CORRECTIONS REQUEST FOR PATRIOTS GEORGE ROSS AND COL. JAMES ROSS BY SHARON SHELDON

Re:       Corrections Request to Patriots George Ross, Esq. (1730-1779) and

            Col. James Ross (1753-1808) via Rebecca Ross and Mary Ann Ross

Dear Hazel:

            In April of this year my cousin Becky Barefoot and I had the opportunity to meet and discuss with you the errors as found in the lineage of our distant grandmother, Rebecca (Ross) Barefoot.  Approved DAR membership applications, both recent and from years back, have implied that Rebecca Ross was the daughter of Col. James Ross of Lancaster, PA, who in turn was the son of George Ross, Esq., (1730-1779) one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  During the past year research has indicated that this lineage link of Rebecca to James is in error.

            It has been documented by many sources that the above referenced Col. James Ross of Lancaster had four children only: George, James, Catherine and Maria….

            We feel preponderance of the evidence in hand shows our Rebecca Ross to be one of four children, and that their parents were James and Ruth (Robison/Robinson) Ross of Morgantown, Caernarvon Twp., Berks Co., PA.  The marriage record of James Ross and Ruth Robinson is found in the St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster City, Lancaster, PA.  They married 10 December 1767.  In May 1768 Ruth’s father, William Robison/Robinson, died, and in his will left 45 acres of land in Morgantown, Caernarvon Twp., Berks Co., PA to his daughter, Ruth Ross.  Ruth and James farmed the land and were on the tax duplicates for this location from 1770-1778.  The following children were born: Rebecca, b. 22 Dec 1768; Margaret b. ca 1770; William b. 14 Oct 1772, and Mary Ann b. 11 Jun 1776.  By at least 1777 this James Ross was involved in the Revolution as evidenced by records of his oath of allegiance and as one of two court-martial men in the 5^th Battalion, Southern Section, 8^th Company, Caernarvon Twp., Berks Co. (source Pennsylvania Archives).  His commander was Capt. David Morgan.  By April 1779 James Ross was dead as evidenced by intestate papers on file in Berks Co., PA.  While it’s possible that his death was war-related (no grave for James has been found at this point), we have been unable to determine what his Battalion would have been doing during this time frame.  There was an additional accounting of the estate of James Ross in 1798 which shows the following:  “The accountants charge themselves with the balance specified in their first account being $1298.10.11 in continental money exchange at 75 for one, equal to $17.6.2 ½, with a balance due the accountants of $6.16.2 ½.”  Other researchers familiar with depreciation pay indicate that this entry reflects the exchange of continental money or scrip paid for service in the Revolution.  There is no widow’s pension file for our James Ross, and his estate does not reference children by name….While we were hoping to find guardianship papers for James’ minor children (a procedure common for the times to protect minor children who were left fatherless) , we were disappointed that there were none.  Perhaps this was due to Ruth’s brother John Robinson being named co-administrator of James Ross’ estate, or the fact that Ruth appeared to have been more than capable of providing for her children, as evidenced by later tax lists.  She never remarried.  The Berks courthouse does not have a file on the estate of Ruth Robinson Ross (died 1815), which assuredly would have listed her children and possibly their respective spouses.

            Copies of pages out of the Bible owned by Rebecca Ross show her marriage to Benjamin Barefoot in 1787 and the subsequent births of their five children.  Baptism records for their three middle children were located at St. Gabriel’s Church in Berks Co., but an examination of the records show that the baptisms actually occurred at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Morgantown, PA.  Further examination of St. Thomas Church records show that two of Rebecca’s siblings were buried in its cemetery years later: William Ross, who died in 1818, and Mary Ann (Ross) Brinley, who died in 1834.

            We feel the absence of any document explicitly naming James and Ruth as the parents of our Rebecca and the others can be overcome by facts that place these four Ross children right in Morgantown and its environs during most of their lives, and that James and Ruth Ross were the only people carrying the Ross surname in that location during this time frame.  During the years 1779-92 the widow Ruth Ross is in the tax records in Caernarvon Twp., Berks Co., and in 1794-99, William Ross takes Ruth’s place on the Caernarvon Twp. tax duplicates as head of household.  We had been unable to locate the whereabouts of our Rebecca Barefoot and her children in 1800 as her husband Benjamin Barefoot was on the 1800 census in Fayette Co., by himself… it is probable that Rebecca and her children were indeed living with family in 1800: William Ross has the following people in his household at the time of the census:

2 males under 10 (to be precise, this would need to be 3 boys under 10 to account for ALL the Barefoot boys, but perhaps 2-year-old Job wasn’t obvious to the enumerator)

            1 male 10-16 (James Barefoot, age 12)

            1 male 26-45 (William Ross, age 28)

            1 female under 10 (Isabella Barefoot, age 5)

            1 female 16-26 (Mary Ann Ross, age 24)

            1 female 26-45 (Rebecca Ross Barefoot, age 31)

            1 female over 45 (Ruth Robinson Ross)

            Both William and Mary Ann Ross were still unmarried at this time, so the younger children could not have been theirs.  We know Rebecca and Benjamin (or at the very least, Rebecca and the children) were in the Morgantown area in 1797 as per the baptism records mentioned above.  A search of other family members did not turn up anyone else who would have had the children referenced in those categories.

            In 1809 Rebecca Ross Barefoot’s name appears on the payroll ledger at Joanna Furnace which was an iron works in Berks Co., not far from Morgantown.  In 1810 the Caernarvon Twp. census shows Rebecca Barefoot as head of a household surrounded by family, as evidenced by the order of households on that census:  John Brindle (a variation of the spelling – this is Mary Ann Ross’ family), and two doors down, William Robinson (possibly a relative but not proven at this point).

            In speaking with Robert Brinley (a descendant of Mary Ann Ross and author of “The Brinleys in PA” book, which is on file at the DAR Library) about his Ross relatives, he knew nothing other than the father of his Mary Ann Ross served under a Captain Morgan in the Revolutionary War.  The above referenced James Ross who died in 1779 did just that.

            The primary proof in this file came from William Ross’ estate.  William had moved to Uwchlan Twp., Chester Co. and died there in 1818.  His estate papers include a request to partition his real estate holdings as he and his wife were childless.  The petition…states that William Ross was survived by three sisters: Mary Ann Brinley, Margaret Wells and Rebecca Barefoot.

            In summary, we believe we have conclusively proven that Rebecca Ross was the daughter of James Ross of Berks Co., not James Ross of Lancaster Co.  While both men were patriots named James Ross, it is our honor to request that our ancestor be linked to her real family…

Very sincerely yours,

Sharon Sheldon

Leacock Cemetery Barefoot Tombstones

Tombstones at the Leacock Cemetery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Old Leacock Cemetery/Leacock Presbyterian Graveyard - Leacock, Lancaster,(Old Philadelphia Pike, Rt. 23, close to the town of Paradise,Pennsylvania)

After walking all over the Leacock Cemetery, my husband and I found tombstones for only Samuel, Philip, Job, and Agnes (McCaskey) Barefoot. While there are claims that Benjamin Barefoot is buried in this cemetery, there is neither record nor tombstone of his interment there.

