The couple had ten children who lived to adulthood, seven sons and three daughters. It is not clear whether Elias and his family had always lived in the Saratoga area or whether they moved there from Edgecombe County, possibly the Tarboro area. However, given the size of the plantation Elias owned at the time of his death, it seems more likely that what has been interpreted as a move from Edgecombe to Wilson county, was simply a change of counties due to the fact that the Saratoga area of Edgecombe became part of newly established Wilson County in 1855. The fact that Elias' brothers William and Joshua - the latter being instrumental in the founding of Wilson County - also lived in the same area near the new county seat of Wilson.
In June 1856 Elias was struck by lightning and consequently died, leaving his wife with seven children ranging in ages from 1 year to 16 years of age still in the house, two sons were at university in Chapel Hill. In his will, Elias left roughly 480 acres of land to his widow and a little over 26,000 dollars worth of slaves to his widow and eight of his children. Mahala continued to run the farm until her death in 1873.
The couple had ten children who lived to adulthood, seven sons and three daughters. It is not clear whether Elias and his family had always lived in the Saratoga area or whether they moved there from Edgecombe County, possibly the Tarboro area. However, given the size of the plantation Elias owned at the time of his death, it seems more likely that what has been interpreted as a move from Edgecombe to Wilson county, was simply a change of counties due to the fact that the Saratoga area of Edgecombe became part of newly established Wilson County in 1855. The fact that Elias' brothers William and Joshua - the latter being instrumental in the founding of Wilson County - also lived in the same area near the new county seat of Wilson.
In June 1856 Elias was struck by lightning and consequently died, leaving his wife with seven children ranging in ages from 1 year to 16 years of age still in the house, two sons were at university in Chapel Hill. In his will, Elias left roughly 480 acres of land to his widow and a little over 26,000 dollars worth of slaves to his widow and eight of his children. Mahala continued to run the farm until her death in 1873.
Family Members
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Anna Belle Sharpe "Annie" Barnes Harris
1831–1879
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Benjamin Blount Barnes
1833–1891
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John Pinkney Barnes
1835–1861
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Capt Jesse Sharpe Barnes
1838–1862
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Edith Victoria Barnes Fordham
1840–1861
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William Sharpe Barnes
1843–1924
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Dr Joshua T Barnes
1847–1887
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Dr Willis Wilkins Barnes Sr
1852–1916
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Mahala Jane Barnes
1855–1872
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