The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-10-14
rcoMMUNIcATED.1
D2. JOHN p BARRATT.

Inc SUBJECT OF t1iS trlOutc OF esteem ana ri
fection, died Mt his residence, (Chcnqucpin
Ridgc) IN Abbcville District, on the 10Th of
September, 1859, in his siNty.fi(th year. Ills
disease was Cancer Of the Stomach, which
caused a protracted and painful illness.
DIR. Barratt was native Of England heing
born i'll Surry county, on the ! lth MAY, 1875.
Being early impre 'scd with the superior Insti-
tutions and advantages offered by this country
10 the energetic and cnterprisny men of the
old country, he determined, rs soon as lie
should attain his majority, to make his home.
in the United States. At the age of twenty
one, lie lid adicu to his falhcrlanl, and-scL
sail for our shores, to which he arrived in
1916, penniless, having started with means
only sufficient to dcfray his outward passage.
Thus thrown upon his own resources, and pos
sessinS great energy Of character, he ut once
went to work III the school-room, that great
educational laboratory of the juvenile mind:
both with the view Of scltimprovcment un,!
to raise funds necessary to the prosecution of
the profession whicli lie had scicctcd-,hat of
Medicine. He tan.ht school for about five
years near the Ridge in Ed,.cfe.d District and
Mt the same time read medicine under his
friend, DIR. Samuel Pcrrynlan: not in the ortli-
rary manner of the present day. but as one
determined TO understand its great truths md
principles. He attended Lectures at the Uni.
versity OF New York, and when he had finished
his collegiate curriculum, he entered upon tho
practice of his profession, at White iInlI, in
Abbevllc District, in 1921.
In 1926 Dr. Barratt intcrmarricd with the
widow Of Richard Watson-thc sister Of Wcs.
ley, Staninore, and But!er Brooks, and more
noble and spirited matron does not exist in
South Carolina. 1t is enough to say that she
is the mother of the gallant Richard and Ed
waid Watson Of Palmetto memory
1t wns no difficult matter to aucur success for
DrBarratt, for he possessed in an eminent degree
all those necessary qualifications which always
ensure success III any pursuit-a constancy of
purpose, determined will. great energy, inde-
tntigable industry, frank and open in his inter
course with men: and add to these, great pro-
fciency and knowledge in his profession. 1t
was not long until he attained to n high rank
IN his profession, and the reward Of his labor
was large and lucrative practice, which he
held for more than thirty Years. No one could
be more deeply impressed with tho grave re-
sponsibilities Of the Physician both to his fel-
low-men and to his profession. HIS constant
efforts ere eXerted for the amelioration Of th..
onc and the advancement Of the honor, digni-
ty. and usefulness of the other. Every scheme
that aimed at the elevation Of the standard
of Medical education. received his Jealous sup.
port, and he was no inactive member in the
inccptivc organizations of our National State,
and District Medical AssociatioEs. Even after
he had retired from the aetive dnties Of the
profession, his ardor in their behalf was uua.
bated.
DR.. Barratts vigorous aud active mind could
not be satisfied by n restriction to the study of
mere practical medicine, but was wont TO push
its enquiries into all those collateral sciences
which tended to clucilatc the great problem
Of Life and Death. To the various branches of
Natural Sc iencc he contributed many valuable
Essays and Lectures which were rcplcte with
profound research and thought. TO the study
Of Natural History. particularly, was he enLh,i-
siaSticalIy devoted, and large collection of
specimens. iliustrativc of most all the natural
scIences. was athe result of his Investigations
Ills Museum, probably, is the largest private
collection in the Southern States. He was in
detntlgable in whatever lie undertook, whether
III his farm, garden or Museum. Work he
would, and even after his physical powers had
been exhausted by the ravages of his terrible
disease, he would cultivate his taste for the
fine arts by his har1ll work.
1t is not, however. TO DR.. Bnrratt rs the Ply
sician and man Of science. that We are to look
alone for his many cxcclcncies In the vari-
ons relations OF private life. of husband, father,
friend and companion, i'll the sick chamber and
around the domestic fres:lc. were exhibited
those exalted traits of character which drew
around, and attached to him all who were for
tunatc TO have formed his acqi,aintance Asa
citizen, he was upright, liberal and public spir-
tied, always ready to assist in any undertaking,
Whose object was the development of the Arri.
cultural. Mechanical, Flor turnl and IIor,i.
cultural resources Of his District and State. 1T
would not be saying too much to announce the
TACT That the inception and organization of the
present tlouriGhing State Agricultural Society
IS due to DIR. Bar'ntt and his friend and cola
borer, Capt. Thomas b. Byrd, now deceased.
do not think / would incur the charge of Gu
logstic cxaggcratiou when say that Dr. Bar-
rutt was no ordinary man, that nature Ind AS =
signed him no dubious position, but that he
stood an intellectual chief IN our midst
Above all, his mental cndowmcnts were
adorned by mary christian graces, patience
and fortitudc, under all trials ana aiilictons,
temperance and prudence in NIL things, humane
and charitable 10 oil who needed his humanity
or asked for his charity. lie accepted the will
of his Maker rs the rule Of his conduct, and
steadily looking forward to Christ rs his great
ENcniplar. lie lived n christians life and
when the dark valley and shadow of death"
had to be passed. he could say Il know that
my Redeemer liveth." No terrors were pre-
sented to him. He could say, SO death where is
my sting, grave where is thy victory" lie
looked upon death rs but the entrance to chat
house not made with hands, eternal in the heav-
ems Although laboring under intense pain
from his fatal disease, his mind, though conscious
OF the result, was calm and clear TO the last.
No one could have witnessed his humility, un-
repinIDg submission. and earnest devotion and
not be convinced Of the truth Of the religion of
Jesus Christ.
His death has caused loss TO his numerous
friends and society; but to that family circle of
which he was the centre Of love, his loss is ire
parable and cad indeed; but they mourn not
as those without hope. He hns gone to NEE:
tlfe rewards of n well spent life: "Be ye also
ready"--and may this bereavcd family be able,
through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to say
the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken way.
Blessed bo the name of the Lord" he leaves a
widow, con and daughter, besides his numerous
relations and friends to mourn his death
FRIEND.