Descendants of the Barrett family arrived in Covington County sometime before 1830, which was quite early for this area. It has been reported that they came from Lancaster County, S.C., stayed for a number of years, and some later returned to that area while others moved to Tennessee.

There were no Barretts listed on the 1818 Tax List for Conecuh County, Ala., but there was one family, that of Joiner D. Barrett, here and enumerated in the 1830 federal census for Covington County. His household consisted of two males less than five years of age, himself between 20 and 30 years, and one female, his wife, from 20 to 30 years. For his farming operations Joiner owned one slave in 1830.

During the 1830s, there were several members of the Barrett family who traded and had accounts at the Old Cauleyville Store, which was located a few miles northeast of Rose Hill. The store stood about where the current Bill Butler house still stands today. Those having accounts there were D. Joyner (Joiner) Barrett, Wesley Barrett, Sarah C. Barrett, Martha Barrett, Daniel Barrett and F.J. Barrett. All these appear to have moved from Covington County by 1850.

By 1840 there were three Barrett households in Covington County. Joiner (Jiner) D. was still here at 40 to 50 years of age with his wife, 30 to 40. With them were two males, 10-15; one female, less than five; and one female, 5 to 10. Another household was headed by Rutha Barrett, who was between 60 and 70 years of age. With her were two males, 20 to 30, and one female, 15-20. A third household was that of Presly Barrett who was a male 30 to 49 years of age. With him was his wife who was 40 to 50; two males, 5 to 10; one female less than 5; and one female 10 to 15. Rutha was probably the mother of Joiner and Presley.

When the 1850 federal census for Covington County was recorded, there was only one Barrett household named, Benjamin J. Barrett. According to Ancestry.com, Benjamin is the son of James Timothy Barrett and Mary F. Willis. James Timothy was born in 1798 in South Carolina, and Mary was born in 1808 in North Carolina. Apparently their families had migrated to Alabama before they were married in 1846 in Butler County. In 1860 they were residing in the Oakey Streak community of that county. Both have been reported to have died there in 1866.

James Timothy and Mary Barrett reared the following 14 children: Benjamin James, b. 1826, d. 1863; Elizabeth, b. 1828; William R., b. 1830, d. 1865; Jesse, b. 1831; Mary Katherine, b. 1835, d. 1910; Ann, b. 1836; Vinietty, b. 1840; Timothy, b. 1840; James Daniel, b. 1843; Isiak, b. 1846; James R., b. 1847; John, b. 1848; Sterling, b. 1849; and Henry, b. 1850.

The oldest son, Benjamin J. Barrett, was a farmer in Covington County when the 1850 federal census was recorded. He was 24 years of age, and his wife, Mary Ann, was 21. They had two children: William, 3 years; and Martha, 1 year. Benjamin was born in Alabama, Mary Ann was born in Georgia, and the two children, in Alabama. William was born in Monroe County, but the remainder of the children appear to have been born in Butler County with the exception of the youngest who was born in Montgomery County. Benjamin grew up in Butler County, but he was in Monroe in 1847, Butler in 1849, Covington in 1850, and back in Butler when he patented 38.53 acres of land in 1852.

On May 5, 1862, Benjamin Barrett enlisted at 38 years of age to serve in the Confederate Army. He was assigned to Company H, Hilliard’s Legion, 60th Alabama Infantry Regiment, which was also listed as Company B, 1st Battalion. He died a little over a year later on September, 20, 1863, at Chickamauga, Tenn. He was buried in the State National Park in Vicksburg, Va. That left his wife a widow with their eight children ranging in ages from one to 16 years.

Benjamin James Barrett was married to Mary Ann Pitts in Butler County, Ala., in 1846. Mary Ann was the daughter of Chaney Pitts and Sarah Caldwell. Chaney was born in 1795 in Newberry, S.C. and died in 1851 in Pigeon Creek, Butler Co., Ala. Sarah was born in 1799 and died in 1859. Mary Ann was born in 1828 in Upson County, Ga., and appears to have moved to Franklin County, Tex., during the early 1870s with her children where she died in 1910.

