Bare Family Stories

Note:  The following are excerpts from "The Heritage Book of Ashe County, North Carolina" found at the Ashe County Library.  These excerpts are found multiple times on each of almost all of the genealogy sites.  

ARTICLE 1       "THE BARE FAMILY ORIGINS"

The Ashe County telephone directory contains a long list of residents with the surname of Bare.  Rather remarkable when one considers that all, or nearly all, are descendents of one Henry Bare who came to the area sometime before 1800.  Research to date has not revealed his point of origin, but he was buying land in Wilkes before Ashe was formed.  On August 11, 1797 Henry Bare bought 100 acres of land from Jonathan Courtney. On December 27 of the same year, he bought 18 1/2 acres on the south fork of New River which "adjoins his old line."  A Wilkes County tax list for 1797 shows one Henry Bare with two polls and 117 acres.

Early census records seem to indicate that old Henry had at least two sons, Henry and Jacob, and there may have been others.  A Joel appears in 1840, but is not again listed.  Bits of family history mention a Hugh who "went down country."  Judith Bare who married Christian Miller, Catherine Bare who married Andrew Sheets, and Sallie Bare who married John Walters were probably of this family.

The real problem occurs when trying to decide which Bare listed in the 1850 census belong to Henry and which to Jacob.  On the basis of grouping the birth years, Henry’s sons may have been:  Joseph (b.1798) m. Susie Miller; Jacob (b.1801) m. Dicey Lyall;  Hughlander (b.1807) m. Polly Koontz; Elias (b.1809) m. Lucinda Sheets; Daniel (b.1810) m. Alvey Miller; Jonathan (b.1813) m. Elizabeth Woodie; and Wilborn (b.1815) m. Caroline Severt.  Henry's daughters were probably Elizabeth who married Joseph Miller; Polly who married Jack Farrington; and another who married "a Roten."

Jacob's family members were possibly:  Absolum (b.1823) m. Ann Hubbard; William (b.1824); Susannah (b.1825) m. Adam Sheets; Parlee (b.1828); Delphe; Milly m. Michael Miller; Alfred (b.1831) m. Sabra Sheets; Jemina (b.1833) m. Jeremiah Miller; and Joseph Collins (b.1837).

Most of the Bare families in Ashe can trace their roots back to the couples listed.   My paternal grandmother, Lou (Bare) Little, was the granddaughter of Hugh and Polly (Koontz) Bare.  My maternal grandmother, Hattie (Bare) Bower was the great-granddaughter of Jacob and Dicy (Lyall) Bare and my maternal great grandmother, Emma Jane (Bare) Bower was the daughter of Elias and Lucinda (Sheets) Bare. 

 Many of the young Bare men volunteered for service in the Civil War.  One family member has said that they were hot-tempered by nature and were convinced that they could win the war by them selves.  Jacob's son, Alfred, was killed in an accident on the Weldon military railroad on May 1, 1863, leaving Sabra a window. Joseph and Susie had three sons in uniform, Lee, Felix and John.  John was wounded (probably at Gettysburg) and died at Petersburg on July 13, 1863, the day Lee's troops reached that city on their retreat. 

Elias and Lucinda had four sons, Lee, Farrow, Hamilton, and Absolum, who served.  Lee was killed July 1, 1863 at Gettysburg.  On the night before the Battle of the Wilderness which took places on the 5-6 of May 1864, Absolum was seen by his first cousin Jesse Bare, but he was never heard from again.  Farrow survived the war, but was later killed in a shooting accident at Cicero Bare's.

Jacob and Dicey had four sons in the war, Elias, Wiley, John and Jacob.  Elias never returned to his wife Barbara Severt.  Wiley was taken prisoner, but was released after the war.

Hugh and Polly also had four sons in the Confederate Army, Rudolph, Hamilton, Jacob, and Jesse, who were at the Battle of the Wilderness with Absolum.

Sources: 1800-1870 Census Records; Ashe marriage and death records; U.S. Archives military records; Miller Genealogy; George C. Bower, James E. Barr, Verl Weight, and B.C. Gwyn (now deceased).  - Monte L. DeBoard

ARTICLE 2       "BARE OR BARR FAMILY"   

The first record found of a Bare or Barr, in what is now Ashe County, was a grant of land for eighteen and half acres to Henry Barr on a ridge on a branch of the North Fork of New River.  The grant was dated 23 July 1795.

