John Barber was born about 1742, possibly in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as his mother, Isabel Jordan Barber daughter of John Jordan, and many of his associates can be traced to that colony. The Barbers and Jordans are thought to be of Irish descent. There was a large migration of associated families from Pennsylvania to York County, SC and Tryon County, NC in the mid 1760s. It is believed that John's father was "John Barber of Pitsburg, PA" who was a fur trader killed by Indians, but this is not proved. John's father died when he was very young, though. John Barber married Sarah Martin, daughter of John Martin and Mary McDowell. The Martins and McDowells also came from Pennsylvania so it is not known if John and Sarah married in Pennsylvania or the Carolinas.
John Barber first purchased land in Tryon County, NC in 1770. Tryon was later abolished and Lincoln and Rutherford Counties were created from it in 1779. John's land fell mostly into Lincoln County. Between 1796 and 1798 John made 13 deeds in Rutherford County purchasing new land. He sold all of his Lincoln County land in 1796. He was associated in Rutherford County with the same men and families who he had been associated with in Lincoln County, so it seems likely that his Lincoln and Rutherford lands were in close proximity.
The signature displayed is from the marriage bond of John's daughter, Jane, and Robert Adams, in Lincoln County, NC dated 31 March 1795. John's signature from his original will, made and proved in Rutherford County, is also included in the photos. Since he was a Justice of the Peace in Lincoln County beginning in 1784 and Rutherford County beginning in 1797, there are likely numerous copies of his signature on original documents in both counties. A copy of his will is also recorded in Rutherford County, NC Will Book B pp 101-102.
John was very active in the Revolutionary government of North Carolina and the governing bodies which preceded active resistance to the British government. He was appointed Captain of a militia company in Tryon County, NC. He served in numerous battles and skirmishes with both British troops and Tory militias. He was promoted to Major before the Battle of the Cowpens, where he served under Col William Washington, a second cousin of George Washington. Family tradition says that he was a friend of William Washington and his grandson was named for him as he often spoke of their friendship. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel after the battle of the Cowpens. It is not certain if Lt. Col. Barber was promoted to the rank of Colonel before or after the war ended. He is referred to as "Colonel John Barber" several times in the Revolutionary War pension application of Peter Rodes who served under him in three different tours of duty. http://www.revwarapps.org/r8730.pdf
John Barber was very active in county affairs, elected member of Committee of Safety of Tryon County 26 July 1775; was member of the Provincial Congress at Halifax, North Carolina in November of 1776 (referred to as the Halifax Convention); was member of the House of Commons at their April and November sessions in 1777; again member at the November, 1781 and January and April sessions of 1782. In January, 1780, Lincoln County Court appointed him one of the commissioners of confiscated property for the county. In 1784 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the county.
John Barber was a landowner in Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, NC which were created from Tryon County when it was abolished in 1779. John's main land was in the part of the county cut off into Lincoln County in 1779. He later sold this land and relocated a short distance to Rutherford County where he purchased more land. This land, and the cemetery where John Barber is buried, are today in Cleveland County which was created from Lincoln and Rutherford Counties in 1841.
John Barber was nominated for the office of Justice of the Peace for Rutherford County, NC by the October 1796 Superior Court and took the oath for that office at the April 1797 court.
John Barber left a will proved in Rutherford County, NC. His widow, Sarah Martin Barber, survived him for nearly 30 years, died in Lincoln County and was buried with her family in the Bethell Cemetery in York County, SC. The same two slaves, York and Phyllis, are named in the wills of both John and Sarah Barber. Despite compelling physical and primary record evidence to the contrary, several descendants had markers erected in the Bethell cemetery to indicate that he was buried next to his wife there. He is not.
His tombstone in the Warlick Cemtery is remarkably well preserved, probably because it is in an overgrown section of the cemetery where it has been well protected from the elements.
I do not typically include titles in the names of people but, since the title "Col" appears on his tombstone, this is an exception where it is included.
Some primary record evidence:
Will of John Jordan, written April 12, 1750 Pennsboro, Lancaster County, PA, proved 9 November 1754 Cumberland Co., PA. Wife Catherine, son John, George Tembleton, Isabel Barber, Richard Venable, Archibald Kenedy, Samuel Lamb, Randle Slack, Mary Wray.
