Charles Barney Sr.

Charles Barney Sr., was the son of Luther and Niber Abigail Winship Barney. He was born March 23, 1783, in Massachusetts. He was an early pioneer of Utah. Arrived in Utah, Sept. 9, 1852, with the Bryant Jolley Co. The hardships of the early pioneers were neither exciting nor pleasant, with no one to cheer them on their way. They struggled onward facing the blazing sun and heat and the cold blasts of winter. With their faith in God, they journeyed onward until they reached Utah. The Indians were very bad in those days and they never knew when they camped at night what might happen before the early hours of the morning, but still they never gave up hope of reaching what was called the promised land. He was one of the early settlers of Spanish Fork, Utah. However, he soon moved out of town to what is now Lake Shore. It was then called Spanish Fork west branch. He built the first dugout in Lake Shore, near the Spanish Fork river. The dirt had to be thrown out with their hands as they had no shovels at that time. This dugout was built where the George Mikesell home was located as near as can be remembered. According to the history records, he was married in the eastern states and his family were all born before he came to Utah. The records show that he worked his way from the land of his birth, all along the way as they were rearing their family. He was married to Mercy Yeoman. She was born in Connecticut, Oct. 1785, and died Oct. 25, 1825. He then married Deborah Riffle Street. We have no dates of her birth. Records show two more wives, Salley Hartfield and Salley Rosebrooks. We have no dates of them. He was the father of sixteen children. After a year or so he moved to Sanpete Co., where his second wife Deborah died. They made their home in Spring City, Utah. He used to travel by team and wagon for Spring City to Spanish Fork, and had some very narrow escapes from the Indians. One time when he was coming down Salt Creek canyon he took very sick. He told the folks he would have to stop as he was too sick to stand the rough roads any longer. They stopped but it was only a little while until they saw some Indians a short distance away. They soon had the horses hitched up and ready to leave. He did not stop to think how sick he was. They made their way out of the canyon as soon as possible. We think his occupation was farming. He came back to Lake Shore to live and died at Lake Shore February 28, 1866. He is buried at Spanish Fork.

LIFE HISTORY OF CHARLES BARNEY
23 March 1783 Manchester, Bennington, Vermont- 28 Feb 1865 Spanish Fork, Utah.

The third child of ten children born to Luther Barney and Niber Abigail Winship was Charles Barney born at Manchester, Bennington, Vermont on 23 March 1783. Twenty two years later, just fifty miles Northeast of Manchester Vermont Joseph Smith was born at Sharon, Windsor, Vermont. Though their movements in life would closely parallel, their paths did not cross until Charles was almost 50 years old. The life of Joseph Smith would eventually change the destiny In a service pension application made in 1878, Debra Riffle Barney makes this description of her husband Charles Barney at the time of his enlistment: “About 30 years old, 6 feet high, fair completion, dark hair, and dark blue eyes.”
While living at Knox County Ohio two additional children were born to Charles and Mercy Yoeman, Lurinda born 1813 and Henry born 1st January 1816.
In 1818 after about four years living near Clinton, Charles moved his family about nine miles, built a home, and began clearing land for a farm. This was very difficult because the Land was covered with heavy timber that had to be cleared by hand. That winter their new home was accidently burned with most of its contents. This left them without shelter from the cold and storms which forced Charles and his family to move South about one hundred miles to Fayette County Ohio to live with his in-laws (Mercy Yoeman’s family). As soon as time permitted Charles established his new home in Illinois. While traveling to Illinois an accident damaged their wagon. This necessitated a stop at a blacksmith shop. The blacksmith happened to be an old acquaintance that convinced Charles that the land in Sangamon County, Illinois was rich and sparsely populated. He thought they should settle there. As a result Charles rented a farm in Sangamon County and put in crops. In July of 1826 Charles and Lewis returned to Ohio for the other children, leaving Lucien to care for the crops.
Upon making preparations for their return trip a young lady by the name of Debra Riffle Street, who had to be acquainted with the family, asked to go with them.
