Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

John Barber

Male 1642 - 1712  (69 years)


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  • Name John Barber 
    Born 24 Jul 1642  Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 17/17 Jan 1711/2  Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Old Meadow Cemetery, West Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I2181  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Thomas Barber,   c. 25 Dec 1612, Stamford Saint George, Lincolnshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Sep 1662, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 49 years) 
    Mother Jane,   b. Bef 1621, , , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Sep 1662, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age > 41 years) 
    Married 7 Oct 1640  Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F1106  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Bathsheba Coggins,   b. Abt 1645, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1688, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 43 years) 
    Married 2 Sep 1663  Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1299  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Hannah Gardner,   b. Abt 1647, of Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Dec 1711, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 64 years) 
    Married 2 May 1689  Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1300  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Today's Hampden County of Massachusetts was originally Middlesex County until it was split off in 1662 and named Hampshire County. Hampden County was formed from Hampshire County in 1812.

      2. Partial excerpt from the biographical sketch of Thomas Barber included in the book "Great Migration," which is a highly dependable modern research publication (see Thomas' notes for full transcript):
      "Thomas Barber...
      First Residence: Windsor...
      Church Membership: Either he or his wife was a member of the Windsor church since their children were baptized there...
      Estate: ...A will, written or not, is implied in the probate of Thomas Barber, but none has been found.
      On 4 February 1662[/3], the distribution of Thomas Barber's estate was as follows: "to John and Sarah jointly as their father willed," the house and barn and all the home lot, land over the river, half the 24-acre lot, half the marsh, and to John a cow, as well as £20 more to John and Sarah. Thomas Barber's share comprised "a mare that he claims as a gift from his father," half his father's tools, the 14-acre upland lot, half the out lot, half the marsh, and his proportion, being £33 15s "Sam[ue]ll Barber" received £33 15s, as did "Mercey" and "Josias." "And what the estate amounts to more than the inventory when debts are paid shall be distributed betwixt the four younger children Thomas, Sam[ue]ll, Mercey and Josias and if any child die before they come to age sons 21 years daughters 18 years the portion of the deceased shall be divided amongst the survivors equally" [RPCC 263]. (The land owned jointly by Sarah and John is more fully detailed in the holdings of Timothy Hall, Sarah's husband [WiLR 1:87].)
      On 4 February 1662/3, "Samuell Barber manifesting his desire thereto was then placed an apprentice unto his brother Thomas until he accomplish the age of twenty-one years [RPCC 262]. On the same day, "Mercey Barber with her consent and desire is placed with Lt. Walter Filer and his wife until she be eighteen years of age unless she marry before" (RPCC 262]. On the same day, "Josias Barber according to his desire is placed with Deacon John Moore until he accomplish the age of twenty-one years" [RPCC 262]. On 30 January 1664[/5?], "Mercy Barber made choice of Lt. Walter Fyler to be her guardian" [RPCC 264]...
      Children:
      i John, bp. Windsor 24 July 1642 [Grant 24; CTVR 33]; m. Springfield 2 September 1663 Bathsheba Coggins [CTVR 10; Grant 25].
      ii Thomas, b. Windsor 14 July 1644 [Grant 24; CTVR 33]; m. Windsor 17 December 1663 Mary Phelps [Grant 25; CTVR 10], daughter of William Phelps [GMB 3:1446].
      iii Sarah, bp. Windsor 19 July 1646 [Grant 24; CTVR 33]; at Windsor 26 November 1663 Timothy Hall [Grant 62].
      iv Samuel, bp. Windsor 1 October 1648 (Grant 25; CVR 33]; m. (1) Windsor 1 December 1670 Mary Coggins [CTVR 12; Grant 25 (surname of bride not .given)]; m. (2) Windsor 25 January 1676[/7] Ruth Drake [CTVR 14; Grant 25].
      v Mercy, bp. Windsor 12 October 1651 (published as "Mary" [CTVR 33]; m. Windsor 8 July l669 John Gillett [CTVR 12; Grant 40], son of Jonathan Gillett [GMB 2:768].
      vi Josiah, b. Windsor 15 February 1653/4 [CTVR 40]; m. (1) Windsor 22 November 1677 Abigail Loomis [Grant 74; CTVR 14]; m. (2) by 12 March 1701/2 Sarah (___) Drake, widow of Enoch Drake [Manwaring 1:551].
      Comments: ...Grant, in his list compiled 17 August 1677, reported that "Thomas Barber Snr." had six children born in Windsor [Grant 90]..."

