Henry Barlow, son of Thomas Barlow I

Extracted from:   "A History of the Watershed of the Ouachita River and the Florida Parishes"  Morehouse Parish.

Captain Davenport arrived in 1806, and was followed soon by Walter S. White  and JAMES BARLOW. These three were the first settlers in Prairie Mer Rouge.   The next of the early group of pioneers was Captain A.A.H. Knox, who lived for many years on a tract of land a little more than a mile from the site of the present town of Mer Rouge.  JAMES BARLOW was a prosperous Kentucky  planter,  coming from  his home at Georgetown in that state with his four marriageable daughters to establish an imported Anglo-Saxon group in the Northeast Louisiana wilderness.   Polly Barlow became Mrs. Davenport, Lucretia married twice .. first to Charles L. Hewitt, by whom she had several children, later she married Benjamin Murrell.  Elizabeth married twice, James L. Henderson and Colonel E.K.W. Ross.   Amanda married Colonel A.A.H. Knox.

Monroe, Louisiana Survey Land Claim Map Report of the Comissioner of the General Land Office of Monroe, Louisiana
Document #4 by the Senate Report Committee, 1851

pages 369 and 370

........Louisiana, the heirs of James L. Barlow, deceased, do hereby give notice under the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act for the settlement of certain classes of private land claims with the limits of the Baron de Bastrop grant, and for allowing pre-emptions to certain actual settlers, " &c., approved March 3, 1851, that, as the heirs of the aforesaid, we claim, by lineal descent, a certain tract of land lying and being in the Prairie Mer Rouge, called the Barlow tract, now cultivated by Mrs. Amelia Brown -- said tract being bound as follows: "beginning at a stake the in Prairie Mer Rouge, ten acres on a line south seven degrees east from said Morehouse's corner of a far called Belle Grove, near a pond in the prairie, called Alligator pond--running from the said stake the same course to Andrew Latting's and John Hamilton's corner, in said prairie; thence south three degrees east with said Latting's line to a stake, making a line of ten acres front; thence west forty acres to the beginning, containing four hundred arpens, more or less;" that said tract forms the part of a whole tract occupied and cultivated by the said Barlow, as appears by a plat hereto attached and made a part of this application. The siad heirs likewise give notice, under the provisions of the act aforesaid, that they claim, by virtue of siad right of descent, and other tract, though the same is the part of the whole which they claim by this application, as appears by the said plat -- said tract being adjoined and adjacent to the other tract above described, and called the "King and Merriwether" tract; and the said tract is bounded and described as follows: "beginning at a post in the said Prairie Mer Rouge, being the said corner of Barlow's four hundred acre tract, running thence south three degrees east, fifty-nine poles; thence west two hundred and seventy-eight poles to a post; thence north three degrees west, twenty-eight poles to a hickory; thence west one hundred and twenty-two poles, to a post; thence north three degrees west, thirty poles; thence east, along said Barlow's line of four hundred acres aforesaid, to the beginning, containing one hundred and forty-nine acres and eighteen poles; and likewise the following described adjoining tracts, which are a part of the said "King and Merriwether" tract as appears by the said plat hereto attached, and consequently a part of the whole tract here claimed to wit: two adjoining tracts called the Merriwither tract, lying adjoining the southwest corner of the "King" tract above described, and being bounded, each as follows: as shown by plat hereto attached, to wit: (first tract,) beginning at Reuben Merriwether's corner, three ironwoods and a dogwood; thence eight-seven poles, to six dogwoods; thence north one hundred and fifty poles, to a large oak; thence west one hundred and thirty-three poles, to two gums, in Rueben Merriwether's line south, to the beginning, containing one hundred arpens; and the second part of the said Merriwether tract being bounded as follows: beginning at the six dogwoods, corner of Elizabeth Merriwether's, thence east sixty-seven poles a corner, two hickories and two ash and a sweet haw; thence north one hundred and fifty poles, to a corner, a sassafras, and three hickories; thence west sixty-seven poles to a large black oak, corner to Elizabeth Merriwether; thence south crossing the "Gully Douglas," one hundred and fifty poles to the beginning, containing one hundred arpen -- both of the said Merriwether tracts above described forming the part of the whole Barlow tract, called "Merriwether," and so marked ont he plat hereto attached.