Debra was the daughter of Margaret Helmick and George Riffle who were married 20 December 1802 at Randolph County Virginia (now West Virginia). Debra was born 22 September 1808 at Miami County, Ohio about 40 miles West of Fayette County. Family tradition states that “Debra Riffle may be known as “Street” or “Sellers” as when her father George Riffle and her mother Margaret Helmick Riffle were visiting friends the father (George) went out and said he would be back soon, but never was heard of again, in all probability killed by the Indians. So the Mother (Margaret Helmick) gave Deborah to a family by the name of Sellers until Margaret married second husband William Street. It is not known by the author how long Margaret was married to William Street or how long Deborah lived with this family but in a will of Margaret’s father Jacob Helmick in Randolph County Virginia dated 1815, Margaret was not mentioned. So it is presumed by the author that Deborah was an orphan by the time she was mentioned in the following incident. It is a logical explanation of her friendship with the Barney family. Luther Barney gives this account: “We set to work making the necessary preparation to start on our return journey. There was a young lady of my age that had taken quite a fancy to our family and proposed to go with us. As she was of good reputation and having no permanent home in the
country. Father told her that it would not be prudent for him to take her with us unless she was married and have someone as protector. So father declined taking her. Upon hearing this she made a solemn appeal to our sympathy not to leave her behind. So after we had our team hitched up and started on our journey through the importunities of the connections, Father told the girl if
she could make up her mind to become his companion he would take her with us. To this she readily consented. So we stopped the team in the road and Father and she went to Uncle Walter Yoeman’s house and were married.
This unusual courtship and marriage took place on September 21, 1826. Charles was about 42 years of age at that time.” Deborah was 18. After the marriage they resumed their journey and arrived in Sangamon County Illinois on October 8, 1826 finding the crops ready for harvest. The next spring Charles located a claim for a farm called Lake-fork of Salt Creek in Logan County, Illinois. While living a Lake-fork six children were born to Charles and Deborah Riffle
Barney: Emerine Born 12 August 1828, Elizabeth (Betsy): Born 7 March 1830, Louisa born 1831, Benjamin Franklin Born 12 March 1832, Margaret Matilda Born 8 November 1834, and Thomas Jefferson Born 25 December 1836.
In order to secure title to the land Luther arid Lewis worked in lead mines in Northern Illinois until they had enough money to secure about 80 acres of land. The farm produced vegetables, sugar, honey, and fruits of all kinds in abundance. The family raised corn, cattle and pigs and hunted wild game. Through hard work they began to enjoy a good life in the frontier land. Trouble, however, was brewing. In 1832 the Sock and Fox Indians of Iowa invaded Illinois at Rock Island and killed some white settlers. The raid was led by Chief Black Hawk who had refused to accept a contract giving all lands east of the Mississippi to the United States. Black Hawk felt the treaty had been unfairly made and claimed that the chiefs had been given liquor before signing it. Members of the Barney family became involved in the ensuing Black Hawk
War which, when concluded, secured Iowa as a part of the United States.
In 1838 Charles and Lewis Barney traveled to Iowa to see what the land was like. Being very impressed they both located a claim of a thousand acres of land each which consisted of prairie and timber lands. This land was locates in Henry County, Iowa. Charles sold his farm in Illinois and secured a government patent for the Iowa land and began establishing a farm there. In the adjoining state of Missouri heavy persecutions was raised against the “Mormons” (Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Joseph Smith had purchased land in Jackson County Missouri in 1831 and a large number of members were moving there, the church membership continued to grow rapidly from missionary work. Early settlers of Jackson County feared that the “Mormons” would get political domination and hated the industry of its people. Mobs were organized to force the “Mormons” out of Jackson County into Clay County and then into Caldwell County Missouri in 1836. An election was held to attempt to prevent the “Mormons” from voting and persecutions continued to increase. In 1838 with the aid and instigation of the governor, Lilburn Boggs, state troops attacked defenseless Mormons at a mill in a small settlement, killing men, women and
children. This was followed by an order by Governor Boggs: “The “Mormons” must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the state, if necessary for the public good.” As the “Mormons” were driven from Missouri the main body crossed the Mississippi into Illinois. Others scattered into Iowa. By this time rumors had reached the ears of Charles and his family that the “Mormons” were the most outrageous and hardened set of criminals that ever graced the earth.