      3. FHL book 929.273 B233bd, "The Connecticut Barbers, A Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas Barber of Windsor, Connecticut," 2nd Ed., Donald S. Barber: "John Barber, bapt. 24 Jul 1642 at Windsor, CT, d. 17 Jan 1711/12; md. (1) Windsor 2 Sep 1663 Bathsheba Coggin, b. probably Taunton, MA about 1645, d. Springfield, 1688, dau. of Thomas and Joan ___ Coggin of Taunton. Bathsheba was the sister of Mary Coggin who married John Barber's brother Samuel. John md. (2) 2 May 1689 Hannah (Gardner) Bancroft, widow of Thomas Bancroft, and probably dau. of Samuel Gardner of Hadley, MA. John lived in Windsor on the original homestead, which was left to him by his father. When he moved his family to Springfield, MA, in 1671, the Windsor home was transferred to his brother Samuel. John lived in Springfield from 1671 to 1684, during which time he served as Deacon in Christ Church in Springfield, and also as one of the Springfield Selectman. The year 1684 found the restless John and his family in Suffield, CT, where he remained for a time, after which he returned to finish his days in Springfield. (Sources: 1909 Barber Gen; Barbour Index; Barber-Morgan Bible; Early Coggins, English and American, by Geo. E. McCracken, in NEHGR, series 2, Vol. 1; Lure of the Litchfield Hils; CT Hist. Soc.: LB Barbour Manuscripts.) children of John and Bathsheba:
      a. Joanna, b. Windsor (recorded in Suffield, CT) 8 Apr 1667, d. 25 Jun 1688, m. Suffield 18 Mar 1684/5 Thomas Smith, prob. the one born Ipswich, MA, 7 Jun 1661, d. 2 Dec 1726, son of John and Elizabeth Smith. Joanna died just 1 week after the birth of her first child. Thomas md. (2) Mary Younglove.
      b. John, b. Windsor 14 Jul 1669, d. 21 Oct 1690.
      c. Return, b. Springfield, 29 May 1672, d. there 17 Dec 1673.
      d. Thomas, b. Springfield, 4 Feb 1674/5, m. Sarah Ball.
      e. Mary, b. Springfield, 13 Feb 1677/8, d. 29 Dec 1758, m. Springfield 27 Jul 1696 Isaac Frost, b. Cambridge, MA, 21 Oct 1666, d. 30 Sep 1757, son of Dr. Samuel and Mary (Coale) Frost, res. West Springfield, MA. Isaac was one of the proprietors of West Springfield. [11 children of this couple is listed.]"

