Jamaican slave who became the heir of Dr Samuel Johnson.
Francis Barber was born into slavery in Jamaica in about 1742, brought to England by his owner, and became a servant in the household of Dr Samuel Johnson, the renowned man of letters. He served in the British navy during the Seven Years’ War, but then returned to Johnson’s employ (visiting Ashbourne with him on several occasions). He eventually became Johnson’s heir – a matter which some found shocking.
There was a significant black community in London in the eighteenth century, but there are few individuals for whom records survive. Francis Barber’s story opens a window onto some little-known aspects of British history.
More Online Events Listings MORE
Black Genealogy | DNA Testing and African, American and Caribbean Ancestry
Join the genealogy masterclass with Paul Crooks as he explores the strengths and weaknesses of tracing African origins…
Tracing Your Ancestry | Emancipation and the Slave Compensation Records
Paul Crooks explores reparations through the lens of his ancestry research drawing on his research into the 1834…
Black Ancestry | Tracing Ancestors Back to the 1860s
Paul Crooks is a seminal figure in African Caribbean genealogy, initiating vital research in the 1990s. His groundbreaking…
Colorism Origins | Secrets of the 1817 Slave Registers
Paul Crooks from Ancestry Talks will provide insight into the roots of colorism, stemming from his research into…
Fostering with Bromley information session – August 2024
A free and informal online session to learn more about becoming a foster carer and fostering with Bromley….
Black Ancestry | Tracing Ancestors Back to Early 1800s
Paul Crooks is a pivotal figure in the field of African Caribbean genealogy, having spearheaded essential research efforts…
Black Ancestry | DNA Testing for African Roots
Join the genealogy masterclass with Paul Crooks as he explores the extent to which DNA testing can help…
Fostering with Bromley information session – September 2024
A free and informal online session to learn more about becoming a foster carer and fostering with Bromley….