History of the Restoration Movement


John May Barnett, Sr.
1799-1834

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Brief Sketch

John M. Barnett was born in 1799 in the state of Georgia. He married Lavina Poag of South Carolina and the two settled in Wayne County, Tennessee. He was a farmer by occupation. However, he also practiced medicine, and was preacher of the old time gospel of Christ. He was a minister of the Christian church.

He first saw the light of day in Wayne County, Tenn., in 1834. His parents, John M. and Lovina (Poag) Barnett, were born in Georgia and South Carolina, respectively, and came to Tennessee at an early day and when quite young. The father was a farmer by occupation but also practiced medicine and preached the gospel, being a minister of the Christian Church. He was a Whig and died in Wayne County, in 1834, followed by his wife in 1864.

-Scott Harp, 09.08.2020

Barton W. Stone's Journal - November 25, 1826
Christian Messenger Report Volume 1, Page 22
(Some Of The Preachers Below Have Websites Dedicated To Their Memory. Hover Over Names
Below And Click On Pages You Are Interested In Seeing)


Note: Many of the names in this report are featured on this site. See Masterindex Link Below

Location Of The Grave of John M. Barnett

John M. Barnett is buried in a small family cemetery in Wayne County in Southwest Tennessee called Old Barnett Cemetery. It is located on 48 Creek. Take Hwy 64 from Lawrenceburg toward Waynesboro. Go about 15 miles. After you go under the Natchez Trace overpass about .4 miles on the left is Highland Methodist Church with a cemetery in the back. This is the Ovilla Community. Turn to the left in front of the church on Barnett Branch Rd. Go 1.5 miles and the road will split. Bear to the left (To the right is Barnett Branch Ln.) cross the branch and bear again left and go exactly .2 miles. You will come to a little entrance toward the creek to the left. Drive across eht creek to the gate on your right. The gate should lift up and open out toward the creek. Head up the hill and cemetery is on your right.
Note: You may need to ask permission for access. This property is owned by the Gobble family. You will have passed when you forked to the left crossing the creek, the house is on your right. The GPS location of the grave is 35°18'39.3"N 87°36'40.6"W / or D.d. 35.310917, -87.611267

John May Barnett, Sr.
Born 1799 - Died 1834
Married To Lavina Poag
Born 1798 - Died 1865
First Christian Church Preacher
And First Circuit Court Clerk
In Wayne County

Special Thanks To Francis Kelly of Fayette County, Georgia. She is a long-time member of the Fayetteville Church of Christ where I preached from 1996-2006. She and her sister Louise Oswalt, have been life-long friends and co-workers in the kingdom of heaven. They are direct descendants of J.M. Barnett. He was their great, great, great grandfather. Their connection with John M. Barnett perhaps places their personal ancestory in the Restoration Movement the oldest in America.

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