Barnes Family information

miker5280 · 15-01-2008, 05:36

I recently got a copy of a letter from my mother that was written by her grandfather or my great great grandfather John Barnes. He was born in Accrington in 1843 and christened at Church Parish Kirk.

John wrote:
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"Father, George Barnes was a Mill Wright by trade and when I was born he ran Church Hall Foundary, but failed in business and died when I was three years old. My fathers folks were Bleachers at Whitebirk, near Backburn. My father lived at Whitebirk also his father and my great great father George Barnes. My great grandfather died at Whitebirk at the age of 96 and was buried at St. James Church Accrington. His stone is near the Church door and my father and mother on the other side of the Church. My great great grandfather had a brother, Joseph Barnes who lived at Church Parish owner of several coal mines and a land owner in Clayton Le Moors and owner of Print Works there.

My mother was Elizabeth Foster and lived near Oakeushaw Print Works. My father and mother were the first couple married at All Saints Church, Clayton Le Moors"
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From my research it appears the John emigrated to Rhode Island in 1893. He died in 1927.

I would love to find out if I still have any distant relatives that are in the Accrington area and if the stones mentioned are still at St James Church. Any other information that anyone may have about this Barnes family would be greatly appreciated

Mike

beechy · 16-01-2008, 13:32

this could well be why we have a barnes st
and a barnes square in clayton le moors

MargaretR · 16-01-2008, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by beechy

this could well be why we have a barnes st
and a barnes square in clayton le moors

There are 3 streets named Barnes St - in Accy, Church and Clayton

beechy · 16-01-2008, 14:04

none in ossy then

cashman · 16-01-2008, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by beechy

none in ossy then

no and they aint got a Gobbin Street neither.

forceten · 16-01-2008, 17:01

I bought my house from Mr Barnes who had the bleach works at Whitebirk. His mother lived here if I remember and he sold it to me after his mother died. From memory he was called Ken, (thats the son). If you wanted I could ask my neighbour for some information for you?

miker5280 · 17-01-2008, 04:06

Forceten,

Thank you so much for this information. I failed to mention in my original post that John had cousins that were still running the bleach works in Whitebirk after he emigrated to the US. I believe that there is a connection to the Barnes family that you bought the house from.

If it is not too much of a bother to ask your neighbour for any additional information I would very much appreciate it.

Mike

forceten · 17-01-2008, 08:03

Hi Mike

No problem at all. I bought my house 21 years ago, and I know it was from the Barnes man who ran the bleach works. Incidently that is not there now, it closed a number of years ago. It employed people from round this area.

My neighbour has been here alot longer than me, and knew Mrs Barnes. Over the weekend I will pop in and ask her for any information she has.