Applicants represent that the different named tracts herein described, and which they claim under the provisions of said act, have been in cultivation and occupancy for upwards of thirty-five years. That the tract termed the Merriwether tract, being composed of the original tract of Elizabeth Merriwether and Mildred Merriwether, has been attached to the tract called the "King" tract, or Barlow tract, for over thirty-five years; that the said tract was purchased by the said James Barlow, for the purpose of giving to the whole Barlow tract a quantity of wood-land, which as necessarily required, and the said Merriwether tract being so attached, has always been considered as a part of the whole tract occupied and cultivated the the said Barlow and others for over thrity-five years.

Applicants further represent that all the tracts herein set forth (making the said Barlow tract) are within the limits of the Bastrop grant, the whole forming a body containing, more of less, eight hundred arpens, as will appear by the land plat. Wherefore they represent that, after a careful examination of the deeds which form the chain of title of applicants, from Baron de Bastrop, authentic copies of which will be offered and put on file in due time, and the evidence given on trial, you give them a favorable report on the claim, composed of the different claims set up herein, all of which have been regularly handed down by said titles, from DeBastrop to their said ancestor, James Barlow.   

Jas. O. McEnery, Att. for Applicants

Gil White, whose family currently owns the property and homeplace of James L. Barlow in Louisiana is interested in having it named on the historical register, but needs further documentation to do that.  If anyone can help Gil in his quest, please contact him directly by clicking his name and sending him an e-mail.  Click thumbnail to view an old photo of the homeplace, the family is Gil's ancestors (White and Huffman), and not related to the Barlow family as far as we know, but have owned the property for many generations.                          Click on photo to enlarge

15 December 1795 - Lincoln Co Kentucky      Deed Book C / page 25

Henry Barlow and Nancy his wife of Lincoln, Kentucky to Benjamin Sutton - land on Dicks River

Estate papers of Henry A. Barlow, include Guardians' Bond for Henry Reynolds and Ann Barlow, guardians of Elizabeth Barlow, Cinda Barlow, Nancy Barlow, Mariah Barlow, Henry A. Barlow, Odensey Barlow, and America Lawson Barlow, dated 04 May 1810.

History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky 
Edited by William Henry Perrin O.L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882         Part I

Samuel S. Shepard, jeweler, Georgetown; is a grandson of Samuel Shepard, who was born in New Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in 1765.  He emigrated to  Kentucky before she became a State, riding, it is said, through on horseback.  He settled at Georgetown when there were only a half dozen houses in the place, building the first tavern ever erected in the place, which was headquarters and a rendezvous for the pioneer hunters of territorial times.  He married Miss Frankey Barlow, March 27, 1792, at Georgetown.   She was born in 1765 and this is one of the earliest marriages of which we have any record. Samuel Shepard was a pioneer lawyer and surveyor.   He was chairman of the Georgetown Board of Trustees, and represented Scott County in the State Legislature in 1804. He had four sons and one daughter.   William Tompkins, born March, 1793; Alpheus Xavier Francis, born October, 1795; Thomas Jefferson, born January 15, 1801; James Madison, born September, 1802; and one daughter born in 1807, but died when twelve years old.  James M. Shepard  never married and was elected to the State Senate from the Counties of  Scott and Fayette.

...Continued...

Biographical Memoirs from Prairie Mer Rouge, Morehouse Parish Louisiana    --Part I continued--

In 1805 Josiah Davenport, a citizen of Rhode Island, met in the city of New Orleans, Mr. Abraham Morehouse, a citizen of Kentucky.  Josiah Davenport was in the merchant marine service, and commanded the vessel "Cleopatra," running between Savannah, Georgia, and Liverpool, England.  Mr. Morehouse had contracted with Baron de Bastrop, a Spanish baron, to induce immigration of white families into that portion of Louisiana lying east of the Ouachita river on the lands since known as the Bastrop Grant. In this undertaking, Mr. Morehouse was retarded from carrying out the plan, for lack of means.  On meeting Capt. Josiah Davenport he elicited his interest in the scheme and the Captain readily agreeing to the enterprise, he sold his vessel and loaned Mr. Morehouse sufficient money to carry out his purpose, engaging to go with him in the wilderness.   Their trip by barge from New Orleans to Point Pleasant on Bayou Bartholomew lasted forty-two days. Captain Davenport settled at Prairie Mer Rouge, nine miles east of Point Pleasant, and there engaged in planting.  He was a man of great energy and enterprise, well fitted to become a pioneer, and did much to promote the growth and development of his section. He erected the first gin house in what is now the parish of Morehouse, and soon after settling here was married to Miss Polly Barlow, a lady born and educated in Kentucky. 

....Continued.....

Information for this family comes from Dave Sanders Database, he cites the sources below.