Job Palmer Barefoot is Benjamin's youngest son. Since Benjamin was in Fayette Country shortly after Job Palmer's birth, Job probably never knew his father. Job Palmler is buried with his wife Agnes (McCaskey) Barefoot and one of his sons - Philip, who died very young. Also, in Plot 4, Row 28, we found Samuel Barefoot, Benjamin's son and Job Palmer's older brother, who died young in 1814. It seems logical that Benjamin went to Fayette County, and he died there some time before his wife Rebecca took a job at Joanna Furnace. When Rebecca Ross moved from Berks to Bedford County, her body was not returned to Leacock Cemetery for burial; instead, she is interred in Bedford County, PA. One would assume, considering the time period and mode of transportation, that Benjamin probably died in Fayette County and is buried there. Jack and Sylvia Sonneborn

So You Want to Join the D.A.R. or S.A.R. Here's How You Can.

SO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE S.A.R. OR D.A.R., Contributor Terry Gribble; lineage by Sylvia Coleman and Gary Mickle

Because of the controversy over the parentage of James Ross (erroneously said to be the son of Colonel George Ross, who did have a son named James), the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution have closed that line for new membership. All present members are not in jeopardy of losing their membership. But do not despair. Our proud and courageous Barefoot heritage will take us back to another brave volunteer in the Revolutionary War – Sgt. William Sleek. Sgt. Sleek/Slick is the father of Mary Sleek Barefoot, wife of James Barefoot.



Sgt. William Sleek was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, on November 10, 1754. the son of Philip and Rebecca Slick. He was first married to Barbara Winhuls by whom he had a daughter,Elizabeth. He then married Rebecca Mettler in 1788. Rebecca was bom in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1772.

Sergeant Slick's Military Career

Sgt. Sleek enlisted in 1776 and served for seven months as First Sergeant of the Maryland Flying Camp. At Fort Washington he was wounded in the leg by a British musket ball and taken prisoner. After three days of imprisonment, he was exchanged. In 1777 he re-enlisted for a period of three years and served in Valentine Creager's Company, Col. Joseph Wood's regiment, Maryland Continental Lines. At the close of the Revolution he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He was with General George Washington when he crossed the Delaware and fought in the battles of Trenton and Brandywine. He applied for a pension on August 31, 1832 and his claim was allowed.
[Pension records - S22992 - Revolutionary War Section, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C. Archives of Maryland Vol. 18, page 72 and S.A.R. National #33719.]

There supposedly was a portrait of William Sleek in Continental Uniform of a Lieutenant that hung in the home of Charles Easter, Bedford, Pennsylvania, who was one of William Sleek's descendants. Sylvia Colemana nd Gary Mickle tried to locate this portrait to have a copy for in their book but were unsuccessful.

Rebecca died in 1842 and William died April 7, 1844, both in St. Clair Township, Bedford County,Pennsylvania. We have been unable to locate where they are buried.


William Sleek and Rebecca Mettler were the parents of the following children:


A. Mary Sleek born October 11. 1791 married James Barefoot

B. Thomas Sleek died young

C. John Sleek died young

D. Jacob Sleek born 1795 married Susan Willis born 1809
1. Catherine Sleek - born 1830
2. Joanna Sleek - born 1832
3. Rebecca Sleek - born 1834
4. Abraham Sleek - bom 1840
5. Sarah Sleek - born 1841
6. Charlotte Sleek - born 1844
7. Jesse Sleek - born about 1842

E. William Sleek married to ____Jones, 1st wife, Rebecca McCormick, 2nd wife

F. Phillip Sleek born October 7, 1797 married to M. Mary Jones

G. Jesse Sleek born 1803 married to Charlotte Vickroy born 1803
1. Sarah L. Sleek - born 1827 married to Henry Baltzer born 1827
2. Mary Rebecca Sleek • born 1831 married to Jacob Dunlap, 1st husband,
David Yeager, 2nd husband
3. Harriet Amelia Sleek - born 1832 married Charles B. Ellsworth
4. Charles Vickroy Sleek - born 1833 married Ann Plough born 1838
5. Thomas Sleek - born 1835
6. Emily Matilda Sleek • born 1837 married William Dull born 1832
Ellen Catherine Sleek born 1840 married Henry Sleek. 1st husband
James Rodgers. 2nd husband
7. William Atlee Sleek - born 1842 married Mary Ellen Knee born 1851
8. Lavenia Caroline Sleek - born 1844 married John Reel born 1844

H. Samuel Sleek born 1808 -died January 29, 1873 married to Lillian Ann Lucas born 3/29/1873
1. Samuel L. Sleek - born 1827
2. Charles V. Sleek - born 1830 married Charlotte _
3. Rebecca Sleek - born 1833
4. Eve Sleek - born 1834 married Fred Berkhimer
5. Sarah Sleek - born 1836 married Amos Harbaugh
6. Joseph Sleek - born 1838 married Isabella___
7. Margaret Emily Sleek
8. Ann Elizabeth Sleek - born 1839
9. Thomas Mettler Sleek - born 1840
10. William S. Sleek - born 1842
11. Mary M. Sleek - born 1845 married Gordon Hammer
12. Harriet Sleek
13. Charlotte Amanda Sleek

I. Rebecca Sleek born 1810 (spinster)

J. Issac Sleek born 1811 - married Jemima Clark

K. David Sleek married to Nellie Mechler

L. James Mettler Sleek born about 1815-17 married to Mary R. Mcllwee

M. Catherine Sleek married to Jesse Willis

N. Sarah Sleek born 1820 married to Nicholas Easter

By Sylvia Coleman and Gary Mickle in Genealogy of James Barefoot, Sr., and Mary Sleek (Slick)To inquire about the availability of Barefoot books, contact Sylvia Coleman at scmishka@aol.com

William Slick served in the military in 1776 in Revolutionary War. He appeared on the census in 1810 in St. Clair Twp., Bedford County, PA. He was a Justice of the Peace in 1830in St. Clair Twp., Bedford Co., PA.
www.rootsweb.com/~neperkin/slick.htm
David Slick Family by Alyce Madison.

If you are interested in joining the Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution using Sgt. William Sleek, Terry and Joyce Gribble have gathered this information, and it includes the following documents:

1. “Official Register of the Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War”
2. “Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files, Vol. III: N-Z”
3. An affidavit by John Ake that he was acquainted with William Slick of Bedford County and a Soldier of the Revolutionary War”
4. “Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions” document
5. Letter of Winifred Scott, Commissioner giving information about William slick and Revolutionary pension claim S. 32992”
6. Letter from A.D. Hiller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator, attesting to William slick’s Service and listing Certificate No. 11096, Issued March 25, 1833, Rate, $20.00 per annum, Commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1822, Pennsylvania Agency.”

