John Edward "Eddie" Barnes

Because of the loss of the 1890 census, the first record John Edward Barnes appears on is the 1900 census when he is already 18 years old. He lived with his parents and is listed as being able to read, write and speak English. He has an occupation listed as “day labor.” His father’s occupation that year was given as “farmer.”

On January 6th, 1904 Eddie married Elizabeth Catherine “Bessie” Allen in Washington D.C. Her parents were John Parker Allen and Sarah Frances Hardwick. Their first child was born on January 3rd, 1905, Thelma Frances “Meme” Barnes. William Parker “Billy Boy” Barnes was born soon after on June 15th, 1906.

The 1910 census shows the family in Westmoreland, VA in the Cople magisterial district on the main road between Hague and Coles Point. Eddie’s profession is sailor on a freight vessel. He is noted as owning his own home mortgage free. Bessie and Thelma are listed as being born in DC, William is listed being born in Virginia.

In 1918 as the US was entering World War One, Eddie was required to fill out a card for the draft. He gave his present occupation as fisherman and described himself as medium height and build with dark eyes and brown hair. He was already 36 at the time and luckily was not drafted.

On the 1920 census the family appears to be living in the same place, but no road is given. Eddie is still listed as a sailor. His parents and sister Effie with her family are listed on the same census page, so they must have all been close neighbors. Effie’s husband, George Godman, appears to have taken over the store previously run by Eddie’s father.

The 1930 census still places the family in the Cople magisterial district of Westmoreland County. Thelma and William have grown up and moved from home. Bessie’s mother, Sallie F. Allen age 76, is listed as living with the family as a permanent guest. Eddie’s occupation is as a waterman in the oyster industry. Lester is listed as a laborer in the oyster industry.

In the 1940 census Eddie’s youngest two children still lived with him although each had gotten married. Eddie’s occupation was given as captain of a freight vessel. Lester was married to Virginia Z., he was listed as being unemployed and looking for work as a waterman in the oyster and crab industry. Catnee was married to Samuel P Trader, he was employed as a carpenter in the building construction industry. This census for also asked for the highest level of education, Eddie is noted as completing 7th grade, Bessie completed the first year of high school, Lester completed two years of high school and Catnee finished 3 years of high school.

In the 1950 census Eddie and Bessie were marked as living alone and each being 68 years old. Eddie reported working 32 hours the previous week and the job was listed as commercial oystering.

Eddie died on October 20th, 1954, likely at home. The cause of death was apoplexy (unconsciousness or incapacity resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke) due to "Cardiac Insufficiency.” He was under the care of a doctor for the last month of his life, the apoplexy had its onset a week before his death. He was buried October 22nd at Carmel United Methodist Church in Kinsale.