This Henry Barr or Bare, born before 1755 (possibly in Penn.) is known to have had two sons:

1. Henry Bare, born about 1779 (age 70 yrs in Oct. 1849, when he died). 

2. Jacob Bare, born about 1784 (age 66 years in 1850 census).

Their were possibly four daughters, per the 1800 federal census - three born between 1784 and 1790, and one born in the 1790's 

I HENRY BARE, born about 1779, and his wife Elizabeth are believed to have had at least eleven children, eight sons and three daughters. The known sons follow:

1. Jacob, born circa 1801, married Dicy Lyall in 1822. Their known children:
1.1. Will, born circa 1824, married Carolina Severt;
1.2. Henry, born circa 1828, married 1st Amanda Woodie and 2nd Carolina Stamper;
1.3. Elizabeth, born 21 April 1829, married Henry Woody;
1.4. WILEY, born 30 Sept. 1830, married ANNIE Wagoner;
1.5. John, born 12 June 1834, married Nancy Caroline Lyals;
1.6. Alie, born circa 1835, married Hugh Farrington or Pennington;
1.7. Amanda, born circa 1837, married Calvin Woodie;
1.8. Charity, born 15 Feb 1840, married John Wagoner;
1.9. Jacob, born circa 1841, died young ;
1.10. Eli, married a Barbara; and
1.11. Rachael, married John Black.
2) Joseph, born circa 1804, married Susan or Susie Miller, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Koontz Miller. Their known children:
1.1. Elias, born 5 Jan. 1828, married Nancy Sheets;
1.2. George, born circa 1830, married Katy Little;
1.3. John, born circa 1831, married Elizabeth Lyle or Burgess;
1.4. Sarah or Sallie, born circa 1833, married John Cox;
1.5. Lavina, born circa 1836, married Talton Woodie;
1.6. Joseph, born circa 1838, married Margaret Woodie;
1.7. Elzina born circa 1839, married Troy Miller;
1.8. Felix, born 6 May 1841, married Martha Sheets;
1.9. Americee or Markee, born 10 May 1842, married Ephraim Osborne;
1.10. Clemenzie, born circa 1850, married James Osborne; and
1.11. Minney, born circa 1844.
3) Hugh, born circa 1807, married in 1829 to Mary or Polly Koontz, daughter of George and Susannah Black Koontz. Their known children were:
1.1. Emaly or Milly, born 22 April 1834, married Francis Marian Woddie;
1.2. Rudy or Rudolphus, born 29 Oct. 1837, married Fanny Wagoner;
1.3. Hamilton, born 19 April 1839, married Polly Little;
1.4. Jacob, born circa 1841, married Cyndia Little;
1.5. Martha, born circa 1847;
1.6. Mary, born circa 1849, married Preston Taylor;
1.7. Jessie, born 17 Oct. 1844 Married Jennie Bowers; and
1.8. Sallie, married 1st John Walters, married 2nd Matt Farrington.
4) Daniel, born circa 1810, married 1st Alvy; she may have been a Sheets. It is believed Daniel had a son
1.1. Jordan.
Daniel is believed to have married 2nd Mary or Polly Black. It is believed they had the following children:
1.2. Victora;
1.3. Ann;
1.4. Cisroe and
1.5. Nathaniel, born 5 March 1859, married Callie Bare.
5) Elias or Lewis, born circa 1809, married Lucinda Sheets. It is believed they were the parents of fifteen children:
1.1. Leander, killed in Civil War, born circa 1841;
1.2. Pharr, born circa 1842;
1.3. Hamilton, born circa 1843, married Jane Bare;
1.4. Absolum, born circa 1844;
1.5. George, born circa 1846;
1.6. Ellen, born circa 1848;
1.7. Mary, born circa 1850;
1.8. Briget, born circa 1851;
1.9. Catherine, born circa 1853;
1.10. Margaret, born circa 1855;
1.11. BARTLET, born circa 1857, married LOIS Coldiron;
1.12. Harrison, born circa 1859;
1.13. Matilda or Milly, born circa 1862, married George Coldiron;
1.14. Emma Jane, born 23 Feb. 1862, married James Eli Bower and
1.15. Freeland, born 8 Aug. 1865, married Sallie Bell Bare.
6) Jonathan, born circa 1813, married Elizabeth or Lizzie Woodie, daughter of James and Margaret Bryant Woodie. Jonathan and Lizzie are known to have had seven children:
1.1. James, born 14 Aug. 1836, married Ansley Wyatt;
1.2. Henry, born 20 Sept. 1844, married Margaret Cox;
1.3. Melvin, born Jan. 1845, married Tennesee Stringer;
1.4. Noah, born 25 Dec. 1848. Married Niece Blevins;
1.5. Frances or Franky, born 25 May 1851, married Floyd South;
1.6. Marian, born circa 1856, married Celia Jane Powers and
1.7. Mathew, born 29 June 1859, married Ellen Henderson.
7) Wilborn, born circa 1824, married Carolina Severt. Wilborn and Caroline are known to hae had seven children:
1.1. Randolph, born circa 1849;
1.2. Susanah, born 22 March 1852, married Noah Mash;
1.3. Jacob, born circa 1857;
1.4. Ellis, born March 1860, married Diana Woodie; and
1.5. Lee, born circa 1862. ...................................................................

