Thomas Barber
(1634-1706)

Thomas Barber was the third of the four children of Robert Barber and Winifred Gunton of Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.

In April 1705, Thomas calls himself a Carpenter in his Last Will and Testament. He also names over ten acres of land in Witcham which he owned at the time. Five of these acres were called "The Dams Heads" another two acres were called "Cow Crofts" and then he names "three acres, one rood and thirteen poles of fenny or marsh ground lying and being in the drain fenn" as "ye Wash".

Whilst reading his will (copy below), there is a strong sense of sibling rivalry between Wenham Barber and Winifred Gawthorne. Normally the oldest surviving child would be declared sole executor but in this case a younger sibling, John Barber, is. Perhaps there was a family feud in 1705?

Thomas married three times, his first wife, known only as "Joane" provided him with two sons before her death, his second - Sarah Bowles, bore him two daughters and three sons and his last wife - Mary Lyntull, bore him a son and a daughter.

Of his nine children, Thomas outlived four of them, and all three of his wives.

Life Events

Born

• circa 1634 at Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Baptised

• 6th July 1634 at St. Martin's Church, Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Married

• Joane (1634-1663) during 1656 in Cambridgeshire, England.
• Sarah Bowles (1640-1672) on 30th November 1663 at St. Martin's Church, Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.
• Mary Lyntull (1640-1696) on 12th November 1674 at St. Martin's Church, Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Children

• Robert Barber (1658-1671)
• Wenham Barber (1660-1711) married Etheldreda Collin (16??-1727)
• Rebecca Barber (1664-1671)
• Elizabeth Barber (1666-1668)
• John Barber (1668-?) married Mary Diantre (16??-?)
• William Barber (1670-1672)
• William Barber (1672-1711) married unknown
• Winifred Barber (1675-1711) married Paul Courtrey (16??-1726)
• Thomas Barber (1676-?)

Employment

• 1705: Carpenter

Last Will and Testament

• Last Will and Testament of Thomas Barber of Witcham (PDF, 9.21kb)

Death

• April 1706 at Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England, aged 71 years.

Burial

• 30th April 1706 at St. Martin's Church, Witcham, Cambridgeshire, England.