These documents will allow a person to apply for membership in the Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution.

Barefoot - What's in a Name?

Origins of the Barefoot Name

English origin: Barefoot is a nickname for a person who was in the habit of conducting his business unshod or without shoes. The name appears to be from Old English bær ‘bare’, ‘naked’ + fot ‘foot’. Perhaps it was the name for a peasant unable to afford even the simplest type of footwear, or a name given to someone who went barefoot as a religious penance, like a friar or a monk. It is also one who came from Barford (barley ford, ford of the bear, birch ford).

In some instances, it is probably a translation of German Barfuss, the northern form Barfoth, or the Danish cognate Barfo(e)d.

The first known Barefoot is Reginald Berfot. year 1203, Pipe Rolls of Cumbria. during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland" 1199 - 1216.

Barefoot has a variety of spellings: Barefoote, Barfot, Barford, Barfoot, Barfitt, Barfit, Barefield, Barefred, Barfoth, Barfoed, Barfod, Berfot, etc., to name a few.

The name is English in Origin (Norman) and surfaced after 1066 after the Battle of Hastings. While it is likely that it could describe an American Indian, it is a name that immigrated to the American continent from the United Kingdom, specifically England, so legend of Indian origins is just a legend.

Also, check pp. 8 - 10 of Sylvia Coleman and Gary Mickle's James Barefoot book. They list many historic references to early Barefoots.

Our own particular Barefoot Clan seems to have settled in Amity Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The first reference that we have to our clan is with Samuel Barefoot and Jean "Jenny" Palmer of Delaware. Their children were Sarah, Martha, Ben, John, and Hannah. Thus we make our next leap to Benjamin Barefoot, subject of the previous post.

THE ELUSIVE BENJAMIN BAREFOOT

A Biography of Benjamin Barefoot and Rebecca Ross Barefoot
By Sylvia Hott Sonneborn with assistance from Sharon Sheldon

When researchers begin to dig into the past, they often find information about ancestors that is somewhat controversial. Common held opinions of our ancestor Benjamin Barefoot repute him to be a doctor. Two family researchers, Sharon Sheldon and Becky Barefoot, have checked with every medical institution in existence at the time that Benjamin lived, and he is not listed as a student in any of the medical schools of the time. Other people claim that Benjamin is buried in Lancaster County, PA, but researchers have discovered that his burial is not recorded in the Leacock Cemetery. So the investigation into the life of Benjamin Barefoot has taken another turn. What researchers did discover is a very different scenario from the commomly held beliefs about our ancestor.

Benjamin Barefoot was born about 1764 to Samuel and Jean (Palmer)Barefoot in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was born into a family of blacksmiths. On 28 April 1787 he married Rebecca Ross in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Rebecca was born 22 December 1769 in Caernarvon Township, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States, the daughter of James Ross and Ruth (Robinson) Ross. In 1788 they began their family with the birth of their first son James.

Rebecca Ross's Family:

CLICK ON PAGE TO ENLARGE:

Note: The birth date of child #2, Mary Ross, is conjecture. Her tombstone provides information that she was two years old. She is buried next to her mother Ruth Robi(n)son in the Seceder Cemetery, Brandywine, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Near the turn of the 19th century, our ancestor Benjamin Barefoot, whose occupation is recorded as a blacksmith, and who was living in Caernarvon Township, Berks, Pennsylvania, allegedly found himself in legal trouble. These difficulties must have eventually prompted him to leave his wife Rebecca (Ross) Barefoot and their 5 children behind in the care of her widowed mother Ruth Ross and her brother William as Benjamin fled to Fayette County, Pennsylvania. But first, let's take a look at some of the documents that exist on Benjamin.

As a blacksmith, Benjamin would have needed iron. As he approached the end of the 18th century, Benjamin Barefoot is being sued by a local iron master because he had failed to pay his bill.

Document 1 - Benjamin Barefoot is summoned by the Justice of the Peace Amos Slaymaker on behalf of iron master James Buckley because Benjamin is accused of non-payment of a debt. Year 1796.




From the above summons, one would conclude that Benjamin was not a doctor but that he had continued in his family's trade, which was that of blacksmith as substantiated by the fact that he had purchased iron on credit and had not paid for it in a timely manner. At this point his business must have been neglected or failing.

Unfortunately, Benjamin has not left enough information behind for us to enumerate his good traits. We know that he was father of five children to Rebecca. For most of his marriage, one would assume that he successfully conducted business and was a respectable community citizen who attended church, as we find a record of his presence at his child's baptism at St. Gabriel's. We also know that he and Rebecca were together as man and wife until 1797. But that is the point at which things seemed to go awry. The scanty pieces of paper that exist concerning Benjamin paint a sadder picture of our ancestor whom we esteem so highly as "Dr." Benjamin Barefoot.

Besides the unpaid iron bill, we learn that Benjamin found himself in worse trouble than unpaid bills. In the records of Governor Thomas Mifflin, our sleuth Sharon Sheldon has found a very incriminating document. Benjamin was in legal trouble for fornication and bastardy. With a fifth child on the way or recently born to his wife Rebecca, Benjamin's indiscretions must have been quite an embarrassment to the family and a heartache to his wife.

Document 2 - From the records of Governor Thomas Mifflin, p. 1320, Benjamin Barefoot is accused of bastardy on 20 December 1797 and has remitted the fee.



The conviction of bastardy (suggesting that he fathered a child out of wedlock) coincides with the birth of his son Job Palmer M. Barefoot to Rebecca Ross Barefoot on 27 May 1798. These documents solve that mystery of Benjamin's departure and give us reason to surmise why Benjamin decided to leave Berks County without his family.

We are not certain when Benjamin left, but we know that he was still in Berks County on the 2 July 1797. We are not positive that he was present at the birth of his last child Job Palmer Barefoot on 27 May 1798. With the revelation of Benjamin's indiscretions with another woman along with his unpaid bills, Rebecca certainly must have been extremely unhappy with her husband's behavior.

Record 3 - Here is a baptism record that shows Benjamin as the father of this child who is being baptized. The child is identified by researchers as his son William at St. Gabriel's Church, Amity Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Church Records - Adams, Berks, and Lancaster Counties, 1729-1881
about Benjamin Barefoot
Name: Benjamin Barefoot Date: 2 Jul 1797
Event: Baptism
Relation: Father
Location: Berks CO., PA
Church: Saint Gabriel's Church
Record_ID: 260693

Why did he go to Fayette County? Perhaps Benjamin needed to find gainful employment in an area where metal was readily available. One can only speculate why he headed to Western Pennsylvania, but it seems obvious that he might have wanted to leave his troubles behind or that Rebecca Ross Barefoot simply had had enough. By 1800 Benjamin Barefoot was listed on the Fayette County, Pennsylvania,Census living alone.

He seemed to have a propensity for getting involved in legal trouble. In Fayette County, Benjamin was involved in another lawsuit, but this time it was initiated by him. He was involved in a dispute with one Archibald Coone, which was resolved out of court. These are the last concrete references to Benjamin.

Document 4 - 1800 Census of Union Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, showing Benjamin Barefoot as a resident with no family.



Even in Fayette County, life was not rosey for Benjamin Barefoot, as one family researcher - Sharon Sheldon - has discovered.

Document 5 - Benjamin Barefoot versus Archibald Cooney, 12 June 1800



Benjamin Barefoot in Fayette Co.
By Sharon Sheldon

In June 1800 Benjamin (Barefoot) had filed suit in Fayette County against Archibald Cooney, who apparently has damaged property of Benjamin’s. The judge sets the date for September 1800, which implies that Benjamin wasn’t just passing through. However, two weeks later, Benjamin pens a very nice note to the judge, telling him that he and Archibald Cooney have settled their differences, and “could you not serve the writ.” This letter marks the last-known documented proof of Benjamin Barefoot.

Capias case: Benjamin Barefoot v. Archibald Cooney, June 1800
The Fayette County Courthouse
Prothonotary’s Office
Lance Winter Halter, Prothonotary
“Unmicrofilmed record located in the basement of this office”
Document #1:
Fayette County: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the Sheriff of Fayette County greeting. We command that you take Archibald Cooney late of your county yeoman if he be found in your bailwick and him justly keep so that you have his body before our judges at Union Town at our county court of common pleas there to be held for the county of Fayette the second Monday of September next to answer unto Benjamin Barefoot of a plea of trespass on the case**. And have you then serve this writ. Witness Nathaniel Briading Esquire at Union Town the twelfth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred.
Ephraim Douglass
** “trespass on the case” :From Black's Law Dictionary, Revised 4th Edition: Trespass on the case: The form of action, at common law, adapted to the recovery of damages for some injury resulting to a party from the wrongful act of another, unaccompanied by direct or immediate force, or which is the indirect or secondary consequence of defendant's act. Commonly called, by abbreviation, "Case."
Document #2:
Sir:/ Archibald Coone and I hav(e) settled our acct. and you wo(u)ld be so kind as not to serve the rit, and you will oblidge your humble servt Benj’m Barefoot June 25, 1800 W. Steward Sheriff"

After 25 June 1800, Benjamin is never heard of again. While some claim that Benjamin died in 1839 and was buried in Lancaster County, he does not appear in any subsequent censuses, so one could reasonably assume that he died prior to 1810, around the age of 45.

Another mystery remains. Researchers have been unable to find Benjamin enrolled in any medical school of the time; yet traditionally “Dr.” Benjamin Barefoot persists. Did he perhaps, as a blacksmith, pull teeth on the side as so many blacksmiths of the time did? Did he attain the name “Dr.” because of performing lay dentistry? Not enough is known about him to provide concrete information about the title.

We do know that Rebecca was left in Berks County. Her father James Ross had died prior to 1798, so Rebecca with children James (b. 1788), William (b. 1791), Samuel (b. 1793), Ezibella (b. 1795), and Job Palmer (b. 1798) made a home with their widowed grandmother Ruth Robinson Ross while Benjamin was absent.

It is also significant that in 1809 Rebecca took a job at the Joanna Furnace, probably to support her family. Her employment along with the fact that she never had any other children after Job Palmer also suggest that she was not with her husband. A visit to Joanna Furnace recently (2007) by clansman Attorney Bill Krieger led to a discovery of a spacious kitchen on the premises; the present caretakers of the furnace feel that Rebecca worked as a cook rather than working within the iron production itself. Meanwhile, back in Berks County, Benjamin’s wife Rebecca is listed as the head of the house by 1810. Rebecca's family also listed her as a spinster at the time of her death.

Document 6 - Speculation about Rebecca Ross




Tradition claims that Benjamin Barefoot died in 1839 and was buried in the Leacock Presbyterian Cemetery east of Reading, PA. While there are Barefoots buried there, no recent visitors have been able to find Benjamin’s gravesite. My husband and I (Jack and Sylvia Sonneborn) walked all over the cemetery and looked at each tombstone, and the only ones we could find did not include Benjamin. Researcher Sharon Sheldon feels that his body would not have been taken from Fayette to Berks County for burial by horse and wagon at this time. Most researchers suspect that he died much earlier, perhaps at the time that Rebecca went to work in 1809.

Her employment also coincides with the departure of her eldest son James Barefoot (age 21) to Bedford County, PA. Why did James go to Bedford County in 1810? If Benjamin had died around 1809, and the family no longer had support money or letters being sent from their father, would James have headed to Western Pennsylvania to find his father? If Benjamin were alive, could he just have headed West to see him? It seems strange that James would leave his mother behind with 4 children and not take a job in Berks County to help support his younger siblings. Of course his brother William would have been 18 and could have helped by becoming employed. Whether James was sent to find his father or whether he succumbed to the wanderlust of a robust young man, James settled in Bedford County. In 1810, James married Mary Sleek of Frederick, Maryland. Together they reared 12 children, our individual ancestors.

Life must have been difficult for James' mother Rebecca. She lost many loved ones during her lifetime. Her mother Ruth Ross died in 1813-15; her son Samuel died in 1814 at the age of 21. Rebecca probably was cared for by her brother William until he died in 1818 at age 46. It was also that year that her second son William married Mary Sheaffer and eventually moved to Mifflin County. Ezibella married Daniel Rutter in 1819 and eventually moved to Ohio. By 1825 her last child Job Palmer married Agnes McCasky but stayed in the Lancaster area. Rebecca Ross Barefoot's sisters also died - Margaret in 1831 and Mary Ann in 1834. Most of the people she loved died or moved away.

Were these the circumstances that motivated her to seek the companionship of her eldest son James and his wife Mary in Bedford County? She left her youngest son behind and made the long journey from Berks to Bedford County to live with James and Mary Barefoot. We can guess at the time period. In 1840 her son James appears on the Bedford County census without Rebecca. Then he died in 1844, so one would assume that Rebecca arrived prior to his death. For whatever reason, this is the place where she spent her last days, more than likely living in the home of her daughter-in-law Mary or one of her grandchildren. Rebecca died on 22 January 1853, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and on her death certificate, filled out by her grandson William, she is listed as a spinster, her father’s name is left blank, and her mother is listed as Ruth Ross. It seems unusual that her grandchildren did not even know the name James Ross, Rebecca's father, but they had been born in Bedford County, and any history from Berks County may never have reached their ears or at least had not been recorded. Rebecca and her son James were buried next to each other in the Quaker Cemetery in East St. Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

Her death certificate reads as follows:
Rebecca Barefoot, spinster, d/o (-blank-) and Ruth Ross; born -- --- 1769 in Berks County; died 22 Jan 1853 in St. Clair Twp., aged 84 years and 1 month. Buried in Quaker Graveyard, St. Clair Twp. Spouse: Benjamin Barefoot. Certificate returned by William Barefoot, a grandson, of St. Clair Twp. (Source: Death Certificate, Bedford Co., 1852-1854.)


