Story of Barker family topic of June 14 Hiram Historical meeting

HIRAM — The story of the Barker family is one of entrepreneurial success, failure, wealth, poverty, tragedy, family loyalty and adventure.
Extensive research has uncovered and pieced together this story, to be told for the first time at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at Great Ossipee Museum of the Hiram Historical Society, 20 Historical Ridge.

Thomas Barker of Hiram built a dam in 1807 on the pond named after him — Barker Pond. He married Elizabeth Ayer, the daughter of the local “exhorter,” and they lived in what is now the oldest house in Hiram. He accumulated wealth and position and was friends with General Peleg Wadsworth of Revolutionary War fame. When he and his family of 12 children moved to Portland, they were neighbors of Stephen Longfello; Barker’s daughters walked to school with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Innkeeping was in the Barker blood; Thomas, his wife, a daughter, two sons and a son-in-law practiced this occupation. The namesake son turned into a scoundrel and became a pauper, auctioned off for work and board to the highest bidder. A twin daughter went from a Portland finishing school to being a pioneer in the wilderness of Michigan. A nephew opened a store in Hiram, a predecessor to the beloved Cotton’s Store.
Sally Williams will present her findings in a free program open to the public. A brief business meeting will be held at 1 p.m., followed immediately by the program. Light refreshments will be served. and donations welcome. For more information, call 207-625-4762.