# Jeremiah Barker — Black Beauty character guide > Jeremiah Barker in Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Jerry, Jerry Barker, Barker, Mr. Barker **First appearance:** 0034-part-iii-xxxv-jerry-barker ## Snapshot A cheerful London cabman whose refusal to work Sundays costs him a fare and wins him a conscience he can live with. ## Who they are Jerry Barker drives his cab through London's crowded streets, known for keeping his horses clean, his cab smart, and his temper even. When a wealthy patron drops him for honoring the Sabbath, he takes the loss without bitterness, and when a neighbor's mother lies dying ten miles out, he sacrifices his one day of rest to drive her there. His blend of principle and good humor makes him the moral center of Black Beauty's London chapters, showing that kindness to horses and people comes from the same place. ## Relationships ### [Polly Barker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/polly_barker) _family_ Jeremiah and Polly are a devoted married couple, with Polly supporting her husband through his work and health struggles. ### [Mr. Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/mr_grant) _professional_ Jeremiah Barker works as a cab driver for Mr. Grant, who owns the cab and employs him. ### [Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/captain) _professional_ Captain is a horse driven by Jeremiah Barker in his cab, forming a working partnership. ### [Larry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/larry) _professional_ Jeremiah Barker works with Larry, a fellow cab driver, sharing the trade and occasional rivalry. ### [Mr. Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/mr_grant) _professional_ Jeremiah Barker works as a cab driver for Mr. Grant, who owns the cab and employs him. ### [Polly Barker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/polly_barker) _family_ Jeremiah and Polly are a devoted married couple, with Polly supporting her husband through his work and health struggles. ### [Polly Barker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/polly_barker) _family_ Jeremiah and Polly are a devoted married couple, with Polly supporting her husband through his work and health struggles. ### [Larry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/larry) _professional_ Jeremiah Barker works with Larry, a fellow cab driver, sharing the trade and occasional rivalry. ### [Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/captain) _professional_ Captain is a horse driven by Jeremiah Barker in his cab, forming a working partnership. ### [Mr. Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/mr_grant) _professional_ Jeremiah Barker works as a cab driver for Mr. Grant, who owns the cab and employs him. ## In the story ### [My Breaking In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-iii-my-breaking-in) Not directly present in this chapter. ### [Cockneys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-ii-xxix-cockneys) Mentioned as a considerate driver who treats horses gently, in contrast to the cockney drivers. ### [A Horse Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxii-a-horse-fair) The kind man who buys Black Beauty at the fair; takes him to London. ### [A London Cab Horse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxiii-a-london-cab-horse) Black Beauty's new master, a kind and careful cab driver who treats his horses well. ### [Jerry Barker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxv-jerry-barker) Black Beauty's new master, a kind and principled cab driver who refuses to drive hard for extra money but makes an exception to help a young man catch a train. ### [The Sunday Cab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxvi-the-sunday-cab) Jerry stands firm on his six-days' license, prioritizing rest and family over extra income. ### [The Golden Rule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxvii-the-golden-rule) Initially hesitant to work on Sunday, but persuaded by Polly's appeal to the Golden Rule; borrows a light trap and finds spiritual renewal in nature. ### [Dolly and a Real Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxviii-dolly-and-a-real-gentleman) Jerry is the cab driver; he avoids taverns, relies on his family's care, and praises the gentleman's kindness. ### [Seedy Sam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xxxix-seedy-sam) Present on the stand; his face looks sad during Seedy Sam's speech. ### [The Butcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xli-the-butcher) Jerry is referenced as a kind driver whom Black Beauty works for, and he praises the coster-boy and the old coal man. ### [The Election](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xlii-the-election) Jerry refuses to let his cab be used for electioneering, explaining his political principles to his family. ### [A Friend in Need](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xliii-a-friend-in-need) Shows compassion by driving a poor woman and her sick child to the hospital for free, outwits rude passengers, and meets Polly's former mistress. ### [Old Captain and His Successor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xliv-old-captain-and-his-successor) Cab driver who cares for Captain, decides to euthanize him, and later buys Hotspur; also shares his struggle with alcohol. ### [Jerry's New Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xlv-jerry-s-new-year) Falls dangerously ill with bronchitis after a late New Year's Eve job; must give up cab work. ### [Jakes and the Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iv-xlvi-jakes-and-the-lady) Jerry; former owner who sold Black Beauty to the corn dealer, believing he would have good food and fair work. ### [Hard Times](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iv-xlvii-hard-times) Remembered fondly for his kind care and bran mashes. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/jeremiah_barker - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters