James R Barnett was born on December 31, 1833 in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. He was baptized on January 12, 1834 and his Godparents were George Parker and Anne Marie Malona. His parents were listed as Henry and Marie Barnet.
ROMAN CATHOLIC BAPTISMS KINGSTON “BOOK 5” October 28, 1832 to December 26, 1836
Barnet, James, bap 1/12/1834, b 12/31/1833, legit son of Henry Barnet and Marie Barnet. Gp= George Parker and Anne Marie Malona. [F] p. 18
He immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in the beginning of 1849 with the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment.
WO12/10532-10534 He was enlisted by special authority on April 2, 1849 in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada.
His Military History with the Royal Canadian Rifles Regiment
From May 1, 1849 to March 1851 he was a Bugler in Amherstburg, Ontario.
In the 1851 Census (January 11, 1851) he was living in Niagara, Lincoln County, Canada West with the RCR Regiment.
1851 Canada West, Lincoln County, Niagara, St. Lawrence Ward
page 22 line 26: James Barnett, Ireland, Roman Catholic, 18 years, male, single (page 21 Occupation listed: RC Rifles)
WO12/10535-10536 From April 1851 to April 1853 he was a drummer and fifer for the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment. His service number with the regiment was 1456.
In April 1853 the Regiment transferred to Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
WO12/10537 From April 1855 to November 1855 he was with the regiment in Toronto. The Regiment returned to Kingston, Ontario in November 1855 until 1857.
He received his first Good Conduct Pay on January 4, 1857.
WO12/10538 In 1857 he boarded a ship to Red River, Manitoba, where he was stationed until April 1860.
He moved from being a drummer to a Private, on January 1, 1859.
He received his second Good Conduct Pay on March 1, 1860.
The British Army, Worldwide Index for 1861 indicates he was stationed in Montreal Quebec.
WO12/10542-10546 On August 7, 1861 he boarded a ship to St. John’s, Newfoundland. He spent 39 days on the ship.
He was promoted to Corporal on June 1, 1863.
WO12/10547-10557 In 1863 he was stationed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, until he was transferred with the Regiment to Kingston, Ontario, Canada in April 1865.
He received his third Good Conduct Pay award on January 4, 1865.
On October 25, 1865, he was promoted to Sergeant.
He was on furlough from June 1, to June 30, 1870 and discharged at Montreal, Quebec, Canada to an out-pension on June 30, 1870.
James R. Barnett married Maria McCann (whose father was also in the Royal Canadian Rifles) around 1863.
James and Maria had the following children:
- James Richard Barnett 1863-1935
- Elizabeth Barnett 1865-1871
- Thomas Henry Barnett 1868-1927
- Catherine Marie Barnett 1869-
- Patrick Joseph Barnett 1872-1876
- Patrick Joseph Barnett 1877-
- John Stuart Barnett 1879-1957
- Peter Joseph Barnett 1882-1954
He and his family lived in the Town of St. Catharines, Ontario during the time of the 1871 Census.
- James Barnet, male, Age: 38, Born: Jamaica, Religion: Roman Catholic, Origin: Irish, Occupation: Laborer, Married
- Maria, female, Age: 28, Born: Ireland, Religion: Roman Catholic, Origin: Irish, Married
- James R., male, Age: 7, Born: Quebec, Religion: Roman Catholic, Origin: Irish, Going to School
- Thomas H., male, Age: 2, Born: Ontario, Religion: Roman Catholic, Origin: Irish, Going to School
- Catharine M., female, Age: 5/12 months, November, Born: Ontario, Religion: Roman Catholic, Origin: Irish
James and his family resided in St. Catharines, Ontario at the time of the 1881 Census. He was listed twice in the 1881 Census. Once at his place of work where he was a caretaker at the Jail and once with his family.
City of St. Catharines, Division No 1., District 145 Lincoln, page 27, line 4
- James Barnett, male, Age: 46, Born: West Indies, Religion: Catholic, Origin: Irish, Occupation: Caretaker, Married
City of St. Catharines, Division 5, District 145 Lincoln, page 37, line 16-22
- James Barnett, male, Age: 43, Born: Gemica, Religion: Catholic, Origin: Irish, Occupation: Labourer, married
- Maria, female, Age: 40, Born: Ireland, Religion: Catholic, Origin: Irish, Married
- James R, male, Age: 17, Born Quebec, Religion: Catholic, Origin: Irish
- Thomas H, male, Age: 12, Born, Ontario, Religion: Catholic, Origin: Irish
- Catharine, female, Age: 10, Born: Ontario, Religion: Catholic, Origin: Irish
- John S., male, Age: 5, Born: Ontario, Religion Catholic, Origin: Irish
- Patrick, male, Age: 3, Born: Ontario, Religion: Catholic, Origin: Irish
In 1882, James R Barnett lived on Henry Street, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
He resided in St. Catharines, Ontario at the time of the 1891 Census.
St. Catharines, District 88, St. Patricks Ward. Page 41, Line 19
April 22, 1891
- James Barnett, male, 57, married, born: West Indies, Father’s Birthplace: Ireland, Mother’s Birthplace: Ireland, Religion: Roman Catholic, Occupation: Steward, Wage Earner: yes, Read: yes, Write: yes
- Maria, female, 50, married, wife, born: Ireland, Father’s Birthplace: Ireland, Mother’s Birthplace: Ireland, Religion: Roman Catholic, Read: yes, Write: yes
- James Richard, male, 27, son, born: Quebec, Occupation: Sailor, Wage Earner: yes, Unemployed week prior: yes, read: yes, write: yes
- Thomas H, male, 22, son, born: Ontario, Occupation: Painter, wage earner: yes, read: yes, write: yes
- Maria C., female, 20, daughter, born: Ontario, read: yes, write: yes
- John S., male, 16, son, born: Ontario, read: yes, write: yes
- Peter Joseph, male, 9, son, born: Ontario, read: yes, write: yes
He died on September 22, 1892 in St. Catharines, Ontario from a condition called Cystitis (inflammation and infection of the bladder). He was being treated for this condition for 3 weeks before his death. His attending doctor was Dr. A. Leisch.
James R Barnett was buried at the Victoria Lawn Cemetery, St. Catharines, Ontario. I visited this Cemetery with my Grandfather to see the stone and we took photos.
In memory of James Barnett
Died Sept. 22, 1892
Aged 59 Years
May his soul rest in peace.
Behold a tender fathers gone
A much loved partners fled
He's gone to his eternal home
To number with the dead.
In memory of MARIA Wife of James Barnett
Died Mar. 18, 1908 Aged 67 years
May her soul rest in peace.
Helen Masterson
Wife of Peter Barnett 1881 - 1952
Peter Barnett 1882 - 1954
James R Barnett
1863-1935
James Barnett Death Notice
The Daily Standard. St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Friday, September 23, 1892. Page 4.
To the Great Beyond.
James Barnett, who for years was a steward of “the club,” died Thursday evening at his home on Henry street, aged 59 years. Deceased has been ailing for some time past and his death was not unexpected. He was much respected by quite a large circle of friends and acquaintances.