Barker, Jacob, 1779-1871

New York legislator and banker.

Jacob Barker was a New York financier who was instrumental in securing a loan of $5,000,000 for the United States to finance the War of 1812. He removed to New Orleans in 1834, became prominent in financial circles, was admitted to the bar, and practiced with success in insurance cases. In the 1840s Barker collaborated with Rowland G. Hazard to secure the release of free African Americans who were being illegally detained in Louisiana under the assumption they were escaped slaves. At the close of the Civil War he was elected to the U.S. Senate, but he was not allowed to take his seat because Louisiana had not been readmitted to the Union. He was declared bankrupt in 1867 and spent the last few years of his life with his son in Philadelphia.

Jacob Barker; 1779-1871; originally of Nantucket, Mass.; operated business in NYC; ship builder and financier; responsible for financing much of the War of 1812.

Merchant, financier, and lawyer of New York City, and, later, of New Orleans; born on Swan Island, Maine and died in Philadelphia. Barker was one of the founding members of Tammany Hall.

Jacob Barker (1779-1871), financier, New York State senator, and one of the original members of the society of Tammany Hall. Prior to 1812 Barker had so prospered that he was able to play a key role in financing American military effort during the War of 1812. However, his involvement ruined his fortune and left him with a legacy of unadjusted claims against the U.S. government.

New York ship builder and financier.

Biography

Jacob Barker (1779-1871), American Financier, was born in Maine of Quaker parentage. While he was still a youth, Barker 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. He was one of the founders of Tammany Hall, and a recognized political power in his party.

Probably Barker's chief claim to fame was the service he performed for the government in raising a war-loan of five million, in 1814. 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, at the great age of ninety two years.