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Barker, Matthew (1746-91)

Barker, Matthew, Pavement and Low Petergate, York, u, appraiser and undertaker (b.c. 1746–d. 1791). Son of Robert Barker, u of Pavement, Petergate, bapt. 20 September 1746 at Holy Trinity (Christ Church), King's Sq. Admitted freeman in 1778. Took over his late father's business in 1781 and opened his father's shop and warehouse in Petergate in 1782. Married twice, firstly in 1777, to Rosamund, daughter of Martin Croft, plumber and glazier; she had two children who both died in infancy, and died in childbed in 1780 aged 35. Married secondly, in 1781, Elizabeth Brabbs of Sheriff Hutton, who bore six children, all of whom died young. Matthew himself was buried on 14 November 1791, whilst his wife, Elizabeth died in 1816, aged 60. [D; York freemen rolls; York Parish Reg. Soc., vol. LXXXV; poll bk; York Courant, 14 August 1781; York Chronicle, 14 March 1782; York Gazette, 31 August 1784]

The original entry from Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840 can be found at British History Online.