Barbara Wilberforce (1799 - abt. 1821)

Born 21 Jul 1799 in Clapham, Surrey, England

Ancestors

Died about 30 Dec 1821 at about age 22 in Stoke Newington, Middlesex, England

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Barbara Wilberforce was born in England.

Biography

Barbara Wilberforce was the second of British abolitionist William Wilberforce's six children. She was born 17 August 1799.^[1] She died on 30 December 1820, at the age of 22.^[2] Her obituary was carried in multiple newspapers.^[3][4]

Her father's thoughts, July 1822

On July 5, 1822, William wrote to a 14-year-old girl named Priscilla Buxton, a family friend who would go on to become a notable abolitionist in her own right. This excerpt from his letter points to his grief and hope in the months following Barbara's death:

Now therefore accustom yourself to think "the Scene around me is gloomy and darksome," but a friendly and, that a divine, Hand of a kind and loving Saviour, is leading me on the Way He sees best for me, & in His own good time He will bring me into the Light. As I know He is Truth itself, he cannot deceive me & He has promised to be a Shepherd full of kindness as well as Care to the Lambs of His flock. He would not let me suffer pain if He were not persuaded it would be for my benefit and I will therefore receive all and submit to it all He orders for me, as that which is sure to be more than made up to me. So that if more I have to bear now, the more I shall have to rejoice hereafter.^[5]

Notes

• Birth/Christening:

• 17 August 1799 Clapham, Holy Trinity, Surrey, the daughter of William Wilberforce & Barbara Ann Spooner. Date of birth recorded in entry.

• Death:

• 30 December 1820, Stoke Newington, Middlesex. Burial, Stoke Newington, St. Mary. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NLXN-ZK3 : 3 February 2023), Barbara Wilberforce, 1799.
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63528863/barbara-wilberforce: accessed 9 June 2023), memorial page for Barbara Wilberforce (21 Jul 1799–30 Dec 1821), Find a Grave Memorial ID 63528863, citing St Mary Churchyard, Stoke Newington, London Borough of Hackney, Greater London, England; Maintained by caryatid (contributor 47186169).
3. ↑ "British Newspaper Archive, Family Notices," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPZQ-FXT6 : 17 April 2019), Barbara Wilberforce, York, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom; records extracted FamilySearch and images digitized by FindMyPast; citing York, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom, 12 Jan 1822, The British Newspaper Archive, Ireland; FHL microfilm .
4. ↑ "British Newspaper Archive, Family Notices," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPCJ-MH6Z : 17 April 2019), Barbara Wilberforce, Norwich, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom; records extracted FamilySearch and images digitized by FindMyPast; citing Norwich, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom, 12 Jan 1822, The British Newspaper Archive, Ireland; FHL microfilm .
5. ↑ https://www.markmeynell.net/2016/02/27/a-sky-unsullied-by-clouds-william-wilberforce-gives-hope-to-a-14-year-old-girl-in-pain/
6. ↑ Find a Grave Index (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV23-LS2P)