![[Header#^header-embed]] > [!SUMMARY] > **Francis Barber** (aka Frank) (c. 1742/3 - 13 January 1801), born **Quashey**, was the Jamaican manservant of [[Dr. Samuel Johnson]] from the death of Johnson's wife in 1752 until Johnson's death in 1784. > > ![[francis-barber-1770s-joshua-reynolds.jpg]] > <div class="caption">Francis Barber by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1770s.</div> ## Marriage Barber lived at Johnson's House, Bolt Court, with his white wife Elizabeth (also known as Betsy) whom he married around 1776. ## Magazine article > [!QUOTE] The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentleman%27s_Magazine">Gentleman's Magazine</a>, 1793 article: > #### An Excursion from Walton to London Contributed by our ingenious Meteorological Journalist, who, being at Lichfield upon the 21^st. of June, after visiting the Cathedral, where he attended the morning service: > > Sent for Mr. Francis Barber, 35 years the humble companion of the late Dr. Johnson, who, with his family, now resides at Lichfield. > > Francis is about 48, low of stature, marked with the small-pox; has lost his teeth; appears aged and infirm, clean and neat, but his cloaths the worse for wear; a green coat, his late Master's cloaths, all worn out. > > He spends his time in fishing, cultivating a few potatoes, and a little reading. > > He laments that he has lost the countenance and table of Miss S-, Mr.- and many other respectable good friends, through his own imprudence and low connexions. > > He was the companion of Johnson, for, as Master, he required very small attention. Francis brought and tock away his plate at table, and purchased the provisions for the same. But if Francis offered to buckle the shoe, &c., > > > No, Francis; time enough yet. When I can do it no longer, then you may. > > He was his companion in the evening, when the domestics made a circle around the fire, when the Doctor chatted and dictated. > > > Why do you not ask me questions?" > > … the Doctor said to Francis. > > > "But I never could take the same liberty with my Master as with another person." > > The companion in his journeys, and at [[Streatham Park|Streatham]], when Francis preferred Streatham; but, when London had more attractions, he returned to London, and left his Master at Streatham. > > > "You never heard your Master swear?" > > > "No. The worst word he ever uttered, when in a passion, was: 'You dunghill dog'." > > The Doctor would never suffer himself to be denied, which often put him to inconvenience when busy, on which occasions, he either wrote in the night, or retired into the country. > > Mr. Barber appears modest and humble, but to have associated with company superior to his rank in life. The benevolence of Dr. Johnson appears strong in his treatment of his servant during his life, and in his liberal bequest to him at last. > > It seems it was out of his power to render himself very useful as a servant, yet the Doctor would not cast him off on that account. And when the Master was no more, he provided a staff to support him in his stead. > > Besides, Francis is oppressed with a troublesome disorder. > > I had to regret that my short stay would not admit of a longer conversation. ## Retirement After Johnson's death in 1784, Barber was a beneficiary of [Samuel Johnson's will](http://www.samueljohnson.com/hawkins/will.html) and retired to Lichfield. In 1799 he was living in the parish of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burntwood">Burntwood</a> with his wife and their three children: - Elizabeth; - Samuel; and - Ann. ## Death Barber died in Stafford Infirmary on 28 January 1801 after an unsuccessful operation. ## A Troublesome Disorder by Dave Randle A 46,000-word novel written in 2001 about Francis Barber, and his relationship with [[Dr. Samuel Johnson|Samuel Johnson]], [[Hester Thrale née Salusbury]] and others. The author says that the title comes from the interview in the Gentleman’s Magazine. The interview doesn't specify what the disorder is, but it aptly describes Barber’s sense of being unable to control his life and possessions. ### Review by David Thrale > [!QUOTE] David Thrale said: > The story of Samuel Johnson's black male servant Francis Barber is intriguing. Family man Francis Barber was a loyal and good friend to Johnson. Johnson encouraged and funded Barber’s education and the relationship was confirmed after Johnson's death as Barber was a beneficiary in Johnson’s will. > > For me there are some curious parallels - like Barber, I have a wife of colour. I am not the first Thrale to be fascinated by Johnson. Even more strangely my brother was married to a Johnson! > > When Dave Randle contacted me - after he read about Francis Barber on Thrale.com - to ask if I would like to review his book, I was both delighted and curious to read his story. > Randle's book is written in the style of the 18th Century. Despite having previously read some original 18th-century works, I found the first two or three chapters hard-going. Once I was past the first chapters I found it much easier going and enjoyable. The story explores the friendship and relationship between Johnson and Francis his black manservant. I was especially taken by the moving account of Johnson’s death. > For me Randle’s book didn't quite achieve the heights of the other recent book of Johnsonian faction - [[website/Books/According to Queeney|According to Queeney]]. However, I found it enjoyable and I admired Randle’s ability to write in the style of 250 years ago. That is quite some feat. I have just one criticism, that Randle - like others before him - made too much of the speculated liaison between Johnson and Hester Thrale. However, this didn’t spoil a good read. ### Review by G.W. Nicholls > [!QUOTE] The former curator of Johnson's Birthplace Museum said: > In this novel, Dave Randle has reconstructed an actual meeting in Lichfield in 1793 between an unnamed reporter and Francis Barber, the Negro manservant of Dr Samuel Johnson. Johnson had died in London nine years earlier and Barber had brought his wife and family to live in his famous master's home town. The novel follows their conversation, principally about Johnson, as they walk around Lichfield or share their meals together on a single day. The reporter comes to understand the range of Barber's intelligence and his confused feelings for Johnson and, in doing so, begins to appreciate something of the nature of slavery and freedom. Francis (or Frank) Barber had been born in Jamaica and was brought to England as a little boy by a friend of Johnson's. About the time of his wife's death, Johnson took Barber into his house, where he fulfilled the role of servant, companion and surrogate son to Johnson. He was educated by Johnson and his religious and intellectual development was stimulated by him. In his youth, he fled from Johnson's service on several occasions, most notably when he ran away to sea. He was only discharged from the Navy when Johnson contacted acquaintances in the government. Barber accompanied Johnson on several of his trips around the country. He later married a white woman and had several children and for some time they all lived under Johnson's roof. On Johnson's death in 1784, Barber inherited most of his master's fortune. On removing to Lichfield, he proved unable to manage his finances and he and his wife fell upon hard times. Barber died in Stafford Infirmary in 1801. > Randle's novel combines close research with imaginative and sensitive speculation. It deals at once with a peripheral life lived out as an appendage of a great man, and also lets us understand what it meant to be in such a situation. It explores the feelings of an intelligent and kindly treated Negro in Georgian England. In doing so, the novel makes a statement about slavery of different kinds and the difficulties of living with freedom. ## See also ![[samuel-johnson-1709-1784🔎#^samuel-johnson-infoblock]] #history/person/BARBER/francis-died-1801 #history/person/JOHNSON/samuel-born-1709 #history/place/england/staffordshire/lichfield ![[Footer#^footer-embed]]