The last will and testament of Rosetta Barnes.

Rosetta Barnes‘ undated will divided her property among her children. Daughter Wadie Barnes Rountree was to receive her mother’s “sewing machine and all … wearing clothes.” Son Henry Barnes received a bedstead and bed, as well as all her real estate, comprised of her “lots and house in ‘Grab Neck‘ a colored suburb of the town of Wilson.” Son Toby Barnes also received a bedstead and bed. Everything else was to be divided equally among her children.

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On 18 August 1866, Short Barnes and Rosa Barnes registered their two-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Short Barnes, 35; wife Rosa, 21; and daughter Rena, 5.

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Short Barnes, 50; wife Rose, 45; and children Nancy, 14, Waity, 12, Martha, 10, Toby, 8, and Joseph, 6.

On 13 January 1891, Alexander Rountree, 21, of Taylors township, son of Rose Rountree, married Waity Barnes, 20, of Wilson township, daughter of Short and Rosa Barnes, in Wilson. Nestus Bagley, Warren Ellis, and Jesse S. Barnes were witnesses.

In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Rose Barnes, 59, and children Renner, 29, Toba, 24, Jose, 21, James, 17, Henry, 11, Bill, 9, and Maggie, 7.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: widow Rosetta Barnes, 60, and sons Tobe, 27, widower, and Henry, 21, both wagon factory laborers. Rosetta reported that five of her ten children were living.

Roseter Barnes died 29 January 1914 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 70 years old; lived on Nash Street; was single [in fact, was widowed]; worked as a midwife; and was buried in Wilson [most likely, Vick Cemetery.] Henry Barnes was informant.

Wadie Rountree died 7 July 1926 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 8 February 1873 in Wilson to Short Barnes and Rosa Barnes; was married to Alex Rountree; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

Joe Barnes died 29 September 1933 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 53 years old; was born in Wilson County to Short Barnes and Rosa Etta Barnes; was a widower; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Wilson [probably Vick Cemetery.] Informant was James Barnes.

Tobe Barnes died 5 January 1955 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 February 1881 in Wilson County to Short Barnes and Rosa Farmer; was married to Hannah Barnes; and worked as a farmer. He was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Wilson.

Will of Rozetta Barnes (undated), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

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