Edward Barker (abt. 1796 - abt. 1876)

Born about 1796 in Gloucestershire, England

Husband of Mary (Fitzgerald) Barker — married about 1820 in England

Descendants

Died about 1876 at about age 80 in Omro, Winnebago, Wisconsin, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: April Dennis [send private message]

Biography

Edward was born about 1796. His wife's name was Mary Fitzgerald. They had several children.

The 1841 England Census for Yorkshire County's Sheffield parish, Strafforth and Tickhill (South Division) shows Edward Barker, age 45, born in Yorkshire about 1796, with his family as follows: Edward Barker, 45; James Barker, 20; Thomas Barker, 15; Edwin Barker, 13; Henry Barker, 11; Sarah Barker, 9; William Barker, 7; Mary Ann Barker, 2.

Edward's wife was not recorded in the household and had probably recently died, as there was a very young child present. Family tradition also passes on the story of a daughter named Ellen who was very young when her mother died. The children went to live with an older married brother after their mother's death. Because Ellen was a bed-wetter, her brother's wife denied her water to drink. She was always so very thirsty so the little brothers would take her to the garden to the well (out of sight of the sister-in-law) and give Ellen water to drink. She sickened and died. (Sarah, wife of oldest son James, was also born in England, and married James there on 26 May 1841 in Boston, Lincolnshire. They may be the couple in the story.)

Edward, worked at the Sheffield Cutlery Works. While working there, he got a piece of steel in his eye. After the accident, Edward made the decision to move his family to America.^[1]

An arriving passenger list for 4 September 1843, shows Edward Barker, age 48, arriving aboard the ship George Washington from Liverpool, England, at New York City, New York. His occupation appears to be listed as "mech" and none of his household appears on the arrival list with him.^[2]

Naturalization certificates for Edward's sons, William B. Barker and Henry Barker, state they entered the United States at the Port of New York in 1844.^[3]

The History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and Early History of the Northwest, in the portion regarding "Early Pioneers of Nepeuskun Township," states,

"Edward Barker, with five sons, Edwin, James, Henry, William and Thomas, natives of England, emigrated to this country in 1844, and in 1850 settled on the shores of Rush Lake, where they at once erected a small shop on the southwest quarter of Section 15, for the manufacture of pocket cutlery; each having learned his particular branch of the trade in England, the father and Henry making handles, James forging blades and backs, Edward [sic, probably meant to be Edwin] grinding and polishing, the others working at odd times as helpers. The machinery was run by horsepower. The best quality of goods was turned out here, but the market was uncertain. The merchants of Oshkosh, Ripon and other places became liberal patrons, but the sales were too limited to make the business remunerative, and upon the death of Edwin in 1868 it was abandoned."^[4]

In the 1855 Wisconsin State Census, Edward was recorded living in Nepeuskin. He appears to have sent for his family, as he is shown with three white males in his household [Edward and two sons], while oldest son James and his wife Sarah are next door, with 2 white females and 3 white males in the household. Fourth son, Henry, and his wife, Jane, are also living on another nearby farm, with a household of 2 white females and 1 white male.^[5]

The 1860 U.S. Federal census finds Edward, now age 64, living in Nepeuskin in the home of his son, James, age 39, with his family (wife Sarah, 35, and three children).

The final census to show Edward before his death was the 1870 U.S. Federal census, which shows Edward retired ("without occupation") in the home of James, 49, who now has a prosperous farm valued at $4,000, with a personal estate of $1,000.

Edward died about 1876.

Census Records

In the 1841 census Edward Barker (age 45) was in Well Meadow, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.^[6]

Edward Barker M 45 Yorkshire

James Barker M 20 Yorkshire

Thomas Barker M 15 Yorkshire

Edwin Barker M 13 Yorkshire

Henry Barker M 11 Yorkshire

William Barker M 7 Yorkshire

Sarah Barker F 9 Yorkshire

Mary Ann Barker F 2 Yorkshire

James Patrick M 16 Yorkshire

In the 1860 census Edward Borker (age 64) was in Nepenskin, Winnebago, Wisconsin, United States.^[7]

James Borker M 39 years England

Sarah Borker F 35 years England

James Borker M 15 years New York

Mary Borker F 13 years Connecticut

William Borker M 11 years Connecticut

Edward Borker M 64 years England

In the 1870 census Edward Barker (age 74) was in Nepeuskun, Winnebago, Wisconsin, United States.^[8]

James Barker M 49 England

Sarah A Barker F 44 England

Albert Barker M 21 Connecticut

Edward Barker M 74 England

James Henshaw M 62 New York

Lidia Henshaw F 61 New York

Henry Henshaw M 19 Wisconsin

Frank Darrow M 18 Indiana

Mary Pinckney F 14 Wisconsin

Research Notes

Potential birth information (though very far from the expected Yorkshire, so perhaps not): "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JMQ4-2JS : 20 March 2020), Edward Barker, 1794.

