BARKER, JAMES WILLIAM (1836 ~ 1926). James Barker, a private in the Confederate Army, was born in Walker, Texas, in 1836 to William and Alitia Barker. He married Nancy Wyatt from Walker on January 16, 1858. Nothing further is known of his early life.
Military records give March, 20, 1862 as Barker's enlistment date. He was a member of Company A, of the 21st Texas Cavalry, Carter's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Army. The 21st Cavalry was also called the 1st Texas Lancers and it was organized in the Spring of 1862. The unit was active in Marmadukes's Missouri Raid, and then skirmished in various conflicts in Louisiana. The 21st disbanded before the surrender in June of 1865.
Barker returned to Walker after the war ended and made his living as a farmer. The Barkers had at least seven children who were all born in Walker. Their names were Joseph William, James, Nancy, Robert, Ada Maggie, Walter and George. In 1894, Barker move to Dublin, Erath County.
He was a widower when he entered the Texas Confederate Home on August 23, 1918. On the Home roster he listed his religious preference as Methodist. He was discharged from the Home upon his own request April 16, of either 1920 or 1921, and was readmitted October 14, 1921.
At an unknown time he was transferred to the Austin State Hospital for unknown reasons. Barker died January 22, 1926, and was buried at the Texas State Cemetery.
In 1951, Barker's granddaughter, a Mrs. C.G. Weigel, wrote to the State Comptroller requesting her grandfather's information. She was living in Houston, Texas at the time.
Information from: Confederate Home Roster, Confederate Pension Application, compiled military records, and the National Park Service website at itd.nps.gov. |
Follow Us