The descendants of James Barefoot have long held that Rebecca Ross Barefoot was a direct descedant of Colonel George Ross - a mistake made because George also had a son named James, but research on that James' family disproves the belief. No parentage has been established for Rebecca's father James Ross. He could be related to Col. George Ross, perhaps even a younger brother, but there is no proof. This writer has attempted to take the research of many family genealogists and weave them into a story about our ancestors, but obviously much more research is needed to substantiate much of the speculation. Much appreciation needs to go to Shardon Sheldon, who has supplied the bulk of this information and also Becky Barefoot who maintains a family history webiste with excellent information. Story written by Sylvia H. Sonneborn, York, Pennsylvania

Possible Lineage of James Ross

a Mr. Snowberger of Arizona has posted a lineage on New Family Search of James Ross, father of Rebecca Ross. He received it from someone else without resources. While he is not showing it, other records on this family show a female Isabella. I submit this merely for someone to research the information and not to offer it as proven

First Generation


1. Rebecca ROSS 1 was born on 22 Dec 1769 in Caernarvon Township, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States.1 She died on 22 Jan 1853 at the age of 83 in , Bedford, Pennsylvania, United States. She was buried in Quaker Cemetery, Spring Meadow, East St. Clair Township, Bedford, Pennsylvania, United States. Rebecca Barefoot, spinster, d/o (-blank-) and Ruth Ross; born -- --- 1769 in Berks County; died 22 Jan 1853 in St. Clair Twp., aged 84 years and 1 month. Buried in Quaker Graveyard, St. Clair Twp. Spouse: Benjamin Barefoot. Certificate returned by William Barefoot, a grandson, of St. Clair Twp. (Source: Death Certificate, Bedford Co., 1852-1854.)
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Barefoot, Rebecca
Posted by: Carol Eddleman (IP Logged)
Date: July 03, 2006 10:49AM
Rebecca Barefoot, w/o Benjamin, was b. 1769 in Pa., d. 22 Jan 1853 in Bedford Co. __(Source: Bedford County, Pa. Register of Deaths, 1852-1854, Bedford Courthouse, Bedford, Pa.)
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Rebecca's parents were James Ross and Ruth Robinson/Robeson Ross, who were married 10-Dec-1767 at the St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster City, Lancaster, PA. Rebecca was born 22-Dec-1769, per her own entry in a prayer book, which is owned by a Barefoot descendant somewhere in Indiana._Sharon Sheldon (descendant of Ben and Rebecca)

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Second Generation

2. James ROSS IV 1 was born about 1747 in Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States.1 He died before 14 Nov 1798 at the age of 51 in Caernarvon Township, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. 5th Battalion - Revolutionary War
8th Company
Berks County, Caernarvon Township
Court-martial Man

3. Ruth ROBINSON was born about 1749. She died in 1813–15 in Caernarvon Twp. Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. She was also known as Robeson. Ruth was buried in Seceder Cemetery, Brandywine, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States.

James ROSS and Ruth ROBINSON had the following children:

i. Rebecca ROSS. [See entry 1]
ii. Miss ROSS was born in 1770 in Caernarvon Township, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. She died in 1772 at the age of 2 in Caernarvon Township, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. She was buried in Seceder Cemetery, Brandywine, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States.
iii. Margaret ROSS was born in 1771 in Caernarvon Township, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. She died on 18 Dec 1831 at the age of 60 in , York, Pennsylvania, United States. She was buried in Crone's Cemetery, Fairview Township, York, Pennsylvania, United States.
iv. William ROSS was born on 14 Nov 1772 in Caernarvon Township, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. He died on 9 Feb 1818 at the age of 45 in Morgantown, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. He was buried in St. Thomas Episcopal church, Morgantown, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. In 1802-3 he was on the tax list as a single freeman.
v. Mary Ann ROSS was born on 11 Jun 1776 in Caernarvon Township, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. She died on 9 Jun 1834 at the age of 57 in , Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. She was buried in St. Thomas Episcopal Church Cemetery, Morgantown, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States.

Third Generation


4. James ROSS III was born about 1707 in Carrickfergus, Antrim County, Ireland. He died in 1757 at the age of 50 in , Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. FamilySearch showed this additional information:
Christening - Date: Abt 1723 Place: Immigrated to Chester Cty, Pa. USA

FamilySearch showed this additional information:
Death - Date: Abt 1757 Place: Chester Cty, PA, will dated 1757. Rebekah and James ROSS III were married on 17 Aug 1751 in Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States.

5. Rebekah was born (date unknown).

James ROSS and Rebekah had the following children:

i. George ROSS Jr. was born (date unknown).
2 ii. James ROSS IV.
iii. John ROSS was born (date unknown).
iv. Female ROSS was born (date unknown). Referred to as Sevendaughter Ross???
v. Richard ROSS was born (date unknown).



6. William ROBINSON died before 9 Aug 1768 in Caernarvon, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States. Will of William Robertson (Robinson, Robeson) Probated 9 August 1768