Note from Susan: Throughout this family, I have found various spellings of Renfro.....for this site, I will simply use the Renfro spelling, but please be aware that it may not be the particular spelling of the individual families.

  Land & Tithe List Unknown 1767 Taken by Hugh Innes for Pittsylvania Co Anno. Dom.

  In 1790, Peter was living in Georgia

  Tax List and Records:

From Renfro Surname at Genforum

I'm especially concerned with the Peter Rentfro you speak of. I believe, if I interpret what you wrote correctly, that Peter, along with Moses, Isaac, James, Joseph & 2 Williams went to the Cumberland Area in 1780. Is that correct? When was Peter Renfro killed? You say he was killed near present day Nashville.

There is a Davidson Co., TN (really N.C.) deeded 840 acres of land on Cumberland to George Pirtle dated 9 Sept. 1780 - proven by oath of William Fletcher in Davidson Co. July term, 1790.

Then there is a deed/grant - land surveyed Nov. 26, 1785 for Peter Rentfro - warrant No. 581- 640 acres in Davidson Co. on Cumberland to Peter Rentfro. Grant signed by Samuel Johnston dated July 13, 1788.

On a 1798 Property tax list for Montgomery Co., TN Peter Rentfro heirs is listed. There was also a James Rentfro on the list.

Peter Rentfro witnessed the will of Wm. McClish in Robertson Co., TN dated 13 Nov. 1802. Peter Rentfro was listed on a petition to general assembly of TN 1803 from Robertson & Montgomery Counties to make new county - son of Wm. McClish, John McClish, was also on the list. (Dickson County was formed from Motgomery & Robertson Counties in 1803.) In 1805 Dickson County (court minutes) James Rentfro was on a jury. Peter Rentfro is mentioned often between 1804 & 1810.

26 Nov 1808 in Dickson Co., TN Nathaniel Johnson deeded land on Barton's Creek to Peter Rentfro. 14 Feb 1810 Dickson Co. John McClish gave to Peter Rentfro property (horses, cattle, etc. - property willed to Jane McClish, now Jane Rentfro, wife of Peter Rentfro by Janes deceased husband, William McClish. Jane Johnston married William McClish in Davidson Co. 10 Nov. 1794.) 7 June 1810 Peter Rentfro of Dickson Co. sold land to Henry Grimes - land where Peter now lives. 11 Sept. 1810 Dickson Co. Peter & Jane Rentfro of "Murry? Co. (Maury Co., TN) sold land to John McClish on Barton's Creek. (They moved to Maury Co., TN from Dickson Co., TN)  By 1817 Peter & wife were in Wayne Co., TN, as were various others who had previously lived in Dickson Co. He was listed there on the 1820, 1830 & 1840 census. This Peter Rentfro was born between 1760-1770 somewhere - per 1840 Wayne Co. census. He must have died before 1850 because there are no Rentfros on the census. It's believed he had no kids - none were listed on any of the census.
I would like to know who this Peter Rentfro was - who his father was & where he lived. Any help will be appreciated!   Thanks. Joan

Teresa Renfro replies:
We believe that this Peter is the son of William Renfro b. 1734 d. 1830 Maury Co., TN. A Peter was on the Poll Tax with This William about 1810 Maury Co., TN. Most of his childen are well known, but Peter and Joshua were a new find Mr. Knight said, who did some genealogy for a friend.

History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky 
Edited by William Henry Perrin  O.L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882  Part II

Thomas Jefferson Shepard, was born in Georgetown.   He was self-educated, having spent only three months in school, yet he became a good scribe and an extensive reader.   At the age of 16 he entered an apprentice in a jewelry house of his older brother to learn the trade. They manufactured the early brass wall clocks, which sold at from $120 to $130, and it is said that the first clock he ever made is now in the possession of a Georgetown lady.   He worked here until 1828, when he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and worked there for Beard & Ayres.  He returned to Georgetown in 1831, and bought out the jewelry establishment of his brother, and conducted the business for forty years.   He died in February, 1875.  He was married the first time to Miss Amanda Smith, of this county, in November 1830, and raised three children, of which there if but one son living, Clifton R. Shepard, a planter at Ladonia, Arkansas.  His second marriage was in 1852, to Mrs. Eliza Morford, whose maiden name was Woodruff.   There were two sons born of this marriage, viz:  Thomas J. Shepard, jeweler, at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Samuel S., the subject of this sketch, born in Georgetown; started in the jewelry business in 1871, as the business partner of his brother and conducted business under the firm name of Shepard Bros., until 1880, when S.S. became the sole proprietor of a prosperous business.

