James Barker (1622–1702) was an early leader and deputy governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

James Barker was baptized on 20 October 1622 at Southwold, Suffolk, England, the son of James Barker.^[1] It is possible that his father was the James Barker of Southwold whose estate was administered on 5 Feb 1626/7, leaving estate to widow Elizabeth. It is also plausible that Barker lost his mother shortly thereafter, and as an orphan was then cared for by his aunt, Christian (Barker) (Cooper) Beecher.^[1] There had been a family tradition that young James Barker sailed to New England in 1634 with his father, who died en route, and with his aunt Christian who was married to Nicholas Easton.^[2] While there are possibly elements of truth in this tradition, there are also two serious flaws. The first is that it appears that James's father died several years before young James sailed to New England, based on the 1626 administration mentioned. Secondly, Christian was married to Thomas Beecher when she came to New England, in 1630. Beecher died in early 1637,^[3] so his widow did not marry Nicholas Easton until after then.^[4] It is most likely that young James Barker came to New England as an orphan with his aunt in 1630, but no documentation has been found to support this. It is almost certain, however, that Barker came to Rhode Island from Massachusetts with his aunt and her third husband, Nicholas Easton, about 1638.^[5]

Once reaching adulthood, Barker became active in the civil affairs of the colony, undertaking positions as commissioner, assistant, and deputy over a period of many years.^[2] In the Rhode Island Royal Charter adopted in 1663, which became the basis for Rhode Island's government for nearly two centuries, Barker was named as one of the ten Assistants (magistrates) of the colony. In 1676, during King Philip's War, it was voted that the advice of the most judicious inhabitants of the colony be obtained, and that these people sit at the next session of the assembly. Barker was one of the 16 men whose counsel was sought in this request.^[2] In 1678 he was elected as Deputy Governor, serving under governors Benedict Arnold, William Coddington, and John Cranston, the first two both dying in office in 1678. He was a Baptist minister, assisting in the ordination of Rev. Richard Dingley in 1690.^[2] His wife was Barbara Dungan, the oldest daughter of Frances Dungan and her husband William.^[2]

The English background of James Barker has been discovered largely through his connection with his Aunt Christian Barker, sister of his father James. Christian and the elder James were children of an earlier James Barker and his wife, Christian King. The first James Barker was a son of William Barker, who was a son of Robert Barker.^[5] Christian Barker was married three times, first, in 1610, to Thomas Cooper, second, in 1626, to Thomas Beecher, and third, about 1637, to Nicholas Easton, who later became governor of the Rhode Island colony. This is why James Barker was called a nephew of Nicholas Easton in a 1663 deed.^[6] Christian first came to New England in 1630 with her second husband who was a mariner, and became member #17 of the Boston church in late summer of that year.^[3] It is plausible that Barker, her nephew, was orphaned at the time, and came with her.^[7]

James and Barbara Barker had eight known children, all born in Newport, Rhode Island from about 1645 to 1662.^[2]

• List of lieutenant governors of Rhode Island
• Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations