James Barker (bef. 1609 - 1678)

Born before 25 Jul 1609 in Ragwell, Stradishall, Suffolk, England

Husband of Grace (Kilbunre) Barker — married 25 Jan 1635 in Ragwell, Stradishall, Suffolk, England

Husband of Mary (Unknown) Barker — married 23 May 1666 in Rowley, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 5 Sep 1678 after age 69 in Rowley, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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Biography

James was born in 1618. James Baker ... He passed away in 1678.

October 7, 1640 -- James Barker was made a freeman at Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony. ^[1] This means that James Barker must have been born in or before 1619 since only adult males (age 21 years and older) could become freemen.

James and his brother Thomas were among the twenty families who came to Massachusetts under the leadership of Rev. Ezekiel Rogers arriving in Salem in Dec. 1638. In Apr. 1639 they joined with forty others and bought out the proprietors of the lands adjacent to Newbury and Ipswich and established the town of Rowley, named after the parish where Rev. Rogers came from in Yorkshire. Thomas was made a freeman 13 May 1640 and James on 7 Oct. James' home was on Weathersfield St.^[2]

"The survey of the Towne of Rowley taken the tenth of the eleaventh Anno Dni 1643: by Mr: Thomas Nelson, Mr: Edward Carlton, Humphrey Reyner, ffrancis Parrat... Wethersfield streete... To James Barkar one lott Containinge one Acree and an halfe bounded on the west side by John Remingtons house Lott part of it lyinge on the north side of the streete and part of it on the south side... Bradford Streete field... To James Barkar foure Acres and an halfe of upland, lying part of it upon the North side of William stickney his planting lott: and part of it upon his owne house lott: both parcells within the said Bradford streete ffield... Batchelours meadow... To James Barkar one Acre of Meadow lying on the North side of John Remingtons Meadow: butting as aforesaid... a regester of the first division of salt Marsh..To James Barkar an Acre, lying upon the Northwest side of John Remingtons Marsh: part of it lying upon the aforesaid Creeke... The Register of the second division of Salt Marsh... To James Barkar one Acre, lying upon the Northwest side of John Remingtons Marsh: the Northeast end butting about fourty rod wthin the Marsh, the Southwest upon the upland... A regester of the second division of ffresh Marsh Comonly called the first division of Rough Meadows... To James Barkar one Acre, lying upon the West side of John Remingtons Marsh: the Southend butting upon Rough Marsh not laid out the Northend... Certaine Parcells of upland laid out more in severall ffields under mentioned to Certaine psons as ffolloweth... To James Barkar one Acre of upland lying on the East side of John Remingtons upland the one end abutting upon the Northend of his house lott the other end upon a ffence... Certaine uplands laid out in the ffield Called Pollipod ffield... To James Barkar thre Acres lying on the East side of William Stickney, abutting as aforesaid... Uplands laid out at the ffield called Bradford streete plaine... To James Barkar an Acre & an halfe of upland lying on the north side of Richard Wikams lott abutting as aforesaid..." ^[3]

"A Towne meeting the 20th of the 11th 48... It is ordered that ther shall bee Eight Good and suficient Bulls provided by the towne According to thes Devisions now made Viz... from James Barkers to And with Elder Rainers... which bulls are to be provided before the sixteenth of march next insueing the publication theroff by all and every severall Companyes abouvesaid and soe to be kept from Time to time unles the selectmen see caus and doe alter the same which Bulls are not to be youngr than two year old nor kept till above five yere old in case any Company fail in the due observation of thes order they shall pay for every moneth neglect nineteen shillings six pence provided that all those bulls be suficient in the Judgment of the overseers." ^[4]

"According to the order made in the year 1650 That the fences in all Comon feilds about or belongin to the towne of Rowley shold be devided acording to proportion of land and midows and the quanitety with marks of severall numbers to deserne every mans owne fence... The severall parts of devisions of fence that beelongs to a feild Comanly Called Polleepod feild acording to ther severall marks with the number of rales belongin to every man which marks is sett at the end of every devision this five rale fence they end at these markes... James Barker seven rale lenths ending at with numb III... James Barker Eleaven rale Lengths ending at IIII... James Barker Eleven rale Lengths ending at Marke VII... The Devisions in the streett fence of Bradforth streett are as foloweth... James Barker ends: at Number VII... The Record of the severall Devisions of fence belongen to that feild Cald Comanly Bradforth street planting Lots Given in by John Trumble the marke is at end of each part of fence... James Barker Thirteene rale Lengths at VII... James Barker Nine rale Lengths ends at VII... ^[5]

