William Barrett, an admiral in the British navy, died in the prime of life, and his widow married a second time.

(II) James W., son of Admiral William Barrett, was born at Garnet Hall, Mackensfield, Cheshire, England, Sept. 27, 1818. When a lad of seven he was brought to America by his stepfather, who abandoned him on reaching New York City, and he had to make his own way in the world. He was taken to Rome, N.Y., by a Mr. Wheadon, who owned a line of boats on the Erie canal and employed him in driving the horses on the tow-path. He lived with and worked for this man until he was fifteen years old. He was afterward captain of a packet or passenger boat plying between Rome and Albany, N.Y., and followed this business for a number of years. He went into the hotel business at Rome, and afterward purchased a hotel at Leyden, N.Y., and conducted it many years under of name of Barrett's Hotel. It was situated on the West and State roads, two miles and a half north of Boonville, and before the railroad was built was the favorite stopping-place of the traveling public. He conducted this hotel for a period of twenty-six years, and became one of the best-known men in the business in this section. Then he purchased a hotel at Constable, N.Y., but four months later it was destroyed by fire. He returned to Leyden in the spring and in September following came to Lowville, where he afterward conducted the Lowville Mineral Spring House for two years. He lived for a time in the village and then took charge of Beach's Bridge Hotel in Watson, N.Y. After three years in this place he moved to the Old Forge House in Herkimer county, and conducted it for three years. He retired from active business and made his home in Boonville, Oneida county.
In politics he was a Democrat; in religion a Methodist.
He died Aug. 31, 1886; his wife, Nov. 11, 1897.
He married Mary H. Brooks, born at Leyden Dec. 25, 1820, daughter of Michael and Rosetts (Watkins) Brooks, of Middle Haddam, Conn. Her father was one of the first settlers of Leyden, coming from his Connecticut home with his family and household goods on an ox cart.
Children:
Ellen A., born Sept. 24, 1848, died May 7, 1850.
Ella Sophia, Oct. 12, 1850, died Oct. 17, 1850.
Frank A., Jan. 14, 1852, merchant at North Boonville, N.Y.
Ettella R., Oct. 4, 1855, married Gilbert R. Easton.
Charles M., mentiolned below.

(III) Charles M., son of James W. Barrett, was born at Leyden, N.Y., Lewis county, July 9, 1858, and was educated in the district schools of Leyden and Lowville Academy. He went with his father to Old Forge and was in partnership with him in the hotel business. Subsequently he purchased his father's interests and conducted the business on his own account for three years. He then purchased the Moose River House, which was the "dinner" house on the road from Boonville to Old Forge, and conducted it for five years. In 1893 he went to the third lake at Fulton Chain and purchased the property he now (1910) owns there, some hundred and five acres, virtually all the land between the head of the third lake and the foot of Bald Mountain, including the channel between the third and fourth lakes. On the land was a small building, half log and half frame, which he used as a camp until the new large hotel was named Bald Mountain House. Since then he has added a large annex, besides several cottages and other improvements, such as a bowling alley, dancing hall, an up-to-date steam laundry, boat house, etc. He has now one of the largest and most complete hotels in the Adirondacks, having rooms for one hundred and forty guests. The hotel is popular and the business has prospered wonderfully. Mr. Barrett spares neither time nor money to provide for the comfort and enjoyment of his guests. He has the experience and training as well as the natural qualifications for a successful hotel manager.
His wife deserves a full share of the credit for the success of the enterprise. Her supervision of the hotel and cottages is the secret of its homelike atmosphere and attractiveness, in large measure.
In politics Mr. Barrett is a Democrat.
He was made a Mason in Port Leyden Lode, No. 669, F. and A.M., and is a charter member of Northwoods Lodge, No. 849, and a member of the Lowville Club.
He married, Jan. 10, 1882, Mary G. Brown, at Watson, Lewis county, N.Y., Nov. 25, 1862, daughter of Jared T. and Susan (Gray) Brown. Her father was born in Watson, July 13, 1841, son of Isaac and Annis (Little) Brown. Isaac Brown came to northern New York from Colerain, Mass. Jared T. Brown is a farmer, now living at the third lake.
Children of Jared T. and Susan Brown: Fred J., born in Watson, May 28, 1867; Mary G. Brown, mentioned above; William T. Brown, born Sept. 7, 1871.
Children of Mr. & Mrs. Barrett:
Two died in infancy.
Earl Brown, born Nov. 21, 1890.

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