 He was a member of the Virginia General Assembly from 1823 to 1824, 1832 to 1835 and in 1839.He was elected a Whig to the United States House of Representatives in 1840, serving from 1841 to 1843, being unsuccessful for reelection in 1842.Afterwards, Barton resume practicing law in Winchester, Virginia until his death on his estate called "Springdale" near Winchester on March 15, 1859.