"At a towne meetting Held the 14th of the 12th 1652 it was granted by the towne that William Scalles Will Stickney and James Barker should Have that peece of Rough medow that lieth at the end of ther acres of Rough marsh at the devision by the cowbridg to be unto them for a hie way to come into ther meadow soe as they may not prjudice any others mans meadow but keepe upon ther owen and that to be unto each of them upon a line acording unto the lines of ther acres prvided it prejudice none that was laid out before this grant." ^[6]

"At a towne meeting held the 25 of 1 Mounth 1653... Defective fence given in by us overseers at the south side of bradforth street feild... James Barker 4 lenth."^[7] "Cowes in 53... James Barker 3."^[8]

"At a generall and legall towne meeting held the first of June 54... James Barker added to Deacon mighill for the hearing delinquent Causes". ^[9]

"At a generall and legall towne meeting held the 14th of the 4th month 54 it was granted unto James Barker that the meadow laid out unto him in the meadow Comonly Called the great meadow for his halfte proportion of a tow acre lott boought of Nehemiah Abbot: that it shall stand good to him as it was laid out by Thomas Mighill and Mathew Boys as well as if it had beene done legally by fower men as otherwars provided." ^[10]

"Towne Charges for the yeare 1654...James Barker for court... 0-1-6"^[11]

"Offecers for the Towne for the year 1660 & 1661… Judges of Delinqents Ensign brocklbank, James Barker, Will terry, James Balley." ^[12]

"A Survay of The Severall Gates or Commonages belonging unto The Severall Inhabbitants of The Towne of Rowley... By order and appointment of the Towne Taken... upon the fourth of February 1661... To James Barker as to his Acre and halfe lot and halfe one gate purchased of the towne two Gates... 2 gates."^[13]

"At a Legall Towne meeting held the 26th of November 1662... To James Barker seaven Acres Be it more or lese lieing on the south side of William Stickneys land buting against the brooke on the west end the east end buting against the towne common the south side bounded by a small swampe." ^[14]

"At a legall towne meeting held the 20th of May 1667 it was agreed and voted for ye laying out of hog Iland upland and mars according to gates at the discreetion of ye men chosen to lay it out... To James Barker seniour for seven Gates A percel of marsh Lying on the Noreast side of Jachin Reyner Butting as aforesaid... to James Barker Senior a peece of marsh lieing on the south east of petter Cowpers marsh both ends butting against creekes" ^[15]

"According unto the apopoyntment of the Towne for the devision of Nebery fence by Richard Swan John Pickard and Samuell Brocklebanke They according unto the best light and Instruction that they could get for the equall proportioning of it devided it upon the 14th of march 1672 or 73 as followeth begining at the creeke and every one ending at ther severall markes... James Barker Se 2 rods, 13 foots, 4 inches Marke VII... The other part of the fence betwixt Mosses Broadstreets farme and the feild begineth at the bound tree ending at Number... XVII James Barker Senior 1 rod 14 feet." ^[16]

“The Last will & testament of James Barker of Rowley in New England… Borne at Ragewell in Low Suffolk in Old England…

Impr to my Beloved wife mary I Give the things she brought wth her when I married her & the use of the roome wee lived in with fire wood Ready Cutt for the fire from time to time: her rent at Ipswitch & Twenty shillings yearly for her life: to be payed by my son Barzilai in work or as she shall so need to call for it not monie: & If any agreement appear of our Contract at marriage that it be fullfild equally by my Executors:

