Born in 1799 in Maryland. He married Constance Wood on May 22, 1828, in Mason County, Kentucky. The oldest son Thomas was born in Kentucky. The family moved to Vanderburgh County, Indiana. They had two additional children, Mary and Hickory, in Indiana. Barney Royston, by election and appointment, served as Vanderburgh County Treasurer from September 1841, to March 1845. By 1847 the family had moved to Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa. Barney Royston was elected as a Senator for the 2nd General Assembly serving Wapello and Monroe Counties. Barney Royston passed away in November 1850.