I am looking for information on the family of Barnett J Lea and Desdamona. I don’t know who the parents of either is, but the couple lived in Person county, North Carolina in 1820.
Barnett J Lea - April 17, 1800 in North Carolina (most likely Person county) - October 25, 1875 (most likely in Weakley County, Tennessee). He is buried in the Eaves cemetery. The is a very small private cemetery having less than two dozen graves. Other graves include his wife, at least two daughters with their husbands, and at least two granddaughters.
Desdomoma - June 20, 1799 in North Carolina (again most likely in Person County) - September 17, 1874 (also most likely in Weakley County, Tennessee)
Irena Lea Harris (Name is actually Arrena, their second daughter) - February 24, 1823 in North Carolina - August 02, 1899
Lea Harris (Arrena’s husband) - January 20, 1826 in North Carolina (most likely in Person County) - September 10, 1894 in Dresden, Weakley County, Tennessee
Elizabeth Harris (Lea and Arrena’s second daughter) - August 21, 1852 in Dresden, Weakley County, Tennessee - April 15, 1870 in Dresden, Weakley County, Tennessee
Abrillia Harris (Lea and Arrena’s third daughter, fourth child) - August 22, 1862 in Dresdon, Weakley County, Tennessee - June 08, 1863 in Dresden, Weakley Country, Tennessee
Susan Ann (Lea) Eaves (Barnett and Desdamona’s youngest) - March 13, 1842 in North Carolina (most likely in Person County) - July 16, 1917 (most likely in Weakley County, Tennessee
John H Eaves (Susan’s husband) - February 28, 1843 in Tennessee - September 14, 1921 (most likely in Weakley county, Tennessee)

Barnett J Lea and Desdamona had seven children that I know of.
Elizabeth F Lea - About 1820 to After 1880
Arrena Lea - February 24, 1823 to August 02, 1899
Carter Lea - About 1824 to somewhere in the 1870s.
Elvira or Elzia M Lea - Abt. 1832 to after 1870
Abner Lea – About 1837 to after 1850
Stuard H Lea – about 1839 to somewhere between 1886 and 1900
Susan Ann Lea - March 13, 1842 to July 16, 1917
All where born in North Carolina.
The information I have on most of these people is almost exclusively from Census. Some of the info on one generation also comes from the young men’s World War I draft cards.
FIRST GENERATION
BARNETT J LEA and DESDAMONA
In 1820 they are in Person County, North Carolina. The printed numbers at the top say 488 and 499. He is listed as Barnett Lea. At the top of the page is Stephen Harris. This may be the father of Barnett’s son-in-law, Lea Harris, as Lea’s father Stephen was from that area as well.
In 1830 they are in Person County, North Carolina. Somewhat easy to read so naturally Barnett is almost impossible to find. He is listed as Barnett J Lea, but it looks kind of like Barnett J (or P) Leo. Three children are listed, two daughters (Elizabeth and Arrena) and one son (Carter). There are only five people in the household, the other two being Barnett and Dedamona.
In 1840 they are in Person County, North Carolina. He is listed as Barnett J Lea, though because of the way the page was copied onto microfilm it was difficult to read that edge of the paper. He is about halfway down. Most of their children are born at this point, with the exception of Susan. There is an additional male who could be a farm hand since he is not in the previous census and is older than Carter.

In 1850 they are in Civil District number 4, Weakley County, Tennessee. Finally names the whole family is listed. Elizabeth and Arrena have married and moved out. The family is listed as follows:
B J Leigh – 50 – North Carolina
Desta Leigh – 50 – North Carolina
Carter – 26
Elzira – 18 – North Carolina
Abner (Abnes) – 13 – North Carolina
Stuard – 11 – North Carolina
Susan – 9 – North Carolina

In 1860 they are in Civil District number 4, Weakley County, Tennessee. Carter has married and moved out. I have been unable to locate Abner. He either died or moved out of the county. The family is listed as follows:
B J Ler (Lee, Lea Lei) – 60 – Farmer – North Carolina
Desdamonis (Desdamonin) – 61 – North Carolina
Elzira – 25 – North Carolina
Susan – 18 – North Carolina
Stuard – 20 – Farm Laborer – North Carolina
Wm Smith – 55 – Hired Hand (I think) – North Carolina

In 1870 they are in Civil District 4, Weakley County, Tennessee. Stuard and Susan have married, but they haven’t gone far. Susan and her husband live on the property. Stuard and his wife live next door. Elizabeth is now a widow and lives on the other side of them. Arrena and Carter still live in the county. The family is listed as follows:
Barnett J Lee – 70 – Farmer – North Carolina
Desdamin – 71 – Keeping House – North Carolina
Elvira M – 35 – At home – North Carolina
Lucinda – 35 – B – At home – North Carolina
Try as I might I have not found Elzira or Lucinda in later censuses. Most likely both married, but I don’t know. There is a black female servant living with Barnett and Desdamona’s daughter Susan in 1880 whose name looks like Lee Smda. It’s possible that her name got switched and this is Sinda Lee. Barnett and Desdamona both died before the next census and so other than their tombstones, this is the last record of them.