Benjamin and Mary Ann Barrett reared the following eight children: William Satterwhite, b. 1847, d. 1908, m. 1869 Nancy Shelby (1847-1914); Martha Ann, b. 1849, d. 1880, m. John Thomas Stanley (1847-1891); Thomas Jefferson, b. 1851, d. 1919, m. (1) 1891 Mary Ann Holder (1856-1900) (2) 1900 Nancy Colon Shelby (1870-1931); Sarah Catherine, b. 1853, d. 1924, m. 1871 William Hardy Newsome (1852-1940); James Timothy, b. 1855, d. 1941; Andrew Jackson, b. 1857, d. 1923; Hicks C., b. 1859, d. 1874; and Mary Elizabeth, b. 1862, d. 1943.

William Satterwhite Barrett moved his family to Franklin County, Tex., during the 1870s, a few years after he was married. He had married Nancy Shelton in Monroe County, Ala., in 1869. She was born in 1847 in Russell County, Ala., and died in 1914 in Satillo, Tex. They reared the following nine children in Texas: Olive Virginia, b. 1871, d. 1908; Charles William, b. 1872, d. 1873; Joseph Eugene, b. 1874, d. 1972; Alder Bennett, b. 1875, d. 1954; Minnie Francis, b. 1876, d. 1878; Lora Ezerra, b. 1878, d. 1932; Elsia May, b. 1879, d. 1919; Robert Shubert, b. 1881, d. 1933; and Elbert Elijah, b. 1886, d. 1887.

Benjamin’s second child, Martha Ann Barrett, was married to John Thomas Stanley who was born in 1847 in Georgia. He died in 1891. They had one daughter, Henrietta Stanley, b. 1879 in Franklin, Tex., and died in 1960.

The next child, Thomas Jefferson Barrett, was married first in 1891 to Mary Ann Holder (1856-1900). They had two children: Dessie Mae, b. 1892; and Lucille, b. 1894. Thomas Jefferson was married second in 1900 to Nancy Colon Shelby (1870-1931). They had two children also: Bennie Lorene, b. 1903; and Paul Jefferson, b. 1907, d. 1989.

The fourth child, Sarah Catherine Barrett, was married in 1877 to William Hardy Newsome. They reared the following nine children: Charles Franklin, b. 1878; James Albert, b. 1880, d. 1960; Elizabeth, b. 1881; Alice Eugena, b. 1883; William Henry, b. 1884, d. 1969; Thomas Arch, b. 1887, d. 1997; Infant daughter, b.&d. 1887; John D., b. 1890; and Robert R., b. 1892.

The fifth child, James Timothy Barrett, was residing in Texas by 1874. He was married there first to Aletha Ann Bryant (1864-1899). After her death he was married second in 1901 to Viola E. Sorrels. He and Aletha had the following five children: Eddie, b. 1885, d. 1986; Annie Marbel, b. 1888, d. 1977; Charles Benjamin, b. 1890, d. 1980; Mary Maud, b. 1892, d. 1971; and a son (private).

The sixth child, Andrew Jackson Barrett, was married in 1878 to Georgia Augusta Holder (1859-1939). They reared the following six children: Clarence J., b. 1886; Thomas H., b. 1888; Myrtle L., b. 1891; Guy Hicks, b. 1893, d. 1981; Clyde L., b. 1896; and Daisy, b. 1900.

The eighth and youngest child, Mary Elizabeth Barrett, was married in 1878 to Thomas A. Holder. They resided in Texas and reared the following 11 children: Emma, b. 1878, d. 1982; Carrie, b. 1881, d. 1914; Birdie, b. 1883; Samuel, b. 1886, d. 1955; James Wright, b. 1889, d. 1891; Margie, b. 1894; Macie, b. 1896; Ella Mae, b. 1897; Ruthie, b. 1898; Max, b. 1900; and Mary, b. 1903.

It appears most if not all of the above families moved to Franklin County, Tex., where they lived and reared their families. No records were found of any descendants residing in this area since the migration to Texas.

The sources for this story were facts from local histories, Alabama Civil War Records and Ancestry.com. Anyone who finds an error in the above genealogy or who might have additional information on this 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.