The family and descendants of Joshua Barton, a native of South Carolina, who migrated to Covington County, were presented in a much earlier column. Since that time additional information on Joshua’s children and grandchildren has been made available. Today’s writing will outline that data.

DNA tests of Joshua’s descendants has indicated that he was part of the largest Barton family located in the Virginia and Carolina areas. The Barton Historical & Genealogical Society identifies this linage as Lineage I, which is the largest Barton line in the South. It should be noted that there are multiple Barton lines in the United States that are not related since before the 1600s.

DNA testing also has shown Enoch Barton who was born in 1819 in South Carolina and later resided in Randolph County, Ala., was related to Joshua Barton of Pike County. Research suggests that Enoch and Joshua were brothers. A Joseph Barton died in 1830 or 1831 in Edgefield County, S.C., and his will addresses sons Joshua and Enoch. Based on census records Joseph was born about 1790. At his death, both Joshua and Enoch were minors and were placed in other families under a guardianship arrangement. Joshua was given to a Solomon Davis and Enoch was given to a William Williams.

Joshua Barton was born circa 1818 in the State of South Carolina and died after 1880 in Crenshaw County, Ala., the area to which he had eventually migrated. He was married circa 1838 to Rebecca I. Hybrick who was born circa 1825 in South Carolina. Although it is not known, it appears they married in South Carolina. The couple migrated south and had settled in Pike County, Ala., by 1850, but they were enumerated in the newly formed Crenshaw County by 1870. They resided in Township #9 with a Rutledge mailing address.

Joshua and Rebecca Barton reared the following children: Martha A., b. 1839, d. 1883, m. 1859 Abner Lafayette Bristow; Lovina “Vina,” b. ca 1845, d. 1914, m. Joseph Sturgis; Jacob “Jake,” b. 1848, d. 1923, m. 1865 Arry Jeffcoat; Matilda F., b. 1849, d. 1904 or 1909, m. Daniel Bradley Rhodes; Martha, b. ca 1850; William Morgan, b. 1851, d. 1924, m. (1) 1871 Sarah “Sallie” Fonia “Fannie” Jeffcoat (2) 1908 Frona Elizabeth “Betty” Donaldson; John Calvin, b. ca 1854, d. 1925, m. (1) Gatsey M. Gammage (2) 1907 Lillie Mae Scheffer; Nancy E., b. 1856, m. 1886 James Cook; Joseph Frank, b. ca 1971, d. 1931, m. (1) Alabama Virginia McLeod (2) 1924 Arrie Pope; James L.P., b. ca 1860, d. young before 1870; Andrew Jackson, b. 1864, d. 1936, m. Martha “Mattie” Jane Aplin; and Sallie Malinda, b. 1868, d. 1931, m. 1887 John B. Bringhurst.

The oldest child listed, Martha A. Barton, was listed last in one census report, which also listed her last name of Barton. Also, there some indication that another child born in 1850 was named Martha. These factors raise some question, but it appears Martha A. is the first-born child of this family. Martha was born in 1839 in Georgia and died in 1914 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. She was married in 1859, while the family was residing in Pike County, Ala., to Abner Lafayette Bristow, son of Robertson Bristow and Sarah Husbands.

Martha and Abner reared the following children: Martha A., b. 1861, d. 1890, m. 1882 John Edmond Tobias (1842-1927); John L., b. 1862, d. 1929, m. (1) 1882 Mattie A. Henderson (2) 1890 Carrie Elizabeth Allinder; Jasper Franklin, b. 1866, d. 1936, m. 1892 Ella D. McLane (1871-1926); Sarah Lou, b. 1868, d. 1919, m. 1889 John McKnitt “Mack” Shelby (1849-1917); Jordan C., b. 1872; William Charles, b. 1874, d. 1943, m. Lilla B. Miller (1875-1958); Matilda Margaret, b. 1876, d. 1965, m. Sebe F. Boles (1872-1942); and Francis “Fannie,” b. 1880, d. 1962, m. (1) Fred Phillips (2) Tom Cobb.

The second daughter, Lovina “Vina” Barton was born circa 1845. She was married around 1870 in Crenshaw County, Ala., to Joseph Sturgis. They reared the following nine children: Mary R., b. ca 1872; Emma, b. ca 1874; Nancy J., b. 1875, d. 1948, m. William M. Turner; Lucy Milinda, b. 1878, d. 1946, m. Alonzo Williams; Joseph Andrew, b. 1880, d. 1966, m. 1905 Mary Savanah Chance (1887-1984); Martha A., b. 1881, d. 1960, m. Ira A. Curry (1885-1934); Georgia Ann, b. 1883, d. 1962, m. Andrew J. Curry; John Robert, b. 1886, d. 1966, m. 1910 Mamie C. Beck; and Beulah, b. 1890, d. 1965, m. 1907 John Henry Worley (1885-1971).

The oldest son, Jacob “Jake” Barton, was born in 1848 in Pike County. He was married in 1865 in the same county to Arry L. Jeffcoat (1843-after 1882), daughter of Ruben Jeffcoat and Frances “Fanny” Wyatt. He died in 1928 in Covington County. Jake and Arry had the following seven children: Saphronia “Fronie,” b. 1867; John Clayton, b. 1868, d. 1952, m. 1890 Ella Golden: Melissa, b. ca 1872; Matilda, b. ca 1874; Fanny Melinda, b. 1876, m. Joseph Bascom Harwell; and Palestine, b. 1878, d. 1943, m. Olin Smithart (1870-1954).

The next daughter, Matilda F. Barton, was born in 1849 in Pike County and died circa 1909 in Alabama. She was married in 1866 in Pike County to Daniel Bradley Rhodes, son of James William Rhodes and Nancy Ann Mills. The reared the following eight children: John, b. ca 1866; Thomas, b. ca 1871; Rebecca, b 1873, d. 1930, m. 1891 Jesse Carlisle; William Penn, b. ca 1875, m. Pherby Neese (1881-1960); Nancy, b. 1876, d. 1939, m. John Carlisle; Minnie Ola, b. 1877, d. 1915, m. 1898 Oscar R. Butts (1878-1960); Lulalia “Lue,” b. 1878, d. 1941, m. 1898 James Allen Bringhurst (1876-1964); and Emma, b. 1886, d. 1909.

Since there are genealogical data readily available on the remainder of Joshua Barton’s children, they will be outlined in next week’s column.

The source for this writing was the genealogical records of a Barton descendant, Jeff Lundy. Appreciation is expressed to him for his work and willingness to share it in this manner.

Anyone who might find an error in the above or who has additional data on the early generations of the Barton family is requested to contact this writer, Curtis Thomasson, at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; 334-804-1442; or Email: cthomasson@centurytel.net.

 

STRAUGHN SCHOOL ALUMNI

REUNION:

A school-wide reunion of alumni and former students is scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2017, 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the current middle school cafetorium. Everyone who attended Straughn at any time is encouraged to attend and celebrate the school’s 130th anniversary and enjoy seeing and visiting with old friends.

There will be no formal program, books or food—just an opportunity to enjoy fellowshipping with each other. For those desiring refreshment, someone will be selling soft drinks, coffee and water. Everyone is urged to attend and spread the word to help have a great turnout for this event! Please mark your calendar now!