The Catholic Barkers, a Free Colored Family of Georgetown, DC
For notes on the Methodist Barkers of Georgetown, see Murray Barker and his Descendants.
Andrew Barker
Free colored man (Certificates 2453 and 2454, Dorothy S. Provine, District of Columbia Free Negro Registers, 1821-1861).
Always listed as a plasterer by profession, which seems to have meant, in the understatement characteristic of the time, that he could probably build a small house.
Andrew Barker married Rebecca Lee in DC, July 16, 1814. (Historical Court Records of Washington, DC, compiled by Homer Walker)
His mother-in-law was Henrietta Steptoe.
Sometime before 1818 Andrew built a house on lots 10 or 11, Beatty and Hawkins’ Addition to Georgetown Amended. (Citation lost, but apparently based on 1818 Property Tax Assessments of the City of Georgetown, National Archives.)
Andrew Barker bought a grave for his father in Old College Ground (Catholic) in 1819.
Andrew’s Barker’s father buried, July 23, 1819, stained coffin. (William King’s Mortality Journal)
Washington County, D.C., insolvent debtors: Andrew Barker applied to be discharged from imprisonment.––William Brent, clerk. (Intelligencer, November 25, 1823)
1834 directory: plasterer , north side of 4th street, near Frederick street. (Volta Place, near 34th Street NW)
Address: 72 4th St (3415 Volta Place NW)
The neighboring house, 74 4th St. (3411 Volta Place) was built around 1847, perhaps by the next generation of Barkers.
When the houses were built, the neighborhood was not the most desirable, by reason of a tannery in the vicinity:
For sale or rent, tan yard, on 4th Street, Georgetown, opposite the monastery.––Adam Robb, John N. Robb
(Intelligencer, February 15, 1823)
Trustees sale, case of William M. Stewart v. Andrew Barker; John Marbury will sell at auction lots 10 and 11 in Beatty & Hawkins Amended Addition. (The Potomac Advocate & Georgetown Intelligencer, May 27, 1839)
“On Friday, March 1st, after an illness of three days, Mr. Andrew Barker, a citizen of Georgetown, in the 63d year of his age.”
“Died,” The Daily Globe, March 4, 1844, p. 4
Henrietta Steptoe sold land on 4th Street near Market Street, abutting the house of “Andrew Barker, late the husband of Rebecca”. (DC Liber 116 (1845) f.447/436)
(Both houses probably were given an added floor where basement used to be when the street was lowered in the 1870s.)
Barkers lived in these houses for close to a century:
William Woody bought 3411 in 1892
Pearl Edwards bought 3415 from Fanny Barker in 1935
(3415 has gone into history as the last place Alger Hiss met with Whittaker Chambers, in 1938.
Senator Prescott Bush also lived there, 1957-1963.)
Rebecca Steptoe Lee Barker
“1810, 22 October. baptized Thomas natural son of Rebecca Stiptoe born Sept. 29, last. living at Georgetown. Godmother Patience Smith.” (Old Book, page 37, Holy Trinity Church, Baptisms (1805-1834), Sacramental Registers, Georgetown University Library)
As Rebecca Lee, Rebecca Steptoe married Andrew Barker in DC, July 16, 1814. (Historical Court Records of Washington, DC, compiled by Homer Walker)
Rebecca’s mother Henrietta Steptoe sold land on 4th Street near Market Street, abutting the house of “Andrew Barker, late the husband of Rebecca”. (DC Liber 116 (1845) f.447/436)
“Died in Georgetown, D.C., Henrietta Steptoe. Funeral at residence of her daughter Mrs. Barker.” (Intelligencer, June 5, 1850)
Rebecca Barker was a widow by time of 1865 tax assessments, where she is listed as owning a 2 story brick house on the eastern part of lot 11.
In 1856, Rebecca Barker’s son, William H. Barker, was issued freedom papers that stated that his mother was white.
Lewis Carbery certifies that he has known the late Andrew Barker, a very bright mulatto and formerly of Georgetown, and his wife, a white woman, for the last thirty-eight or forty years. William H. Barker is their youngest son. His family has always “been recognized & held as free people by that white community as I have never heard of the truth of their freedom being disputed or called into question”. Carbery also states that he knows that William’s brother had his free status “established on oath” [on August 11, 1856]. (Certificate of Freedom No. 2454, recorded April 20, 1856, Dorothy S. Provine, District of Columbia Free Negro Registers, 1821-1861, Vol.5, p.58)
In an 1858 legal case Andrew Barker’s wife was considered white. (“Criminal Court,” Evening Star, August 4, 1858, p. 3).
