Mordecai Barbour (October 21, 1763 – January 4, 1846) was a Culpeper County Militia officer during the American Revolutionary War and a prominent Virginia statesman, planter, and businessperson. Barbour was the father of John Strode Barbour, Sr. (August 8, 1790 – January 12, 1855), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 15th congressional district; and the grandfather of John Strode Barbour, Jr. (December 29, 1820 – May 14, 1892), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 8th congressional district and United States Senator; James Barbour (February 26, 1828 – October 29, 1895), prominent Virginia statesman and planter; and Alfred Madison Barbour (April 17, 1829 – April 4, 1866), Superintendent of the Harpers Ferry Armory during John Brown's raid. Early life Mordecai Barbour was born on October 21, 1763, in Culpeper County, Virginia, as the eldest son of James Barbour III (1734–1804) and his wife Frances Throckmorton. American Revolutionary War During the American Revolutionary War in May or June 1781, Barbour joined the Culpeper County Militia, serving first as a private, then lieutenant under General Mechlenburg. Barbour's first assignment was to protect Rappahannock Forge. Barbour also served under Captain John Nicholas, Captain John Stewart, and Captain John Woodford and under the command of Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette. Barbour was with Lafayette at the Battle of Jamestown, then moved onto Williamsburg and Richmond. Barbour also participated in the Siege of Yorktown and conveyed the prisoners to Winchester. Barbour later attained the rank of major. Following the war, Barbour received a pension for his military service. Business ventures Fredericksburg Barbour began owning and operating water-powered mills in Culpeper County, two of which were purchased by John Strode. Barbour's manufacturing interests extended from cotton gins to the making of nails. On May 29, 1805, the Virginia Herald carried an advertisement for Barbour's cut nail manufactory in Fredericksburg, Virginia "where they will sell, Cut and wrought Nails, Brads, Springs, Sadler's Tacks of all sizes". Fredericksburg land tax records from 1805 indicate Barbour rented properties owned by John Brownlow and Charles Julian. Records also indicate Barbour acquired a merchants license in 1806 from George W. B. Spooner, Commissioner of Revenue for the District of Fredericksburg, for the sum of $15. Barbour was a resident of Fredericksburg until 1808 when he relocated to Petersburg. Petersburg Prior to his relocation from Fredericksburg, Barbour had previously owned Burlington plantation in Dinwiddie County west