John Barber (abt. 1630 - aft. 1692)

Born about 1630 in Dorchester, Dorset, England

Ancestors

Husband of Hannah (Unknown) Barber — married about 1649 in England

Descendants

Died after 1692 after about age 62 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jillaine Smith [send private message]

Biography

Origins

John Barber was from Dorchester, Dorset, England.

He emigrated by 1664: “1663-4, Mar. 2: The Steward of the Hospital is desired to disburse unto Mr. Cole the Summe of 3 li. For the transportation of John Barber and his family to New England”^{[citation needed]}

But did this happen before he emigrated or after? Because in 1657 he was mentioned in Martin Stebbins' will, as owing him (Stebbins) money. Quite possibly the first instance of him in America (until we can find births of sons John, Jr. and James).

Life in New England

He was a bodice-maker and tailor by trade. But appears very little in records. Per researcher Betty Barber Lusk, "John Barber of Dorchester was never mentioned in the History of Dorchester nor History of Milton, nor History of Dorchester Neck (south Boston), nor even in the Militia."

1678: Names of such persons who took the Oath of Allegiance in Boston: 11th November 1678: p. 164: Jno. Barbur [could be John's son]; Tho. Barbur

“Oct. 27, 1690. James Barber of Dorchester, tailor, surety to town of Boston for his father John Barber bodice-maker and his family.” (Rec. Comm.Rep. Vol. 10, p. 80).

“1692. May 3. James Barber the Reson of these few lines are to acquaint you that your father John Barber is come to Boston, and being by the selectmen of Boston demanded to give a Reson thereof, he Saith you have not been kind to him but macketh him worcke Two or three mile abrod which is burdensum to him and more than he can do in his old age; the Select(men) of Boston do Require you as you will keep your Covinant which you maid with them 27, Octtob 90. To come and take care of your father, or Ealse you may expect wee shall prosecture the Law upon you.” (Rec. Com. Rep. Vol 10, p.62.)

Legacy

The children of John Barber seem to have been the following, but we do not find the name of his wife [except that Torrey identifies her as "Hannah"] or dates of birth of his children. They seem to have been born in England. Children:

1. Thomas Barber
2. John Barber, b England; came with his parents to Boston, took oath of allegiance with Thomas, Nov 1678. Had wife Mary, and son John b. Dec 10,1686.
3. James Barber, b in England, took oath of allegiance in Dorchester, Mar 1679; m. in Dorchester June 23, 1680 Mary, perhaps dau of Jonathan and Mary (French) Hyde, b. in Cambridge, Sep 4, 1659. He was a tailor as his father and brothers were before him, but seems to have had other business. “In 1680 James Barber has liberty to get rales and posts.” Oct 27, 1690, he gives surety to the town of Boston for his father John Barberbodice-maker and his family. “Mar. 2, 1701-2. James Barber’s tax in Boston abated.” (Rec. Com. Rep. Vol. 10, p. 144.)

See (may be for a different John Barber):

Suffolk County Probate (1686-1692) by Winifred Lovering Holman, S.B., Mary Lovering Holman, of Watertown, Mass., #1838. Barber, John (Medfield).

• 1691. Administration (8:157), Bond (3:194), Inventory (8:197)
• 1694. Bond (Admn. d.b.n.) (3:195), Letter (13:422), Inventory (13:475)
• 1695. Bond (Admn. d.b.n.) (3:197), Letter (13:696), Inventory (13:397), Account (11:245), Warrant for Division (16:242), Division (16:243)

Research Notes

Possible Baptism

John was baptised on 1 June 1631 in Charlton Marshall, Dorset, England.^[1]

Sources

1. Ancestry of John Barber White and his descendants; p. 131-133
2. Records of the Borough of Dorchester, co. Dorset, England, p. 521). [Per Brian Lewis.]
3. Abstracts of the Earliest Wills... County of Suffolk, MA (James Stebbins 1657), NEHGS Register volume 32 ( ), p. 317-318 [which is apparently drawn from First report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston, p. 377-378.]
4. Brian Lewis, researcher; notes shared with Jillaine Smith
5. Betty Barber Lusk, researcher; notes shared with Jillaine Smith

1. ↑ Baptism: "Dorset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
   Dorset History Centre; Dorchester, England; Dorset Parish Registers; Reference: PE/CHM: RE1/1
   Ancestry Sharing Link Ancestry uk Record 2243 #1882758 (accessed 5 October 2021)
   John Barber baptism on 1 Jun 1631, child of Thomas, in Charlton Marshall, Dorset, England.