Exs. wife Catherine and son John Jordan.
Wit. John Addams, John Stewart, Alexander Sanderson, James Sanderson.
A. 28. (The Tembleton (sic), Venable, Wray and Barber families all moved to York, SC and Tryon, NC at the same time)
Some examples of John Barber's service from Tryon County, NC records are:
From "Deed Abstracts from, Tryon, Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, 1769-1786 & Wills & Estates", page 16, 26 July 1775, Tryon County Committee of Safety organized, committee selected, ...among those chosen Capt.'. John Barber's company.
14 Sep 1775, Tryon Committee of Public Safety met, John Barber present. C. R. 9-647
Nov 1776, Delegates from Tryon to Halifax Convention, included John Barber. C. R. 10-915
1777 Charles McLean senator from Tryon County, James Johnston and John Barber, Assemblymen. S.R. 12-2.
1779 Tryon abolished and Counties of Lincoln and Rutherford erected out of Tryon County.
John Barber of Lincoln County, NC is mentioned in the Revolutionary War pension applications of at least a dozen men, including that of his brother-in-law Josiah Martin.
Transcribed from microfilm roll M881-785 (Rev. War, Army, Compiled Service Records of Soldiers):
"It is shown by a record in this office, an undated account covering the period February and March 1776 that Captain John Barber was in command of a company in Graham's Regiment of Tryon County, North Carolina, and that the company participated in the Cross Creek Expedition, an expedition against Insurgents."
Lincoln County, N.C. Then came Edward Bell before us, John Barber & John Wilson, Justices & made oath that John Sorrells was a soldier in the late Continental Line of this state & that he actually served the term of nine months in the aforesaid line to the southward & did not desert. Given under our hands & seals 1 Aug. 1792.
s/Jno. Wilson, J.P. Jno. Barber, J.P. (seals)
John and Sarah Martin Barber had:
1. Mary (twin) b. 1767 m. Thomas White 5 July 1787, no ch.
2. Isabel (twin) b. 1767 m. Robert Patterson
3. Sarah Jane b. 1771 m. James Watson in 1795
4. Margaret b. 1772 m. Mr. Wells
5. Katherine b. 23 April 1774 m. William Martin, 1st cousin
6. Jane b. 1776 m. Robert Adams 18 May 1795
7. Rev. John Jr. b. 15 Jan 1780 m. 4 times, to Illinois
8. Robert b. 1782, (lived Yazoo County, MS?)
9. Anna b. 16 Nov 1784 m. John Price 12 Nov 1810, Pike Co., MO
*A great big Thanks to Richard Jordan for going out and locating the grave marker of Revolutionary War Soldier, John Barber in the Warlick Cemetery! John Barber's marker did appear in a 1938 tombstone census of Cleveland County, but no images of his stone were available until Mr. Jordan provided his valuable assistance.
Will of John Barber:
In the name of God Amen I John Barber of the State of North Carolina and County of Rutherford being in a very sick and weak condition but of Perfect mind & memory, calling to mind the frailty of Human nature, & that it is appointed for all men to die, hath ordained this my last will & Testament, And first recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my Body to the dust to be Buried in a decent manner, and next all my Lawful Debts are to be paid out of my Estate, And next I will and bequeath unto my dear and well beloved wife Sarah Barber, the third of my estate, real & personal with the two oldest Negros, York and Phillis, and next I will and bequeath unto my two beloved sons, John & Robert Barber the remaining part of my lands to be equally divided and to John my little negro Sam, & to Robert my little negro James and to my Dear & well beloved Daughters Margaret, Anna, and Mary Barber I will and bequeath an equal dividend of the remaining part of my Personal Estate, allowing these my present Family to live together on the Land, and next I will and bequeath unto my friend Thomas Nitt the sum of five shillings. I will son-in-law Robert & Isabell Patterson the sum of five shillings. I will & bequeath unto James & Sarah Watson the sum of five shillings I will and bequeath unto William & Katherine Martin the sum of five shillings, I will and bequeath unto Robert & Jane Adams the sum of five shillings & I constitute and ordain Sarah Barber & John Barber my Lawful Executors, Given under my hand & seal this first day of January One thousand Seven Hundred & ninety nine.
