Having been born and raised in Sutton-in-Ashfield, he moved to Winchester when he was nineteen to coach the garrison players at Worthy Down Camp.

[2] Barnes' elder brother, Thomas, was a first-class cricketer who played for Nottinghamshire in 1872, but he became ill with typhoid in 1873 and died on 22 September.

[2] Barnes and Eliza later had a son, James (1886–1963), who also played first-class cricket; he made three appearances for Nottinghamshire between 1908 and 1910.

[notes 1] His debut was for Nottinghamshire against Gloucestershire in a three-day inter-county match at Trent Bridge.

[6] Barnes played in eight first-class matches in 1875, scoring 145 runs with a highest innings of 45 and held five catches.

[12][2] Barnes' Wisden obituary said he was "one of the leading batsmen of his day from 1880 until 1892" and "for many seasons one of the best change bowlers in England".

[13] Wisden added that, as a batsman, Barnes preferred to attack the bowling and would score his runs quickly, his off-side shots (i.e., the cut and drive) being especially good.

[13] The Morning Post said in its obituary: "Taking (Barnes) as batsman and bowler together, it may safely be said (Nottinghamshire) never had a more valuable player".