It. I give to my son Burzillai my eldest child one half of my pasture land below the orchard: to lie next to Bro Georg kilburnes Land: & the Remayneing part of the six Acors of Land at the farm made over to him before & all the rest of my Upland in the farme commonly called mr Dumers farme: & three acors of meadow in meadow cald [ ] meadow I bought of Daniel Harris being part upland: & two Acors of meadow at Cow bridg one of it salt & the other rush marsh: & one ox [ ] in the ox pasture (only Grace my daughter to have the use of it while she remains unmarried) Also a percell of meadow about two Acors lying at the place wee call Newberry hole & one acor of salt marsh that was Layd out to mee towards mr Nelsons Island: & one [ ] upon the Cow Commons that I Add to the three & Quarter I have already given him. And a Quarter part of right in the three thousand acers above the Cow Commons: & a third part of my Land at merimack at Bradford of the great Lott that is six score acers wch this promise that the other two Lotts have a way throw it to the River on one side or other most Convenient. My will is that he pay or Cause to be payd the one half of my engagement to my wife & twenty shillings as is expect in her Legacy: & twenty shillings in come yearly to my daughter Grace till she be married. I give to my son James Barker Fifteen Acors of Land in the Addition to my merimack Land: & also my Grate Marsh [ ] to mee at Hog Island in Rowley:

It. I Give unto my son Nathaniel Barker half my Homestead to lye next to the Highway to Bro kilburnes house wth the building upon it: & half the pasture below the orchard which I have not Given to my son barzilai next to Jno sticknays Land. More I give him the Lott cald wilds Lott in Bradford [ ] Lotts: & three Acors of Land at Long hill: Also my Land at new plaine: & my meadow at Great Meadow: also five acors of Rush Marsh at Newberry Gate & the third part of my Land at Bradford that is to say of the six score acers soe cald: to lie next the village: & more I give him a quarter part of my prividedg in the three thousand acers above the towne cow commons: my will is that he pay or cause to be payd the other half of my engagement to my wife dureing her natural life: also that he sumer & winter & be at al charg of the keeping of a Cow for his sister Grace, while she is unmarried If she desire it: Also my will is that Nathaniel shall have the dwelling in the part of the house that he now lives in: soe that he suffer not the[ ] parts of the Houseing to want repairing form time to time & doe not disturb his sister living in the other part of the house wile she is unmarried If she bee good to live there : which said housing & she [ ] of the homestead he shall have after the decease of his said sister or marriage: but he not performing what I have specified then upon her just complaint to my over seers it shall be in their power to disposes him of that part given him: then I give & bequeath that wch Grace is to Injoy wth the rest after her decease & my [ ] to Ebenezer Barker my Granchild If he live to age of twenty one yrs or els to his father: also I given Nathl two Acers of salt marsh yt was [ ]

It. I will & Give unto my daughter unice Watson my fifty Acers of Land be it more or less at Bradford: being my part of the right of Nehemiah Abbots Lott. I give it to her & her eldest son after his fathers & mothers decease provided he live to heir it: And if that child die I give it to the rest of their children as she shal soo [ ] to dispose of it at her death: Also I will & give onto her the Best Cours blanket: & Two Twild Cotton Blankets : & one flock bed & bolster belonging to it & a pillow : And one Quarter of the Comon land that belongs to mee in the Three Thousand Acers above the Cow Commons in this Towne when it shall be Devided: or the use and Emprovement til it bee

Itt. I will & Give unto my Daughter Grace barker that part of the house I now Dwell in not given my wife & that also after her decease wch half the hoestead & half that part of the pasture ungiven to Barzilai & a third part of the great Lott at Bradford which Barzillai & Nathl hath their thirds of : & a Quarter part of the Comon Land that belongs to mee in the three thousand acers above the Townes Cow Common: Also I give her forty pounds out of my household stuff & I also as she shall chuse: And In Case my Daughter Grace dieth without Issue and not in marriage Estate then Barzillai shal have the Lands at Merimack or what els I have Given her in Land : for Ebenezer his son to enjoy if he live to Heir it, or upon his decease as Barzilay shall dispose in his life or at his decease: And the Moveaable goods that Grace shall leave if she die unmarried I give to unice or her children. Further my will is that the rest of my Estate that shal be left when my debts is payd & all charges for funeral defrayd be equally devided betwixt my son barzillai & my daughter Grace

Also my utensels for husbandry I give to my son Nathl barker

Also my wearing apparel I will that it be devided by my overseers half to Burzillai: & the other half between my son Nathaniel & my son in Law John Watson:

My will is whatever Devission or Devissions may or shall be Laid out as belonging to Gates or Rates upon the Cow Commons be equally devided betwixt Burzilai & Nathaniel

Also I give Nathaniel my Freehold belonging to Gates

Also my will is Nathaniell provide wood for Grace while she is a maid

My will is further & I hereby apoynt my sons Burzillai & Nathaniel to be my Executors to this my last will & testament And I desire my Loveing friends John Trumble & Nehemiah Jewet to be Overseers: & desire them to Apprize my Estate: & Give them full power to Issue any Differences that may arise about my Estate amongst my children that soe sutes at law may bee prevented: ffor full Confirmation of the promises & every part thereof I have sett to my Hand & seal this third Day of the Seaventh month Anno:Domini one thousand six hundred & seaventy eight…
James Barker
In Psence of
Hannah Brocklebank
Nehemiah : Jewett.”

