John Barker & Rebecca Hoar

Home of John Barker (grandson of our John Barker) in RI

John Barker, my wife's 5th great grandfather was born in Newport in the colony of Rhode Island on December 18, 1710.  Specifically he was born and lived in the northern section of Newport that split away from the present day Newport and incorporated as a separate town, Middletown, in 1743.  John was from a large family, his father was a member of the General Assembly.  John, his brother James, and his father were listed as Freemen at the incorporation of the town in 1743.  The Barker family had lived in America since the early 1600's, and had originally come from England.

He married Rebecca Hoar on Sept 25, 1735 by Justice Peleg Smith.  Rebecca was also from Middletown.  She was born in 1713 into a large family that had resided in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for generations.

They had nine children: Hezekiah, John, Mary, Samuel, Elishia, David, Gideon, John (named after the first John died), and Hezekiah (named after the first Hezekiah died).  The family was reported to be "worthy members of the baptist church".

I have found no mention of John's occupation.  His father and some brothers are listed as farmers, Freemen, and members of the town council.  I assume John farmed as well.  He is listed as a Freeman in 1743.

John died March 17, 1777 during the time of the Revolutionary War.  Rebecca died May 18, 1800.  Their burial site is likely in Middletown at an old cemetery listed as Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Middletown #29:

Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Middletown #29

Location: This cemetery has not been located: G H Richardson described this lot as "Barker Burying Ground, near north end of Hanging Rocks".

25 burials with 3 inscriptions from 1778 to 1778

Note: This Lot is located somewhere on the homestead of James Barker [1675-1759] and Mary Cook [1679-1758]. It is highly probable that they and and many of their descendants occupy the 22 unidentified graves. The property came into the posession of their great-grandson Isaac Barker: 2 of the identified graves are those of his first-born daughter and wife.