Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Barnsley, Joseph
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Warminster Township


   JOSEPH BARNSLEY farmer, P.O. Hartsville, is of English 
descent, his grandfather, John Barnsley, having emigrated 
from Yorkshire, England, about 1760. He accompanied his 
uncle, Thomas Barnsley, who was a major in the British army 
in the Ò60th Royal American regiment,Ó and had fought in the 
French war under Lord Loudon in 1756. After the war he 
resigned his commission, and went back to England, whence he 
returned with his wife and nephew, and bought an estate of 
five hundred acres on the Neshaminy creek in what is now 
Bensalem township. Here he built a mansion, the bricks for 
which were brought from England. This house is yet standing, 
and is owned and occupied by Dr. Dingee. Major Barnsley died 
in 1771, his wife surviving him several years. They had no 
children, and the executors being tories, who were 
expatriated, the estate was not settled for several years, 
although the property had been sold in 1772. On final 
settlement the proceeds were divided among four heirs. John 
Barnsley received his portion in continental money, and not 
investing it at once, it became worthless. He was manager of 
the estate until the death of his aunt. He was married about 
the time of his uncle's death, and on the breaking out of 
the revolution, he became one of a committee in Bensalem to 
drive off the cattle to keep them from the British:  In 
January, 1777, he was with Washington's army in the night 
march from Trenton to Princeton. His team was impressed to 
haul ammunition, and in the battle of Princeton he was 
ordered by Washington in person to drive along the line to 
supply the soldiers. His time expiring shortly after, he 
came home, and suffered great hardships on the way. He 
followed farming in Bensalem for several years, finally 
buying property in Newtown, where he lived until his death, 
February 2, 1796. His wife was Elizabeth Van Court, whose 
ancestors were French Huguenots, originally called De Court. 
She was born in Huntington Valley, Montgomery county, in 
1751 and died in 1824. Their son William, the father of our 
subject, was born in Bensalem township, November 8, 1775. He 
was reared to farming, and lived with his father at Newtown 
until his marriage, January 21, 1808. He lived in Newtown 
until 1831, when he bought a farm in Huntington Valley, 
where he remained until his death in 1848, aged 72 years. He 
was an industrious, hard-working man, and accumulated a 
competence, leaving a farm to each of his three sons, 
besides other property. His wife was Jane Van Horn, born in 
Lower Makefield, in 1783, who died in 1861. Their children 
were:  Mary, John, Thomas C., and Joseph. His brother John 
remained on the homestead farm in Newtown, where he lived 
until his decease, January 11, 1880. He followed surveying 
and held the office of magistrate for thirty-five years. In 
September, 1835, he was married to Mary Hough, a cousin to 
General Grant; she still survives him. He left seven 
children, two sons and five daughters. Thomas C. Barnsley 
lived on the Huntington farm until his death, September 6, 
1866. He left five children, three sons and two daughters. 
Mary never married, and is still living. Joseph was born 
June 9, 1820, and lived on the farm which he inherited in 
Warminster township, from 1845 to 1868, when he was made U. 
S. Revenue collector, and removed to Doylestown, and on the 
expiration of his term removed to the place where he now 
lives. In 1858, 1859 and 1860 he was elected to the state 
legislature. He was the only republican ever elected in this 
county for three successive terms. On January 16, 1847, he 
was married to Lydia H. Walton, of this township, who was 
born November 28, 1826. They had no issue. Mr. Barnsley is 
one of the best known citizens of the township.