“The Inventorie of James barkers Estate taken upon ye 12th.7th.1678

Aprized by Ezekiell North and John Trumble, Nehemiah : Jewett.

Imp. Books...................................................01 03 00
It: Wearing Apparell....................................24 17 00
It: Beding & other houshould stuff his late wife
brought........................................................11 02 06
It: Beding. Vizt, beds rugs, blankets, coverlets & bed
stteads wth one chest & linen in it...........29 05 06
It: Cotton Cloth. & Cotton I Linnen. & Wollen
Cloth.............................................................12 17 10
It: Brass. Iron & peuter vessels.................07 09 06
It: Indian Corne, mault [ ] in & wth the 2 tubs: &
butts & [ ]....................................................05 08 06
It: 1 [ ] pike. Musquet, Rapier, Bullets powder
match &c......................................................02 12 00
It: utensels for a tailer, trade knifes. Inckhorne
Sizars. Cane. Belt. &c...................................0 17 06
It: 1 chest. And Cuboard, & box, & flax, nailes,
Hamer &c.......................................................2 08 06
It: Sadles, bridle & bags............................001 11 00
It: 1 Bedstead. Chairs. Cushings.tables &
Formes.......................................................003 10 00
It: Andirons. Tramill. GridIron. Tongs fire pan
frying pan &c.............................................001 11 00
It: Earthen & wooden vessels & tin spit. Glasser.
Skilet, weights...........................................003 05 03
It: Brushes. Baskets. Trenchers. [ ]. Cords.
[ ]...............................................................000 15 00
It: utensels for Husbandry. & two trundle beds &
[ ] board.....................................................03 01 00
It: Stock in Catle.........................................025 01 00
Summ:.........................................................136=16=01

It: Dwelling house orchard and barne and
pasture.......................................................040 00 00
It: 3 Acors of Land.....................................009 00 00
It: 1 Acor.....................................................003 00 00
It: ¾ Acor....................................................001 15 00
It:½ Acor.....................................................001 00 00
It: 3 Acors of meadow In setchwels
meadow.....................................................012 00 00
It: 2 Acors at Cow bridg............................010 00 00
It: One ox Gate..........................................004 00 00
It: Two Acors at a place wee Call Newberry
Hole............................................................010 00 00
It: One Acor towards mr nelson Island..005 00 00
It: Six score Acor at Bradford..................060 00 00
It: The Addition.........................................007 10 00
It: Gate marsh...........................................005 00 00
It: Bradford street Lott.............................018 00 00
It: 3 Acers at Long hill................................001 10 00
It: Land at Newplaine................................001 10 00
It: Meadow at Great Meadow..................002 00 00
It: 5 Acers of Ruff Meadow at Newberry
Gate.............................................................020 00 00
It: 2 Acers of salt marsh............................010 00 00
It: 50 Acors at Bradford............................030 00 00
It: A Freehold belonging to Gates............003 00 00
It: Marsh allowed for waies......................000 10 00
.....................................................................254 =15 =00
Totall..........................................................392 = 11 = 01
It: Debts due to the estate.......................020 00 03
Totall...........................................................412 = 11= 04

It: Debts due from the estate...................004 00 06
It: overchardged in the pticulers above..001 00 00

Wittness our hands
Nehemiah Jewett
Ezikiel [ ]
John trumble”

“The deposition of Elizabeth sticknee aged about seventy and off samuell sticknee aged about 45 who testifieth that James Barker senior promised upon condition of marriage betwin his son James barker and mary the daughter of William sticknee deceased that her the said James barker senior would give his son james a portion equall with any off his other children his eldest son only excepted and nyther before nor in his last will hath performed the same and farther saith nott

Sowrne in court hold at Ipswich the 29 of sept. 1678”^[17]

