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He studied at a grammar school in Wolverhampton (Evangelical Magazine, 19 (1811): 161). 'My good and honoured father, having heard of [Kirkpatrick's] academy, thought fit to place me there, after I had made some progress in classical learning. There my acquaintance with Mr. [Thomas] Reader began . . . . We entered upon academical studies at the same time, and prosecuted them together until we had finished our course' (Barber, Reader (1794), p. 27). A testimonial of his skill in languages and preaching (following examination) was dated 26 June 1745 (Evangelical Magazine, 19 (1811): 162). A lifelong friend of Thomas Reader, person id: 1408. Died 14 February 1810 (Evangelical Magazine, 19 (1811): 166).
He trained for the ministry at Julius Saunders' and John Kirkpatrick's Academy, Bedworth (?-c.1745)
He was the minister at
Source: Evangelical Magazine, 19 (1811): 161-6.
He was a tutor at Hoxton [Independent] Dissenting Academy from 1778 to 1791 and at the English Evangelic Academy from c.1780 to c.1782.[2]
Joseph married Ann Hunt of Crondall near Basingstoke [3]
Joseph married Elizabeth Pitts on 6 July 1769 in St Luke Old Street Church, Finsbury, London, England.[4]
Joseph was opposed to the Sandemanian (Glasite) Church and led the Three Cranes Meeting House, Fruiterers Alley, off Thames Street, London after a split with Samuel Pike (abt.1717-bef.1773), who later helped found the Sandemanian Church in London. He was a friend of William Fuller.
Joseph was included in the Dissenting Academy at Homerton list of contributors between Christmas 1770 and Christmas 1775.
In 1774 he was asked to preach the annual sermon in support of the Society for the Relief of the Necessitous Widows and Fatherless Children of Protestant Dissenting Ministers. He was listed as the Independent Minister for Founders Hall.
Joseph was listed as a supporter of the Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge among the poor in the 1779 report which the charity published. The report on page 13 recorded him as Rev. Joseph Barber, No.5 Artillery Court, Chiswell Street and that he had been a supporter since 1776[5].
In 1785 Joseph was named as one of the 26 dissenting ministers who had signed a letter in support of Thomas Towle (abt.1724-1806) in his dispute with Alexander Hogg (1752-1809), printer and publisher. Hogg responded with a letter of rebuke and humiliation to Rev. Thomas Towle and a word of advice to the other signatories. For more details see Thomas Towle (abt.1724-1806)’s profile [6].
In 1788 William Gordon published History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment of the Independence of the United States and he was one of the subscribers to the book, listed as The Rev Joseph Barber [7]
Joseph died in 1810 and was buried on 23 February 1810 in Bunhill Field's Burial Ground, Islington, Middlesex.[8]
His funeral sermon was preached by Rev John Pye Smith and published as
A Sermon Occasioned by the Death of the Rev. Joseph Barber: Who Departed this Life, February 14th, 1810, in the Eighty-fourth Year of His Age, Preached at Aldermanbury Postern, February 25th
His grave stone is available on the Find a grave site for Joseph Barber
The Rev Joseph Barber
Ann Barber, wife of the above who died 22 March 1763 Ann (Hunt) Barber (~1730 - 1763)
Anna Wife of Benjamin Lane Daughter of Henry and Sarah Barber died ?? April 1769
Sarah Barber Daughter of the above who died 21 June 1778 aged 17 years Sarah Barber (~1761 - 1778)
Harriett Barber Granddaughter of the said Joseph and Ann Barber died 22nd February 1799 aged 5 years Harriett Barber (abt.1794-)
The Rev'd Joseph Barber Late Pastor of the Church of Christ Meeting at Aldermanbury Postern
London Wall
During the long period of Sixty four years
Forty nine of which were spent in this [ . . .]
he faithfully served God
in the gospel of His Son
And by a course of active benevolence
the effect of Faith in Jesus
Secured in an eminent degree
the confidence of his beloved flock
and the respect of all
who enjoyed the privilege of his friendship.
James Barber son of the above died 20th November 1812 aged 60 years
Thomas ?? Barber
The arrival of Sandemanianism in London for more details on the roles of Samuel Pike and John Barber
This profile was originally created by the History of Nonconformists in London, England and surrounding counties topic team.