b'The Barkers of Bishop WiltonAndrew SeftonT he name Barker has been in the parish of BishopI checked the 1881 census to find Edward Barker Wilton from at least as far back as 1715 with theat Low Belthorpe.marriage in the parish Church of William Barker andIn the auction lot was an old photograph taken Mary Smith. Barkers appear in many manor courtin Bishop Wilton which we believe shows widow records and rent and tenancy agreements of theElizabeth Barker standing outside her door which fits eighteenth century. But why am I interested in thein with the the house in the 1901 census (see Bulletin Barker family? In May, at an auction, I bid for a lot8).of old photographs which I knew contained BishopNext step was to ask Lorna Sleightholme about Wilton ones. When I examined the photographsher Barker connections. She is the daughter of James and postcards closely they all seemed connectedColin Campbell and Florence Barker (born Low to a family of Barkers who were farming at LowBelthorpe 1899), one of the three Barker sisters. It Belthorpe. I also knew that three Barker sisters fromseems that the father of Florence Barker was in fact Low Belthorpe had married into three of the mainJames Barker born in Bolton in 1848 who married farming families of the village: Robsons of GrangeEsther Gospel, also from Bolton. I thought there must Farm, Campbells of Cliff Farm and Jebsons of Westbe a connection with Edward Barker as the surname End Farm. Was there a connection?I decided toand location were both the same.investigate.In amongst the auction items were two funeralJames Barkercards which gave some clues (pictured here). (courtesy of Lorna Sleightholme)1881 censusEdward Barker Head Age 57 Born Bishop WiltonElizabeth Barker Wife Age 38 Born PocklingtonHenry Barker Son Age 12 Born Bishop WiltonPolly Barker Daughter Age 10 Born Bishop WiltonJoseph Barker Son Age 8 Born Bishop WiltonFrank Barker Son Age 4 Born Bishop WiltonSarah Jane Barker Daughter Age 4 Born Bishop WiltonEmma Barker Daughter Age 1 Born Bishop Wilton136 BULLETIN 9'