Steven was the son of Stephen Reding Barrett and Sarah Elizabeth Larrison. He was the great-great-great grandson of Reuben Barrett and Hannah Doty/Doughty.

Born on April 19, 1863 in Madison County, Texas just 4 months after his father was killed in the Civil War. He and his brother Jonathan Daniel Barrett were raised by his step-father Caleb Stanback Fraley who thier mother , Sarah Larrison Barrett married shortly after their father died. It is said that after he was older he did not get along to well with Caleb.

Steven Barrett is found on the 1870 census of Madison County as being 7 years old and living with his mother aged 30 years, and brother Jonathan Daniel, 11 years and step-father and two step siblings.

Steven married Molly Agnes Bobo King, when he was 19 years old. Molly was much older than him and a widow, on June 5, 1882 in Madisonville,Tx.  Molly was the daughter of Andrew Jackson Bobo and Harriett Brooks Bobo. She was born in Bastrop, Morehouse, Louisiana. When Mollie married Steven she had a 5 year old daughter, Lottie Agnes King. Lottie always said that her step-father was very good to her and that she loved and adored him. (from interview with Lotties granddaughter).

In 1888 Steve and Molly and their small children were living in San Saba county, where William John was born.

Steven was framed for stealing two horses in 1888, simply because the real thieves shouted out Steve's name when asked in the middle of the night who was there.( For a re-count of the events that night click on the link below named Steven Barrett Pardon Documents) He was convicted of stealing the horses in April of 1888, and was sentenced to two prison terms, one for 5 years and one for 10 years, accumulative. He went to prison in Huntsville, Texas on May 20, 1888. And was scheduled for released on April 18, 1903. However he recieved a Pardon on Dec 29, 1892 from Govenor Hogg. New evidence was uncovered and submitted to Gov. Hogg.

There were over 100 good citizens of Madisonville Texas who signed a petition or wrote letters to Governor Hogg asking for Steve's pardon. The Judge who tried the case as well as the Prosecuting attorney also wrote letters to Gov. Hogg asking for his pardon. As did 10 of the jurors from both trials.

NOTE:Included in the pardon papers is a paper written by the prosecuting attorney where he wrote out a description of what happened that night the horses were stolen and so we have a very descriptive tale to share. You will find all the papers including the court transcripts for both trials in the links below. I have transcribed all the petitions and letters for the pardon and the Prison reports as of 3/8/03. I will get the trial transcripts done as soon as possible.

Steven was shot and stabbed several times as his description in his prison records describe his scars. You will find a copy of his prison record in the links below.

Steven was released from prison in 1892 when he was given a full pardon and his rights of citizenship and sufferage were restored. He returned to Madison County to his wife and children, whom his neighbors had been supporting.

In 1898 Steven owned 260 acres of land in Walker Co. west of the Trinity River that he recieved from his grandmother. He began playing poker one night and when the card game was over, he had lost his land to his opponent. Stephen would gamble on anything, be it cards, dice or instigating a couple of buddies into a horse race to wager on.

I believe the man was convinced to give the property back.

Steven died at an early age of 40 years on 17 Mar 1903 of Tuberculosis, in Madison County, Tx, most likely due to his haphazard lifestyle. I sent for a death certificate and there is none. I have been told he was buried at Midway Cemetery in Madison County, but was also told he is at Burrows cemetery in the same county. I have never found any headstone for him. However, his wife was buried at Midway cemetery so he could be there.

Mollie became so grief stricken over the death of her husband that she refused to eat and wouldn't leave her house. Family members would go over there and try to get her to eat, but all she would take was a handful of peanuts a day.

On August 8, 1903, less than 5 months after her husband died,Molly went to join her beloved Steven, nine days short of her 49th birthday. She is buried in Midway Cemetery in Madison County,Tx.