Hello List Members, My name is Charlotte Barns Lewin. I am new to the list and hoping someone on the list can help. Also, I want to apologize in advance for the length of this query. My gggg grandfather, Stephen Barns is a puzzle. No one knows where he came from or where he was born. He first appears in 1803 buying property in Ohio County, (West) Virginia. From then forward, I have tons of information. Stephen was a miller. He operated mills in (West) Virginia, Ohio and Indiana simultaneously. Clearly, he used the Ohio River as a super highway. He owned at least 2 mills (saw and grist) in Owen County, Indiana. One was located on Rattlesnake Creek. He had at least one mill on Barnes Run, Monroe County, Ohio and another on Buffalo Run in what is now Tyler County, West Virginia. He can be found paying taxes on these properties in the same years. I believe his wealth of sons-in-law made the number of mill operations possible. Anyway, when Stephen bought property he bought large tracts. This brings me to my questions. According to information I have found, there was a Stephen Barns in Berkeley County who had at least two sons, Stephen and George. Does anyone have any information regarding the elder or junior Berkeley County Stephen Barns which might help confirm or eliminate the younger Stephen as my gggg grandfather? (It would appear the time frame of the elder's death would fit.) I know little else about the Berkeley County Barns/Barnes family. For instance: Would the younger Stephen Barns inheritance be substantial? Did the younger Stephen Barns survive long after his father's probate? Are there any tax records available for the years 1782 through 1805? Are there marriage records for either father or son? Any information, positive or negative, would be most helpful. Below are a few brief particulars about my gggg grandfather. Only two children survived to 1880. My ggg grandfather Isaac Barns, 1880 census, said he couldn't remember where is father was born (nice going granddad!). His sister, Priscilla Barns Landrum said Kentucky. Stephen's oldest daughter claimed her birthplace as Maryland. The other children, born between 1795 through 1804, said they were born in Virginia. The rest were born in Ohio or Indiana. Stephen BARNS was born about 1767. He most likely married Margaret (LNU) about 1791. Margaret was born about 1773. Margaret died 07 June 1837 in Owen County, Indiana. She was buried at Barnes Cemetery, Franklin Township, Owen County, Indiana. Stephen died 24 September 1843 in Owen County, Indiana. He was buried at Barnes Cemetery, Franklin Township, Owen County, Indiana. Children of Stephen BARNS and Margaret (LNU): i. Mary (Polly) BARNS (1792-1864). Polly claimed to have been born in Maryland. Married William Wells ii. Nancy (Ann) BARNS (1794-1849) Married Isaac Brown iii. Martha BARNS (1795-). Martha claimed to have been born in Virginia. Married Alexander Scott iv. Sarah (Sally) BARNS (1800-1862) Sarah claimed to have been born in Virginia. Married Ambrose Foster v. Ephraim BARNS was born about 1802. He most likely died, childless, before 1843 as he is not listed (nor his offspring) among the heirs of Stephen Barns. vi. Isaac BARNS (1804-1888) vii. John BARNS (1807-1848) viii. Priscilla BARNS (1811-1885) Married Edward Landrum 1.9 ix. George BARNS (1813-before 1860) 1.10 x. Margaret (Peggy) BARNS (1815-1877) Married William Leak. Married Daniel Price, Jr. Any help...suggestions....advice would be gratefully appreciated!!! Thanks for your patience with a newcomer. Charlotte [email protected]