Jen's Genealogy Pages

Amy Johnson Crow, on her blog No Story Too Small, has challenged her fellow bloggers to post 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. This is week twenty.

My great-great-great grandfather James Barker was born on March 15, 1816 in Yorkshire, England. I don’t know much about his early life but my current understanding is that he and one of his brothers emigrated to Canada in 1836.

James married Hannah Taylor on November 18, 1839.

I have yet to find the couple or their children on the 1851 census.

On the 1861 census, James (45) is listed as a farmer. Hannah (39) is with him along with John (17) and William (16), both labourers. Sarah (20), Samuel (14), Elizabeth (12), Aaron (11), Priscilla (9), Charles (7), Watson (5) and Hannah (2) are also at home. Also living with the family is Ann Taylor (82), presumably Hannah’s mother. The family is living in a 1 ½ story frame house in Brock Township, Ontario.

In 1871, the family James (55) and Hannah (51) are still on the family farm. Sons Samuel (24) and Aaron (20) are also listed as farmers. Charles (16), Daniel W (14) and Hannah (12) are also at home and attending school.

By 1881, James (64) and Hannah (61) are alone in the family home and it appears James has retired from active farming, being listed as a Gentleman.

I have been unable to track the family down on the 1891 census.

Hannah passed away on February 2, 1892. Following Hannah’s death, James remarried. On October 18, 1892, 75 year old James married 64 year old widow Mary (Cole) Houck.

The 1901 census shows James (85) and Mary (72) living in the Township of Brock.

James passed away from “old age” on August 19, 1902.