In the name of God amen I William Robertson of Carnarvin in the County of Berks and province of Pennsylvania Being weak in body but of perfect mind Memory and understanding Thanks to the almighty God And Considering it is appointed for all men once to Dye do make and ordain this my last will & Testament. II resign my Soul in the Hands of its Creator in Humble hopes of its future happiness as to my body & will is that it, buryed in a decent manner at the Discretion of my Executors, hereafter named and as to my Temporal Estate that it be Dispersed of in manner and form following: First, I order that my Funeral Charges and Legal Debts be paid. Discharge out of my personal Estate after my Decease all the Remainder of my personal Estate I Give unto, beloved Wife Margaret. I further Give unto my said wife for her Choice of one Room in the new part of my Dwelling House also a good plentifall Living in every respect out of my Real Estate during her natural Life. I further give unto my wife my Servant Boy named Edward Hains during the Time of his Servitude. But if my said Wife should die before my Servant's time be expired in such case, I order that my Daughter Ruth shall have him the Remainder of his Servitude. I give unto my beloved Son, John Robertson, this Plantation wherein I now Dwell with the Appartenames there unto belonging (Excepting such part of my plantation as is hereafter given unto my Daughter Ruth ) to be taken of him the said, John Robertson his heirs, Assigns for ever. I give unto my Daughter Ruth Ross the Quantity of Forty-Five Acres of Land to be laid off for her the said Ruth Joyning the Land of Jacob Morgan, Esq., of Lands known by the name of Bucholar's Company which my Land. I give unto my Daughter Ruth and the Heirs of her Body forever. It is my will and I further order that my Son John do give unto my Daughter Ruth the Sum of five Pounds (or assistance to the value of five Pounds) towards building a home on my Daughter's Land and I do hereby constitute and appoint hereby and for him as a witness David McPherson of Lancaster County, George Erwin of Chester County, Executors of This my Last Will and Testament. I hereby revoke all other and former Wills and Testaments by me made, Declaring this and none other to be my last Will and Testament, Witnesses whereof, I have hereto put my hand and Seal this Seventh Day of May in the Year of out Lord one Thousand seven hundred and Sixty Eight, William M(his mark) Robertson (Seal)Signed Sealed Published Declared by the Testators as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of Wm. McPherson John McPherson Mary McPherson.
Reading Berks County Pennsylvania on the Ninth Day of August in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Sixty Eight personally appeared William McPhersonand John McPherson two of the witnesses to the aforementioned Will who, being of the people called Quakers, on their Solemn affirmation receiving the Laws do hereby Declare and affirm that they were present together and Saw and heard William Robertson the Testator Sign Seal publish pronounce and Declare the within and above writing as said for his last Will and Testament and that at the Time of the doing thereof the said Testator was of Sound Mind Memory and understanding to the best of their Knowledge and as they verily believe and further that the named Wm McPherson and John McPherson are of their Handwriting Subscribed by them as Witness thereto (Mary McPherson Subscribing as a Witness thereto at the same Time) in the presence of each other and in the foresaid and at the Request of the said Testator. Coxammer - James Reed, Reg.

Registered General's offices Reading Berks County, August 9th 1768 Letters Testamentary in Common form under the Seal of the said officer in the will, afore written of the said William Robertson Dec'd were grantred to Daniel McPherson and George Erwin the Executors therein named being first. Solemnly attested According to Law.
Inventory to be Exhibited on or before the tenth Day of September and on Account of their Administration where the courts required. Registered and Examined by

James Reed, Reg.

7. Margaret was born (date unknown).

William ROBINSON and Margaret had the following children:

3 i. Ruth ROBINSON.
ii. John ROBINSON was born (date unknown). John is mentioned in his father's will.

Fourth Generation


8. James ROSS was born about 1670 in Carrickfergus, Antrim, Ireland. (Second opinionHe was born in 1670 in Edinburgh, Scotland.) He was christened in 1679 in Carrickfergus, Antrim, Ireland. He was also known as James Ross II. He died in Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. (Second opinion - James died in Carrickfergus, Antrim, Ireland.)

9. Unknown was born about 1680 in Carrickfergus, Antrim, Ireland.
James ROSS and Unknown had the following children:

4 i. James ROSS III.
ii. James ROSS was born about 1707 in Pennsylvania, United States. He was christened 1720/1723 in Removed, Chester Co, PA. He died DECEASED.
iii. William ROSS was born about 1709 in Pennsylvania, United States. He died in Russellville, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States.

Fifth Generation


16. James ROSS was christened in 1643 in Petty, Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom. (Second opinion - He was born about 1645 in Scotland, United Kingdom.) James was buried in 1668 in Scotland, Greene, Indiana, United States. He was christened in 1679 in Carrickfergus, Antrim, Ireland. (Second opinion- He died in Ireland.)

17. UNKNOWN was born (date unknown).

James ROSS and UNKNOWN had the following child:
8 i. James ROSS.
Sixth Generation

32. John ROSS was born about 1620 in Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

John ROSS had the following child:

16 i. James ROSS.

SHARON SHELDON'S TIMELINE OF ROSS & BAREFOOT FAMILIES

TIMELINE OF THE BAREFOOT FAMILY IN AMERICA
Compiled by Sharon Sheldon

Researchers will value the amount of time and research that has gone into this chronological history that Sharon Sheldon has put together for the descendants of the first known Barefoots in Pennsylvania. She and "cousin" Becky Barefoot have done research together in Berks, Chester, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Counties to put this information together. If you can add to the timeline, please contact the owner of the blog. Thank you, Sharon, for allowing us to post this.

BAREFOOT TIMELINE - updated 2/6/98 Date and Event [Source] {Reliability Factor/ Comments}

1742 - Amity Twp., Berks Co. Thomas Barefoot born [Barefoot/Sleek Genealogy] {All information regarding the birthplace and year of Thomas Barefoot is from ORAL FAMILY HISTORY, reliability uncertain - NO DOCUMENTATION}

1744 - Philadelphia, Jemima Barefoot and Jeremiah Collins marry
[First Presby. Church Records] [Reliability high}

1740-45 - latest year Samuel & Jean (Palmer) Barefoot could have been born considering birthyear of Martha 1759. [Deductive reasoning (census age groupings also)] {Reliability fairly high.}

1758 - location unknown, Sarah Barefoot born [Journal of minister who baptized her (Rev. Illing)] {Information is likely to be accurate}

1759 - Union Twp., Berks Co., Samuel Barefoot on the tax lists [Tax records summary] {Reliability high}

1759 - Amity Twp., Berks Co., Martha Barefoot born “d/o Samuel and Jean/Jenny Barefoot” [St. Thomas Epis. Ch., register] {Information regarding birthdate is likely to be accurate}

1760 - Union Twp., Berks Co., Samuel Barefoot appears on the tax duplicate as married [Tax records summary] {Reliability high}

1763(ca) - location unknown, Thomas Barefoot and Elizabeth Wells married [Barefoot/Sleek Genealogy] {ORAL FAMILY HISTORY, reliability uncertain - NO DOCUMENTATION}

1764 - Chester Co., Benjamin Barefoot born [Barefoot/Sleek Genealogy] {ORAL FAMILY HISTORY, reliability uncertain - NO DOCUMENTATION}

ca 1765 - Mary Barefoot born, location unknown (information based on husband Peter Rochon, b. 1765 either in Montgomery Co. or Berks Co., PA) [A Rouchon-Roshon-Rochon Historical Sketch and Genealogy, by Howard G. Rochon, FHL #929.273/R73r] {Likelihood of accuracy is high. Author of this book wrote to J. Walter Barefoot in 1970 for information on this Mary Barefoot - Walter replied she was not of our line (I AM NOT SO SURE!)}

1768 - Amity Twp., Berks Co., John Barefoot, s/o Samuel and Jean/Jenny Barefoot born and baptised (sponsors, Michael & Anna Maria Hoffman) [St. Paul’s Lutheran and Reformed Ch., Parish Register transcription] {Likelihood of accuracy is high.}

