REUBEN BARRETT
1755 - 1814
Greenville, South Carolina
Not much is known about the childhood of Reuben Barrett. It is known and been proven that he had a brother Arthur Barrett as mentioned in Reuben's will. It is believed that John Barrett and Nancy Barrett are also Reuben's siblings although no record has been found saying this, they all attended the same church, Tyger Baptist Church. It has not however, been proven as to who his parents were. Some researchers call Reuben's father "Unknown Barrett".
UPDATE: I heard that a letter has been found to definatly identify Nancy Barrett Barton, the wife of David Barton as the sister of Reuben and Arthur Barrett. If I can get a copy of the letter I will see if I can post it on here. The letter is written by a grandson of Nancy talking about Reuben being Nancy's brother. (If you know about this letter please contact Janet Barrett Walker or Karen Hett, Jim Barrett or Dina McBride, Ann Lila, as we are all intrested in seeing it.)
Some researchers believe that Reuben's father was a Quaker, going only on the fact that Reuben's name was found on a wedding guest list of a Quaker marriage and he attended a couple of meetings also the fact that his children were well educated. However this is not solid proof. (Please see Rumors file on Index page)
UPDATE:Dina McBride has been trying find a connection between the Quaker Barretts and Reuben Barrett. She has published a synophisis on her website that contains alot of her research. Below is a link to read what she has so far.
Theories Relating to Reuben Barrett Parentage Reuben was born around 1755, some think Virginia although researchers have throughly looked thru Virginia records and find no proof of any Barrett living in that area at that time, the colonies had been unsettled for quite some time with all the taxations and rules being issued by England by the time of his birth. The population of the American colonies was exceeding 2 1/2 million and the American people were gaining more and more independence from England. England was not happy about this.
By the time Reuben Barrett was 15 years of age the Revolutionary War was well on its way, as the Boston Massacre took place in 1770. When Reuben reached 20 years old he migrated to the Old 96 District of South Carolina, and about 1778 he married Hannah. Believed to be Hannah Doty/Doughty there, whos birth date is unknown.
Some researchers say that Reuben was married to Hannah Nelson, and they say they have some valid documentation. The name Hannah Dill has been suggested, but that surname in relation to Hannah was based on an erroneous theory and most definitely is not correct.(Reuben and Hannah were witnesses to a Dill Will) The Doughty surname was given in some genealogical notes written by a Barrett descendant in the 1940's. Both the Nelsons, Dills and the Doughtys were early neighbors of Reuben Barrett, and either family could be Hannah's. It is also remotely possible that Reuben could have been married to two women with the first name of Hannah. We note that it is almost impossible for one woman to have been the mother of the oldest AND the youngest of Reuben's children, due to the limited fertility span.
I am compiling a paper a all the diffrent surnames that have been suggested of Hannah Barrett so that you will be able to compare them for yourself.
Reuben and Hannah settled close to the Tyger River, and attended the Tyger River Baptist Church. The church's records can be found at the Furman Library on microfilm. Karen Hett has researched these records there and tells that some pages were written with an ink from berries so have faded over the years. But she did find the names of John Barrett, Arthur Barrett, and Nancy Barrett. Arthur married Rebecca Barton and we know this is Reubens brother because he is a witness to Reubens Last will and testament as is Rebecca Barton Barrett and Arthurs son Caswell Barrett. Also Arthur is named as his brother in his will. It has also been found in genealogical records of Dr. Jackson that there is a letter stating that Nancy Barrett Barton was indeed his aunt. Also found in the church records was that Reuben was found drunk on two diffrent occasions and reported himself to church officials for drunkenness and was reprimanded for his actions and it was written up in the church minutes.To see some excerpts from the Church minutes there is a link below.
The same year that Reuben and Hannah were married the Americans revolted and Paul Revere made his famous ride through the countryside spreading the word that the "Redcoats" were coming. Reuben and Hannah settled into married life as best as they could. On 13 May 1779 a daughter was born Mary "Polly" Barrett.
One year later on 1 Aug 1780, Reuben was drafted into The Spartan Regiment as a private. We know from Reuben's audited accounts the following: He served 1Aug 1780 - 13 Sept. 1780 under Capt. Charles Holloway. He served 16 Sept. 1780 - 12 Feb. 1781 under Capt. Dennis Trammell. He served 13 Feb. 1781 - 28 Mar 1781 under Capt. John Lawson. Note: all the above dates are after the fall of Charleston. At this time, Col. John Thomas, Jr. was colonel of the Spartan Regiment.(Source:Karen Hett Genealogy which she researched from Reubens pension records and Reubens Military Records)
According to DAR Application papers, and as a horseman, Reuben had two horses shot out from under him in battle. He received an Honorable Discharge about the year 1781. Reuben returned home and applied for several Military Land grants from the New American Government. He and Hannah resumed having children and the second of twelve children was born in 1783, John Barrett who later married Millie Chastain. Then third, Joseph Barrett was born around 1784/5. In 1785 Margaret Barrett was born and later married Henry B. Prince, In 1786 David Barrett was born and later married Elizabeth Whitten.
The new link below is a map by Mel Odam, he created a map using land records and old maps to recreate the Highland Township in Greenville South Carolina where Reuben Barrett lived. He shows where Reuben's land was and who owned the land all around Reuben. I included this map in one of my books with his permission.Click on the link below then go to the Odam page and you will find the link for the map.
Map of Highland Township, Greenville, South Carolina
Reuben is found in the 1790 census of Greenville, District, South Carolina page # 069; Free White males over 16; 2. Free White Males under 16; 3, Free White Females; 3 and slaves; 3.
In 1791 Reuben Barrett Jr. was born and would later marry Sally Miller. 1794 Nancy Barrett was born and later married James Sellers 1797 Hannah Barrett was born and later married Sudduth Tolles 1800 Arthur Barrett was born and later married Mary Caradine 1803 William Robert Barrett was born and later married Nancy Berry 1806 Prudence "Prudie" Plumlay Barrett, she later married William J. Ward 1809 Elizabeth "Betsy" Wilson Barrett was born and later married Pendleton J. Hutchins. (All childrens birth years are taken from census records)
Reuben was a plantation owner and had slaves. A now desceased researcher once stated that he had "many" slaves but plantation and court records only indicate that he had about 4 slaves. The same researcher states that he was known as "Major" although their was no military significance, also that he had red-hair and was from Ireland, I for one would like to see the evidence for that statement. All of Reuben and Hannahs children received a very good education and many of them either became School Teachers, Judges and Preachers.
Hannah died around 1810, and it is believed she is buried in Tyger Baptist Church cemetery, in Greenville County, South Carolina.There are two stones in this cemetery that have R.B. and H.B. etched on them. It is believed that these are their graves although we do not have any proof.
In July of 1813 Reuben married Thompson Prince, the spinster sister of his son-in-law, Henry B. Prince. He died the following year.
SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH LINKS South Carolina research links is a page with links to Various South Carolina Court Records,The Quaker Records, Legal Documents and much more:
South Carolina Research Links Below is the link to the Forum page, if you would like to leave a query please feel free to. Or if you can answer any questions for the others who have posted there. Who knows you may find your connection to our Barrett Family.