Jno. Barber (Seal)
Teste
Isaac White
David Moffett
Hugh Reynolds
John Barber first purchased land in Tryon County, NC in 1770. Tryon was later abolished and Lincoln and Rutherford Counties were created from it in 1779. John's land fell mostly into Lincoln County. Between 1796 and 1798 John made 13 deeds in Rutherford County purchasing new land. He sold all of his Lincoln County land in 1796. He was associated in Rutherford County with the same men and families who he had been associated with in Lincoln County, so it seems likely that his Lincoln and Rutherford lands were in close proximity.
The signature displayed is from the marriage bond of John's daughter, Jane, and Robert Adams, in Lincoln County, NC dated 31 March 1795. John's signature from his original will, made and proved in Rutherford County, is also included in the photos. Since he was a Justice of the Peace in Lincoln County beginning in 1784 and Rutherford County beginning in 1797, there are likely numerous copies of his signature on original documents in both counties. A copy of his will is also recorded in Rutherford County, NC Will Book B pp 101-102.
John was very active in the Revolutionary government of North Carolina and the governing bodies which preceded active resistance to the British government. He was appointed Captain of a militia company in Tryon County, NC. He served in numerous battles and skirmishes with both British troops and Tory militias. He was promoted to Major before the Battle of the Cowpens, where he served under Col William Washington, a second cousin of George Washington. Family tradition says that he was a friend of William Washington and his grandson was named for him as he often spoke of their friendship. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel after the battle of the Cowpens. It is not certain if Lt. Col. Barber was promoted to the rank of Colonel before or after the war ended. He is referred to as "Colonel John Barber" several times in the Revolutionary War pension application of Peter Rodes who served under him in three different tours of duty. http://www.revwarapps.org/r8730.pdf
John Barber was very active in county affairs, elected member of Committee of Safety of Tryon County 26 July 1775; was member of the Provincial Congress at Halifax, North Carolina in November of 1776 (referred to as the Halifax Convention); was member of the House of Commons at their April and November sessions in 1777; again member at the November, 1781 and January and April sessions of 1782. In January, 1780, Lincoln County Court appointed him one of the commissioners of confiscated property for the county. In 1784 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the county.
John Barber was a landowner in Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, NC which were created from Tryon County when it was abolished in 1779. John's main land was in the part of the county cut off into Lincoln County in 1779. He later sold this land and relocated a short distance to Rutherford County where he purchased more land. This land, and the cemetery where John Barber is buried, are today in Cleveland County which was created from Lincoln and Rutherford Counties in 1841.
John Barber was nominated for the office of Justice of the Peace for Rutherford County, NC by the October 1796 Superior Court and took the oath for that office at the April 1797 court.
John Barber left a will proved in Rutherford County, NC. His widow, Sarah Martin Barber, survived him for nearly 30 years, died in Lincoln County and was buried with her family in the Bethell Cemetery in York County, SC. The same two slaves, York and Phyllis, are named in the wills of both John and Sarah Barber. Despite compelling physical and primary record evidence to the contrary, several descendants had markers erected in the Bethell cemetery to indicate that he was buried next to his wife there. He is not.
His tombstone in the Warlick Cemtery is remarkably well preserved, probably because it is in an overgrown section of the cemetery where it has been well protected from the elements.
I do not typically include titles in the names of people but, since the title "Col" appears on his tombstone, this is an exception where it is included.
Some primary record evidence:
Will of John Jordan, written April 12, 1750 Pennsboro, Lancaster County, PA, proved 9 November 1754 Cumberland Co., PA. Wife Catherine, son John, George Tembleton, Isabel Barber, Richard Venable, Archibald Kenedy, Samuel Lamb, Randle Slack, Mary Wray.
Exs. wife Catherine and son John Jordan.
Wit. John Addams, John Stewart, Alexander Sanderson, James Sanderson.