1769 - West Nottingham Twp., Chester Co., James Barefoot on tax list [PA Archives 3rd Series Vol XI page 620] {Likelihood of accuracy is high.}

1768/9 - Lancaster Co., Rebecca Ross born [Personal Bible of Rebecca Ross (her handwriting appears to show 1768, which would be consistent with tombstone record showing her death 22-Jan-1853 at age 84 years, 1 month.] {Likelihood of accuracy is high.}

1776 - location unknown, Martha Barefoot d/o Sarah Barefoot and unknown father born (Believe this Martha to be “PATTY”) [St. Thomas Church’s History publication, Rev. Illing’s journal located in appendix of book] {Likelihood of accuracy is high.}

1777 - Thomas enlists in the 10th PA Regiment [PA Archives] {Likelihood of accuracy high.}

1778 - Amity Twp., Berks Co., Martha Barefoot “d/o Samuel and Jean/Jenny” Barefoot baptized [St. Gabriel’s Epis. Church, parish register transcription (aka Morlattin)] {Likelihood of accuracy SHOULD be high}

1778 -Thomas on roll of 10th PA Regiment [PA Archives 5th Series Vol III, pp 499, 517] {Likelihood of accuracy is high.}

1779 - Martha “PATTY” Barefoot becomes member of the Jacob Morgan household. [Wetherill interview, Patty states she was a member of the household at age 3] {Likelihood of accuracy is high.}

1781 - Thomas released from duty of 10th PA Regiment [PA Archives 5th Series Vol III, pp 568] {Likelihood of accuracy is high.}

1784 - location unknown, Thomas dies [Barefoot/Sleek Genealogy] {O.F.H. - no documentation to substantiate}

1784 - Amity Twp., Berks Co., Hanna Barfoot marries Jesse Williams (Rev. Wm. Boos) [Berks Co., PA Marriages, 1730-1800 Vol. 1] {Likelihood of accuracy is high.}

1785 - Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Samuel appears on tax list for the first time [PA Archives 3rd Series Vol XII p 707] {Likelihood of accuracy is high.}

1785 - Caernarvon Twp., Berks Co., Martha Barefoot d/o Sarah Barefoot baptised. JACOB & RACHEL MORGAN, Sponsors [St. Thomas Church History]{Likelihood of accuracy is high and this tidbit APPEARS TO STRENGTHEN THE MORGAN-BAREFOOT tie}

1785 - West Nantmell Twp., Chester Co., Benjamin Barefoot appears on tax list for the first time [PA Archives 3rd Series Vol XII p 765] {Likelihood of accuracy is high and it raises questions as to whether Samuel & Benjamin were the same age (born 1764 - maybe TWINS?) or whether they were SOMEWHERE ELSE until 1785, which is why they didn’t appear on the tax lists prior to this time...}

1787 - location unknown (assumption is Berks Co. at this point) Benjamin Barefoot marries Rebecca Ross [Bible of Rebecca Ross; entries regarding marriage] {Reliability high. No parish record to confirm this available at this time}

1788 - Chester Co., JAMES Barefoot ,s/o Benjamin and Rebecca (Ross) Barefoot is born [Date from Bible of Rebecca Ross; location is not proven] {Reliability high. No parish record to confirm this available at this time. OFH states James was so named in honor of James Ross, father of Rebecca.}

1790 - Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Samuel appears on census as Head of household which includes one male over 18 and 3 free, white females [Census Records] {Reliability high.}

1790 - Southwark Twp., Philadelphia Co., John Barford appears as Head of household for 1790 census, which includes 1 male under 16, 2 males over 16 and 1 female (age not given) [Census Records] {Questionable as to whether this is of our line.}

1791 - Lancaster Co., WILLIAM Barefoot, s/o Benjamin and Rebecca (Ross) Barefoot is born [Date from Bible of Rebecca Ross; location is not proven] {Reliability high. St. Gabriel’s parish records confirm birthdate. (actual church records show: “at St. Thomas Church, Morgantown)}

1792 - Caernarvon Twp., Berks Co., Sarah Barefoot, an ADULT baptised. [St. Thomas Church - history, Journal of Rev. Illing found in appendix of book, showing baptism occurred at Morlattin (St. Gabriel’s).] {Reliability high. Baptised at the age of 34, it is not known who she had sponsor her} (See 1758 Birth record)

1793 - location unknown, SAMUEL Barefoot s/o Benjamin and Rebecca (Ross) Barefoot is born [Date from Bible of Rebecca Ross] {Reliability high. St. Gabriel’s parish records confirm birthdate. (church records show: “at St. Thomas Church, Morgantown)}

1795 - location unknown, EZIBELLA d/o Benjamin and Rebecca is born [Date from Bible of Rebecca Ross] {Reliability high. St. Gabriel’s parish records confirm birthdate. (church records show: “at St. Thomas Church, Morgantown)}

1797 - Amity Twp., Berks Co., St. Gabriel’s Epis. Church, Wm., Sam’l and Ezibella Barefoot are baptised (no mention of James?) [Parish register transcription states they were of the “St. Thomas Church at Morgantown”] {Reliability high.}

1798 - location unknown, JOB PALMER Barefoot s/o Benjamin and Rebecca (Ross) Barefoot is born [Date from Bible of Rebecca Ross] {Reliability high, although there is no parish record to confirm}

1799 - East Nantmell Twp., Chester Co. , Samuel Barefoot, blacksmith has 15 acres, 1 stone smith house, 1 log house and 1 cow. [Tax records (per Pam Shenk, Tri-County heritage society, Morgantown PA)] {Reliability high.}

1800 - East Nantmell Twp., Chester Co., Samuel in Census; males (1) 10-16, (2) 16/26, (1)45 & up; females (1) 10-16, (1) 26-45, (1) 45 & up [Census Records] {Reliability high.}

1800 - Union Twp., Fayette Co., Benjamin appears on census ALONE; age 26-45 [Census Records] {Reliability high.}

1800 - Union Twp., Fayette Co., Benjamin swears out a warrant for the arrest of one Archibald Coone, who apparently damaged something belonging to Ben. Ben writes the judge a note in June 1800 stating that he and Archibald have settled their matter. [Fayette Co. Prothonotary records, furnished by Victoria Leonelli, hired researcher.] {Reliability high.}

1801 - East Nantmell Twp., Chester Co., Samuel has 1 log house, 1 shop, 11 acres and 2 cows [Tax records per Pam Shenk] {Reliability high.}

1801 - Lancaster Co., Cyrus Barefoot s/o Martha Barefoot and __ no father entered [Bangor Church - Rev. Thomas Barton (same minister as St. Thomas’)] {Reliability high, indicates perhaps baptism took place at Old John Evans’ farm. John Evans was a witness to the will of Jacob Morgan and a member of the vestry at St. Thomas’}

