Eugenia C. Barnes

b. 22 December 1842, d. 31 August 1909
  • Eugenia C. Barnes was born on 22 December 1842 in Grimes County, Texas.
  • James W. Barnes and Caroline Alice Greene appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Eugenia C. Barnes, Zenobia H. Barnes, Mark S. Barnes and Abi Elizabeth Bowin. Also in the household was Kentucky-born lawyer F. S. Stockdale, age 22.
  • James W. Barnes and Caroline Alice Greene appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Plantersville PO, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Eugenia C. Barnes, Zenobia H. Barnes, Mark S. Barnes, Thomas Barnes, Evelina Wood Barnes and John T. Barnes. Also in the household was Robert Barnes (age 18, born in Mississippi), probably a nephew.
  • On 3 February 1861, Eugenia C. Barnes wrote to Evelina Alexander Barnes:
         Independence, Feb. 3rd 1861
    My Dear Cousin,
         About a month ago I received your very unexpected, yet, most gladly - welcomed letter. I feel ashamed of this long delay in answering it, but as you seemed so anxious to have me return to school, I thought I would not reply until I was again numbered with the happy hearted inmates of Baylor University, then you would feel certain that I was at school. I thought of remaining at home this term on account of the non-attendance of any of my class mates -- but during the Christmas holidays I received a letter from a member of my class saying that she intended returning, so I gladly determined to come and engage in those intellectual persuits which are both entertaining and instructive. I hope you will not think that I did not appreciate your letter, for it was one of the most welcomed epistles I have ever received -- welcome because it eminated from a cousin whose high qualifications I have ever been taught to respect and love -- Welcomed still with much joy because it was altogether unexpected, and from these reasons you will infer that I will oft gaze upon its pages with delight, thinking as I do that it was dictated by a friendly heart, and traced by the hand of a Cousin who felt interested in my future happiness. Dear Cousin Evelina I thank you for that interest, and may I be worthy of your approval is my sincere wish. I think not that I wished to remain at home because I had "wearied in well doing," for I have long since learned that Wisdom's ways are pleasant and that all her "paths are peace." We had vacation during the Christmas holidays and I spent my time very pleasantly indeed. Had a great deal of company and really enjoyed myself so much I could scarcely leave. You know that young persons naturally love enjoyment. I am looking hopefully forward to much pleasure after leaving school. Miss Evelina Wood, or, "Little Sis," is the sweetest child I ever saw. She can run about every where and is able to speak many little words. She is as good as she is pretty, and consequently a great favorite with us all. Ma's and Pa's life seems bound up in that child. Cousin Evelina, I hope you will come up to our next annual examination -- You are aware that I will graduate then. I am studying diligently to obtain the highest honors. My studies are very difficult and try to the utmost my powers. Yet they seem light and I engage in them with a joyful, hopeful heart, when I remember that my parents, relations and friends feel a deep interest in, and looking anxiously forward to, my graduation. Sister is at school this term. She has not been entirely well since her arrival. She seems very well pleased and quite cheerful. She sends much love to you all. Cousin Evelina, I hope you will write often, for tis sweet to receive such manifestations of interest in for my success. Kiss Cousin Ella -- Best love to all the members of the family -- Cousin Billie & Josie
         I remain affectionately, Eugenia Barnes
    Minimal punctuation added by the transcriber to enhance readability.
  • According to A History of Texas Baptists, Eugenia Barnes was one of two 1861 graduates of Baylor Female College at Independence.
  • She married James Rigdon Quinney Jr., son of James Alexander Rigdon Quinney and Mary O'Neal, on 18 March 1862.
  • James Rigdon Quinney Jr. and Eugenia C. Barnes appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Anderson, Grimes County, Texas, living near her parents.. Other members of the household included Carrie Quinney.
  • James Rigdon Quinney Jr. and Eugenia C. Barnes appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Navasota, Grimes County, Texas.
  • Eugenia C. Barnes appeared in the '1892-1893 Houston, Texas, City Directory listed as "Eugenia C. Quinney, widow R.," residing with Thomas D. Cobbs..
  • Eugenia C. Barnes became a widow at the 13 January 1892 death of her husband James Rigdon Quinney Jr.
  • The following appeared on 15 January 1892 in The Galveston Daily News: (Navasota, Jan. 14) Jan. 14.--Dr. Rigdon Quinney died suddenly at his home in this city on Tuesday, at 1.48 p. m., from the effects of la grippe. His remains were taken to Houston and interred at Glenwood cemetery [sic]yesterday evening.
         Dr. Quinney was well know in Grimes county, having practiced medicine here and at Anderson for fifteen years. He was ex-alderman and postmaster at Navasota. He leaves a wife and one daughter. The latter is Mrs. T. D. Cobbs, wife of T. D. Cobbs, a leading attorney at Houston.
  • The following appeared on 23 October 1892 in The Galveston Daily News: (Anderson, Oct. 22) General James W. Barnes died at his home, about three miles southeast of this place, yesterday at 7 o'clock a. m., in the 75th year of his age. General Barnes was among the early settlers of Grimes county; was one of the commissioners to locate and lay out the town of Anderson, the county seat when the county was organized. The general was always broad and enlightened in his views, and was a successful planter here prior to the civil war. He was during the war elected to a brigadier generalship of state militia. Since the war he had been connected with a number of important business enterprises in Texas. He was the father of Mrs. C. C. Gibbs of San Antonio and the grandfather of Mrs. T. D. Cobb of Houston, who, with Mrs. Dr. R. Quinney and his faithful life partner, are left to mourn his loss. He was interred in the family burying ground to-day at 10 a. m. His death has cast a gloom over this community.
  • Eugenia C. Barnes appeared in the '1897-1898 and 1899-1900 San Antonio, Texas, City Directory listed as "Eugenia Quinney (wid Rigdon)," residing with T. D. Cobbs..
  • On 15 May 1901, Eugenia C. Barnes wrote to Edward Bowin: (postmarked San Antonio, May 15 1901, 2 cent stamp, addressed to Mr Ed Bowin, Care Claud Clarkson, Grand Central Depot, Houston, Texas)
         103 Washington St., San Antonio, May 15
    Dear Cousin Ed, Ma has been wanting to write to you ever since she reached here, but she has not been able to do so. She has requested me to write, which I do with pleasure, only I regret I cannot give you a favorable account of her health. She stood the trip out finely, but the first night she slept between two open windows, caught a cold which is almost pneumonia. She is now sick in bed, has been for a week with physician attending. She is very little better today. I sleep in her room to wait on her at night and Sister attends to her in the day.
         Ma begged me to tell you how glad she was to see you, and cousin Maggie and Mattie and especially to thank you all for your kind help and attention. You all certainly made her old heart happy. She kept saying how glad she was to see you. When we go back, if God spares her life, we will let you know and hope then to meet again.
         With much love, your cousin, Eugenia Quinney. Remember me kindly to Mr Claud. And tell Mattie that her Aunt Carrie said she was "just as pretty as ever." E.Q.
         Information and transcription from Christy Neeb's database at RootsWeb.
  • Eugenia C. Barnes died on 31 August 1909 at age 66.
  • She was interred at Odd Fellows Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
  • Last Edited: 29 Jul 2013

Family: James Rigdon Quinney Jr. b. 22 June 1826, d. 13 January 1892