As Mormon Missionaries were sent out from the Church they eventually contacted members of the Barney family. Lewis gives this account in his journal: “They sent out their missionaries preaching to the people setting forth their grievances and an explanation of the trouble between themselves and the people of Missouri. Upon investigation I found the Missourians were in the
wrong and without cause of provocation, and without legal authority or process of law driven the Mormons from their own lands and homes. That they had bought of the general government. “Lewis states that he was surprised that the missionaries sang religious songs, spoke of the teachings of Jesus, the second coming, the gathering of Israel, and about a prophet ( Joseph Smith) to whom God had spoken. They also taught that Jesus had restored the Priesthood and his original church to Joseph Smith. In 1840, after about two years of investigation and becoming acquainted with Joseph Smith and other “Mormons” Charles Barney and his family joined the Mormon Church. (Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints) They attended meetings with a small branch of about 30 members. Some of the members wished to sell their farms and move to Nauvoo, Illinois where Joseph Smith had purchased land in 1839 and had established the new church headquarters. In 1841 Charles sold his farm in Henry County, Iowa at a great loss and moved to Nauvoo about 60 miles away. They bought a house and lot in Nauvoo on a street called “Brick Row” and lived
there for about one year. Being accustomed to farm life, Charles bought a quarter section of farm land about 12 miles from Nauvoo. Part of the time they lived on the farm and part of the time in Nauvoo. Charles Barney became actively involved in the Church, holding office of High Priest. He received a patriarchal Blessing from Hyrum Smith (brother of Joseph Smith) on September 6, 1841 and became personally acquainted with Joseph Smith. On one occasion the Barney family loaned Joseph Smith $200.00 to pay for court cost incurred because of false charges which had been brought against him. In 1842 Joseph Smith was accused by the Missouri persecutors of complicity in the shooting of
ex-Governor Boggs. Because of the continuous harassment of the Missouri persecutors the people of Illinois also became involved which brought .about a new series of persecutions against the “Mormons”. On the 24 of June 1844, Thomas Ford, the governor of Illinois, raised an army of about 3000 men and sent: them to Carthage, Hancock County. (The county seat of Hancock County) which was about 18 miles from Nauvoo. At Carthage the governor made an order that Joseph Smith give himself up to the officers and come to Carthage to be tried on charges of treason against the state. Governor Ford pledged protection to Joseph Smith if he would come. Some members of the church were in favor of having Joseph go to Carthage and stand his trial. They said it would all come out right and he would be acquitted. This they thought would help
put an end to the persecutions. Joseph smith agreed to go but on the way said: “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am as calm as a summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offence toward God and all men.” Joseph Smith was put in the Carthage jail with his brother Hyrum and others. On June 27, 1844,
while defenseless in Carthage Lewis returned to his home in Nauvoo and made arrangements with members of the church to bring his grain to Nauvoo. As the church members were driven from Nauvoo Lewis gave the majority of his grain to those who had no provisions. A call was made for volunteers and teams
to help the poor from Nauvoo. Lewis volunteered and gave two teams and wagons. On February 7, 1846 Lewis Barney crossed the frozen Mississippi with the exiled Mormons. As Lewis said: “Being mobbed and driven from our hard-earned homes and firesides in the dead of winter to perish with the cold and hunger for no other cause than we dare believe in the word of the Lord contained in his revelations to man on earth. The exiled Mormons camped on Sugar Creek eight miles west of Nauvoo. There they stayed three weeks exposed to the most severe storms that occurred that winter almost in sight of their warm homes in Nauvoo. At the end of three weeks Lewis and the body of Mormons traveled
west across Iowa. Upon reaching Garden Grove, Iowa, Lewis was discharged to return for his own family. Charles Barney also had crossed the Mississippi in- to Iowa and was at Des Moines. Luther joined the family there and traveled southwest along a trail in order to find the Mormon trail. In about June 1846 Charles and his family arrived at Council Bluffs Iowa (known then as Kanesville) near the Missouri River, and there began building a settlement with the exiled
Mormons.

Soon after their arrival Captain James Allen of the United States Army arrived at Council Bluffs with an order for 500 men to go as soldiers and serve one year in the Mexican War. Because of their belief and devotion to America and its Constitution the Army of 500 Mormons, known as the Mormon Battalion, was formed. This happened in spite of the fact that the Constitutional rights of the Mormons had been violated and even appeals for help to Governors
and the Presidents had been denied. Walter Barney, Charles’ 5th son volunteered and in July of 1846 the Mormon Battalion left for the longest sustained infantry march in history. Meanwhile, preparations were made by Charles Barney and the other exiled Mormons for the coming winter. A second camp was established on the West side of the Missouri called Winter Quarters. Approximately 3,500 people were sheltered in log and sod shelters that winter.
In the spring of 1847 Brigham Young, the new leader of the Mormons, made preparations for an advance party to establish a permanent settlement in the Rocky Mountains. Lewis Barney was asked to go and serve as a hunter, helping provide wild game for the one hundred and forty-eight who would arrive in Salt Lake Valley, Utah in July of 1847. Charles Barney and the majority of his family remained in Council Bluffs, Iowa for the next five years. They built a house near Mosquito Creek about 8 miles from Council Bluffs. Church members who remained at Council Bluffs, and other settlements along the way, assisted
new converts from England, Denmark and other European Countries as they traveled across the plains on their way to Utah. Lewis Barney returned from Utah and established a farm in order to prepare for the move to Utah.
