Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871

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New York legislator and banker.

From the description of Jacob Barker correspondence, 1823. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79450119

Jacob Barker was a New York financier who was instrumental in securing a loan of $5,000,000 for the United States to finance the War of 1812. He removed to New Orleans in 1834, became prominent in financial circles, was admitted to the bar, and practiced with success in insurance cases. In the 1840s Barker collaborated with Rowland G. Hazard to secure the release of free African Americans who were being illegally detained in Louisiana under the assumption they were escaped slaves. At the close of the Civil War he was elected to the U.S. Senate, but he was not allowed to take his seat because Louisiana had not been readmitted to the Union. He was declared bankrupt in 1867 and spent the last few years of his life with his son in Philadelphia.

From the description of Jacob Barker letter, 1866 June 13. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 776894051

Jacob Barker; 1779-1871; originally of Nantucket, Mass.; operated business in NYC; ship builder and financier; responsible for financing much of the War of 1812.

From the guide to the Jacob Barker letters, 1815, 1819, 1821, 1824, 1825, 1848, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Merchant, financier, and lawyer of New York City, and, later, of New Orleans; born on Swan Island, Maine and died in Philadelphia. Barker was one of the founding members of Tammany Hall.

From the description of Jacob Barker papers, 1810-1833. (New York University, Group Batchload). WorldCat record id: 58780726

Jacob Barker (1779-1871), financier, New York State senator, and one of the original members of the society of Tammany Hall. Prior to 1812 Barker had so prospered that he was able to play a key role in financing American military effort during the War of 1812. However, his involvement ruined his fortune and left him with a legacy of unadjusted claims against the U.S. government.

From the description of Papers of Jacob Barker, 1813-1863 (bulk 1813-1823). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122499627

New York ship builder and financier.

From the description of Letter to B. F. Butler [manuscript] , 1824 July 13. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647824513

Biography

Jacob Barker (1779-1871), American Financier, was born in Maine of Quaker parentage. While he was still a youth, Barker embarked upon what was to be a tempestuous business career; his enterprises ran the gamut in shipping, oil, the press, banking, insurance, and the stock market. He was one of the founders of Tammany Hall, and a recognized political power in his party.

Probably Barker's chief claim to fame was the service he performed for the government in raising a war-loan of five million, in 1814. This was accomplished at the cost of his own bankruptcy, and he is often referred to as the Robert Morris of the War of 1812. Subsequent claims against the government, in an attempt to recover personal losses, extended over a period of forty years.

Having made and lost a series of fortunes, Jacob Barker died in Philadelphia, at the great age of ninety two years.

From the guide to the Jacob Barker Papers, 1813-1863, (The Huntington Library)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Phillips, Wendell, 1811-1884. Papers, 1555-1882 (bulk: 1833-1881) Houghton Library
referencedIn Wood, Abiel, 1772-1834. Abiel Wood correspondence, 1797-1819. Maine Historical Society Library
creatorOf Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871. Jacob Barker papers, 1810-1833. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Samuel Gray Ward and Anna Hazard Barker Ward papers, 1823-1934 (inclusive) 1837-1900 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871. Letter to B. F. Butler [manuscript] , 1824 July 13. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871. Jacob Barker correspondence, 1823. Library of Congress
creatorOf Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871. Autograph letters signed (5) : Washington, to Henry Wheaton (4) and John W. Eppes, 1813 July 29-1814 Oct. 19. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Leech, Abraham. Jamaica journal & reporter: manuscript newspapers, 1846-1847. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871. Jacob Barker letter, 1866 June 13. Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries
referencedIn Parish, David, d. 1826. Letter books, 1802 Nov. 2-1808 Jan. 16, 1811 Jul. 24-1816 Jun. 27. Churchill County Museum
referencedIn De Peyster family. Papers, 1677-1881. Churchill County Museum
referencedIn Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1795-1858. Papers, 1815-1857. American Periodical Series I
creatorOf Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871. Papers of Jacob Barker, 1813-1863 (bulk 1813-1823). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871. Letter, 1814, June 19, to Gorham A. Worth, Albany. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf Halleck, Fitz-Greene, 1790-1867. Fitz-Greene Halleck letters, 1824-1862. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Jacob Barker Papers, 1813-1863 The Huntington Library
creatorOf Halleck, Fitz-Greene, 1790-1867. Papers of Fitz-Greene Halleck, 1803-1948 (bulk 1814-1867). University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Jacob Barker letters, 1815, 1819, 1821, 1824, 1825, 1848 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Portrait file: Guide. Houghton Library
referencedIn United States. District Court (New York : Southern District). Equity dockets and case files, 1791-1846 [microform]. Hagley Museum & Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1795-1858, person
correspondedWith Campbell, George Washington, 1768-1848 person
associatedWith De Peyster family. family
associatedWith Eckford, Henry, l775-1832. person
associatedWith Edwards, Ogden, 1781-1862. person
associatedWith Eppes, John W., person
associatedWith Fulton Bank (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Halleck, Fitz-Greene, 1790-1867. person
associatedWith Hoyt, Jesse. person
associatedWith Inman, Henry, 1801-1846. person
associatedWith Leech, Abraham. person
associatedWith Life & Fire Insurance Company (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Parish, David, d. 1826. person
correspondedWith Phillips, Wendell, 1811-1884 person
associatedWith Riker, Richard, 1773-1842. person
associatedWith Tompkins, Daniel D., 1774-1825 person
associatedWith United States. District Court (New York : Southern District). corporateBody
correspondedWith Ward, Samuel Gray. person
associatedWith Wheaton, Henry, 1785-1848, person
correspondedWith Wood, Abiel, 1772-1834. person
associatedWith Worth, Gorham A., 1783-1856. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)
New York (State)
United States
New York (N.Y.)
United States
New York (State)--New York
New York (State)--New York
Subject
Banks and banking
Miniature painting, American
Portrait miniatures, American
Speculation
Trials (Fraud)
Occupation
Bankers
Financiers
Legislators
Merchants
Miniature painters
Activity

Person

Birth 1779

Death 1871

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 19014200