Robert Barry (merchant)
Encyclopedia
Robert Barry was a teacher and merchant, among other pursuits, who became an important figure in Nova Scotia
.
Barry was born in Scotland, raised in England and came to North America as an impressed sailor who escaped his ship in New York in about 1774. Little is known about his life there other than he was in a business partnership, he was a participant in Methodist services at the John Street Chapel and formed a friendship with the Reverend Charles Inglis, the rector of Trinity Church where he was a regular communicant.
In 1783, Barry was part of a large group of loyalists
, including many Methodists, who left New York and ended up in Nova Scotia. In Shelburne
he taught school and then became involved in a very successful partnership with his brother in Liverpool. They were involved in West Indies fish, lumber, sugar, and rum trade, as well as agricultural produce. British dry goods were imported for sale in Nova Scotia and stores were operated in many locations. They serviced these with a small fleet of vessels in which they had a substantial interest.
Barry had four sons, all of whom were successful in business in the colony. His one son, John Alexander Barry
married a daughter of William Black
, a prominent Methodist minister and was elected to the 13th General Assembly of Nova Scotia
. Robert's Methodism contributed to the family's success by providing close business ties within the colony. His life is a good example of the importance that evangelical Protestantism had in that area of Canada.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
Barry was born in Scotland, raised in England and came to North America as an impressed sailor who escaped his ship in New York in about 1774. Little is known about his life there other than he was in a business partnership, he was a participant in Methodist services at the John Street Chapel and formed a friendship with the Reverend Charles Inglis, the rector of Trinity Church where he was a regular communicant.
In 1783, Barry was part of a large group of loyalists
United Empire Loyalists
The name United Empire Loyalists is an honorific given after the fact to those American Loyalists who resettled in British North America and other British Colonies as an act of fealty to King George III after the British defeat in the American Revolutionary War and prior to the Treaty of Paris...
, including many Methodists, who left New York and ended up in Nova Scotia. In Shelburne
Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
Shelburne County is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.-History:Shelburne County was founded in 1784 shortly following the influx of Loyalist settlers evacuated from the newly independent United States of America...
he taught school and then became involved in a very successful partnership with his brother in Liverpool. They were involved in West Indies fish, lumber, sugar, and rum trade, as well as agricultural produce. British dry goods were imported for sale in Nova Scotia and stores were operated in many locations. They serviced these with a small fleet of vessels in which they had a substantial interest.
Barry had four sons, all of whom were successful in business in the colony. His one son, John Alexander Barry
John Alexander Barry
John Alexander Barry was born in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia and was the son of Robert Barry, a loyalist who came to Shelburne in 1773. His first wife was the daughter of the Reverend William Black, a Methodist minister....
married a daughter of William Black
William Black (methodist)
William Black was a Yorkshireman and founder of the Methodist congregation in colonial Nova Scotia....
, a prominent Methodist minister and was elected to the 13th General Assembly of Nova Scotia
13th General Assembly of Nova Scotia
The 13th General Assembly of Nova Scotia represented Nova Scotia between 1826 and 1830.The assembly sat at the pleasure of the Governor of Nova Scotia, James Kempt. After Kempt was named Governor of British North America in 1828, Thomas N...
. Robert's Methodism contributed to the family's success by providing close business ties within the colony. His life is a good example of the importance that evangelical Protestantism had in that area of Canada.