Okemos and the county farm the sa me fall. From the time he arrived until
he had his house ready for occupat ion, his family were domiciled in the
dwelling of Freeman Bray, at Okemo s, then called Hamilton. His family
then consisted of a wife and three sma ll children. Mr. Barnes was a
cabinet- and chair-maker by trade, and had n ever cut down a primeval
forest-tree in his life when he sat down upon h is land in Michigan. When
his cabin was ready to "raise" he traveled two d ays to find men enough
to help put it up.
Previous to coming West he had worked at his trade in New York and New
Eng land. His ancestors were originally from Connecticut.
The county was almost entirely a dense wilderness in 1842, and wild anima
ls were plenty, particularly deer, bears, and wolves. Mr. Barnes said "t
he bears carried off, first and last, more than fifty hogs in the
neighbor hood." There were no roads, and traveling was among the lost
arts. In fro nt of Mr. Barnes' residence is a fine row of locust-trees,
which he rais ed from the seed. He has also a large fruit-orchard and
good improvement s. He remembers his old trade, and still keeps a shop
for doing his own re pairing.
Excerpts from "HowOkemos Began: A Short History" by Ruth Stillman,
sponso red by the Friends ofthe Okemos Library
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
In 1842 Mr. Bray made one of his horse and wagon trips to Detroit and
brou ght back with him the Myron W. Barnes family. Finding asuitable
locati on on a hill about a mile south of Marsh's home (3716 OkemosRoad)
Mr. Bar nes built a log house, the only home between Hamilton villageand
the pres ent Holt Road... But to return to the Barneses -- they had
brought with th em locust tree seeds which they planted along the trail
side andwhich pro duced a row of fine trees. Some of the bushy growth of
this row may sti ll be seen as one travels along Okemos Road.
There was only a rough, stump-strewn trail through the dense woods betwe
en the Marsh and Barnes homes,and wild deer, bears and wolves were a
comm on sight by day and sound at night, oft-times a real nuisance as
well. T he story is told that Mrs. Barnes started out to go to the
Marsh's to spe nd the day sewing. A short distance fromtheir house she
saw wolves slinki ng along side the path behind the undergrowth. She
began to run and ran a ll the way over the rough trail with the wolves
keeping pace beside her. O ne can imagine her relief on reaching the
neighbor's house.
Mr. Barnes was a cabinet and chair maker by trade and did custom work f
or the new families as well as clearing off a good sized farm.
FromHistory of Ingham and Eaton Counties, Michigan by Samuel W. Durant
Published1880 by D.W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Ingham County Schools 1880
Meridian Township
Among the early inspectors of the schools were W.T. Rigby, A.W. Bennett,
T homas Humphrey, Merit Harmon, Elijah Richardson, William N. Lewis,,
M.W. B arnes, John H. Mullett, Seely Bloomer, M.D. Matthews, William W.
Gibson, C yrus Alsdorf, F.A. Jeffers, and M.D. Chat
Esther RIGGS
Birth:
17 Mar 1816
Oxford, New Haven, Connecticut
Death:
1 Jun 1883
Alaiedon Twp, Ingham, Michigan
Burial:
2 Jun 1883
Leek Cemetery, Alaiedon Twp
Father:
Blocked
Mother:
Blocked
Notes:
From the Barbour collection: Connecticut vital records prior to 1850
Barbo ur, Lucius B. (Lucius Barnes), 1878-1934
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Another possibility is: Birth: 10 Feb 1712 (or 1713)
Derby Twp, New Haven, Connecticut
Father: Edward Riggs
Mother: Abigail Nichols
though this Esther appears to have married Lemuel Carrington and died in
1 795 in Woodbridge, Conn.
From the 1830 census for Middlebury, New Haven Conn, possible fathers:
Sa muel, Eli, Thomas, Widow Sarah, L.
