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Moved to Bank Street, Dumfries., from Leadhills.
1815 elected a Magistrate; 1817, Provost of the Burgh.
From 'The Dumfries Weekly Journal', Tuesday, 20th September 1814:
Board and Lodging for Gentleman's Sons attending ...(?)
John Barker, Surgeon in Dumfries, can accommodate with BOARD and lodging in his House four or five Gentlemen's sons, during their attendance at the schools here. Proper attention will be paid to their morals and to the progress of their education.
From 'The Dumfries Weekly Journal', Tuesday 2nd March 1824: (no.2419)
Died - 27/2/1824 (65)
At Bilbow, in the Parish of Troqueer, on Friday last, John Barker, Esq - Mr Barker was bred to the medical profession, and entered the navy in which he remained for some time, and afterward retired, and settled at Leadhills, where he continued to practise as a surgeon. Eminently skilled in chemistry and mineralogy, he had the management of the leadmines of that place, which he conducted in a very scientific manner. He afterwards removed to Dumfries where his professional talents and steady habits soon obtained a very considerable share of the most respectable practice. In 1815 he was elected a Magistrate and in 1817 Provost of the Burgh, both of which offices he filled with much benefit to the public and honour and credit to himself. The affairs of the Burgh having, about this time, got into disorder, he was chosen Trustee, along with the late Mr Ferguson, and continued to discharge the duties of that important trust with fidelity till his death. As a Magistrate Mr Barker discharged his duties with firmness and impartiality; and as a medical man, his success in his profession is the best evidence of the general estimation in which he was held by the public. He had great strength of mind and acuteness of intellect, while his manners were peculiarly mild and unaffected. By a wide circle of acquaintances he was universally beloved and esteemed - and by his friends and relatives his death will be long and deeply lamented.
From 'Memorials of St Michael's'. page 114
To John Barker, an accomplished medical gentleman, who was provost of the Burgh in 1817-8-9; his spouse, Margaret Battaley; and several members of their family, the next stone is devoted. He died on the 27th of February 1824, aged 66. With Mr Rankine, whom he now neighbours in the tomb, Provost Barker was associated in the task of restoring the financial edifice of the Burgh under the circumstances described in a preceding chapter. For this delicate duty he seems to have been admirably adapted.
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