On the 15 of June 1852 Charles Barney (nearing 60 years of age) left Iowa with the Bryant Jolly wagon Company which consisted of 50 families. Lewis Barney served as captain of the first ten families. All of Charles’ remaining family, except Luther and Lucian Barney who went to Texas, joined the Western movement and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on September 9, 1852 after three months of hardships and danger on the open plains. The hardships of the early pioneers
were neither exciting nor pleasant, with no one to cheer them on their way. They had only their profound faith and courage to keep them going. They struggled onward facing the blazing sun, heat and cold blasts of winter. With their faith in God they journeyed onward until they reached
Utah. Upon arriving in Utah the Barney family was ad-vised to go to a new settlement on the Provo River which Walter (who had returned from the Mexican War) had been sent to help establish. This was near the present town of Provo, Utah County, Utah. Upon arriving in Utah County in the late summer of 1852, a new settlement was opened west of Spanish Fork on the Spanish Fork River near the Southwest shore of Utah Lake. The new settlement was called Palmyra, Utah, named after the before mentioned home of Joseph Smith in Palmyra New York. The following Barneys are listed in “The History of Spanish Fork” as living in Palmyra during the year 1852: Henry, Walter, Benjamin, Charles, John, and Lewis Barney. Charles Barney built the first dugout near the Spanish Fork River. In “The History of Spanish Fork” the following information is given: “Because of the scarcity of building material, they were forced to make themselves shelters in the ground, which were called “dug-outs.” The dugouts were places dug in the ground, usually four or five feet deep, with steps leading down into the room from one end, and a roof usually made from willows and mud. The dug outs were quite warm and comfortable during the winter, there being a fire-place in the end opposite the entrance. They were generally without windows, so in order to get light, the door must be left open, or the open fire depended on for illumination.
George A. Hicks an early settler in the Spanish Fork area gives this account: During the fall of 1852, a great many settlers came to the town site and soon there were great; numbers of cellars dug and occupied. During the winter the town was nearly, all underground; though a few persons put up log rooms. The winter passed away very pleasantly. We had no meat to eat, only as we
chanced to kill jack rabbits when the snow was on the ground. The snow was deep most of the winter and having to feed the stock we drove them among the cane and willows on the borders of Utah Lake where they lived and kept their flesh.

Indians were often unfriendly in those days and Charles and his family had many close encounters with them. Sometimes having to travel to Spanish Fork for protection or huddling in boats on Utah Lake to escape the Indians. Working hard Charles and his family again established them-selves and began enjoying the fruits of their labors. However the summer of 1855 brought much hardship again to Charles and the early settlers of Palmyra. In the fall of 1854, according to the record of George A. Hicks, there came a great cloud of grass hoppers and settled upon the land along the river. The settlers thought nothing of their coming, for it was too late in the fall for them to do any great, damage to
the crops, everything having been harvested except some late pieces of corn. In the spring of 1855, how- ever the young hoppers hatched by the millions. They ate every blade of grain and every spear of grass. Everything green was devoured by them not only in Palmyra but the whole valley appeared as though it had been scorched by a fire. So the summer and winter of 1855-1856 was a very difficult time for the settlers. Those who had provisions shared what they had but the majority of the people lived on fish caught in nearby Utah Lake. In the early spring of 1856 they ate “pig-weed” (lambsquarter) since most all of their
provisions were gone. In 1856 Charles applied for and received a land warrant for his service in the War of 1812. The land he received he then sold.
It is reported by one granddaughter that Charles also lived in Spring City, Sanpete County, Utah. Through much hardship and persecution Charles Barney and his wife Deborah kept their faith and established a great heritage and a large posterity in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Charles died at the age of 82 at the home of his son Benjamin Franklin Barney at Lake Shore, Utah County, Utah 28 February 1865. He is buried at Spanish Fork. Two days before Charles’ death William Street Barney, the 7th child of Charles and Deborah, who lived at Spring City, died. He had fallen from a horse and was dragged to death. Charles’ wife, Deborah then applied for a widow’s pension since Charles had served in the War of 1812. She received $20.00 a month pension and went to live with Hannah Stoddard Barney, the widow of her son William. Deborah helped support Hannah and her four small children with her widow’s pension. Deborah died at Spring City, Utah 18 September 1888 and is buried there. Compiled 1980 by Nolan and Kaye Barney from the following sources: “The Life of Lewis Barney” by Lewis Barney (son) Biography of Charles Barney by Mary C. Barney (g. granddaughter)
Historical notes of Lenone Barney Jensen (g. grand- daughter)
Historical notes of Charles Barney land
Louisa Black Pratt (granddaughter) warrant Washington D.C.
