Barnes Family

BARNES FAMILY

John Barnes, born 1861, and his brother, Joseph B Barnes, born 1868, raised families in Versailles and the Tenth District. Census reveals both as blacksmiths. Some living residents of Versailles remember both as tall, well in excess of six feet, skinny, muscular and fitting descriptions of blacksmiths of that era. John's family consisted of Nannie (wife) born March 1863, and daughters Minnie, born September 1886, and Elva May, born April, 1897. The family lived in the house across the road east from the Versailles store from about the time that the first child was born until about 1908. The Neri Lowe family lived there until 1910, when Frank Nance and his wife Parrie Read occupied the two room log house. The John Barns family visited in Versailles several times between 1910-20, and daughter, Minnie, much more recently. The blacksmith shop was located south of the residence between the present house and the four-way stop.

Joseph B Barnes family moved form the Tenth District to Eagleville where son Otho (Arthur) raised his family. Versailles ties to both families were difficult to break. Versailles remained "home" to them for a long time. The Barnes family came from Virginia to the Versailles area. Otho was a blacksmith in the shop in Eagleville. Tom Spence succeeded John Barnes in the shop at Versailles. Minnie Barnes married Flint Spears, Principal of Rockvale High School at one time.

Blacksmith Shop

Sources: (1) 1900 Rutherford Co. Census (2) Interviews.