A. 28. (The Tembleton (sic), Venable, Wray and Barber families all moved to York, SC and Tryon, NC at the same time)
Some examples of John Barber's service from Tryon County, NC records are:
From "Deed Abstracts from, Tryon, Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, 1769-1786 & Wills & Estates", page 16, 26 July 1775, Tryon County Committee of Safety organized, committee selected, ...among those chosen Capt.'. John Barber's company.
14 Sep 1775, Tryon Committee of Public Safety met, John Barber present. C. R. 9-647
Nov 1776, Delegates from Tryon to Halifax Convention, included John Barber. C. R. 10-915
1777 Charles McLean senator from Tryon County, James Johnston and John Barber, Assemblymen. S.R. 12-2.
1779 Tryon abolished and Counties of Lincoln and Rutherford erected out of Tryon County.
John Barber of Lincoln County, NC is mentioned in the Revolutionary War pension applications of at least a dozen men, including that of his brother-in-law Josiah Martin.
Transcribed from microfilm roll M881-785 (Rev. War, Army, Compiled Service Records of Soldiers):
"It is shown by a record in this office, an undated account covering the period February and March 1776 that Captain John Barber was in command of a company in Graham's Regiment of Tryon County, North Carolina, and that the company participated in the Cross Creek Expedition, an expedition against Insurgents."
Lincoln County, N.C. Then came Edward Bell before us, John Barber & John Wilson, Justices & made oath that John Sorrells was a soldier in the late Continental Line of this state & that he actually served the term of nine months in the aforesaid line to the southward & did not desert. Given under our hands & seals 1 Aug. 1792.
s/Jno. Wilson, J.P. Jno. Barber, J.P. (seals)
John and Sarah Martin Barber had:
1. Mary (twin) b. 1767 m. Thomas White 5 July 1787, no ch.
2. Isabel (twin) b. 1767 m. Robert Patterson
3. Sarah Jane b. 1771 m. James Watson in 1795
4. Margaret b. 1772 m. Mr. Wells
5. Katherine b. 23 April 1774 m. William Martin, 1st cousin
6. Jane b. 1776 m. Robert Adams 18 May 1795
7. Rev. John Jr. b. 15 Jan 1780 m. 4 times, to Illinois
8. Robert b. 1782, (lived Yazoo County, MS?)
9. Anna b. 16 Nov 1784 m. John Price 12 Nov 1810, Pike Co., MO
*A great big Thanks to Richard Jordan for going out and locating the grave marker of Revolutionary War Soldier, John Barber in the Warlick Cemetery! John Barber's marker did appear in a 1938 tombstone census of Cleveland County, but no images of his stone were available until Mr. Jordan provided his valuable assistance.
Will of John Barber:
In the name of God Amen I John Barber of the State of North Carolina and County of Rutherford being in a very sick and weak condition but of Perfect mind & memory, calling to mind the frailty of Human nature, & that it is appointed for all men to die, hath ordained this my last will & Testament, And first recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my Body to the dust to be Buried in a decent manner, and next all my Lawful Debts are to be paid out of my Estate, And next I will and bequeath unto my dear and well beloved wife Sarah Barber, the third of my estate, real & personal with the two oldest Negros, York and Phillis, and next I will and bequeath unto my two beloved sons, John & Robert Barber the remaining part of my lands to be equally divided and to John my little negro Sam, & to Robert my little negro James and to my Dear & well beloved Daughters Margaret, Anna, and Mary Barber I will and bequeath an equal dividend of the remaining part of my Personal Estate, allowing these my present Family to live together on the Land, and next I will and bequeath unto my friend Thomas Nitt the sum of five shillings. I will son-in-law Robert & Isabell Patterson the sum of five shillings. I will & bequeath unto James & Sarah Watson the sum of five shillings I will and bequeath unto William & Katherine Martin the sum of five shillings, I will and bequeath unto Robert & Jane Adams the sum of five shillings & I constitute and ordain Sarah Barber & John Barber my Lawful Executors, Given under my hand & seal this first day of January One thousand Seven Hundred & ninety nine.
