From the obituary of General Joshua Barnes, Zion’s Landmark, vol. 24, no. 3, 15 December 1890:

“A great benefactor as well as a special friend of so many individuals, General Barnes, in the 78th year of his age on the 13th day of October, 1890, at the residence of his son in law, Mr. A. Branch of Wilson, lingering only a few weeks, after a second attack of paralysis, with no indications of pain, gently breathed out the last of his mortal existence.

…

“He spent his entire life in this community — was aggressive in style, turning up things rather than waiting for them to turn up; and in spite of his liberality and charitableness, this world’s goods continued to accumulate around him; and although in consequence of the late war his loss in slaves and other property was immense, he was nevertheless left in possession of a handsome estate.

…

“Early in life he embraced the Primitive Baptist doctrine … [and] about 14 years ago at Toisnot Bridge near Wilson, by Elder P.D. Gold and Elder Wm. Woodard and Dick Pender, the faithful colored janitor, he together with his brother Wm. Barnes Jr., were immersed. Considering his weight some 250 pounds, that he was so helpless his entire left side still being paralized, and that he had to be baptized in an invalid’s chair, the baptism was considered a most remarkable one. …”

……

• Dick Pender — Pender was sexton of Wilson Primitive Baptist Church.