From Letters of Daniel Alonzo Nash
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
In those days envelopes were unknown and letters were written and broug
ht to the office. The Post Master would fold the letter into compact fo
rm and seal it with sealing wax.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Why is Esther not on the 1870 census with Myron?
From the Lansing Republican newspaper June 6, 1883
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Mrs. Esther Barnes, wife of M.W. Barnes, one of the early settlers of
Ingh am County, died last Friday. The funeral was largely attended at her
la te residence Sat. morning.
From Barnes House, Then, Now andAfter by Paula Gangopadhyay Executive
Dir ector, Meridian Historical Village& Project Chair Barnes House
Relocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
The mid 1800s saw vast westward migration from the east coast along the
Gr eat Lakes through Canada. The early settlers had the sheer tenacity
and st rength, as they found their way through the dark forests and deep
woods wi th the hope to carve out their new homes in these parts of the
country. Th ese people migrated along with some basic tools, and most
importantly an i ron will power to survive. Melzor Turnerwas one such
individual who to ok the risk. Historical references indicate that Melzor
crossed Lake Er ie on a frail bark, first stopped in Ohio, then in
Washtenaw County and fi nally came over the old log trail on an ox-cart
toIngham County. Okemos w as called Sanford in those days and there were
justtwo other pioneer fami lies living in this area namely the Brays and
the Marshes. Melzor was join ed by his wife and five children later. He
was a veteranof the war of 18 12 and was entitled to some land Indians
who lived in thearea, curio us to see a white child would come and peek
through the Barnes House windo ws, laugh and leave
The earlier homes of the settlers were built bycarpenters. Thus they we
re simple and reflected their traditional ideas with perhaps some local
mo difications Freeman Bray one of the early settlers,had operated a
taver n. Later on Caleb Thurber operated the 'Union Hotel' in
Okemos...what w as then called 'the struggling village east of East
Lansing'.
the last Township election in the summer of 1869 and according to a co
py of petition in Ms Jessie Turner's possession the 36 tax paying electo
rs of Meridian township who signed the petition were interested in bringi
ng therailroad to Okemos and they asked for an election for the purpo se
of votingto aid the Lansing Howell Rail Road Company traveling theatr
ical groups whoperformed in the upstairs of the Heathman-Herre House oft
en spent the nightin the Barnes House, which served as the main stagecoa
ch inn.
Children
Marriage
1
Birth:
13 Aug 1834
Goshen, Litchfield, Connecticut
Death:
5 Aug 1911
Leroy, Ingham, Michigan
Notes:
In 1870, Elizabeth and her husband had two nieces living with them, Minn
ie and Claudia Barnes, daughters of Thomas Jefferson Barnes. My gue ss
is that Jane Rose, Thomas's wife, had died and Elizabeth took over ca re
of the two girls.
Undated Obituary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Elizabeth A. Barnes - oldest of 5 children (2 brothers and 1 sister dea
d, 1 brother survives); born 13 August 1883* in Goshen,Litchfield Co,
Con n. died 8 Aug. 1911 and 77 years 11 m 22d. Married 2 Dec.1849 to
Geor ge M. Smith of Alaiedon Twp, Ing. Co, MI. They had 7 children,3 d.
as inf ants. Eldest son: Milo G. Smith 4 Oct. 1850 - 27 May 1911 60y 7m
23d mar r. Lucy M. Chadwick and had 5 kids.
* Error in date. Also in the obit were comments that the Barnes family
we nt from Conn. to LeRoy, NY in 1835, and on to Okemos 2 Oct. 1842;
Elizabe th lived on their farm until she married George Smith in 1849.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Bright's disease -- glomerulonephritis, nephritis, caused by inflammati
on or injury to the kidneys marked by the presence of albumin in the urin
e, serious kidney disease
2
Birth:
12 Oct 1838
Leroy, Genesse, New York
Death:
5 Jan 1915
Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan
Notes:
He may have been enlisted during the Civil War, although this has not be
en verified.
