The Barbee Legacy

The Legend of “Old Kit”

Christopher “Old Kit” Barbee (Born 1738/43 - Died 1832) was a farmer, blacksmith, and largest benefactor to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1792. One of “Old-Kit’s” great-granddaughters married William R. Kenan Sr. “Old-Kit” Birthed

1. John Barbee

2. Thomas Francis “Frank” Barbee

3. Elizabeth Allen

4. Ann Nancy Jones

5. William Barbee (Born September 4, 1777, Virginia)

6. John Barbee

Branching Off; First Generation Mulatto

Willis Barbee (Great-Grandson to “Old Kit”) was born in 1801 in North Carolina. He died on April 18, 1869, in Orange County, NC. He was a planter and physician. He owned 14 slaves in 1850 and 28 in 1860. Of those slaves that he owned, he met (never married) Harriett (Mulatto, born in 1823) and they birth three children together.

1. Haywood Barbee (Black)

2. David Barbee ([Mulatto] Born April 1850 - Died March 29) Married Rachel Atkins and birthed:

   1. Fred Barbee (Born June 1, 1881 - Died January 09, 1921) He Married Sallie Strayhorn (daughter to Toney & Nellie Strayhorn)

3. Sylvia Barbee (Mulatto)