The Barkers in my family are all descended from a Henry Barker, who was born in Norfolk County, England. I am descended from Henry's son, Charles Henry Barker, who was born in 1827 in Norfolk. Charles worked as a gardener on the Nunn estate in Norfolk. Harriet Nunn, born 1831, daughter of the owner of the estate, fell in love with Charles. Harriet, against her parents' wishes married Charles on January 28, 1858. At the time of his marriage, Charles was living at Melbourne St. in Lynn. He also had John Nunn stand for him and Harriet had Sarah Nichols stand for her.
Charles and Harriet eventually settled in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. The Barkers had 5 children: Beatrice Ann Barker, born January 18, 1858; Charles Henry Barker Jr.: born February 7, 1860; John Lukin Barker, born August 8, 1861; Sarah Elizabeth Barker, born May 16, 1863; and a son, Andrew Barker. All the children were born in Pittsburgh.
Soon after Charles and Harriet had arrived in America, the Civil War broke out. Charles, eager to serve his adopted country, enrolled as a Private of Company C, 14th Regiment, 159th Calvary Volunteers on August 27, 1862. Only two years later, Charles was captured by the South, and died on February 24, 1864 in Libby Prison. Harriet was a widow.
Distraught after learning of her husband's death, according to family legend, Harriet took the children with her back to England. Harriet's hopes were dashed when her parents would not accept her back. Harriet went back to America, and lived at the Episcopalian Home for Widows and Orphans in Pittsburgh for a while. Beatrice Ann died there in 1877. Harriet received eight dollars a month for her widow's pension! Soon after arriving in America, Harriet supposedly died of grief. Sarah Elizabeth was eventually adopted in 1882 by a Stewart McKee of either McKeesport or McKees Rock.
The five Barker children were sent to an orphanage. Even though the Barker children lived through terrible tragedies, they were able to endure. Charles Jr. and John Lukin Barker both eventually married and had families.
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