Some of the above information contains inaccurate information or errors.  I have made corrections or clarifications in red based more recent research done by others on genealogy sites. The corrections or clarifying information are to Article II.

HENRY BARE, born about 1779, and his wife Elizabeth are believed to have had at least eleven children, eight sons and three daughters. The known sons follow:

1.     Jacob (John Jacob), born circa 1801, married Dicy (Dicey) Lyall in 1822. Their known children:

Note from Kim:  The following is from the end of the article - the author of this article messed up: 

1.1.  Wilborn, born circa 1824, married Carolina Severt. Wilborn and Caroline are known to have had seven children:

Randolph, born circa 1849;

Susanah, born 22 March 1852, married Noah Mash;

Jacob, born circa 1857;

Ellis, born March 1860, married Diana Woodie; and

Lee, born circa 1862. ................................................................... 

1.2.  Henry (Porter), born circa 1828 (1826), married 1st Amanda Woodie (this should be Amanda Harless) and 2nd Carolina Stamper;

1.3.  Elizabeth, born 21 April 1829, married Henry Woody (Woodie);

1.4.  WILEY, born 30 Sept. 1830, married ANNIE Wagoner (shouldn’t this be Waggoner?);

1.5.  John, born 12 June 1834, married Nancy Caroline Lyals (Lyall);

1.6.  Alie, born circa 1835 (1832), married Hugh Farrington or Pennington (it's Farrington);

1.7.  Amanda, born circa 1837 (Feb 1839), married Calvin Woodie;

1.8.  Charity, born 15 Feb 1840, married John Wagoner (Waggoner);

1.9.  Jacob, born circa 1841, died young;

1.10. Eli (abt 1834), married a Barbara (Severt); and

1.11. Rachael (Feb 1829), married John Black (John M Black 1826 – 1907).

2) Joseph, born circa 1804 (12 Feb 1798), married Susan or Susie Miller, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Koontz Miller. Their known children:

1.1.  Elias (Elijah Elias), born 5 Jan. 1828, married Nancy Sheets;

1.2.  George, born circa 1830 (Abt 1826), married Katy Little;

1.3.  John, born circa 1831 (1830), married Elizabeth Lyle or Burgess (Elizabeth Ann Betsy Lyall);

1.4.  Sarah or Sallie (Sarah Sallie), born circa 1833 (1832), married John Cox;

1.5.  Lavina (Lavana), born circa 1836 (1838), married Talton Woodie;

1.6.  Joseph, born circa 1838 (Dec 1834), married Margaret Woodie;

1.7.  Elzina born circa 1839 (23 Oct 1834), married Troy Miller;

1.8.  Felix, born 6 May 1841, married Martha Sheets;

1.9.  Americee or Markee (America), born 10 May 1842, married Ephraim Osborne (Osborn);

1.10.  Clemenzie (Clamenza), born circa 1850 (abt 1840), married James Osborne; and

1.11. Minney, born circa 1844.

3) Hugh (Hugh Ander), born circa 1807 (1808), married in 1829 to Mary or Polly Koontz (Mary Polly), daughter of George and Susannah Black Koontz. Their known children were:

