Pennsylvania Family Group Sheet for the Robert BARNHILL Family *********************************************** Copyright Vicki Burress Roach. All rights reserved. http://www.fgs-project.com/copyright.html *********************************************** Submitted by: Vicki Burress Roach Email address: Husband: Robert BARNHILL Birthdate: 1703 Birthplace: Northern Ireland Death date: 1799 Place of death: PA Burial: Father: Mother: Marriage date: 1720 Marriage place: Wife: Sarah SMITH Birthdate: 1707 Birthplace: Northern Ireland Death date: Place of death: Burial: Father: Mother: CHILDREN Child No. 1: John BARNHILL Sex: M Birthdate: ca 1729 Birthplace: Ireland Death date: 1797 Place of death: Philadelphia, PA Burial: Marriage date: Marriage place: Spouse's name: Sarah CRAIG Child No. 2: Samuel BARNHILL Sex: M Birthdate: ca 1732 Birthplace: Ireland Death date: Place of death: Burial: Marriage date: Marriage place: Spouse's name: Jean CRAIG Child No. 3: Margaret BARNHILL Sex: F Birthdate: ca 1734 Birthplace: Bucks Co., PA Death date: Place of death: Burial: Marriage date: Marriage place: Spouse's name: Henry Brubst Child No. 4: William BARNHILL, Sr. Sex: M Birthdate: May 4, 1735 Birthplace: Bucks Co., PA Death date: May 4, 1810 Place of death: York Co., SC Burial: Marriage date: Marriage place: Spouse's name: Isabella BARR ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documentation: Barnhill beginning 1172- Surname was orginally written DeBerneval (becoming variations such as, Barneval, Berneval, Barnewall, Barnewell, Barnehill, Barnihill, Bramhall and Barnhill). The DeBernevals were the parent stock from which the ancient and noble houses of Trimblestown and Kingslad branched. DeBarneval was of French extraction and the family was applied to the Dukes of Little-Bretague, where the name still continues in great repute. It was first established in Ireland in 1172 by Sir Michael DeBerneval, one of the companions in arms of "Stongbow", Earl of Pembroke. Sir Michael DeVerneval or Berneval, the first settler of the family in Ireland, landed at Leinster in 1172. He is mentioned in the records of the Tower of London, as one of the Chief Captains of the expedition in 1172. He was succeeded by his son. Alanus DeBarneval received two marks as the Kings' gift for his expenses in going to Ireland, Aug. 23, 1212. The King's mandate sent to Geoffrey DeMarisco directed that Hugh DeBerneval shoudl have a seisin (title) of his land at Drumenagh and Terrenure in the Vale of Dublin Dec. 12, 1216. He died unmarried without procure, without issue and a mandate for seisin of his lands was granted to his brother and heir. Reginald DeBerneval was restored to lands in Drumenagh and Terrenure, Jan. 24, 1228. He had a grant Nov. 27, 1233 of 20 pounds sterling a year, for his maintenance in the King's service. He was succeeded by his son. Ulphram of Wolfram DeBerneval of Drumenagh was constable of Dublin Castle in 1278 until 1281. Also, sheriff of the Vale of Dublin in 1284 and 1289. He married Mary, the only daughter and heiress of Sir William Molyeux, Knight of Moylagh, County of Meathe. He was succeeded by his son. Reginal Deverneval (spelling changed) of Drumenagh, who paid five shillings for Drumenagh, as sibsidy to the King for the war against the Scots in 1299. He married a daughter of Conway Clifford Knight. He was succeeded by his son. Reginald DeVerneval, Jr. of Drumenagh in 1309 gave 30 shillings for the Army of Loxendy. In 1313 he paid his services for the expedition to Castle Kryrening, under Piers Galveston. He died in 1331, with title to a watermill, a dove-cote and profits of the Courts of Drumenagh and Terrenure, County Dublin. He was succeeded by his son. Reginal DeBerneval, III of Drumenagh, who contributed toward the expedition to Mollow, under Walter DeBerninghame, in 1347 and in 1374 paid Royal Services for the expedition to Kilhenney, and under William de Windsor. He married Janetta, only daughter of Cusae of Killdeen, and left two sons. Ulphram DeBerneval of Drumenagh became heir to the Manor of Ballythermot in 1400. His many descendants continued to reside at Drumenagh till the reign of Jame 1st. His line was terminated in an heiress, Elizabeth, daughter of Marcus Barnewall (spelling changed again) of Drumenagh. She married a cousin, James Barnewall, of Bremore and sold the property Feb. 1, 1607 to Sir Adam Loftus, Knight of Rathera Farmham. Nicholas DeBerneval, his second son, was an ancestor of the baronets of Crickstown. He married a daughter of Sir Clifford and had a son. Sir Christopher DeBerneval of Crickstown married Eleanore, daughter of Sir Nicholas Rochford, Knight of Rath, Coffee County Kildare, Kilbride, County Meathe. They had 3 children. Christopher DeBerneval, Jr., John DeBerneval of Prandstown, Sheriff of Meathe 1435, 1436, ancestor of the viscounts Kingslands, Barnaby DeBerneval was one of the Barons of the Exchequer. He died before 1334 and was succeeded by his eldest son. Sir Christopher Barnewall, Knight of Crickstown, a minor at his father's death, became Sergeant-at-law in 1408, Lord Treasurer of Ireland in 1436 and Chief Drake. He married the daughter and heiress of the last Lord of Krykestown and Drakesrath. They left two sons, Nicholas Barnewall, his successor and Robert Barnewall, high Lord Chancellor of Ireland, created March 4, 1461, the Baron of Trimblestown. He was succeeded by his eldest son. Sir Nicholas Barnewall, Knight of the Law, was appointed in consideration of his