On June 23rd, 1931 in a quiet little district called Clifton Hill in Portland, Jamaica a baby boy was born to Celeste and Steadman Barnett, and they named him Jacob Emmanuel.

He attened the Claverity Cottage School and after completing his schooling he went in to farming. He then did woodwork then shoe making.

Jacob migrated from Jamaica 1961 with his first wife and 2nd born son to the Bahamas where he enlisted in Her Majesty's Prison, where his entire professional life was spent. HE served for over 25 years before he retired.

In the early 1960 he left Jamaica and went aboard to the United States to seek employment. On his return home he met and fell in love with Roslyn Willis. They got married and this union produce eight children, four boys and four girls. Shortly after the birth of the second son Jacob migrated to the Bahamas where he quickly found employment. He began working as a shoe maker and later became a prison officer. He remained a prison officer until his retirement in the early 1990. In addition of being a Prison Officer. Jacob develop other skills such as upholstery, carpentry, masonry and tiling .He became a building contractor and the manger of his company named Wind Whistle. This trade helped him monetarily with the cost of daily living.

Jacob was a very special father. He loved his children and was very proud of them. He took good care of his family providing his children with the best education he could afford.

He was a sincere Christian. He would join others and travel throughout the community sharing the word of God and comforting the sick. He was a faithful member of Bahamas Faith Ministry, where he served gladly and he was also a security officer at BFM for many years.

In late 1989 his beloved wife passes away. He was distorted but he never lost his faith in God.

Being a strong and tough man he decided to find another wife. In December 1992 he met Audrey Thomas. They became great friends and in the following year they were married. He was readily accepted into the wife's family. He was well loved and respected in her family. At this time of this marriage he had already retired. While his wife was busy being a principal of a Special School he was very supportive and helpful on her late arrival at home he would be there waiting with a well prepared meal. Jacob made sure that everything in the home was working properly and house well kept.

Jacob hubbies included fixing things, travelling, hiking and farming. He loved boats and in addition to cruising he made numerous trips to Long Island the birth place of his wife Audrey. He built a small vacation cottage where many happy and wonderful days were spent. He suffered from eye problems and in the summer of 2005 he went completely blind. This was a devastating blow but the help of his new in-laws and their children he was able to cope. In December 2011 Jacob stuffer a serve stoke which left him completely paralyzed on the right side. Although extensive therapy he never gain use of the right side. He was confined to bed and wheelchair for the rest of his life. He needed care takers which was perform by his wife and her immediate family.

In the summer of 2014 he requested to be taken to long island. There he wanted to visit his favorite spot, which was the eastern coast of the Island where he would listen to the wave of the sea an imagine the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean. He was contented and enjoying this trip to Long Island. However, on the 21st December he complained about not feeling well. The clinic was contacted but he succumb shortly after his arrival at the clinic.