Pension Application Deborah Riffle Barney Wash
Patriarchal Blessing of Charles Barney.
“The History of Spanish Fork” Spanish Fork Library.
Re-copied for our Genealogy Books On this form and on this type of paper.
By Delma Ione Barney Davis 27 January 1987
Biography OF CHARLES BARNEY
Pioneer of Utah County. Came to Utah Sept. 9, 1852
Written by his Great-Granddaughter Mary C. Barney July 1, 1937
Camp-Lake Shore Daughters of Utah Pioneers of Utah County
Charles Barney was the son of Luther and Niber Abigail Winship Barney and he was Born, March 23, 1783 in Massachusetts. He was an early pioneer of Utah and arrived in Utah September 9, 1852 with the Bryant Jolley Company. The hardships of the early pioneers were neither pleasant or exciting, with no one to cheer them on their way; they had only their profound faith and courage to keep them going. They struggled on- ward facing the blazing sun and heat and the cold blasts of winter, but with their faith in God, they journeyed onward until they reached Utah. The Indians were very bad in those days and they never knew when they camped for the night what might happen to them before the early morning hour, but still they never gave up hope of reaching what is called the Promised Land. He was one of the early settlers of Spanish Fork, Utah. However, he soon moved out of town to what is now Lake Shore; it was then called Spanish Fork West Branch. He built the first dugout down here in Lake Shore
along the Spanish Fork River. He had to throw the dirt out with his hands as they did not have any shovels then. This dugout was built where George Micksell now lives, as near as we know. According to the History Records he was married in the Eastern states and his family were all born before he came to Utah. The Records show that he worked his way from the land of his birth all along the way as they were rearing their family. He was married to Mercy Yeoman and she was born in Conn. October 1785 and died October 25, 1825. He then married Deborah Riffle, but we have no dates of her birth. The Records show there were two more wives: Sally Hartfield and Sally Rosebrocks, and we have no dates of them. He was the father of sixteen children. After a year or so he moved
to Sanpete County where his second wife Deborah died. They made their home in Spring City, Utah. He used to travel by team and wagon from Spring City back here to . Spanish Fork and had same very narrow escapes from the Indians.
One time when he was coming down through Salt Creek Canyon he took very sick. He told the folks that he was with that they would have to stop, that he was too sick to stand the rough roads any longer. So they stopped but it was only a little while when some of them saw some Indians at a short distance. They soon had their team hitched and ready to leave and he did not stop to think any more of how sick he was. They made their way out of the
canyon as soon as possible. We think his occupation was farming. Before he died he came back to Lake Shore where he died Feb. 28, 1866, and was buried in the Spanish Fork City cemetery. His family is as follows:
Luther, born 8 Sep 1805 in Niggary Co. New York died June 3, 1879.
Lewis, born 8 Sep 1808 in Niggary Co. New York, married Elizabeth Turner Died Nov. 5, 1895.
Lucien, born in 1811 in Niggary Co. New York died June 3, 1897.
Lurinda, born in 1813 in New York, died June 3, 1897.
Henry, born in 1816 Wain Fayette Co Ohio.
Walter, born 7 Jan 1819 Wain Fayette Co. Ohio, married Caroline Haws.
John, born April 15, 1823 in Wain Fayette Co. Ohio, married Burn Abigail Wash.
Melinda, born 18 Oct 1825 in Wain Fayette Co. Ohio.
Children of second wife:
Emeline, born Aug. 13, 1828 in Lake-fork Sangamon Co. Illinois married Benjamin Leland.
Betsey, born Mar 1830 in Lake-fork Sangamon Co. Illinois married Benjami Leland
Lousia, born in 1831 in Lake-fork Sang am on Co Illinois.
Benjamin Franklin, born March 12, 1832 in Springfield, Ill., died Dec. 7, 1904.
Margaret born, July 12, 1834 in Springfield, ID., married Joseph Jilbert
Thomas Jefferson, born Dec. 25, 1836, in Springfield, Ill., married Lucinda Box.
William Smith, born March 30, 1840, in Springfield, Ill., married Hanna Stoddard.
Sarah Jane born May 13, 1845 in Nauvoo, Hancock, Ill., married Joseph S. Black.

Fausett – Nunez

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