      4. FHL book 929.273 B233w, "Descendants of Thomas Barber of Windsor, Connecticut, 1614-1909," John Barber White:
      Pp. 15-19: "The Hartford Probate Records contain the following regarding the settlement of Thomas Barber's estate: 'Barber, Thomas, Windsor, Invt. ₤132-14-00; taken 10 Oct. 1662, by Benj. Newberry and John Moore. 'Court Record, Page 187 - 4 Feb., 1662-3, Invt approved. Samuel was placed with his brother Thomas Barber to learn a trade; Mercy (Mary) Barber was placed with Lt. Walter Fyler and his wife until 18 years of age, unless she marries before, with her Master's and Dame's and eldest brother's approbation; Josias Barber was placed with Dea. John Moore until 21 years of age to learn a trade; Thomas Barber doth engage to take Samuel Barber's portion and after two years from the present to allow 6% simple interest per annum. John Barber took Josias' portion upon the same terms. Page 188 - 6 Jun 1662, Dist. to John and Sarah jointly. House and Home lot as their Father willed - 126-13-04. To Thomas Barber by Gift & his portion - 13-00-00. To Samuel, Mercy & Josias each - 36-15-00. By Capt Newberry, Deacon Moore, Sgt. Alvord.' He died on Sept. 11th, and his wife Joan on Sept. 10th, 1662. Children: John, bp. 24 Jul 1642; Thomas, b. 14 Jul 1644; Sarah, bp. 19 Jul 1646; Samuel, bp. 1 Oct 1648; Mary, bp. 12 Oct 1651; Josiah, b. 15 Feb 1653. In the Hartford Probate records it will be observed that the name of the fifth child of Thomas and Joan Barber is given as Mercy instead of Mary, as shown above. Also some records seem to indicate that she married a Hale, but the Gillett family records furnish conclusive evidence of her marriage to John Gillett. It is possible that in the records showing the name of Hale, her marriage was confused with that of her sister Sarah's to Timothy Hall, as a confusion of the names Hale and Hall is quite common."
      Pp. 20-21: "John Barber, bp. July 24, 1642. He m. 1st in Springfield, Conn., Sept. 2, 1663, Bathsheba Coggin, (sometimes given Coggen or Cousens) who d. in 1688; he m. 2nd May 1, 1689, Hannah, widow of Thomas Bancroft [Bancroft], and probably dau. of Samuel Gardner, of Hadley. The records seem to indicate that as a very young man, he spent some time in Springfield, and was married there, but settled first in Windsor. In 1664 his father's place in Windsor was made over to him, but in 1671, he transferred it to his brother Samuel, and removed to Springfield. Burt's History of Springfield states that he had two children born prior to his removal to that place. His other children were born in Springfield. The same authority states that he served for eight years as one of the selectmen of Springfield, and he is referred to, in the early records, as Deacon John Barber. In 1684 he removed from Springfield to Suffield. Here, according to some records, he was a deacon and also a selectman. But the records, both of Springfield and Suffield, are much confused regarding this John Barber and his family. This has presented one of the difficult problems of the present work, and after a careful consideration of all the information obtainable on the subject, the conclusion seems inevitable that among the early settlers, both of Springfield and Suffield, there were other Barber families, descended probably form one of the Massachusetts emigrants but certainly not descended from Thomas, of Windsor. For instance, a John Barber, Sr., and a John Barber, Jr., took the oath of allegiance in Springfield, Jan. 1, 1678. These persons could not have been John (son of Thomas, of Windsor) and his son John, as the latter would have been but nine years old on that date. Again, the records of Springfield contain a list of claimants to lands granted to deceased soldiers of King Philip's War. In this list there appears the name of 'John Barber, son of John, of Springfield.' This list bears date of June 1736, and as the mortuary records seem to give positive evidence that John(3), John(2), Thomas(1), of Windsor, died in 1690, this appears to confirm the theory that there were other families in Springfield descended from one of the other Barber emigrants. The frequent occurrence of the names Thomas and John in these families renders the problem still more difficult, and the records here given of John Barber (son of Thomas, of Windsor) and of his family, are all that research to this date, has been able to establish with any degree of certainty. It is hoped some future historian may be more successful. Deacon John Barber died Jan. 17, 1712. His will was proven in February of the same year, and it is stated that the surname very soon thereafter disappears from the records of Suffield. As will be seen by the records of the sons of this family (third generation) it is not improbable that the surname became extinct in this particular line with that generation. Children:
      a. Joanna, b. Apr. 8, 1667; m. Mch. 18, 1684-5, Thos. Smith, a weaver or tanner of Ipswich or Springfield; she d. June 25, 1688.
      b. John, b. July 14, 1669.
      c. Return, b. May 29, 1672; d. Dec. 17, 1673.
      d. Thomas, b. Feb. 4, 1674; m. Sarah Ball.
      e. Mary, b. Feb. 13, 1677."