The Last will & Testament of Mary Barker… whereas by Gods providence I am in a weak & decreped condition, & not knowing where to be better provided for then with my son & Daughter Nathaniell & Mary Barker & being perswaded that the trouble I am to them is not sufficiently by my estate like to be rewarded therefore they takeing the whole chardg of keeping & providing for mee wth all nessesaries… in my old age & weak condition : My Will is that all my outward estate which I have att my dispose shall bee & is hereby given & conveyed to them for their recompence; only I desire that twenty shillings be payd by Nathaniell Barker to mr Samuell Philleps for what he hath bestowed on mee : & twenty shillings to Burzillay barker & Grace : provided the overseers Judg that Nathaniell may pay it when they know what chardg & troble I may have bene to them before my death : as for all ye rest of my Estate I give it to Nathaniell & Mary… & hereby make Nathaniell Barker my sole Executor… & desire Jno Trumble to see that this my will be fulfilled as an overseer… ye 10th of feb. 1682…
sarah Scales X her mark
before us : Nehemiah Jewett
John Trumble^[18]

In Consideration of what his mother Mary Barker hath don in the will wthin writ : & upon the continuall receipt of her rents & Dues & what is therein given : I Nathaniell Barker Doe bind my self unto my sd mother to provide for her dureing her natural life food Rayment & attendance nessesary In her age, & all times to supply with what phisick she shall stand in need of according to best ability…
nathaniell Barker
In psence of us
Nehemiah Jewett
John Trumble
Sara X Scals
Her mark

An Inventory of the Estate of the widow Mary Barker deceased
Impr. Cloathes & bedding………………….… 06 = 08 = 00
It. 1 chest, 1 box, & 3 books…………….…... 00 = 13 = 00
It. Peuter. 1£. Iron ware. 12s & brass skillet
3s…………………......................................…... 01 = 15 = 00
......................................................................08 = 16 = 00
It. What was given her by her husband [ ] in his last
will- to dispose of at death........................15 = 00 = 00

The abovesaid estate was apprised by the
subscribers..................................................23 = 16 = 00
Ezekiell Jewett
Nehemiah Jewett… Sep. 30: 84" ^[19]

Research Notes

Great Migration Directory: Barker, James: Stradishall, Suffolk; 1640; Rowley [MBCR 1:378; RowBOP 3; Rowley Fam 14-15; Essex Ant 6:101; GMN 18:28-29; NEHGR 161:22-26; Elizabeth Frye Barker, Barker Genealogy (New York 1927) 389].

Sources

1. ↑ Early Settlers of Rowley, Massachusetts, page 16.
2. ↑ Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County- Forrest E. Barker
3. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, pp.1,3,8,12,17,20,24,36-7,50
4. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, p. 54
5. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, pp. 65-7
6. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, p. 82
7. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, p. 83
8. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, p. 84
9. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, p. 86
10. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, p. 88
11. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, p.90; also for 1665 pd. 1/, p.162; and 1/ in 1666 p.167; and 3/ in 1667 p.185
12. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, p.107; also for 1661-2 p.118; 1663-4 p.146;1664- 5 p.156; 1665-6 p.159;1666-7 p.165;1668 p.201
13. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, pp. 119, 124
14. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, p. 140
15. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, pp. 170, 173, 181
16. ↑ "The Early Records of the Town of Rowley"- Vol.1, pp. 228-9
17. ↑ Essex County Registry of Probate- Docket No. 1668, The Pioneers of Massachusetts- Charles Henry Pope, Genealogical Pub. Co., Baltimore, 1965
18. ↑ Essex County Registry of Probate- Docket No. 1690
19. ↑ Essex County Registry of Probate- Docket No. 1690

See also:

• Blodgette, George Brainard, Early Settlers of Rowley, Massachusetts Revised, Edited and Published by Jewett, Amos Everett. Newcomb & Gauss Co., Printers, Salem, Massachusetts, USA, 1933. Reprinted by the New England History Press, Somersworth, New Hampshire. 1981. Pgs. 14-15.
• Massachusetts Vital Racords, Rowley Deaths, Barker
• New England Historical and geaealogical Register. Volume 161. Pages 22 - 26.
• Find A Grave: Memorial #11537618, Rowley Burial Ground, Rowley, Essex, Massachusetts, USA