Captain Barry's health was now failing. On returning to Philadelphia he was, in November, 1801, engaged in proving guns cast by Mr. Lane. The next year when directed to prove cannon at Colonel Hughes' works near Havre-de-Grace, Maryland, Barry's health did not permit him to go. On August 19, 1802, Barry, Dale and Bainbridge were appointed a Board to examine applicants for admission to the Navy—the Barbary Powers were again giving trouble to our merchant traders and imprisoning American seamen, and an idea that a more vigorous navy was needed and that paying tribute in money was degrading was gaining headway even among the Republicans. So that on December 22, 1802, the Secretary of the Navy notified Captain Barry, "We shall have occasion to keep a small force in the Mediterranean and we shall expect your services on that station." But the old Warrior-Sailor was nearing another Station. Ill health was enfeebling him, destroying his wonted activity. The flame of the fire of his ardor to serve his country was flickering so much as to remind him that death might be nearing.
So on February 27, 1803, he made his will. During the summer at his country residence at Strawberry Hill in the Northern Liberties he remain incapacitated for any further sea or other services useful to the country, or beneficial to mankind in general. He died September 13, 1803, and was buried from his City home on Chestnut Street below Tenth, south side, then No. 186. He was interred at St. Mary's graveyard the next morning, according to the custom of those days. St. Mary's was the church where Commodore Barry "was a constant attendant when in the City," as Bishop Kenrick wrote Colonel B.U. Campbell, of Ellicott Mills, January 15, 1844. [Balto. Archives, C.D. 14.] His estate amounted to $27,691. He is buried within a few feet of the entrance to the graveyard in the rear of the church. In the grave with him his two wives are interred—Mary died in 1771, Sarah in 1831.
Beside him northward lies his friend Captain John Rosseter, also of the County of Wexford, Ireland.
At the head of his grave to the northward is interred Captain Thomas FitzSimons, a signer of the Constitution of the United States, an officer in the Revolution, a merchant of Philadelphia and Representative in Congress.
Also at the head of Barry's grave, southward, lies the mortal remains of George Meade, a patriot of the Revolution and a merchant of Philadelphia.
This is the most Catholic Irish-American historical plot of ground in the United States.
Three of these patriots were born in Ireland—George Meade, born in Philadelphia of Irish parents.
Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, wrote the first draft of the epitaph for the tomb of Captain Barry. It read:
Let the Patriot, the Soldier and the Christian
who visits these mansions of the dead
view this monument with respect
Beneath it are interred the remains of
JOHN BARRY
He was born in the County of Wexford in Ireland
But America was the object of his patriotism
and the theatre of his usefulness.
In the Revolutionary War which established the
Independence of the United States he
bore an early and an active part as a Captain in their
Navy and after became its Commander-in-Chief.
He fought often and once bled in the Cause of Freedom.
His habits of war did not lessen his
Virtues as a Man nor his piety as a Christian.
He was gentle, kind and just in private life,
was not less beloved by his family and friends than by
his Grateful Country.
The number and objects of his charities will be
known only at that time when his dust
shall be reanimated and when He who sees in secret
shall reward openly.
In the full belief in the doctrines of the gospel
he peacefully resigned his soul into the arms of his
Redeemer
on the 13th of September, 1803, in the 59th year of his age.
His affectionate widow hath caused this marble to be
erected to perpetuate his name after the hearts of his
fellow-citizens have ceased to be
the living Record of his Public and Private Virtues.