The 1860 census, on the other hand, lists Rebecca Barker as a mulatto, age 65, born in Maryland. (1860 US census, 4th Ward, Georgetown, p. 193)
The 1880 census lists Rebecca Barker as having been born, about 1791, in England, of English parents. (1880 US census, Georgetown, E.D. 9, pp.36-7)
Will of Rebecca Barker, written May 11, 1877, filed April 14, 1883. Proceeds of the sale of her house to be divided equally by her five sons: Andrew, James, George, Edwin, and William; personal items to her granddaughters: Rebecca Barker, Henrietta Barker, Kate Barker; sole Executor: son Edwin Barker. (DC Archives, box 81)
Henrietta Steptoe
Rebecca Barker’s mother, Henrietta Steptoe was born about 1769, and was in Georgetown by 1805: “Henrietta Steptoe’s child” (William King’s Mortality Book, December 20, 1805).
When Steptoe gave birth to Mary Ann, in 1807, her older daughter Rebecca was the godmother: Anno 1807 25 Junii baptizata est Mariann quatuar [?] mensibus nata ex Henrietta Stepton [per illicita copulam patris?]. Rebecca Stepton [godmother] . Vivent in Georgetown. (Old Book, page 26, Holy Trinity Church, Baptisms (1805-1834), Sacramental Registers, Georgetown University Library)
Henrietta Steptoe’s daughter, Rebecca Lee, marries Andrew Barker, July 16, 1814. (Historical Court Records of Washington, DC, compiled by Homer Walker)
“Steptoe, Henrietta, midwife, First street, opposite Catholic church.” (Directory of Georgetown, 1830)
Collector’s Sale: Lots, and parts of lots, in Georgetown, to satisfy the Corporation of Georgetown, D.C. for taxes due: Henrietta Steptoe, part of lot 60 in Peter, Beatty, Threlkeld and Deakins’ Addition, 56 ft., 66 inches on First st., small brick house: 1828, $550 assessment, tax $2.75.––John Holtzman, Collector, Georgetown. (National Intelligencer, June 13,15, 1829)
Steptoe did not lose her property in 1829 because she is still listed in 1835-1839: “Henrietta Steptow” (p. 158, Georgetown Assessments Book, 1835-1839, RG 351 National Archives, Index, Peabody Room Georgetown Branch Library)
The Free Negro Register of the District of Columbia records that Henrietta Steptoe, “light colored, known by all in Georgetown to be free”, acknowledged a natural daughter––also light colored––named Mary Ann Tritt, born about 1808. (Dorothy S. Provine, District of Columbia Free Negro Registers, 1821-1861, Certificate No. 1722, 1839)
Henrietta Steptoe sold land on 4th Street near Market Street, abutting the house of “Andrew Barker, late the husband of Rebecca”. (DC Liber 116 (1845) f.447/436)
“Died in Georgetown, D.C., Henrietta Steptoe. Funeral at residence of her daughter Mrs. Barker.” (Intelligencer, June 5, 1850)
Henrietta Steptoe’s grave is in Holy Rood Cemetery (section 19, lot 172): HENRIETTA STEPTOE Died June 2, 1850, Age 71
Lot 60 in Peter, Beatty, Threlkeld and Deakins’ Addition, on the south side of the 3500 block of N Street, became part of Georgetown University Hospital circa 1900, and is now Nevils Hall, a Georgetown University residence.
Second generation, Barkers of Volta Place
Andrew and Rebecca’s sons:
Andrew Jr.
James
George
Edwin
William
Andrew and Rebecca’s daughters:
Rebecca
Henrietta
Kate
Andrew Barker, Jr.
born DC 1819.
Married Emeline Allison , April 19, 1849.
second marriage, with his mother Rebecca as witness
Holy Trinity Church, Oct. 29, 1851.
to Mary Henrietta
(born Germany!:
1880 census
ED 9, pp 36-7
June 1860, Henrietta Barker, 37, buried at Holy Rood
Andrew Barker
2 story frame house (3411), n. side of Volta place,
1865 assessments.
This needs to be checked again:
Star Nov. 25 1889:
Andrew Barker, age 75, refused to be chloroformed by a member of the family?
A daughter-in-law caused his arrest, accusing him of choking her.
James Barker
plasterer, born Feb. 1822
baptized at Holy Trinity (Catholic)
son of Andrew and Ann Rebecca Barker;
godmother: Matilda.
Married a woman named Frances (Fanny)
It was Fanny Barker who sold 3415 to Pearl Edwards in 1935.
James Barker’s child 3/27/1858 mahogany coffin
William King’s Mortality Books Vol. 2
James Barker’s child 3/8/1861 mahogany coffin
William King’s Mortality Books Vol. 2
“Mr. James Barker, a very much respected colored citizen, died early this morning from the effects of a stroke of paralysis. Death came at his home 3415 Q Street” (first name change for what became Volta).
(Washington Star, June 12, 1894, p 6.
Buried at Holy Rood Cemetery.
Fanny Barker sold 3415 to Pearl Edwards in 1935.
Fanny Barker died in 1937, at 3238 Prospect Street, the home of her niece, Blossom Fleet.
Evening Star, February 25, 1937, p. 15
William H. Barker
married Minna Gray, Oct. 27 1847 (Minia, Martha?)
She was born about 1824 in Va.
George Barker, son of William and Minna, born about 1855.
Lewis Carbery certifies that he has known the late Andrew Barker, a very bright mulatto and formerly of Georgetown, and his wife, a white woman, for the last thirty-eight or forty years. William H. Barker is their youngest son. His family has always “been recognized & held as free people by that white community as I have never heard of the truth of their freedom being disputed or called into question”. Carbery also states that he knows that William’s brother had his free status “established on oath” [on August 11, 1856]. (Dorothy S. Provine, District of Columbia Free Negro Registers, 1821-1861, Vol.5, p.58, Certificate of Freedom No. 2454, recorded April 20, 1856)
Son Thomas b about 1855.
Thomas Barker, plasterer, 3416 M Street, 1890, and in 1897, 1418 36th St
William H. Barker, born about 1840, married to Martha A. Briscot (Briscoe?),
witness, Rebecca Barker
Trinity Church November 13, 1862.
Son Theodore born 1869.
Chief Marshall, Emancipation Day celebration
(Georgetown Courier, April 20, 1867).
Mentioned in the paper as an Republican
(Georgetown Courier, April 9, 1870).
Edward Barker, (an Edwin Barker, was buried April 17, 1877, Harmonian Cemetery)
Julius Barker,
Thomas Barker:
plasterers, 72 4th St. 1876 Directory
(they stayed with their mother until she died)
A Thomas L. Barker is listed in the Holy Rood Colored Burial Register as having died August 14, 1912.
He is buried with James Barker, his father.
Third Generation, Barkers of Volta Place
Adolphus Barker
born about 1831, living with Rebecca in 1850 census
Andrew Barker
His mother, Mary Henrietta, born in Germany, according to one census
(1880 census, ED 9, pp 36-7).
Andrew T. Barker to Catherine W. Barker, Feb 4, 1869.
This could be a union: Barkers of Volta Place, and Barkers of Upper Georgetown.
1913, Mrs. Catherine Barker is listed in Sherman’s Colored Directory
1529 34th Street.
(Star, Aug 2 1898)
Taylor Barker, husband of Catherine V. Barker, well known colored resident died at Clara Barton House, Glen Echo. He was her employee, and was to accompany Barton to Cuba, but was too ill. He was in charge of house. Lived at 1723 34th St., but funeral was from a daughter’s house at 3415 Q St NW.
(first name change for what became Volta)
Isaac Barker, , son of Andrew,
born 1847 in the house of his godmother Rebecca Barker.
(Some other Isaac Barker m Caroline Brooks, October 11 1830, Trinity Church)
Isaac may have lived on Canal Road in the 1880s.
He is listed in the Holy Rood Colored Burial Register as having died September 7, 1919.
He is buried with James Barker, his father.
M. J. Barker, son of James.
Medora Barker, school teacher,
3415 Q Street, 1897
(first name change for what became Volta)
In 1920 census Medora was still there, only it was called 3415 Volta by then.
Preparatory High School for Colored Youth,
org Nov 1870 (ancestor of M St and Dunbar)
1st graduating class in 1877, 11 students including:
Dora F Barker (Medora?)
Ursaline Barker?
Thomas Barker, plasterer, 3416 M Street, 1890, and in 1897, 1418 36th St,
living with George Barker, son of William and Minna, born about 1855.
“In East Boston, Mass… George Barker, formerly of Georgetown, D. C., son of the late Rebecca and Andrew Barker.”
