My Genealogy Hound

DICKENSON S. BARRATT. It affords the biographer at all times a rare pleasure to chronicle the principal events in the histories of those brave pioneers who marched forward in advance of civilization itself and hewed out paths through trackless forests, opened roads, broke land hitherto untouched save by savages, and made out of a wilderness a beautiful country, whose grateful soil richly rewards the careful labor of the husbandman. Among such pioneers prominent mention belongs to the subject of this sketch and his estimable wife, both of whom have ceased from the labors of life, and now rest peacefully side by side, undisturbed by song of bird or merry laugh of children.

New Jersey was the native State of Mr. Barratt, and in Camden he was born October 16, 1796. His father, Caleb Barratt, was likewise born in New Jersey, and emigrated to the Buckeye State in 1820. Our subject accompanied him, and immediately began to work for himself, laying the foundation for a home of his own. Here also he met and wooed Miss Fanny Farnham, with whom he was united in marriage December 26, 1822. Mrs. Fanny (Farnham) Barratt was born in Waterbury, Vt., while her father, John S. Farnham, was a native of New Hampshire. He was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War, his services extending over a period of five years, during which he was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He came to Ohio in 1810, when his daughter Fanny was but seven years old. She remembered crossing Lake Chautauqua, N. Y., in a skiff with her cousin, Miss Bemis; the crossing is yet known as the Bemis Crossing in honor of the family.

Upon leaving his Eastern home Mr. Farnham made his way to the head waters of the Ohio River, where he made a raft by lashing two flat-boats together, on which the family came as far as Montgomery, and there spent the winter. They then took up their residence at Centreville, where they carried on a farm and dairy, keeping thirty cows and making cheese, which was hauled to Cincinnati in wagons. In 1820 they removed to Clark County, locating on the place now occupied by their granddaughter, Miss Adeline Barratt. There Mr. Farnham died in 1827, his son-in-law, the subject of this sketch, passing away at the same place, July 15, 1836. Both were interred in the Fletcher churchyard near Springfield. They were of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and the Fletcher Church was the nearest one during the lifetime of Mr. Barratt.

Mrs. Barratt lived until January 31, 1890, when she died from the effects of a fall she had received on December 4 preceding. She had reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. Her life had been characterized by the same sincere piety that had made her husband so deeply regretted when he was cut down in early life, and she also possessed social qualities that gained the respect of those about her. We append the following obituary notice of this excellent lady.

“Friday evening, January 31, 1890, Mrs. F. Barratt died at her home four miles west of South Charleston. On December 4, eight weeks prior to her death, she fell, dislocating her hip and fracturing her right thigh bone, from which injuries she was a patient sufferer, never murmuring. She was born at Waterbury, Vt., December 23, 1803. When a child of seven years her father, John S. Farnham, and family were among the many who came West. A wagon transported them to the river, where they constructed a raft by lashing two flatboats together, and upon this they put their possessions. Winter coming on, the ice became so thick in the river that they spent a few months in Montgomery, Ohio. The spring following they removed to Centreville, on a farm a few miles from Lebanon, and engaged in the dairy business, hauling their cheese to Cincinnati to be disposed of at low prices or exchanged for salt and other essentials.

“On the 1st day of March, 1820, John S. Farnham entered a tract of land in Madison Township, now known as the Hall farm, and thereon erected a house, which is still standing. On December 26, 1822, the daughter, Fanny, became the wife of Dickenson S. Barratt, who shortly afterward purchased a portion of the Farnham homestead, erecting a house, where his widow afterward resided. She lived a quiet life during her last years, and it was not generally known of what a relic Madison Township could boast. Up to the time of the fatal accident she was active for one of her years, being eighty-six on December 23. She was a true, noble Christian woman, an affectionate mother of six children, and a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church at Pleasant Grove. She delighted to have her friends come in, and songs of praise and prayer were often heard in her sick room. Mrs. Barrett’s remains were laid to rest beside those of her husband at Fletcher Chapel, February 2. The services at the church were conducted by the Rev. B. F. Zell, and the large audience bore evidence to the high esteem in which the departed was held. All who knew Mrs. Barratt recognized in her all that was good and true, and extended the hand of sympathy to those of her family who are left to mourn the loss of one whom all sadly miss, and who wait in hope of a glorious immortality.”

The family is now represented by Miss Adeline, who still lives on the old homestead, which now comprises thirty acres, and who is the only survivor of six children. The others were named Clorinda, Menda, Sophronia, Sarah and Webster. The brother died in Jacksonville, Fla., of lung-fever. He left a son and daughter, both of whom are now married. None of the sisters were ever married. Miss Barratt is a lady of high character, womanly graces, and intelligence. She ever cherished the memory of her deceased parents, and endeavors to carry out the precepts governing their lives, and to continue every good work in which they were interested.

The portrait* of Mrs. Fanny Barratt, mother of Miss Adeline, is shown in connection with this sketch.

*A portrait was included in the original printed volume.