When David Barnett located at this place on the Savannah River and began operations at his Boat Yard does not appear, but from a study of history in connection with this region, much of the background can be sketched. Right in the vicinity, which was then in Edgefield District, - the location of the Barnett home being at what was known as Snow Hill, ship building was one of the most profitable businesses of that date. Some of the best ships used in carrying cargoes of cotton from this section into Savannah and Charleston, - the best market for this staple, were built in the shipyards located along the river in and near Edgefield District, - long before other ports were established. Cotton raised and transported from there was shipped principally to England for distribution, - and the ships on their return brought back to the coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia their cargoes of expensive merchandise and luxuries. All the early deeds for land which David Barnett acquired, adjoining and near to his Boat Yard mention a tract granted to Elizabeth Miller, - a much older title. A few years later, David Barnett made a deed, on December 25,1818, conveying this same land, for a consideration of $5500, to John Barnett Covington, who, from other information, we have assumed was his grandson. This deed was witnessed by Thomas Cooper and William Barnett (assumed to be a son of David Barnett,) and attached thereto is a certificate: The State of South Carolina Edgefield District. I, John Tarrence one of the Justices of the Quorum in and for the District aforesaid, do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern that Elizabeth Barnett the wife of the within named David Barnett did this day appear before upon being privately and separately examined by me did declare that she does freely and voluntarily and without any compulsion, dread or fear of any person or persons whomsoever, renounce, release and forever relinquish unto the within named John B. Covington, his heirs and assigns all her interest in estate, and also all her right and claim of dower of us or to all and singular the premises within mentioned and released. Given under my hand and seal this 26th day of December Anno Domino 1818. Elizabeth (her x mark) Barnett (LS) John Tarrance. J.Q. Received December the 30 1818 of John B. Covington Six Thousand dollars in full for the said tract of land. David Barnett Witness: Theo. Cooper There is also attached to said instrument a certificate of William Barnett, the witness to its execution. We know from her signature to deeds made by David Barnett that his wifes name was Elizabeth, and there is much reason to think that this was the same Elizabeth Miller, and that the Boat Yard which he was operating at the time of the deed to Miledge in 1800 was located on the said Miller grant. On the 30th day of March, 1807, Leroy Hammond, (called in the paper writing Colonel) conveyed to David Barnett 459 acres of land in Edgefield District, on the Savannah River, for the sum of $1340, which is described: Situate in the District aforesaid on Savannah River, and bounded per plat of said tract as follows, viz: - S & E on Sommers and Millar, being part of said tract, S & W on Peppers line commonly called Snow Hill tract, then joining the river near the mouth of Little River, thence up the river and last on Summers survey again, there being 77 acres taken out of the said survey and added to the present tract. This instrument was witnessed by James McQueen Leroy Hammond, Junr. Attached to the paper writing is a plat showing location of the David Barnett House and Boat Yard.