“Died,” Evening Star, Dec 20, 1886, p. 3
A Thomas L. Barker is listed in the Holy Rood Colored Burial Register as having died August 14, 1912.
He is buried with James Barker.
In the Fourth Generation, Barkers of Volta Place
Beltran D. Barker, 1896-1978, born on Volta Place
Owned service stations throughout the Depression
champion golfer
worked to desegregate public golf courses,
Episcopal.
Beltran’s sister was Helen Barker Williams, 125 36th St. NE.
Married Elizabeth Cardozo Nicholas, 1940.
It was her second marriage
She died around Nov 28, 1981
Beltran’s step-son –– Elizabeth Cardozo Nicholas’s son by her prior husband:
Julian Nicholas, born Feb. 21, 1921.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES, October 26, 2007: Julian Cardozo Nicholas, a retired Foreign Service officer, native Washingtonian and decorated World War II veteran, died Oct. 20 at his stepdaughter’s home in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was 86. A fourth-generation Washingtonian, he was the great-grandson of Francis Louis Cardozo, the renowned educator for whom Cardozo High School is named.
Catholic Barker Burials
| Barker, Andrew, Sr. | b ca 1796, d. March 3, 1844, aged 50(not sure which Catholic cemetery)TC Death Register, p.93 | ||
| Barker, Henrietta | June 1860, age 37(not sure which Catholic cemetery)TC Death Register, p.105grand daughter Andrew Barker, Sr. | ||
| Barker, Isaac | b 1847, d. Sep. 7, 1919son of Andrew Jr., on Canal Road in 1880 | 19 | 172 |
| Barker, James | b. Feb. 1822, d. June 12, 1894Holy Rood Ledger, purchased by Mr. Barker prior to 1858.son of Andrew Barker, Sr. | 19 | 172 |
| Barker, John | Apr 1860, age 31(not sure which Catholic cemetery)TC Death Register, p.105 | ||
| Barker, Otho | a col’d man, who died the 16th Aug 1823Old College Ground TC Death Register, p.19 | 0 | 0 |
| Barker, Sarah Elizabeth | Oct 1863, age 1 month(not sure which Catholic cemetery)TC Death Register, p.116 | ||
| Barker, Thomas | Aug. 14, 1912, plasterer, 1418 36th Street in 1897Thomas Barker’s son was George Barker, Aug. 1912 | 19 | 172 |
Holy Rood Cemetery Plot Ledger, p.113:
Section 19, lot 172 “purchased by Mr. Barker prior to 1858”.
Burials include:
Henrietta Steptoe, June 2, 1850
James Barker, June 12, 1894
George Barker, May 31, [ ] (1885? 1935?)
Isaac Barker, September 7, 1919
Mary Barker November 3, 1927
Thomas L. Barker August 14, 1912
Catherine V. Barker April 5, 1915
Barkers in the 1874 Georgetown Directory
(transcribed by Susan Salus)
http://genealogytrails.com/washdc/directories/1874georgetowndirectory.html
Barker Andrew T, plasterer, Valley nr. Stoddard
Barker Andrew, supt, 72 4th
Barker Chas. W, High bet Bridge and Potomac
Barker Daniel, Oak Hill Cem
Barker Edwin, plasterer, 72 4th
Barker Francis F, (J. S. Barker & Co) Bridge nr High
Barker James, plasterer, 74 4th
Barker James S, (J. S. Barker & Co) Bridge nr High
Barker J. S. & Co., (James S. and Francis F. Barker) ice, 105 Water
Barker Rebecca, wid. Andrew, 72 4th
Barker Wm. H, plasterer, Market nr 4th
Miscellaneous (Related?) Barkers
$20 reward for mulatto man, Resin Barker, plaisterer by trade:
absconded from the prison of Wash Co, DC, on Feb 26,
committed for theft.
An uncommon great drunkard & an old inhabitant of the prison.
Intelligencer Mar 8 1831
Thomas, 2 days old, col’d son of Walter Silence,
and of Caroline Barker, Aug. 19, 1835
Free range for Col’d people, Holy Rood
Mary Barker, born circa 1824, appears in a Certificate of Freedom as born of free parents.
Andrew and Rebecca, most likely.
___________________________________________________________
Carlton Fletcher
The citation and acknowledgement of my research is greatly appreciated.
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Questions and corrections may be directed to
The support of the Advisory Neighborhood Council (3B) is gratefully acknowledged.