Jno. Barber (Seal)
Teste
Isaac White
David Moffett
Hugh Reynolds
John Barber was born about 1742, possibly in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as his mother, Isabel Jordan Barber daughter of John Jordan, and many of his associates can be traced to that colony. The Barbers and Jordans are thought to be of Irish descent. There was a large migration of associated families from Pennsylvania to York County, SC and Tryon County, NC in the mid 1760s. It is believed that John's father was "John Barber of Pitsburg, PA" who was a fur trader killed by Indians, but this is not proved. John's father died when he was very young, though. John Barber married Sarah Martin, daughter of John Martin and Mary McDowell. The Martins and McDowells also came from Pennsylvania so it is not known if John and Sarah married in Pennsylvania or the Carolinas.
John Barber first purchased land in Tryon County, NC in 1770. Tryon was later abolished and Lincoln and Rutherford Counties were created from it in 1779. John's land fell mostly into Lincoln County. Between 1796 and 1798 John made 13 deeds in Rutherford County purchasing new land. He sold all of his Lincoln County land in 1796. He was associated in Rutherford County with the same men and families who he had been associated with in Lincoln County, so it seems likely that his Lincoln and Rutherford lands were in close proximity.
The signature displayed is from the marriage bond of John's daughter, Jane, and Robert Adams, in Lincoln County, NC dated 31 March 1795. John's signature from his original will, made and proved in Rutherford County, is also included in the photos. Since he was a Justice of the Peace in Lincoln County beginning in 1784 and Rutherford County beginning in 1797, there are likely numerous copies of his signature on original documents in both counties. A copy of his will is also recorded in Rutherford County, NC Will Book B pp 101-102.
John was very active in the Revolutionary government of North Carolina and the governing bodies which preceded active resistance to the British government. He was appointed Captain of a militia company in Tryon County, NC. He served in numerous battles and skirmishes with both British troops and Tory militias. He was promoted to Major before the Battle of the Cowpens, where he served under Col William Washington, a second cousin of George Washington. Family tradition says that he was a friend of William Washington and his grandson was named for him as he often spoke of their friendship. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel after the battle of the Cowpens. It is not certain if Lt. Col. Barber was promoted to the rank of Colonel before or after the war ended. He is referred to as "Colonel John Barber" several times in the Revolutionary War pension application of Peter Rodes who served under him in three different tours of duty. http://www.revwarapps.org/r8730.pdf
John Barber was very active in county affairs, elected member of Committee of Safety of Tryon County 26 July 1775; was member of the Provincial Congress at Halifax, North Carolina in November of 1776 (referred to as the Halifax Convention); was member of the House of Commons at their April and November sessions in 1777; again member at the November, 1781 and January and April sessions of 1782. In January, 1780, Lincoln County Court appointed him one of the commissioners of confiscated property for the county. In 1784 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the county.
John Barber was a landowner in Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, NC which were created from Tryon County when it was abolished in 1779. John's main land was in the part of the county cut off into Lincoln County in 1779. He later sold this land and relocated a short distance to Rutherford County where he purchased more land. This land, and the cemetery where John Barber is buried, are today in Cleveland County which was created from Lincoln and Rutherford Counties in 1841.
John Barber was nominated for the office of Justice of the Peace for Rutherford County, NC by the October 1796 Superior Court and took the oath for that office at the April 1797 court.
John Barber left a will proved in Rutherford County, NC. His widow, Sarah Martin Barber, survived him for nearly 30 years, died in Lincoln County and was buried with her family in the Bethell Cemetery in York County, SC. The same two slaves, York and Phyllis, are named in the wills of both John and Sarah Barber. Despite compelling physical and primary record evidence to the contrary, several descendants had markers erected in the Bethell cemetery to indicate that he was buried next to his wife there. He is not.
His tombstone in the Warlick Cemtery is remarkably well preserved, probably because it is in an overgrown section of the cemetery where it has been well protected from the elements.
I do not typically include titles in the names of people but, since the title "Col" appears on his tombstone, this is an exception where it is included.
Some primary record evidence:
Will of John Jordan, written April 12, 1750 Pennsboro, Lancaster County, PA, proved 9 November 1754 Cumberland Co., PA. Wife Catherine, son John, George Tembleton, Isabel Barber, Richard Venable, Archibald Kenedy, Samuel Lamb, Randle Slack, Mary Wray.
