Some Tidbits About Richard Barrington

Among Dr. Williams’ papers was a file with Richard Barrington’s name on it. Inside were copies of some sheets of paper with info written on them.

The first document was a paragraph which relates Mr. Barrington’s dates of birth and death, along with some info about how he became a slave of Senator Solomon Downs:

“Richard Barrington was born May 28, 1820, in Norfolk Virginia, owned by Dr. Butts. Sold to Hon. S.W. Downs of Ouachita Parish La. at the age of sixteen. Served in the capacity of body servant and private secretary. Died Nov. 19th, 1904.”

The second paper seemed to have been written by his daughter, Grace Barrington Burr? The handwriting is difficult to read in spots. However, it states a tidbit as to how Mr. Barrington became literate:

“Richard W. Barrington was not married when (illegible) to this country. He met Letitia, his wife here in Ouachita Parish on Col. Downs? Plantation, his education was the result of careful study under the supervision of Perin Cook, Mr. Pargould’s body servant.

Grace Barrington Burr (?)
His Daughter“

The other papers were the contents of the legal proceedings granting freedom to Richard, his wife and children and permission to stay in the state.

I found several articles in the Ouachita Register before the civil war (1859) where Henry Kindermann was advertising that “Dick the Barber” was now employed as a cook at his establishment. Another article in a May 31, 1860 Register crows, “He comes nearest to perfection in matieres de cuisine than any cook we ever saw.”

Several state papers carried his obituary, including the New Orleans Times-Democrat (November 20, 1904, Page 9):

MONROE.
Death of an Old and Respected Negro.

Special to The Times-Democratic.
Monroe, Nov. 19. – There died to-day at his humble home near this city a notable character, a negro respected by all who knew him, white and black alike. Richard W. Barrington, aged eighty-five years, was the best and highest type of negro. Before the war he was the body servant of Gen. Solomon W. Downs, and while his master represented his State in the United States Senate during slavery days, he always accompanied and tended him. With his master, he met all the celebrities, Webster, Clay, Calhoun and others, and many were the interesting anecdotes he told of them and Washington life. his demeanor toward the whites was always respectful. The funeral will take place to-morrow at 12 o’clock from his home, east of town, the burial to be in his family burying ground.