James Barber

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

James Barber

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

James BARBER, the genial proprietor of the well known Morristown Inn, Morris county, New Jersey, has brought from his native land, England, the sterling qualities which have distinguished his family for generations. The name of BARBER, or BARBOUR, as the Scotch spell it, has been represented in this country many years, but James BARBER is the first of his immediate family to have made his home here.

Samuel BARBER, grandfather of James BARBER, was a Conservative in politics. His mother’s maiden name was GREY, and he was born in St. Andrews, county of Bungay, Suffolk, England. Robert BARBER, his son, and father of James BARBER, was born in the same town in 1826. He was a farmer all his life. In political opinion he was a Conservative, and in religious, an English Catholic. He married Susan HAMBLIN, also born in St. Andrews, where her family had lived for generations, and they were blessed with children; Robert, born in 1856; Samuel, born in 1858; John; James, whose names heads this sketch; Charles; Harriet, born in 1864; Eliza.

James, son of Robert and Susan (HAMBLIN) BARBER, was born in St. Andrews, county of Bungay, Suffolk, England, September 21, 1861. His entire education was acquired in the church school of his native town, and after following various occupations in England he came to the United States in 1885. He had no difficulty in obtaining a position as assistant steward in the Café Savarin and Downtown Association, and remained there until 1889. He next became superintendent of the country club at Newport, a position he filled with ability until 1902, when he became the superintendent of the Morris County Golf Club, at Morristown, New Jersey, remaining there until 1905. In the last mentioned year he purchased, and remodeled the Boggs House, on Elm street, renaming it the Elms, and conducted it successfully until the following year, when he leased the house which he is managing at the present time. This was known as the Colonial, and Mr. BARBER remodeled and re-furnished it in the most up-to-date style, and changed the name to that of the Morristown Inn. It is a model house of its kind in many respects, as is unanimously acknowledged by its numerous patrons. The cuisine is unsurpassable, the service is of the highest standard, and the tact and executive ability of Mr. BARBER himself, have almost become proverbial. While the responsible nature of the business carried on by Mr. BARBER makes it impossible for him to take any active part in the public affairs of the town, he takes a lively interest in whatever concerns the welfare of the community, and gives his political support to the Progressive Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, but holds no office in it. His social membership is with the Masonic Club of New York, and the Sea Girt Polo Country Club of New Jersey. He is a member of the English Catholic Church.

Mr. BARBER was married at St. Ignatius Church, New York City, in 1887, to Marie Elizabeth FROST, born in Northamptonshire, England, November 9, 1862, only child of Henry and Elizabeth (SAPCOAT) FROST, the former a nurseryman. Children:

Adelaide Mary Virginia, born August 17, 1892, was educated at the School of St. John the Baptist, and the Dana School, Morristown;
Phyllis, born March 17, 1894, had the same education as her sister;
James Herbert Cecil, born May 5, 1889, was educated in Trinity School, New York, and Morris Academy, Morristown, is steward at Rector’s, married Teresa WILDEY, and has one child: Mary Virginia.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)