From Willis Genealogy, by W.G. Willis, Rootsweb's World Connect Project

Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 5th ed., 1887, Jessamine Co Kentucky

FOUNTAIN LAND was born January 2, 1815, and is a son of Henry and Eleanor (Hosac) Land, natives of Scott County, Ky. Henry was a son of John Land, of Virginia. To the union of Henry and Eleanor Land eight children were born: America, Lucinda, Fountain, Leroy M., Sophia W., Henry, Emily and John. June 10, 1847, Fountain married Martha M. Willis, of Madison County, Ky. They have four children living: Ellen, Henry, William L. and Albert M.; two deceased: John M. and an infant.

Apparently Martha had previously been married to a Willis.

Family information from David Weaver Genealogy at Rootsweb's World Connect Project, as well as the following letter

Delores,
I was on one of my patented wild goose chases when I ran across your file on WorldConnect pages. I was very impressed by documentation you reference in your files. You've done a lot of great work. Would love to exchange info with you on Renfros and related families. I'll try to be brief which is hard for me to do -- everything I write turns into a novel. But since I don't know if these folks are a major interest of yours I'll try not to bore youwith too much detail. My interest in Renfros starts with Rebecca Renfro (b.8 Dec 1817) daughter of Peter Jr. (your Peter III) and Judith Land. She married my gg grandfather David Sanders (b. 23 Sep 1803, SC) and is my gg grandmother. David's brother Ausburn (your Osborne) b. 18 Nov 1806, married Emily Mildred Renfro (b. 11 Oct 1824), younger sister of Rebecca.

I notice you show Rebecca and Mildred's kid sister, Nancy B. Renfro as marrying James Duncan. My senior 1st cousin, who is a pro of sorts at this, showed same marriage. However I am convinced this was another Nancy B. Renfro, no relation to our folks -- at least not daughter/sister one. Our most ancient family historian,who was born before Nancy B. died described her as "an old maid spinster whonever married." Initially we figured she erred in her recollections, but last year we found a "Nanny B. Renfro" unmarried in 1860, 1870 and 1880 census' living in household of another David and Ausburn Sanders sibling -- that of their older sister Cynthia Sanders (b. 29 Jun 1801) who married James Hagan (afairly wealthy landowner in Madison County). Nannie B. Renfro is listed in census' as a "Domestic", which she probably was, but she must have been a very special "Domestic" as she is buried in Hagan plot in Richmond Cemetery next to (actually at foot of) James and Cynthia's graves. Anyway her tombstone shows "Nannie B. Renfro" born 01 March 1835 and died 14 Feb 1901. However, I could be wrong -- so you won't hurt my feelings if you arrive at different conclusion.

One other area we differ is as to husband of Narcissus Rebecca Renfro (sister of Peter Jr/III). We both show her 2nd husband as Isaac Butcher, but we have her first husband as old John Land Sr himself. John's 1st wife, Elizabeth Barlow died in child birth of Elizabeth 1 Jan 1796, after which we believe he married Narcissus. Show John F. Land, son of old John Land and Elizabeth Barlow, as marrying 1st, Elizabeth Renfro, kid sister of of Narcissus and Peter, Jr/III. John F. then married Rebecca Cosby 03 Nov 1817 and then Mary Taylor 6 Sep 1842. The above Elizabeth is your ? Land who married Willis Gully 6 Nov 1817. The Elizabeth Renfro that married Jesse Taylor, I show as daughter of Joseph and Mildred. (Also John that married Mary Wright, I have as son of Joseph and Mildred). Rev Joseph Renfro (m. Mildred Land) is of special interest to me as he is probably the Joseph Renfro who performed marriage ceremonies for both our Renfro/Sanders marriages. I believe you also have him performing a marriage or two as I recall. Would love to compare his signatures if you have copy marriage documents you referenced. As to documentationI can email right out, I have marrage documents for Renfro/Sanders marriageswhere Peter was bondsman and gave his consent -- also Joseph's certifications that he performed marriages. And have some deeds, heir type stuff, tombstone pics, etc -- and 1 pic of Rebecca (wife of David and dau of Peter). Anyway be happy to share any or all.

Just reviewing your file and would love to seethat 10 Jul 1851 Jessamine will of Thomas Land. And fascinated by your SC deed references for Renfros on your Peter Jr page -- since my Sanders' came from same area -- and oddly enough there were a John Land Jr and Sr from that area (they died there so not same that died in Madison, but interesting just the same).

