Thomas Barker married Penelope Padgett in 1757. Penelope, twenty-eight years old and twice widowed, had inherited substantial wealth. In 1761 Thomas traveled to London as North Carolina Colony Agent and stayed seventeen years; as the Revolutionary War broke out, he escaped via France, while Penelope was active in Edenton. In 1774 Penelope summoned fifty women to petition King George in public opposition to the British Tea Act in what became known as Edenton's Tea Party, called the first political action by women in America. In 1775 British newspapers published a famous caricature ridiculing the Tea Party women and listing their names, creating a storm of interest. In 1782 Thomas and Penelope built the Barker House on Broad Street, two blocks north of its current location. In 1952 the owners sold the land for commercial property and donated the house on condition that it be moved for use as a community building. Edenton organizations funded its move to waterfront property provided by the town. By 1972 the house had been fully restored, placed on the National Registry of Historic Sites, and become home to the Edenton Historical Commission and the Penelope Barker Welcome Center.