Barnwell County Genealogy
- Formed 1800
- Parent district Orangeburg District (Barnwell District from 1798/1800 era reorganization)
- County seat Barnwell
- Neighbors Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Orangeburg
Barnwell County was formed in 1800 (Orangeburg District (Barnwell District from 1798/1800 era reorganization)). The county seat is Barnwell. Neighboring counties include Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Orangeburg.
Use the research panels below for modern starting points—government contacts, census, vital records, cemeteries—and read the legacy narrative for local history notes and older link collections (some updated).
In 1785 the area of Barnwell County was known as Winton County. It had been a part of the Orangeburg District. In 1800, it was given the name Barnwell County after the Revolutionary War leader John Barnwell. Aiken, Bamberg and Allendale were formed out of Barnwell County in 1871, 1897 and 1919 respectively.
The South Carolina Railroad passed through this county and the stops of Blackville and Williston sprouted up along the route. Barnwell is the home of the only vertical free standing sundial in the United States, it was built in 1858.
Entertainer James Brown was born in Snelling which is in Barnwell County.
Aiken-Barnwell Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 415
Aiken, SC 29802
Barnwell County Courthouse
57 Wall Street
County Courthouse
Barnwell, SC 29812
Census
- 1790 Census images and transcription for the entire state
- 1800 Federal Census index
- 1800 Federal Census images Directory opens to list of images by page number
- 1810 Federal Census images Directory opens to list of images by page number
- 1820 Federal Census images Directory opens to list of images by page number
- 1830 Federal Census images Directory opens to list of images by page number
Military Records
Barnwell Roster of Civil War Units
Cemeteries
- USGS listing of cemeteries of Barnwell County.
- Transcription of many cemeteries in the Old Barnwell District (Includes Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell Counties). Included: Blackville City Cemetery, Double Pond Baptist Church Cemetery, Georges Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Salem Methodist Church Cemetery, Red Hill Cemetery (Barnwell Baptist Church Cemetery), Chitty Family Cemetery, Nevils Cemetery, Old River Carroll Cemetery, Walker Cemetery, Nix-Hair Cemetery, Hutto Family Cemetery, Starr Cemetery, Cave Methodist Church Cemetery, Hogg/Best Cemetery, Sanders/Creech Cemetery, Sanders Burial Ground and many others.
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Barnwell County:
- Barnwell
- Blackville
- Elko
- Hilda
- Kline
- Snelling
- White Pond
- Williston
History notes
Barnwell County's documentary trail follows South Carolina's district-to-county evolution. When searching before county formation, check parent districts and neighboring counties for deeds, estates, and tax lists.
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules (and some state/colonial substitutes) are foundational for Barnwell County household reconstruction. Start with every decade the family should appear, then correlate with land and probate.
Vital records
South Carolina statewide vital registration is comparatively late. For many Barnwell County families you will rely on a mix of county probate, church registers, Bible records, newspapers, and delayed birth certificates—not only a single “vital records office” file.
Cemeteries
Cemetery surveys for Barnwell County appear in published books, Find a Grave, USGenWeb archives, and local historical society vertical files. Always note whether a reading is complete or partial.
Courthouse & contacts
Barnwell County Courthouse
Barnwell, South Carolina
https://www.barnwellcountysc.com/