My Great Aunt Mary Ann Annice Creel Barnes’ Life Story

MY GREAT AUNT MARY CREEL

1877

My great aunt, Mary Creel, was born in September 1877 in or near Covington County, Mississippi, to Amanda and Henry Creal/Creel. Amanda was 21 years old, and Henry was 33 years old.

Also, Mary was the second known daughter, and her name changed nearly every time she was recorded, from Ann to Mary to Annice, as well as Alice and Annie.

I would love it if you read “The Life Story Of My Great-Grandparents, Henry & Amanda Creal/Creel” and visit the Creal/Creel Family Website for Creal/Creel history.

1880

Mary was three years old, according to the 1880 Census, and lived with her parents, Henry and Amanda Creal/Creel, and her siblings. Mary’s name is listed as “Ann.” Her siblings are listed below:

• Burton Creel (9)
• Martha A. Creel (5)
• Sylvester Creel (1)

1893 Marriage: Mary and Elias

My great aunt, Mary Annice Creal/Creel, married Elias B. Barnes in 1893 when she was 15 years old. According to her marriage certificate, her father Henry Creal/Creel signed for her to marry Elias Barnes on January 10, 1893.

1900

By 1900, my great aunt Mary Annice and her husband Elias were living west of Tallahomo in the city of Laurel, Jones County, Mississippi, with their four children.

They lived next to her older brother, Burt Creel. Please read Burt’s story, “My Great Uncle Burton Burt Creel’s Life Story.”

Mary was now listed under the name “Annice.” She was 22 years old, and she could read, write, and speak English.

Her husband, Elias, was 30 years old and a farmer. Mary and Elias owned their farm free and clear. Their four children are listed below:

• Charles Barnes (age 6)
• Virgil Barnes (age 5)
• Elizabeth Barnes (age 3)
• Lasill Barnes (age 0)

1910

According to the 1910 Census, Mary and Elias were living on a farm in Beat 2, Jones, Mississippi, with their four children.

Mary was now listed as “Mary.” She was 32 years old, and her husband, Elias, was 38 years old.

In the 1910 Census, she was listed as not being able to read or write, but not in the 1900 Census. Mary and Elias were farm laborers on their home farm.

They had been married for 17 years. She had five children, but only four were living. Their children are listed below.

• Charlie Barnes (age 16)
• Virgle Barnes (age 14)
• Pearlie Barnes (age 13)
• Sylvester Barnes (age 10)

1920

In 1920, Mary and Elias were living on a farm in the city of Pennington, Bradley County, Arkansas, with their three youngest children.

They lived down the road from her parents, Henry and Amanda, and her sister, Donie Creal Chatman. Mary was listed as “Mary A.”

She was 42 years old; she could read and write; and there was no occupation listed. They had three children living with them:

• Vergil Barnes (age 24)
• Purlie Barnes (age 23)
• Silvesto Barnes (age 19)

1923 – 1924

On November 5, 1923, Mary’s father, Henry, passed away. And on February 9, 1924, her mother, Amanda, passed away.

On the death certificate of her mother, she was listed as the informant, but her husband was listed as the informant on the death certificate of her father, Henry.

1926

Mary Ann Annice Creel Barnes passed away on January 9, 1926, in Bradley County, Arkansas.

Her death record lists her as “Annie Varnes,” a married colored woman. She was 49 years old.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my great aunt Mary Ann Annice Creel Barnes worked hard to take care of her family in the late 1800s and early 1900s, even though it was hard for her as a black woman in the segregated South.

Unfortunately, her descendants were disconnected from the Creal/Creel family after her death. We are currently looking for her ancestors.

Creal/Creel Family Book Coming Soon

Stay tuned for “The Creal Story,” a book that is based on the lives of Henry, his wife, and their 11 children. Also, check out the Creal/Creel Family Website for more history.

Are you a descendant of Mary Ann Annice Creel Barnes? Are you my relative? Do you have more information about this story? Please leave a comment.