John Barlett York was the son of John and Nancy York, born in Orange County, Virginia, January 26, 1792. Bartlett married Agnes Nancy Head Paxton March 15, 1817, in Fayette County, Kentucky. She was born November 26, 1796.
The children of Bartlett and Nancy were:
- James R. York, February 9, 1820 – August 18, 1905, married Margaret J. Johnson.
- Frances Ellen York, June 1825 – May 26, 1904, married James P. Driskell, April 5, 1843, Anderson County.
- Mary Jane York, August 29, 1827 – August 12, 1880, married Noah Snider, August 19, 1843, Shelby County.
- Benjamin Garrett York, May 15, 1829 – November 10, 1910, married Mary Catherine Weed.
- Susan Elizabeth York, January 11, 1831 – August 26, 1910, married Peter Rice.
- Armstead Newman York, December 20, 1835 – April 13, 1912, married Elizabeth Ann Cinnamon, August 4, 1870, in Anderson County.
- William Henry York, March 9, 1840 – January 25, 1929, married Susan Mary Crossfield, Civil War Veteran.
Born too late to be involved during the American Revolution, Bartlett fought during the War of 1812 in Captain Magowane’s Company of Kentucky Militia. For his service he received two military grants, posthumously, approved March 3, 1855, given in the name of his widow, Agnes H. York. One land grant, Warrant No. 49307, was for 80 acres in Wichita, Kansas. The other, Warrant No. 21581, was for an additional 80 acres in Wichita, Kansas. Both grants were assigned to Elijah Orr. Did Agnes sell this land to Elijah Orr? Several of the children moved to other states – Benjamin Garret and his family moved to Missouri, Susan Elizabeth and family moved to Washington, and Armstead Newman and family moved to Texas.
War of 1812 card for Bartlett York, naming his widow, Agnes York. I cannot say if she received a pension. Just after the war pensions were given to soldiers or their widows due to death or disability. An Act of Congress dated February 14, 1871, pensions were granted on the basis of service. Agnes lived until 1887 and could have received a pension during those years.
Daughter Frances Ellen York married James P. Driskell April 5, 1843. Bartlett York signed the consent for her.
‘This is to certify that I do authorize the clerk of the Anderson County Court to issue license to James P. Driskell to marry my daughter, Frances Ellen York, given under my hand this April 4, 1843.
‘Bartlett York
‘Attest W. Bell, Samuel Paxton’
Could this Samuel Paxton be Bartlett’s brother-in-law?
‘We, the undersigned, are jointly and severally held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky, in the sum of 50 pounds, to be made and levied of our respective goods, chattels, land and tenements, for the use of the Commonwealth – upon the condition that there is no lawful cause to obstruct the marriage of Noah Snider and Mary Jane York. Given under our hands and seals this 16 day of August 1847. Noah Snider, John B. Paxton
‘State of Kentucky, Shelby County – Noah Snider, having entered into bond with security, in the penalty of 50 pounds: this license is granted him to intermarry with Mary Jane York, daughter of Bartlett York, whose consent is given in writing. And any Minister, legally authorized, may celebrate the rites of matrimony between the said parties. Given under my hand, as Clerk, this 16th day of August 1847. J. V. Whitaker, Clerk, Shelby County, by Walter C. Whitaker, Deputy Clerk.
‘On the 19th day of August 1847, I did celebrate the rites of matrimony between the above named Noah Snider and Mary Jane York, given under my hand, this 21 day of September 1847. N. C. Beckham. Returned to my office, as Clerk of the Shelby County Court, on the 21st day of September 1847 and recorded by H. B. Shanks, Deputy Clerk for James L. Whitaker, Clerk.’
In the 1853 death records of Anderson County, we find that John Bartlett York, aged 61, male, married, farmer, born Orange County, Virginia, son of John and Nancy York, died December 2, 1853, of dropsy.

Agnes lived another 34 years.
Categories: Family Stories