James Barker (Rhode Island)
Encyclopedia
James Barker was a deputy governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
. He sailed from England with his father, also named James Barker, who died during the voyage. Also on the same ship was future Rhode Island Governor Nicholas Easton
. Barker was put under the care of his aunt, Christianna Beecher, who later married Easton, bringing her and Barker with him to Newport
. Barker was active in the civil affairs of the colony during much of his adult life, undertaking positions as commissioner, assistant, and deputy over a period of many years. In 1676, during King Philip's War
, it was voted that the advice of the most judicious inhabitants of the colony be obtained, and that these people sit at the next session of the assembly. Barker was one of the 16 men whose counsel was sought in this request. In 1678 he was elected as Deputy Governor, serving under governors Benedict Arnold
, William Coddington
, and John Cranston, the first two both dying in office in 1678. He was a Baptist
minister, assisting in the ordination of Rev. Richard Dingley in 1690.
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original English Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of North America that, after the American Revolution, became the modern U.S...
. He sailed from England with his father, also named James Barker, who died during the voyage. Also on the same ship was future Rhode Island Governor Nicholas Easton
Nicholas Easton
Nicholas Easton was an early colonial President and Governor of Rhode Island. Born in Hampshire, England, he lived in the towns of Lymington and Romsey before immigrating to New England with his two sons in 1634. Once in the New World, he lived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony towns of Ipswich,...
. Barker was put under the care of his aunt, Christianna Beecher, who later married Easton, bringing her and Barker with him to Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
. Barker was active in the civil affairs of the colony during much of his adult life, undertaking positions as commissioner, assistant, and deputy over a period of many years. In 1676, during King Philip's War
King Philip's War
King Philip's War, sometimes called Metacom's War, Metacomet's War, or Metacom's Rebellion, was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day southern New England and English colonists and their Native American allies in 1675–76. The war is named after the main leader of the...
, it was voted that the advice of the most judicious inhabitants of the colony be obtained, and that these people sit at the next session of the assembly. Barker was one of the 16 men whose counsel was sought in this request. In 1678 he was elected as Deputy Governor, serving under governors Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold (governor)
Benedict Arnold was president and then governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving for a total of 11 years in these roles. Coming from Somerset, England, he was born and raised in the town of Ilchester, likely attending school in Limington, nearby...
, William Coddington
William Coddington
William Coddington was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving as the Judge of Portsmouth, Judge of Newport, Governor of Portsmouth and Newport, Deputy Governor of the entire colony, and then Governor of the...
, and John Cranston, the first two both dying in office in 1678. He was a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
minister, assisting in the ordination of Rev. Richard Dingley in 1690.
See also
- List of lieutenant governors of Rhode Island
- Colony of Rhode Island and Providence PlantationsColony of Rhode Island and Providence PlantationsThe Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original English Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of North America that, after the American Revolution, became the modern U.S...