During the early 1870s, William Barleycorn was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Native Missionary Class, and a preacher at the local Bubi village of Basupu. In 1871 he abandoned running a small trading store and moved to San Carlos (North-West Bay) to work as an assistant for a European missionary.
During the early 1870s, William Barleycorn was involved in religious activities and community service as a Sunday school teacher, member of the Native Missionary Class, and preacher at Basupu. In 1871, he transitioned from running a trading store to working as an assistant for a European missionary in San Carlos (North-West Bay).