Barker, Robert jnr

at ‘The Chinese Bed and Sopha’, Coney Street, Spurriergate, Yorkshire, upholsterer, appraiser and undertaker (b.c. 1734; fl. 1758–80)

The eldest son of Robert snr, of Petergate, Yorkshire, baptised 30 November 1734. Admitted a freeman by patrimony, 1758; polled in 1758, 1771 and 1774.

On 29 June 1762 announced in York Gazette the opening of his shop in Coney Street, but the business failed in 1765 when his assignees issued a notice to his creditors [York Courant, 5 November 1765]. His household furniture and stock were put up for sale shortly afterwards [York Courant, 4 February 1766]. Purchased a Sun Insurance policy in 1765 totalling £1,000 [The London Archives (TLA), Sun MS ref. 216066].

Three letters from Robert Barker to Sir Rowland Winn concern the furnishing of Nostell Priory, 1763–64, and include designs for bookcases [Nostell archives, C3/1/5/1–6, 3–4; Furniture History, 1974, pls. 17 and 18A].

In 1780 Robert Barker took an inventory of furniture etc. of C. S. Duncombe, Esq [York freemen rolls; poll books]. Records do not always make it clear whether it is Robert snr or Robert jnr who is being referred to. 

Source: DEFM