OR perhaps this one, in Yorkshire (but birth year is later than expected): "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWHX-QQ5 : 10 April 2021), Edward Barker, 1797.

Note regarding spouse: Family records state Mary Fitzgerald, of Irish descent, was Edward's Barker's wife.

Ruled out this potential spouse/marriage: Ancestry.com. England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: England, Marriages, 1538–1973. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

Name: Edward Barker Gender: Male Marriage Date: 28 Jan 1828 Marriage Place: Cathedral Saint Peter,Sheffield,York,England Spouse: Mary Foster

The Edward Barker who was in Well Meadow in 1841 could be the Edward Barker who married Sarah Crawshaw on 15 October 1817 in Sheffield, Cathedral Church of St Peter & St Paul, Yorkshire (West Riding), England.^[9] Their daughter Mary Ann Barker's birth was registered in the Oct-Nov-Dec quarter of 1838 in the Sheffield district.^[10] and fits with the Mary Ann Barker in the 1841 census.

More likely this record below represents the Mary Ann Barker that was the daughter of the Edward of this profile. The location appears to be only 8 miles from where the family was enumerated in 1841, and the toddler Mary Barker appears to be the correct age.

• Baptism of daughter Mary Barker: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
  FamilySearch Record: NJN2-4RV (accessed 26 July 2023)
  Edward Barker's daughter Mary Barker baptism on 7 Apr 1839 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom.

Sources

1. ↑ My Memories of Grandpa and Grandma Barker, by Fred E. Locke, grandchild of William who lived with William and Anna after the early death of his mother. In family history files of family historian and William's descendant, Barker-13855; now in keeping of Living Rittenhouse-1171.
2. ↑ Passenger List: "New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957"
   The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at and Departing from Ogdensburg, New York, 5/27/1948 - 11/28/1972; Microfilm Serial or NAID: M237, 1820-1897
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7488 #1022834882 (accessed 10 December 2023)
   Name: Edward Barker; Gender: Male; Age: 48; Birth Date: abt 1795; Departure Port: Liverpool, England; Arrival Date: 4 Sep 1843; Arrival Port: New York, New York, USA; Ship Name: George Washington.
3. ↑ Files of family historian, Barker-13855; now in keeping of Living Rittenhouse-1171
4. ↑ History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and Early History of the Northwest by Richard J. Henry, published in Oshkosh, Wisconsin by Allen & Hicks, printers, 1880. Pg. 245
5. ↑ "Wisconsin State Census, 1855", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMM5-Y2S : 20 February 2021), Edward Barker, 1855.
6. ↑ 1841 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1841"
   citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
   FamilySearch Record: MQ59-WXX (accessed 21 May 2023)
   FindMyPast Image
   Edward Barker (45) in Sheffield registration district in Yorkshire, England. Born in Yorkshire.
7. ↑ 1860 Census: "United States Census, 1860"
   citing Page: 183; Affiliate Publication Number: M653;
   FamilySearch Record: MW9V-SD7 (accessed 21 May 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GBSZ-9ZTV
   Edward Borker (64) in Nepenskin, Winnebago, Wisconsin, United States. Born in England.
8. ↑ 1870 Census: "United States Census, 1870"
   citing Page: 28; Affiliate Publication Number: M593; Line: 27; FHL microfilm: 000553244; Record number: 11972;
   FamilySearch Record: MNSF-DKP (accessed 21 May 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HT-D5GS-T2D Image number 00304
   Edward Barker (74) in Nepeuskun, Winnebago, Wisconsin, United States. Born in England.
9. ↑ Marriage: "Yorkshire Marriages"
   Archive: Sheffield Archives & Local Studies; Reference: PR-138-3-16; Page: 337
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 21 May 2023)
   Edward Barker marriage to Sarah Crawshaw on 15 Oct 1817 in Sheffield, Cathedral Church of St Peter & St Paul, Yorkshire (West Riding), England.
10. ↑ Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 21 May 2023)
    Barker, Mary Ann (Mother's maiden name: Crawshaw).
    GRO Reference: 1838 Oct-Nov-Dec in Sheffield Volume 22 Page 522.

• "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ59-WXX : 23 May 2019), Edward Barker, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
• "Wisconsin State Census, 1855", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMM5-Y2S : 20 February 2021), Edward Barker, 1855.
• 1860 United States Federal Census, Year: 1860; Census Place: Nepeuskun, Winnebago, Wisconsin; Roll: M653_1437; Page: 457; Image: 163; Family History Library Film: 805437, Ancestry.com
• "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNSF-DKP : 29 May 2021), Edward Barker in entry for James Barker, 1870.