"History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, from the earliest time to the present; together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc.: Chicago: Goodspeed Brothers and Company, publishers. 1884 Sullivan Co Indiana, Haddon Township, page 761

JOEL O. WALTERS was born in the eastern part of Kentucky January 18, 1824, one of seven children born to Luke and Evarilla (Lamb) Walters, natives of Virginia, who settled in Kentucky in an early day, moving thence to Sullivan County in 1830, and living in Haddon Township the balance of their lives. Subject came with his parents to Indiana when nearly seven years of age, received the ordinary education of the day, and was reared to farming, owning at the present time 300 acres of excellent land. He was married, March 28, 1848, to Nancy Land, and to their union were born ten children, five of whom are living--Mahala, October 15,1851; John W., September 12,1856; Martha A., November 1, 1859; William J., September 17, 1861; and Permelia, April 28, 1865. Mrs. Walters is a daughter of James and Jane (Willis) Land, and was born in this township, September 8, 1823. Subject and wife and all his children are members of the Christian Church at Providence, near Paxton. Mr. Walters had two grandfathers in the Revolutionary war, two uncles in the war of 1812, two cousins in the Mexican war, and three brothers and one cousin in the late rebellion--not one of whom, in either struggle, was shot or wounded, although all took active parts. He is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the temperance cause, as well as in all public enterprises.

Biographical Memoirs from Prairie Mer Rouge, Morehouse Parish Louisiana  Part III

On the home plantation October 08, 1837, C.C. Davenport was born.  Until the age of fourteen years he attended the school of his neighborhood, then commenced clerking in his father's store, in fact, he shared equally with his father the control of their entire business.   At the age of seventeen he entered the Georgetown College of Kentucky, from which he graduated in 1857.    From that time until the commencement of hostilities between the states he with his brothers Josiah and John and his sister Eliza S., now the wife of Dr. Robert Cotten, a prominent physician of Birmingham, Alabama, resided at the old homestead.

In 1861 Louisiana, seceding from the Union, found these three brothers ready and willing to enter the confederate army.   As to how well they discharge their duties they will leave to their comrades to attest.  C.C. Davenport went out as lieutenant in the Twelfth Louisiana Infantry, in the Army of Tennessee, and served in all the engagements in which his command participated, and by virtue of promotion he was made captain of his company.

Josiah entered the service as a member of the Third Louisiana Regiment, Army of Missouri, and held the rank of lieutenant at the time of the surrender.

John, who was then but fifteen years of age, went out as a private in a company known as the Davenport Rebels, which was named in honor of Capt. C.C. Davenport.

The former was in the Army of Northern Virginia and was in fifty-three active engagements and at the surrender at Appomattox,  he was the only commissioned officer of his regiment left to report and sign paroles.  He held the rank of second lieutenant.

In 1861 C.C. Davenport was elected to the house of representatives and served two years.  In 1872 he was again elected to the Louisiana legislature on the John McEnery ticket, but that government failing to be recognized by the President, the McEnery legislature was disbanded.   In 1879 he was elected a delegate from Morehouse Parish to the constitutional convention.

Throughout his career he has been actively engaged in planting and merchandising.   In 1882 he, with a few friends, was largely instrumental in inducing the Construction company to locate the Houston, Central Arkansas & Northern railroad at Mer Rouge, Lousiana.

On November 05, 1863, he was married to Miss Mary Emma Andrews, the daughter of a neighboring planter.   Her Christian virtues, training and education had well fitted her to become the wife of a man active in business enterprises, and a mother of whom any child might be fond and proud.

Although Captain Davenport has reached the age of fifty-three years, he is still  active in business and labors for the advancement of every enterprise tending to benefit his home and community. Through his efforts, with his own means, the entire town of Mer Rouge has been laid off, streets graded and hundreds of water oaks planted to add beauty and pleasure to the town.   He has manifested his faith in the future prospects of this place by erecting one of the finest business houses in the South, which, in convenience and ornamental finish would add to, the appearance of any city. He is also the owner of a number of other buildings of substantial structure and ornamental appearance and, in fact, is a live, progressive and pushing business man, well calculated to perform his duties as a citizen, friend, husband and father with faithfulness and credit.

He is the father of six children: A.H., Guy, Joseph A., Ida, Mary Emma and Leon, all of whom still reside with their parents.

Mrs. Davenport is a member of the Episcopal church, and she and her husband are leaders in the social circles in which they move.