(1)  James Barker is said to have been born in Essex Co., England in 1617, died about 1702, probably in Newport, Rhode Island.  His sister, Christiana, married as second husband a Cpat. Thomas Beecher, and sailed with him to America in 1630, settling in Charlestown, Massachusetts.  On 24 March 1634, James and his father, a widower also named James, sailed from Southampton, England on the ship Mary & John, Robert Sayres, Master.  James Sr. died on the voyage and James Jr. was taken in charge by a passenger, Nicholas Easton, who later married his sister Christiana.
        In 1644, he married Barbara Dungan, born 1628, a daughter of William Dungan and Frances Latham.  Barbara was granddaughter of Lewis Latham, Falconer to King Charles I.
        James was corporal in 1644 for Newport, Rhode Island, ensign in 1648, a member of the General Court of Elections in 1648.  His name is on a list called "Ye Rule of Freeman of Ye Colonies of every Towne" in 1655 for Newport.  In 1655, 1661, and 1663, he was a member of the Court of Commissioners.  In 1661, he and 40 others petitioned for a tract of land, now Westerly, Rhode Island, dividing it into 18 shares, James receiving one half share.  He was also a trustee at Westerly, and a teacher among the Baptists.
        On 4 April 1676, it was voted "that in troublesome times and straits in this colony, [King Philip's War] the assembly desiring the advise and concurrence of the most judicious inhabitants of it may be had for the whole, we desire at their next sittynge, the company and counsel of Mr. Benedict Arnold, John Clarke, James Barker and 13 others and the General Sergeants, to inform the several persons, the assembly's desire thereon."
       James became Deputy Governor of Rhode Island after Gov. Coddington's death in 1678.

Children (all born in Newport, Rhode Island):

1. Elizabeth, born 1646, died 5 July 1676; married 30 November 1666, Nicholas Easton.
2. James, born 1648, died 1 December 1722.
3. Joseph, born 1650.
4. Mary, born about 1650, died 19 September 1723; married first Elisha Smith; married second on 16 April 1677 Israel Arnold, born 30 October 1649 in Pawtuxet, Rhode Island, died 15 September 1716 in Warwick, Rhode Island.
5. Sarah; never married.
6. Peter, died 1725.
7. Christiana; married William Phillips.
8. William, born 1662, died 3 November 1741.