Richard Barry (ca. 1726-August 21, 1801) was born in 1726 in Pennsylvania. He immigrated to Mecklenburg through Maryland. Records indicate that he was a tanner and owned a business for many years. He is listed as one of Mecklenburg County's first magistrates. On February 6, 1764, he was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives from Mecklenburg County. On November 7, 1768, by an Act of the General Assembly, Richard Barry was appointed as a member of a group of trustees and directors who were charged with the responsibilty of planning and building the town of Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to his community and business life, Barry was an active member of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church and is buried in its cemetery.