PASSED AWAY
On last Tuesday morning the different church bells of this city tolled the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Barnes, a lady who had reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, seven months, and eighteen days. Few there are of our readers who have lived in Petaluma for any length of time, but know or have beard of this lady. Coming to this city in 1854, with a large family, she has made this her constant home up to the time of her death. A devoted and consistent Christian, her example throughout life has been each that would lead into the "straight and narrow way" those who might choose to emulate her virtues and follow her teachings. 'Tis seldom in the human race that we find such protracted cases of longevity as was hers. Born away back in the last century, only ten years after the Declaration of Independence by the United Colonies, and three after peace had been declared, she has lived to see this nation grow from the comparative weakness of its infancy to its present greatness and power. Of the millions that trod the globe when she was born, few indeed remain today. And now she, too, has been called! Time, the harbinger of death, had gone its prescribed length, and she has fallen a victim to the all- devouring King of Terrors! But who could not wish that when their hour of death shall come, that they could meet it with the fortitude and complacency of her of whom we write? Death to her came not in disease. It was but the rest lessness of a cabined soul, that, wearied with the flight of time, broke its prison house of earth, to take its abode among the blessed immortals of eternity. Without a struggle to torture, or a groan to startle, she sank quietly to sleep, leaving to her posterity, in her exemplary character, a legacy of more value than rubies or precious stones.

Her funeral took place from the Baptist Church, on Wednesday last. Rev. J. W. Johnson preached the funeral sermon, from a text of her own choice, found in Job, 18:25, in connection with the words found in Job. 5:20. The following we have been allowed to copy from the discourse, which bears directly upon the more important events of her life: Born March 8th, 1786, in the State of North Carolina, county of Burke and was married to Michael Barnes. March 8th, 1804. She and her husband were born in the same neighborhood, attended the same school, and the same church, from their childhood. In March, 1827, they removed to Indiana, where they remained twelve years, and then removed to Illinois, and lived there fifteen years. In 1854 they came across the Plains to California, with their son, Dr. T. L. Barnes, and settled in this town. In October, 1858, her husband died, since which time she has lived with her youngest son, William P. Barnes, in the old homestead. She experienced religion and joined the Bap- ist church in 1811. She was the mother of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, eight of whom still live, and with the exception of one daughter, all in this State. There are descendants to the fourth generation. The number of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren number one hundred and fifty-nine.

Petaluma Weekly Argus (Petaluma, California), 30 Oct 1869