38 HEREDITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF NAVAL OFFICERS. 



this so obviously accorded with his bent that his father placed him under the care 

 of Captain Thomas Drysdale, the boy's brother-in-law, and he began his career 

 as a seaman, described above. His nomadic tendencies manifested themselves 

 on the land also. In 1786 he purchased lands in Kentucky, and in November 

 1787 set out to explore them. He became " very adept with a rifle and thoroughly 

 enjoyed life in the wilderness." In 1816, urged by his old love of rambling, he again 

 undertook a journey to Kentucky; he went again in 1818, and died at Pittsburgh 

 on returning homeward. 



A second trait was fearlessness, intrepidity. When he was 16 years old his 

 captain died on a voyage, and when the first mate had left the ship he assumed 

 command: "was neither dismayed by the additional weight of care and responsi- 

 bility which thus devolved upon him, nor depressed by the perilous condition of 

 the ship. . . . On the contrary, his courage rose with the occasion; the ship 

 sprang a leak and he put into Gibraltar." This fearlessness led him to return again 

 and again to naval service and to attempt to escape repeatedly after capture. 

 "No dangers or difficulties could divert" him from his object. 



In general, Barney was a hyperkinetic. Enthusiastic, ardent, energetic, with 

 a ready wit, and a cheerful and entertaining companion, he was dearly beloved 

 in his family circle, and "those who once served under him were always ready 

 to offer their services a second time." He was, however, quick in anger. Once, 

 when about to fire at the enemy, his captain forbade him and in anger Barney 

 threw the match-stick at him and so cowed the captain that he withdrew to his 

 cabin, while the youth assumed full command. Says his biographer: "When 

 excited there was a lightning-like splendor in the coruscations of his glance that 

 few persons could meet without perturbation." 



It is a phase of the hyperkinetic nature that there was seldom much interval 

 between decision and action. It was not so much that he was so prompt in 

 making up his mind as that his mind did not interfere with his response. His 

 liberality and indulgence to his children knew no bounds; he showed an uncal- 

 culating wastefulness of expenditure when at home; he relieved the distresses of 

 the poor in the vicinity. For a brief interval after the wound in his leg he was 

 greatly depressed, lost his facial glow, became emaciated. The society of his 

 friends became irksome and he was peevish. From this mood he recovered after 

 a few months. Physically, Barney had a close-knit, muscular, vigorous frame and 

 was graceful. 



FAMILY HISTORY OF JOSHUA BARNEY. 



I 1 (F F), William Barney, emigrated in 1795 to Maryland, where he prospered and left 

 a "handsome fortune" at his death in 1746. I 2, Elizabeth Stevenson. 



Fraternity of F: II 1, Martha Barney. II 2, Richard Hooker. II 3 (F), William Barney 

 (1718-1773), lived in Baltimore, but later removed to a farm about 8 miles from that town. 



II 4 (M), Frances Holland Watts, an heiress to a large property. II 5 (first consort's F), Gun- 

 ning Bedford, an alderman of Philadelphia. 



Fraternity of Propositus: III 1, Elizabeth and Peggy Barney. Ill 2, Margaret Barney. 



III 3, John Holland Barney (1742-1840). Ill 4, William Stevenson Barney (b. 1754) was a 

 marine officer of Virginia; he is said to have kept a hotel in Georgetown. Ill 5 (second consort), 

 Harriet Cole died in 1849. Ill 6 (Propositus), JOSHUA BARNEY. Ill 7 (first consort), Ann 



Bedford, died 1808. Ill 8, Hindman. Ill 9, Nicholson. Ill 10, Samuel Nicholson 



(1743-1813) was a lieutenant on the Bon Homme Richard under Paul Jones. In 1779 he was 

 appointed captain; he superintended the building of the Constitution and was her first commander. 

 Ill 11, James Nicholson (1727-1804), in 1776 was appointed ranking captain in the navy; in 

 1777 commander in chief of the navy. Ill 12, John Nicholson was appointed a captain of the 

 navy in 1779. 



