Greene County PA Archives Biographies.....Barns, James June 24, 1790 - March 12, 1883
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Marta Burns marta43@juno.com June 15, 2025, 8:18 pm

Source: Biographical History of Greene County, Nelson, Rishforth, and Co, Chicago, 1888
Author: Samuel P. Bates

      James Barns, the subject of this sketch, was born June 
24, 1790, and died March 12, 1883.  He was the youngest son 
of Thomas and Sarah Barns, who were among the pioneer 
settlers of West Virginia.  They settled in the woods near 
where the thriving town of Fairmont now stands.  His parents 
were among the first Methodists in West Virginia, his father 
being a class leader many years, and his father's house a 
preaching place for a long time.
  
      At the age of fifteen, Mr Barns left his home to learn 
the trade of a millwright, and served an apprenticeship of 
five years.  In 1811 he had an attack of fever, the only 
sickness that ever caused him to lie in bed one day during a 
period of nearly ninety three years.  He was badly injured 
in 1870 by the running away of a team of horses, from the 
effect of which he was confined to his room for six weeks.
  
      On December 10, 1812, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Rhoda Davidson of Fayette County, Penna, a worthy 
companion of a worthy man.  Their union was blessed with 
nine children, five of whom were living, also present when 
he died.  This worthy couple were converted at a camp 
meeting held in 1819 near Brownsville, Penna, and their 
habitation became emphatically a house of prayer as long as 
they lived.
  
      In 1824 he became dissatisfied with the government of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church of which he and his companion 
were devoted members.  He took a deep interest in the 
controversy that agitated the church and culminated in the 
organization of the Methodist Protestant Church, and 
identified himself with the new organization in 1830.  He 
was elected as a lay representative from the Pittsburgh 
Annual Conference to the first General Conference of the 
Methodist Protestant Church, which held its session in 
Georgetown, D C, in May, 1834.  He was also a member of the 
General Conference of 1838, which held its session in 
Pittsburgh, Penna.
  
      In February, 1868, God took his beloved companion from 
him.  Her loss was painfully felt by him and his children, 
though assured of her future and eternal happiness in 
heaven.  On March 1, 1870, he married Mrs Mary Lantz with 
whom he lived in the enjoyment of great domestic happiness 
until February 12, 1880, the date of her death.
  
      Two years later he sold his farm and the old homestead 
in which he had lived sixty seven years to his son-in-law 
Isaac B Patterson, who married his youngest daughter Mary 
Ellen Barns.  This was very agreeable to all his children, 
as it keeps in possession of the family the dear old 
homestead where they were born and raised.
  
      Mr Barns had a good constitution and he took good care 
of it.  His habits were exemplary; he was strictly temperate 
and regular in his manner of life.  He always cultivated a 
cheerful disposition; lived in communion and fellowship with 
God; was always usefully and honorably employed; and to 
these things owed his long life, at the close of which he 
makes this note: "Have had great enjoyment all through life, 
and also health.  Have not laid in bed one day from sickness 
since 1811." Thus after a sojourn longer than that usually 
allotted to man, James Barns peacefully passed away; the 
last of as good a family as Virginia ever produced, 
consisting of four brothers: William Barns, M D; John S 
Barns Esq; Thomas Barns and James Barns.  There were three 
sisters: Sarah Willie; Phoebe Shinn, and Mary A Thrapp.  
These all lived and died in the faith, and left behind them 
families that revere their memories and imitate their 
virtues. "Children of parents passed into the skies..."

Page 608

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