Joseph Barker
and
Mary Ann Doidge Barker Dunton

Edited by Kristine Halls Smith

This story was compiled by Kristine Halls Smith in December 1998 from material printed in a booklet called History of Joseph Barker and His Family, published in 1954; from Miller, David E., Hole-in-the-Rock, University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1966; and from Freeman, Ira S., A History of Montezuma County Colorado, Johnson Publishing Company, Pueblo, Colorado, 1958.

Joseph Barker was the oldest of five children born to Henry and Sarah Pickersgill Barker. He was born at Bramley, Yorkshire, England on September 29, 1835. He had one brother, John Barker, and three sisters, Mary, Amelia, and Sarah.

Joseph was trained in England for work as a tailor. Sometime during the late 1850's, he met missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and became converted to the message they brought about the teachings of Joseph Smith who had established a new church in America. His contact with the church led him to meet another young convert, Mary Ann Doidge.

Mary had been born on April 11, 1837 at Brayshop, Cornwall, England to John and Mary Nepean Doidge. She had three brothers, William, Richard, and Edward, and two sisters, Susanne and Emma.

Joseph and Mary Ann’s daughter, Dora Barker Burnham, wrote about Mary Ann’s life. She said, "Charming and one of leisure, was the girlhood life of Mary Ann Doidge before joining the L.D.S. Church in 1857. Living in the little town of Brayshop, Cornwall, England, she spent many happy hours roaming the hills and downs, close to her hometown, gathering the wild flowers that grew in such abundance there. She was once crowned "Queen of the May" in May Day festivities. This day was celebrated by the people who gathered from all the countryside for dancing, braiding the Maypole, and picnicking.

"She was the daughter of a prosperous merchant and had always lived a carefree life, having only to work as she desired. She was never an idler, however, but assisted in clerking in the store and in preparing lunches for miners.

"She had a fair education for her time, being well versed in Bible scripture as that book was used as a text for reading. She was also a good writer and speller.

"Her parents, John and Mary Nepean Doidge, provided well for their family, having hired help to do the heavy work of the home and giving them all a fair education. So, in sheltered comfort, Mary Ann grew up, learning to cook, sew, and perform the small duties of the household, under the guidance of her mother. Her people belonged to the Church of England and taught their children that faith. She learned to read the Bible well and learned the teachings of that church.

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