Biography:

Dr. Robert Barr was born in Paisley, Scotland in 1796. He attended Glasgow University then served with the British Army in the East Indies. After resigning from the army, Dr. Barr practiced medicine on the West Indies Island of Tobago.

Dr. Barr immigrated to Canada in 1838 and he set up a medical practice in Chatham. In 1842 he married Mary Campbell who had been born in Scotland. Their children; Alexander Barr, Thomas Barr, Agnes McGregor Barr, Mary Barr, Martha MacGregor Barr and Marcus Barr were all born in Raleigh Township (Chatham-Kent).

Dr. Barr advertised his medical practice in the 1851 Chatham Directory and the 1869 Ontario Gazetteer and Directory.  The family lived on a farm in Raleigh Twp.

Dr. Barr died at his residence on the 30th of April, 1877.   Although his tombstone reflects his death in 1879, the webmaster has researched the report of Dr. Barr’s death in the Chatham Newspaper of the time “The Chatham Banner”, and it identify’s that Dr. Barr died on the 30th of April, 1877 at the age of 81.  This information is confirmed by his death record.  His wife, Mary died on the 26th of June, 1895. Dr. and Mrs. Barr were buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.  In 1911 their son Alex was farming and living with his sister Martha Richardson on the River Road, of Raleigh Twp with Martha’s two children, George and Grace Richardson.

*Dr. Barr’s son Alexander Barr died in 1926 and he was buried beside his parents.