Exs. wife Catherine and son John Jordan.
Wit. John Addams, John Stewart, Alexander Sanderson, James Sanderson.
A. 28. (The Tembleton (sic), Venable, Wray and Barber families all moved to York, SC and Tryon, NC at the same time)
Some examples of John Barber's service from Tryon County, NC records are:
From "Deed Abstracts from, Tryon, Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, 1769-1786 & Wills & Estates", page 16, 26 July 1775, Tryon County Committee of Safety organized, committee selected, ...among those chosen Capt.'. John Barber's company.
14 Sep 1775, Tryon Committee of Public Safety met, John Barber present. C. R. 9-647
Nov 1776, Delegates from Tryon to Halifax Convention, included John Barber. C. R. 10-915
1777 Charles McLean senator from Tryon County, James Johnston and John Barber, Assemblymen. S.R. 12-2.
1779 Tryon abolished and Counties of Lincoln and Rutherford erected out of Tryon County.
John Barber of Lincoln County, NC is mentioned in the Revolutionary War pension applications of at least a dozen men, including that of his brother-in-law Josiah Martin.
Transcribed from microfilm roll M881-785 (Rev. War, Army, Compiled Service Records of Soldiers):
"It is shown by a record in this office, an undated account covering the period February and March 1776 that Captain John Barber was in command of a company in Graham's Regiment of Tryon County, North Carolina, and that the company participated in the Cross Creek Expedition, an expedition against Insurgents."
Lincoln County, N.C. Then came Edward Bell before us, John Barber & John Wilson, Justices & made oath that John Sorrells was a soldier in the late Continental Line of this state & that he actually served the term of nine months in the aforesaid line to the southward & did not desert. Given under our hands & seals 1 Aug. 1792.
s/Jno. Wilson, J.P. Jno. Barber, J.P. (seals)
John and Sarah Martin Barber had:
1. Mary (twin) b. 1767 m. Thomas White 5 July 1787, no ch.
2. Isabel (twin) b. 1767 m. Robert Patterson
3. Sarah Jane b. 1771 m. James Watson in 1795
4. Margaret b. 1772 m. Mr. Wells
5. Katherine b. 23 April 1774 m. William Martin, 1st cousin
6. Jane b. 1776 m. Robert Adams 18 May 1795
7. Rev. John Jr. b. 15 Jan 1780 m. 4 times, to Illinois
8. Robert b. 1782, (lived Yazoo County, MS?)
9. Anna b. 16 Nov 1784 m. John Price 12 Nov 1810, Pike Co., MO
*A great big Thanks to Richard Jordan for going out and locating the grave marker of Revolutionary War Soldier, John Barber in the Warlick Cemetery! John Barber's marker did appear in a 1938 tombstone census of Cleveland County, but no images of his stone were available until Mr. Jordan provided his valuable assistance.
Will of John Barber:
In the name of God Amen I John Barber of the State of North Carolina and County of Rutherford being in a very sick and weak condition but of Perfect mind & memory, calling to mind the frailty of Human nature, & that it is appointed for all men to die, hath ordained this my last will & Testament, And first recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my Body to the dust to be Buried in a decent manner, and next all my Lawful Debts are to be paid out of my Estate, And next I will and bequeath unto my dear and well beloved wife Sarah Barber, the third of my estate, real & personal with the two oldest Negros, York and Phillis, and next I will and bequeath unto my two beloved sons, John & Robert Barber the remaining part of my lands to be equally divided and to John my little negro Sam, & to Robert my little negro James and to my Dear & well beloved Daughters Margaret, Anna, and Mary Barber I will and bequeath an equal dividend of the remaining part of my Personal Estate, allowing these my present Family to live together on the Land, and next I will and bequeath unto my friend Thomas Nitt the sum of five shillings. I will son-in-law Robert & Isabell Patterson the sum of five shillings. I will & bequeath unto James & Sarah Watson the sum of five shillings I will and bequeath unto William & Katherine Martin the sum of five shillings, I will and bequeath unto Robert & Jane Adams the sum of five shillings & I constitute and ordain Sarah Barber & John Barber my Lawful Executors, Given under my hand & seal this first day of January One thousand Seven Hundred & ninety nine.