3
Birth:
17 Nov 1840
LeRoy, Genesse, New York
Death:
16 Dec 1909
Meridian Twp, Ingham, Michigan
Notes:
I had no idea Charles had been married a second time until I found the
rec ord of the marriage in the Ingham County Clerk's Office.
Then, on the 1900 Census for Meridian Twp, page 114 house 146/162
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
BarnesCharles HOct 1839Farmer
PhebeJuly 1857
Despite the middle initial and birthdate being wrong, this isclearly o
ur Charles. I would bet that Phebe answered the questions - she made
herse lf ten years younger.
From The Ingham County Democrat Weds 22 Dec 1909 Page 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Charles W. Barnes died at his home near Okemos last Thursday evening as t
he result of heart trouble, aged 69 years. Mr. Barnes was born inLeroy,
G enesee county, N.Y., and came with his parents to the farm where he
died w hen only two years old. He married early in life and four
children,the re sult of the union, are still living: two sons, Archie
and Angus and two da ughters, Mrs. O.E. Driver of this city and Mrs. Wm.
Palen, Jr. of Alaiedo n. Some years ago Mrs. Barnes died, and later Mr.
Barnes married Mrs. Hardenburg of this city, who died about a year ago
from paralysis.
From The Ingham County Democrat Weds 2 Oct 1907 Page 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Charles W. Barnes was born in LeRoy, Genesee county, N.Y., Oct. 18, 184
0, and died at his home near OkemosDec. 16, 1909, aged 69 years, one mon
th and 29 days. He came to Michigan with his parents at the age of two
yea rs. In May, 1844, they moved onto the farm where he has since
resided. Ja n. 23, 1863, he was married to Mary A. Keeler of Alaiedon. To
this union w ere born four children - Angus, Nellie, Lizzieand Archie.
Mrs. Barnes di ed in 1896. In 1897 Mr. Barnes was married to Mrs. Phoebe
Hardenburg, w ho died June 11, 1909. He is survived by his four children,
one brother, T homas J. of McCord, Kent county, a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth
Smith, of Webber ville, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral was
held Sunday at 2: 00 p.m. at Wilkins Memorial, Rev. C. L. Beebe
officiating and the remai ns were laid to rest in the Leek cemetery.
4
Birth:
29 Feb 1848
Meridian Twp, Ingham, Michigan
Death:
9 Sep 1889
Leroy Twp, Ingham, Michigan
5
Birth:
17 Dec 1856
Okemos, Ingham, Michigan
Death:
18 Sep 1894
Alaiedon Twp, Ingham, Michigan
Notes:
No death record was found in a search of Ingham County vital records.
Paraphrase of undated news clipping
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
He died while cooning, climbed a tree, fell about 50 feet to the ground,
w as carried unconscious to Mr. Dingman's, was revived and taken home whe
re he lived 30 minutes.
Undated news clipping
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Benj. Barnes lived about 2 miles south of Okemos - fell, breaking his nec
k;was about 35 years old and leaves a wife and 5 children.
FamilyCentral Network
Myron Wesley Barnes - Esther Riggs
Myron Wesley Barnes
was born at Hillsdale, Columbia, New York 10 Apr 1811.
His parents were Adino S. Barnes and Alice Norton.
He married Esther Riggs 27 May 1832 at Middlebury, New Haven, Connecticut . Esther Riggs was born at Oxford, New Haven, Connecticut 17 Mar 1816 .
They were the parents of 5
children:
Elizabeth Ann Barnes
born 13 Aug 1834.
Thomas Jefferson Barnes
born 12 Oct 1838.
Charles Wesley Barnes
born 17 Nov 1840.
Alice Bianca Barnes
born 29 Feb 1848.
Benjamin Franklin Barnes
born 17 Dec 1856.
Myron Wesley Barnes died 5 Dec 1885 at Okemos (Meridian Twp), Ingham, Michigan .
Esther Riggs died 1 Jun 1883 at Alaiedon Twp, Ingham, Michigan .