unknown father of John Barlow

Not Alexander Barlow

Disputed Origins of John Barlow, of Fairfield

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Barlow-79

It has been suggested that John Barlow was the son of Alexander Barlow and Elisabeth Brereton. This appears to be groundless. It is also at odds with an ALLEGED coat of arms supposedly granted to a descendant (Joel Barlow) in the 19th century, except that the College of Arms has denied ever having granted any such arms to Mr. Barlow. "John Barlow's parents are not known from the records."[1].

"A" John Barlow was listed as a child of Sir Alexander Barlow in the funeral certificate of the latter, but as explained below that John Barlow was a different person than the emigrant to New England. [2]

A local history clearly states that John (son of Sir Alexander Barlow) died in "Spayne," so he would not have been the immigrant to New England.[3]

Note that Sir Alexander Barlow's will, transcribed in full in the History of the Ancient Chapels of Didsbury etc., at page 264-6, does not mention a son John, even though it does mention eight other children of the testator. This suggests that John had already died in "Spayne" by the 1617 date of the will, or that (like two of his brothers) he had taken holy orders, in which his vow of poverty would preclude his receipt of a bequest similar to those granted to Sir Alexander's children named in the will.