Jno. Barber (Seal)
Teste
Isaac White
David Moffett
Hugh Reynolds
John Barber first purchased land in Tryon County, NC in 1770. Tryon was later abolished and Lincoln and Rutherford Counties were created from it in 1779. John's land fell mostly into Lincoln County. Between 1796 and 1798 John made 13 deeds in Rutherford County purchasing new land. He sold all of his Lincoln County land in 1796. He was associated in Rutherford County with the same men and families who he had been associated with in Lincoln County, so it seems likely that his Lincoln and Rutherford lands were in close proximity.
The signature displayed is from the marriage bond of John's daughter, Jane, and Robert Adams, in Lincoln County, NC dated 31 March 1795. John's signature from his original will, made and proved in Rutherford County, is also included in the photos. Since he was a Justice of the Peace in Lincoln County beginning in 1784 and Rutherford County beginning in 1797, there are likely numerous copies of his signature on original documents in both counties. A copy of his will is also recorded in Rutherford County, NC Will Book B pp 101-102.
John was very active in the Revolutionary government of North Carolina and the governing bodies which preceded active resistance to the British government. He was appointed Captain of a militia company in Tryon County, NC. He served in numerous battles and skirmishes with both British troops and Tory militias. He was promoted to Major before the Battle of the Cowpens, where he served under Col William Washington, a second cousin of George Washington. Family tradition says that he was a friend of William Washington and his grandson was named for him as he often spoke of their friendship. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel after the battle of the Cowpens. It is not certain if Lt. Col. Barber was promoted to the rank of Colonel before or after the war ended. He is referred to as "Colonel John Barber" several times in the Revolutionary War pension application of Peter Rodes who served under him in three different tours of duty. http://www.revwarapps.org/r8730.pdf
John Barber was very active in county affairs, elected member of Committee of Safety of Tryon County 26 July 1775; was member of the Provincial Congress at Halifax, North Carolina in November of 1776 (referred to as the Halifax Convention); was member of the House of Commons at their April and November sessions in 1777; again member at the November, 1781 and January and April sessions of 1782. In January, 1780, Lincoln County Court appointed him one of the commissioners of confiscated property for the county. In 1784 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the county.
John Barber was a landowner in Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, NC which were created from Tryon County when it was abolished in 1779. John's main land was in the part of the county cut off into Lincoln County in 1779. He later sold this land and relocated a short distance to Rutherford County where he purchased more land. This land, and the cemetery where John Barber is buried, are today in Cleveland County which was created from Lincoln and Rutherford Counties in 1841.
John Barber was nominated for the office of Justice of the Peace for Rutherford County, NC by the October 1796 Superior Court and took the oath for that office at the April 1797 court.
John Barber left a will proved in Rutherford County, NC. His widow, Sarah Martin Barber, survived him for nearly 30 years, died in Lincoln County and was buried with her family in the Bethell Cemetery in York County, SC. The same two slaves, York and Phyllis, are named in the wills of both John and Sarah Barber. Despite compelling physical and primary record evidence to the contrary, several descendants had markers erected in the Bethell cemetery to indicate that he was buried next to his wife there. He is not.
His tombstone in the Warlick Cemtery is remarkably well preserved, probably because it is in an overgrown section of the cemetery where it has been well protected from the elements.
I do not typically include titles in the names of people but, since the title "Col" appears on his tombstone, this is an exception where it is included.
Some primary record evidence:
Will of John Jordan, written April 12, 1750 Pennsboro, Lancaster County, PA, proved 9 November 1754 Cumberland Co., PA. Wife Catherine, son John, George Tembleton, Isabel Barber, Richard Venable, Archibald Kenedy, Samuel Lamb, Randle Slack, Mary Wray.
Exs. wife Catherine and son John Jordan.
Wit. John Addams, John Stewart, Alexander Sanderson, James Sanderson.