      5. Henry R. Stiles, "The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut," 1892, v. 2, p. 50: "Barber, Thomas, first of name in New England, came to Windsor 1635, with the Saltonstall party under Mr. Francis Stiles; was then ae. 21 years. The Court at Hartford, 28 Mch., 1637, 'ord. that Mr. Francis Stiles shall teach George Chapple, Thomas Cooper and Thomas Barber, his servants, in the trade of a carpenter, according to his promise, for their service of their term, behind 4 days in a week only to saw and slit their own work.' He was made freeman 1645; was a soldier in the Pequot fight (see p. 69, Vol. I.); 1648, dft. in Ct.; Sgt. Barber, for his disorderly conduct striking Lieut. Cook, was adjudged to forfeit his office and pay £5. He rem. to Simsbury, where he contracted to build the first meeting house. He m. Jane ___, 7 Oct 1640 (Old Ch. Rec.); he d. 11, she d. 10 Sept., 1662 (Col. Rec.). Land gr. W. prob. 1640 (see p. 151, Vol. I.) Ch. (Old Ch. Rec.):
      A. John, bp. 24 July 1642.
      B. Thomas, b. 14 July 1644.
      C. Sarah, bp. 19 Jul 1646.
      D. Samuel, bp. 1 Oct 1648.
      E. Mary, bp. 12 Oct 1651; m. a Hale; set. Suffld. [No Hale in book.]
      F. Josiah, b. 15 Feb. 1653.

      6. Henry R. Stiles, "The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut," 1892, v. 2, p. 50: "Barber, John (son of Thomas), m. Bathsheba Coggens of Springfield, at S., 2 Sept., 1663 (Col. Rec.); in 1664 his father's pl. in W. was made over to him, which (1671) he transferred to his bro. Samuel and rem. to Springfield; then (1684) to Suffield, where he was a deacon, also one of the first selectmen; will made 4 Feb., 1711-12. Sheldon, 'Doc. Hist. Suffield' says he d. 14 May 1712, and that this surname soon after disappears from Suffield.
      Ch. b. at W. (Old Ch. Rec.):
      A. Joanna, b. 8 Apl 1667.
      B. John, b. 14 July 1669. (Sheldon, 'Doc. Hist. Suff.,' p. 30, says that John, b. 1669, evidently this one, m. Joanna ___, that he d. at S. 29 Aug 1690, and that he had the following children, b. at Suffield. I am willing to admit that he may have d. at Suffield in 1690, but if he owned these four children, he must have married at the tender age of 12 yrs., for the oldest ch. was b. in 1682; As we already have the record of his father's ch. b. at Windsor and of those b. at Spgfld, it is more probable that his is the record of John, Sen.'s ch. b. at Suffield after his removal there (1681-84), and consequently the younger brothers and sisters of John, Junior, who d. 1690!)
      Ch. (b. at Springfield) acc. to Hinman:
      C. Return, b. 29 May 1672.
      D. Thomas, b. 4 Feb 1674; d. at Westfield or Suffield, 11 Jul 1689.
      E. Mary, b. 13 Feb 1677.

      7. Mentioned in the will of brother-in-law John Gillett per "A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records," Vol. I, by Charles Wm. Manwaring, P. 452: "Page 121.
      Gillett, John, Windsor. Invt. £140-14-06. Taken 5 December, 1682, by John Loomis sen., John Moore. Legatees: The Widow, Mercy Gillett, John age 9 years, Thomas 6, Samuel 5, Benjamin 2, Mercy born 30 January last.
      Court Record, Page 69 - 4 April, 1683: Adms. to the Widow, Mercy Gillett, with Jonathan Gillett, Peter Browne, John Barber & Samuel Barber to be Overseers."

      8. Savage's "Genealogical Dictionary," p. 113: "John Barber, bp. 24 Jul 1642, Windsor, son of Thomas of the same, m. Sept. 1663, Bathsheba Coggin, or Cogens, had Joanna, b. 8 Apr 1667; John, 14 Jul 1669; rem. to Springfield, there had Return, 1672, d. soon; and Mary, 1678; was deac. and d. 27 Jan 1712."