James Barker (Rhode Island official)

James Barker (1622–1702) was an early leader and deputy governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

[1] There had been a family tradition that young James Barker sailed to New England in 1634 with his father, who died en route, and with his aunt Christian who was married to Nicholas Easton.

[4] It is most likely that young James Barker came to New England as an orphan with his aunt in 1630, but no documentation has been found to support this.

It is almost certain, however, that Barker came to Rhode Island from Massachusetts with his aunt and her third husband, Nicholas Easton, about 1638.

[5] Once reaching adulthood, Barker became active in the civil affairs of the colony, 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.

[6] Christian first came to New England in 1630 with her second husband who was a mariner, and became member #17 of the Boston church in late summer of that year.

[7] James and Barbara Barker had eight known children, all born in Newport, Rhode Island from about 1645 to 1662.

1587, Harwich, Essex, England; d. 1634, Aboard Ship Mary & John enroute to MA(?)