Henry Barber

Butcher, Lambton Quay 1859

Henry Barber was the first in his family to emigrate to Wellington in 1857. He began his butchery business in the Hutt, where he took over Mr White’s shop, promising ‘a constant supply of good meat and the utmost attention.’ His letters home convinced his brother James to emigrate too, and in 1859 the brothers purchased Mr Wilton’s butcher’s shop on Lambton Quay.

In 1862, a review of the city butchers shops’ ‘Christmas Show of Meat’ described the Barber’s offer as:

‘The beef was excellent quality; weight of heifer, 960 lbs. Sheep, the heaviest were found here, one weighing 100 lbs, and the second 87 lbs, bred by Mr A. Wall. The remaining were very superior. Lambs, the heaviest weighing 56 lbs, the remainder following very close upon it. Veal, bred by Mr Roe, Watt’s Peninsula, weight 164 lbs, was equal to any that might be shown at Newgate or Leadenhall. They had also some very superior dairy fed pork.’ (Wellington Independent, 25 December 1862)

In 1867, Henry and James were charged alongside six other butchers for having slaughtered cattle within the precincts of Wellington city. The defendants stated they had slaughtered out of town and bought the carcasses in to dress while still warm. The brothers were fined £10.

Henry married Philippa Knight in 1867 and they had six children. Henry’s father and other siblings continued to emigrate to New Zealand throughout the 1860’s.

Henry and James sold their business in 1882 to the Wellington Meat Company but in 1895, Henry decided to re-enter business with his brother Edward. They traded as Barber and Co. of Lambton Quay.

On 13th May 1905, Henry was seated in the office of his Lambton Quay shop when he was overcome by the rupture of a brain blood vessel brain. A doctor was called and he was moved to his house in Hobson Street where he died at 2:30pm. He was 67 years old. Henry was buried at Karori Cemetery (Plot Ch Eng/T/78).

Although Philippa only had a life interest in his estate, at her death in 1923, her estate alone was worth £7,000. They were survived by all of their children.

The photo caption for this image on the WCC Archives is 'H Barber, butcher Lambton Quay, in front of his shop Circa 1850.' However this could be his Hutt shop given that his Lambton Quay shop was a partnership with his brother and his name is not over the door.

H Barber, butcher Lambton Quay, in front of his shop. Circa 1850. Wellington City Council Archives, AM001-18

Barber plot, Karori Cemetery. Courtesy of FindaGrave.