1809 - Rebecca Barefoot on payroll @ Joanna Furnace [Joanna Furnace ledger index as per Pam Shenk - Tri County Heritage Society Morgantown PA] {Reliability high.} (Since Joanna Furnace had a kitchen and a day and night shift, the men often ate in the kitchen. Rather than working in the foundry, one would conclude that perhaps Rebecca was a cook rather than a manual laborer. Bill Kreiger)

1809 - Jessie Williams on payroll @ Joanna Furnace (married Hannah Barefoot) [Joanna Furnace Ledger index] {Reliability high.}

1809 - Bedford Co., James Barefoot, s/o Benjamin and Rebecca (Ross) Barefoot relocates from Berks Co. to Bedford Co. [Barefoot/Sleek Genealogy] {Reliability high.} (Could James have gone to Western Pennsylvania to try to find his father Benjamin Barefoot? Sylvia Sonneborn note)

1810 - St. Clair Twp., Bedford Co., James Barefoot, s/o Benjamin and Rebecca (Ross) Barefoot, marries Mary Sleek [Barefoot/Sleek Genealogy] {Reliability high, although unsure if church records support this.}

1810 - West Nantmell Twp., Chester Co., Samuel Barefoot in census; males - (1) 10-16, (2) 16-26, (1) 45 & up; females - (2) 16-26, (1) 45 & up [Census Records] {Reliability high.}

1810 - Caernarvon Twp., Berks Co., Rebecca Barefoot and most of the children in census; Males - (1) 10-16, (1) 16-26; Females - (1) 10-16, (1) female 26-45, (1) female over 45 [Census Records] {Reliability high.  SHOWS REBECCA AS HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD}

1812 - William Barefoot, s/o Benjamin and Rebecca Barefoot on roll of 5th Battalion, 1st Brigade, PA Militia [ PA Archives Vol 8, Series XI, p 68] {Reliability high}

1813-15 - Ruth Robinson Ross, Widow of James Ross and mother of Rebecca Ross, dies. 

1814 - Samuel Barefoot s/o Benjamin and Rebecca Barefoot dies at age 21; buried @ Leacock Presby Cemetery (Old Cemetery) [Barefoot/Sleek genealogy book] {Leacock Presby. Cemetery confirms details.}

1814 - William s/o Benjamin and Rebecca on roll of 5th Battalion, 1st Brigade, PA Militia [PA Archives] {Reliability high}

1818(ca) - William, s/o Benjamin and Rebecca, marries Mary Schaefer [no data on this entry; calculated from birth of first child]  {Woodlawn Cemetery records show Wm. & Mary as husband and wife.}

1818 - Rebecca is living in Leacock Twp., Lancaster Co., PA [Power of attorney - Rebecca to son William Barefoot regarding the division of brother William Ross’ estate] {Reliability high}

1819 - Ezibella (Isabella) Barefoot d/o Benjamin and Rebecca Barefoot marries Daniel Rutter of Leacock Twp., in Lancaster [Intelligencer & Weekly Advertizer, Lancaster PA] {Reliability high}

1820 - Caernarvon Twp., Berks Co. “Patty” Barefoot in census. [Census Records] {Appears in census with Frederick Groff household.  According to the will of John Morgan, daughter Hannah is married to Frederick Groff}

1820 - Leacock Twp., Lancaster Co., William Barefoot appears in census [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1820 - Leacock Twp., Lancaster co., Daniel and Isabella (Barefoot) Rutter appear on census, two doors down from brother William (above). [Census Records]  {Reliability high}

1825(ca) - Lancaster Co., Job Palmer Barefoot, s/o Benjamin & Rebecca Barefoot, marries Agnes McCaskey [Barefoot/Sleek Genealogy] {Reliability high}

1830 - St. Clair Twp., Bedford Co., James Barefoot and family appear in census [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1830 - Leacock Twp., Lancaster Co., Job Palmer Barefoot in census [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1830 - Leacock Twp., Lancaster Co., William Barefoot in census [Census Records] {Reliability high} 
[Census Records] {Reliability high}

1830 - Hocking Twp., Fairfield Co., OH, Daniel & Isabella (Barefoot) Rutter in census [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1839 – Oral family history says Benjamin dies. WHERE is not exactly known, although 1818 power of attorney implies his death occurred prior to 1818! [Barefoot-Sleek Genealogy; 1954 letter from G. Wood states LCHS told her Ben was buried in Leacock Twp. (BUT WHERE??)] {Reliability uncertain. OFH says he was travelling to Bedford to see son James when he died or was killed.}

1840 - St. Clair Twp., Bedford County, James Barefoot in census (without mother REBECCA Ross Barefoot) [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1840 - Leacock Twp., Lancaster Co., Job Palmer Barefoot in census [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1840 - Henderson Twp., Huntingdon Co., William Barefoot in census [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1840 - Bloom Twp., Fairfield Co., OH, Isabella (Barefoot) and Daniel Rutter in census [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1844 - James Barefoot, s/o Benjamin and Rebecca Barefoot dies [Bedford Co., Archives] {Reliability high (interment? supposedly Spring Meadow Quaker Cemetery, although no stone is there; however estate shows payout to Amos Penrose who was the gravedigger for Spring Meadow).}

1849 - Armaugh Twp., Mifflin Co., William Barefoot , s/o Benjamin and Rebecca Barefoot dies [Woodlawn Cemetery Records] {Reliability high}

1850 - Madison Twp., Franklin Co., OH, Isabella (Barefoot) and Daniel Rutter in census [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1850 - Caernarvon Twp., Berks Co., Martha Barefoot, age 70 in census (which one? - we know Martha “Patty” was living with Letitia Finger in 1858) [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1853 - Rebecca (Ross) Barefoot dies in St. Clair Twp., Bedford Co., PA [Tombstone in Spring Garden Quaker Cemetery; copy of death certificate listing Ruth Ross as her mother] {Reliability high}

1860 - Londonderry Twp., Chester Co., Job Palmer Barefoot in census [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1863 - Martha Barefoot (which one? who knows?) dies. (guess is that it is the mother of Cyrus b 1800) [Census Records] {Reliability high}

1865 - Martha “Patty” Barefoot dies, aged 90 years. [Lancaster Intelligencer] {Reliability high (need to see if further information is available)}

1868 - Chester Co., PA, Job Palmer Barefoot, s/o Benjamin and Rebecca Barefoot dies [Annals of Conestoga Valley (Tri County Heritage Society has her tombstone from when her grave was relocated so they could build on to the church)] {Reliability high.  Tombstone states “age 90 years 1775-1865” }

1873 - Hancock Co., OH, Isabella Barefoot Rutter, d/o Benjamin and Rebecca Barefoot, dies. [Burson (Castor) Cemetery, Delaware Twp., Hancock Co., OH] {Reliability high}


Thank you to Sharon Sheldon for sharing this timeline.