Sarah Pickersgill Barker (1811-1874)

5th-great granddaughter born nearly 200 years after Sarah (photo: August 2, 2014)

Born on March 10, 1811 in Armley, Yorkshire, England, to John Richen Pickersgill (1784-unk) and Mary Dickenson (1782-1851), Sarah was the wife of Henry BARKER who was born 23 Jul 1811 in Bramley, Yorkshire, England and died 16 Dec 1857 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, before Sarah came to America. Henry Barker and Sarah Pickersgill marry when they are both 23.  Sarah gives birth to a daughter whom they name Elizabeth. Tragically Elizabeth lives only 20 days.  However, fifteen months later they are blessed with a son they name Joseph*.  Joseph* is the oldest of the five living children to be born to Henry and Sarah. After Joseph’s birth the family moves from Bramley to nearby Leeds where Mary, John, Amelia and Sarah are born.  Leeds will soon employ more than 10,000 people in the manufacturing of cloth of every kind and provide opportunities for Henry and Sarah’s family to provide for their growing family. Leeds is the Center of England Clothing Industry Leeds is a great town of Yorkshire which stands on the River Aire, the Leeds canals and the railroad crossings, and all connect Leeds with the United Kingdom. It is the great, rich, energetic seat of trade.  Its blaze of industry, huge factories, warehouses, and many varieties of cloths of the highest quality. In1855, there were 102 cloth shops with 10,350 workers.  The superb red brick public buildings are impressive to any visitor. In 1851, the Church of England in Leeds has 16 worship centers plus at least 16 other religions all offered 64 ‘Sunday schools’ in the area. Of special interest is the listing of two “Latter-day Saint” centers with 1220 ‘sittings.' On the England Census, taken on night of 30 March 1851, Joseph is listed as 15 years old with the occupation of a ‘tailor.’ This would be natural living in the midst of this giant cloth industry. On the 1851 census record, Sarah is listed as a ‘cloth buster’ and his father Henry as a ‘slubber.’  Mary now 13 is listed as a ‘thread polisher.’   Leeds is the only city that specializes in men’s tailoring and it is the dominant producer of men’s wear in the country. They were the parents of five children: 1) Elizabeth, lives only 20 days 2) Joseph* born 29 Sep 1835 in Bramley, Yorkshire, England and died 29 Oct 1896 in Eureka,, Nevada, USA 3) Mary born 18 Feb 1838 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England and died 29 Nov 1854 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England 4) John born 14 Dec 1840 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England 5) Amelia born 26 Nov 1844 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England 6) Sarah born 25 Dec 1846 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England and died 12 Feb 1860 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England

Died: September 3, 1874

Burial: Parowan City Cemetery Parowan Iron County Utah, USA Plot: 09-10-01