Francis Barber - Servant

Frances Barber was born in Jamaica and brought to England in 1750 by Captain Buthurst. Frances was then sent to school at Barton in Yorkshire. In 1752 Captain Buthurst died giving Frances his freedom. Only to become the servant of Dr Samuel Johnson, a friend of the Buthurst family. Dr Johnson was the first man to write the English dictionary. And was living in Fleet street but then moved , with Frances to Streatham south London.

In 1782 Dr Johnson died leaving Frances his property of £70 a year, along with all his books and possessions. After this Frances was on the move again and lived in Lichfield with his wife Elizebeth, whom he married in 1776. They both ran a school together at Burntwood near Lichfield until Frances became ill.

Frances died in 1801 at Stafford Infirmary leaving behind a loving wife and 4 children.