1.1.  Emaly or Milly (Emaline), born 22 April 1834, married Francis Marian Woddie (Woodie);

1.2.  Rudy or Rudolphus (Rudolphys Rudy), born 29 Oct. 1837, married Fanny Wagoner;

1.3.  Hamilton, born 19 April 1839, married Polly (Mary Polly) Little;

1.4.  Jacob, born circa 1841 (22 Jan 1842), married Cyndia Little;

1.5.  Martha, born circa 1847 (abt 1851);

1.6.  Mary (Mary Ann), born circa 1849, married Preston Taylor;

1.7.  Jessie, born 17 Oct. 1844 Married Jennie Bowers (Jane Bower); and

1.8.  Sallie (Sarah or Sally 1826 – 1862), married 1st John Walters, married 2nd Matt Farrington.

4) Daniel, born circa 1810, married 1st Alvy (Aley Sheets); she may have been a Sheets. It is believed Daniel had a son

1.1.  Jordan (1850).

    Daniel is believed to have married 2nd Mary or Polly Black. It is believed they had the following children:

1.2.  Victora; (abt 1852)

1.3.  Ann; (abt 1854)

1.4.  Cisroe (Cicero 28 Feb 1865 – married Edith Catherine Ettie Burgess (1872 – 1908)) and

1.5.  Nathaniel, born 5 March 1859, married Callie Bare (Caroline Bare who is his cousin – the daughter of Jessie Bare and Jane Bower).

5) Elias or Lewis (Elias Lewis), born circa 1809, married Lucinda Sheets. It is believed they were the parents of fifteen children:

1.1.  Leander, killed in Civil War, born circa 1841 (1939);

1.2.  Pharr (Joseph Farrow), born circa 1842 (Married Rebecca Sheets);

1.3.  Hamilton, born circa 1843 (May 1841), married Jane Bare;

1.4.  Absolum (Ashalom), born circa 1844 (died 5 May 1864);

1.5.  George, born circa 1846 (1846 / 1849);

1.6.  Ellen, born circa 1848 (1847 / 1848);

1.7.  Mary, born circa 1850;

1.8.  Briget, born circa 1851;

1.9.  Catherine, born circa 1853;

1.10. Margaret, born circa 1855;

1.11. BARTLET, born circa 1857 (15 Oct 1856), married LOIS Coldiron;

1.12. Harrison, born circa 1859 (1860 – married Martha Elisabeth Bare);

1.13. Matilda or Milly (Matilda Milly), born circa 1862, married George Coldiron;

1.14. Emma Jane, born 23 Feb. 1862 (familysearch.org says 1863), married James Eli (Ely) Bower and

1.15. Freeland (familysearch.org says Freal Frelin), born 8 Aug. 1865, married Sallie Bell Bare (familysearch.org says Sarah Belle Sallie Bare who belongs to Jesse Bare and Jane Bower – another first cousin).

6) Jonathan, born circa 1813, married Elizabeth or Lizzie Woodie, daughter of James and Margaret Bryant Woodie. Jonathan and Lizzie are known to have had seven children:

1.1.  James, born 14 Aug. 1836, married Ansley Wyatt;

1.2.  Henry, born 20 Sept. 1844, married Margaret Cox;

1.3.  Melvin, born Jan. 1845 (about 1846), married Tennesee (Tennessee) Stringer;

1.4.  Noah, born 25 Dec. 1848 (1849). Married Niece (Mecie) Blevins;

1.5.  Frances or Franky, born 25 May 1851, married Floyd South;

1.6.  Marian (Marion), born circa 1856 (1853), married Celia Jane Powers and (Rosa Emaline Sexton)

1.7.  Mathew, born 29 June 1859 (28 Jan 1859 but I changed to 28 Jun 1859 as shown on his headstone), married Ellen Henderson.

1.8.  (There is also a Miss Bare listed not in this article (1838 – 1840)

7)  (this is the son of Jacob listed in number 1 above)

Source: 

Title:  "The Heritage of Ashe County, North Carolina", Volume 1
          The Heritage of Ashe County, North Carolina, Ashe County Heritage Book Committee (N.C.)

Editors:  Bernard Goss, Ruth Weaver Shepherd, Ashe County Heritage Book Committee (N.C.)

Contributors:  Lynne Belvin, Harriette Riggs, Wake County Genealogical Society, Hunter Publishing Company (Winston-Salem, N.C.). History Division

Publisher:  Ashe County Heritage Book Committee, 1983

ISBN: 0894592254, 9780894592256