Barber, Francis, 1750-1783

Francis Barber (1750-1783) of the 3rd New Jersey Continental Regiment (part of the Jersey Brigade) was an Adjutant General on General John Sullivan's staff during the Iroquois Campaign, which lasted from May to late September 1779. In early 1779, General George Washington sent a force of 4500 troops led by General John Sullivan (1740-1795) of New Hampshire up the Susquehanna River Valley to break the Iroquois Confederation and its alliance with the British. Problems with supplies and transportation delayed Sullivan's expedition in Easton, Pennsylvania until June 16, at which time Sullivan's troops destroyed the Iroquois' crops and supplies during the harvest. This destruction deprived the British of a significant source of supplies and forced the Iroquois and loyalist settlers to depend on the British during the subsequent winter. This added burden strengthened the revolutionary cause during a critical phase of the war.

From the description of Francis Barber orderly book, 1779. (New Jersey Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 53055257

American Revolutionary War soldier

From the guide to the Francis Barber letters, 1776, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Lieutenant colonel, 3rd New Jersey Regiment, Revolutionary War.

From the description of Letter and transcript : Orange Town, [New Jersey], to Nancy [i.e. Anne] Barber, [17]80 Aug. 10. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 26827875