Jacob Barker papers, 1813-1863, bulk 1813-1823

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Summary

Creators:
Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871.
Abstract:
This collection contains letters and documents relating to war loans to the United States Government made by New York financier and state senator Jacob Barker (1779-1871) in 1814 and subsequent claims by Barker about them. Correspondents include American statesman George Washington Campbell (1769-1848).
Extent:
2.4 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Jacob Barker papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains letters and documents relating to Jacob Barker's share in War loans to the United States Government in 1814 and his later claims against the U.S. government about the loans. Correspondents include George Washington Campbell.

Persons represented by three or more pieces: Anderson, Joseph. 3 pieces; Barker, Jacob. 36 pieces; Campbell, George Washington. 18 pieces; Hazard, Thomas R. 3 pieces; Homans, Benjamin 4 pieces; McEwen, Hale, & Davidson 14 pieces; Prime, Ward, & Sands 3 pieces; Smith, R. D. 23 pieces.

Biographical / historical:

American financier Jacob Barker (1779-1871) was born in Maine to Quaker parents. At sixteen, Barker moved to New York City and embarked upon what was to be a tempestuous business career; his enterprises ran the gamut in shipping, oil, the press, banking, insurance, and the stock market. Barker served in the New York State Senate in 1815-1816 and was one of the founders of Tammany Hall; he was a recognized political power in the Democratic Party party.

In 1814, Barker was actively involved in raising a war-loan of five million for the United States government. This was accomplished at the cost of his own bankruptcy, and he is often referred to as the Robert Morris of the War of 1812. Subsequent claims against the government, in an attempt to recover personal losses, extended over a period of forty years.

Having made and lost a series of fortunes, Jacob Barker died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at ninety two years.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from C. W. Unger, dealer, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1926.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff, circa mid-20th century. Supplementary encoding and revision supplied by Xiuzhi Zhou and Diann Benti. In August 2024, Mari Khasmanyan updated the collection's linear feet and updated the finding aid.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Jacob Barker papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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