Peter M. Barnett

Peter M. Barnett

• Peter M. Barnett was born circa 1820 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, according to family lore.
• Peter M. Barnett appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Delhi, Delaware County, New York, living in a hotel. It is an educated guess that this is the father of George W. Barnett.
• He married Sarah Foster circa 1851.
• Peter M. Barnett and Sarah Foster appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. Other members of the household included William H. Moore, Harriet N. Moore, Sophronia M. Moore, Adeline Moore, Emma Moore, James Barnett, Albert M. Barnett, George W. Barnett and Frank L. Barnett.
• He was a joiner, according to the 1860 census.
• On 17 April 1863, at the age of 42, he enlisted in Buffalo as a private in Company E, 12th New York Cavalry Regiment, GAR. Transferred to Company D on 20 May 1863, and mustered out on 19 July 1865 at Raleigh, North Carolina.
• Peter M. Barnett died between 1865 and 1880.
• Sarah Foster became a widow at his death.
• Peter M. Barnett was living in Bath, Steuben County, New York, at the New York State Soldiers and Sailors Home, after retirement.
• Peter M. Barnett died circa 1876.
• Sarah Foster became a widow at his death.
• The following biographical sketch was published in 1898 in Our County and Its People: A Descriptive Work on Erie County, New York (1898): Frank L. Barnet, Alden, was born in 1859, and is a son of Peter M. and Sarah (Foster) Barnet of Buffalo. Peter M. was a Scotchman by birth, and came to Buffalo nearly fifty years ago, where he followed the trade of cabinet-maker; he died in 1876; his wife was of English descent, but spent most of her life in Buffalo, and died in 1886. They had four children, of whom Frank L. was the youngest. He received his education from the public schools of the city, and after graduating entered the law office of W. B. Donohue, where he remained about three years, when Mr. Donohue went to New York and Mr. Barnet found a new preceptor in W. W. Hodge, whose office he then entered. He remained there until admitted to the bar in 1881. The opportunities seeming better in the smaller towns at that time, Mr. Barnet settled in Alden, Erie county, where he has built up a successful practice. He is counsel for the village corporation and has served it also in other official capacities. He has recently established an office in Buffalo. In September, 1881 he married M. Louise, daughter of Charles M. and Asenath Platt of Alden.

• Last Edited: 22 May 2010