Barton was a native of Ireland, but descended from an English family that settled there in the reign of Charles I.

After graduating from Trinity College Dublin he emigrated to America, and in 1751 opened a school at Norristown, Pennsylvania, around the age of 21.

He accompanied, as chaplain, the expedition to Fort du Quesne (now Pittsburgh), which ended in the defeat and death of its leader, General Braddock.

Here he remained nearly twenty years, dividing his time between the duties of his office and the pursuit of natural history.

[2] At last his adherence to the royalist party compelled him to quit his post, and he removed to New York, where he died, 25 May 1780, aged 50.