A. 28. (The Tembleton (sic), Venable, Wray and Barber families all moved to York, SC and Tryon, NC at the same time)
Some examples of John Barber's service from Tryon County, NC records are:
From "Deed Abstracts from, Tryon, Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, 1769-1786 & Wills & Estates", page 16, 26 July 1775, Tryon County Committee of Safety organized, committee selected, ...among those chosen Capt.'. John Barber's company.
14 Sep 1775, Tryon Committee of Public Safety met, John Barber present. C. R. 9-647
Nov 1776, Delegates from Tryon to Halifax Convention, included John Barber. C. R. 10-915
1777 Charles McLean senator from Tryon County, James Johnston and John Barber, Assemblymen. S.R. 12-2.
1779 Tryon abolished and Counties of Lincoln and Rutherford erected out of Tryon County.
John Barber of Lincoln County, NC is mentioned in the Revolutionary War pension applications of at least a dozen men, including that of his brother-in-law Josiah Martin.
Transcribed from microfilm roll M881-785 (Rev. War, Army, Compiled Service Records of Soldiers):
"It is shown by a record in this office, an undated account covering the period February and March 1776 that Captain John Barber was in command of a company in Graham's Regiment of Tryon County, North Carolina, and that the company participated in the Cross Creek Expedition, an expedition against Insurgents."
Lincoln County, N.C. Then came Edward Bell before us, John Barber & John Wilson, Justices & made oath that John Sorrells was a soldier in the late Continental Line of this state & that he actually served the term of nine months in the aforesaid line to the southward & did not desert. Given under our hands & seals 1 Aug. 1792.
s/Jno. Wilson, J.P. Jno. Barber, J.P. (seals)
John and Sarah Martin Barber had:
1. Mary (twin) b. 1767 m. Thomas White 5 July 1787, no ch.
2. Isabel (twin) b. 1767 m. Robert Patterson
3. Sarah Jane b. 1771 m. James Watson in 1795
4. Margaret b. 1772 m. Mr. Wells
5. Katherine b. 23 April 1774 m. William Martin, 1st cousin
6. Jane b. 1776 m. Robert Adams 18 May 1795
7. Rev. John Jr. b. 15 Jan 1780 m. 4 times, to Illinois
8. Robert b. 1782, (lived Yazoo County, MS?)
9. Anna b. 16 Nov 1784 m. John Price 12 Nov 1810, Pike Co., MO
*A great big Thanks to Richard Jordan for going out and locating the grave marker of Revolutionary War Soldier, John Barber in the Warlick Cemetery! John Barber's marker did appear in a 1938 tombstone census of Cleveland County, but no images of his stone were available until Mr. Jordan provided his valuable assistance.
Will of John Barber:
In the name of God Amen I John Barber of the State of North Carolina and County of Rutherford being in a very sick and weak condition but of Perfect mind & memory, calling to mind the frailty of Human nature, & that it is appointed for all men to die, hath ordained this my last will & Testament, And first recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my Body to the dust to be Buried in a decent manner, and next all my Lawful Debts are to be paid out of my Estate, And next I will and bequeath unto my dear and well beloved wife Sarah Barber, the third of my estate, real & personal with the two oldest Negros, York and Phillis, and next I will and bequeath unto my two beloved sons, John & Robert Barber the remaining part of my lands to be equally divided and to John my little negro Sam, & to Robert my little negro James and to my Dear & well beloved Daughters Margaret, Anna, and Mary Barber I will and bequeath an equal dividend of the remaining part of my Personal Estate, allowing these my present Family to live together on the Land, and next I will and bequeath unto my friend Thomas Nitt the sum of five shillings. I will son-in-law Robert & Isabell Patterson the sum of five shillings. I will & bequeath unto James & Sarah Watson the sum of five shillings I will and bequeath unto William & Katherine Martin the sum of five shillings, I will and bequeath unto Robert & Jane Adams the sum of five shillings & I constitute and ordain Sarah Barber & John Barber my Lawful Executors, Given under my hand & seal this first day of January One thousand Seven Hundred & ninety nine.
Jno. Barber (Seal)
Teste
Isaac White
David Moffett
Hugh Reynolds
Inscription
- In Memory -
Col. John Barber who departed this life on March 18, 1799. In the 57th year of his age.