good faithful services to the House of York during the War of the Roses, Chief Justice of the court of Common Pleas, in Ireland for life by patent dated Aug, 1, 1461. He married Ismay, daughter and heiress of Sir Robert Sergeant, Knight of Castleknock, County Dublin. They had 2 sons. Christopher Barnewall, his successor and Edmund, ancestor of the Barnewalls of Dunbrocon. Trouble of some nature developed between the Crown and the family of Sir Christopher Barnewall. He was disciplined by the King for some transgression. He accepted this discipline and bowed in submission. Sir Christopher's eldest son was knighted Sir Patrick later and his descendants continued in the Royal service of the King. However, the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th sons, Robert, John, James, differed with their father, Sir Christopher, and was disowned and disinherited by their father. They were branded as outlaws and exiled to Scotland where they took the surname Barnehell. This happened about 1540. Sir Walter Scott wrote in 1805 in his "Lay of the Last Minstrel" refers to the "outlaw' Barnhill as follows; "On Minto crags the moon beams glint, Where Barnhill hewed his bed of flint, Who flung his outlawed limbs to rest, Where falcons hang their giddy neat." He explains this verse by saying the Barnhills were robbers or outlaws. Also, a note from the towers of Easter. "Probably orginally reading "eastern" Barnhills were thrown down. In English history we find the names of several men listed as outlaws who are listed in American history as "Patriots". These 3 brothers, Robert, John and James Barnehell, apparently were the first crusaders in the family for the cause of justice and gave their all for what they honestly believed to be just, right, and true. Prior to this division in the House of Barnewall, the family had all embraced the Catholic religion. Robert, John and James denounced the Catholic faith as well as the Royal house of Stuart and embraced Presbyterianism which had only then begun to spread over the country. Later, the British Crown embraced Episcopalianism and attempted to force British subjects to accept his choice. The Barnhills became active crusaders for Presbyterianism. They also supported William of Orange in his crusade in opposition to the move to join the British and Scottish Crowns and first returned to Ireland with William of Orange and took part in the Battle of Boyne. Descendants of Robert, John and James Barnehell settled at Barnhill, near Elgin, Scotland. Barnhill, Scotland is near the coast next to North Ireland. These Barnhills settled in the counties of Tyrome and Antrim, Ireland and became fiery Orangemen. So bitter was their attacks on the British Crown that they were hunted and persecuted for many years by agents of the British Government. Robert Barnhill was the second Barnhill immigrant and arrived in America in 1734 and settled in Bucks Co., PA. In one of the letters sent to Oscar Barnhill dated 1959 from Mrs. Ottis W. Ainsworth she states, "I have a history of the Barnhills from ca 1152 when the name was DeBarneval in France, their exodus to Scotland, their outlawry there, and the first one who came to America and the loss of their family history. They came first to Bucks Co., PA. William Barnhill, Sr. was born there and married Isabella Barr..." Received an email in May 2000 from Neil C. and Fran Barnhill who live in Texas. Their email was: fran.neil@evl.net. Barnhill anecdote: "This story was told by Adolphus "Bill" Barnhill at the reunion, Oct. 22, 1994 at Marthaville, LA. Bill was 82 years old and lives in Houston, Tx. There were 7 Barnhill brothers who were part of the Royal family of England. They were all of Catholic faith. But 3 of the brothers converted to Protestant faith. They were cast out of the Royal family, disowned and disinherited. The 3 brothers left England and went to Ireland and started preaching the Protestant religion. The first brother who came to Ireland, married, bought a printing press, and began circulating religious material. The British Crown persecuted John Barnhill until he had to flee Ireland and come to America. He had no money so he stole stowaway a ride on a ship to America. Later, John Barnhill sent back to Ireland for his wife and children to join him in America. They had 2 or 3 children when they left. The Crown continued to persecute one of the Barnhill brothers until he fled Ireland to the States. The third Barnhill brother never came to the States, but stayed in Ireland, underground. He continued to practice his Protestant religion. Bill said the war between England and Ireland continues to this day. He said in 1991 he heard on the news that a John Barnhill was killed in Ireland. They are now talking peace." Email from Susan Hensley dated 1998 (rhensley@swbell.net): The following information was gathered from correspondence between Katherine Waits Ewing and Warren Ely, both early researchers of the Barnhill family. What their sources were I don't know. It is generally accepted though. Robert Barnhill is thought to have been the second Barnhill immigrant to come to America from Northern Ireland on Sept. 28, 1734 and landed at Philadelphia. He settled in New Britian Township in Bucks Co., PA. It appears that his wife's name was Sarah and they had at least three sons and two daughters.: John, born ca 1729 in Ireland. He married in 1749 to Sarah Craig. John died in Philadelphia in 1797, leaving one son Robert and two daugthers. .