Ferguson H. Barber (1832 – 1908) Ferguson Barber was one of the owners of the large Allen and Barber mercantile store in downtown Rock Hill. He was also one of the many individuals who moved from Chester, to the new boom city, Rock Hill prior to and following the Civil War. He owned the textile mill at Lando, S.C. and it has been reported that he often drove his buggy to the mill several times a week. His home originally was on the North side of Main Street but, Rock Hill historian, Wm. B. White, Jr. states, “Ferguson H. Barber sold his residence on the north side of Main Street to John R. Allen and moved across the street and built a large, fine residence on the two lots under discussion. This took place in the late 1870‘s or very early 1880‘s. The Barber house, with its spacious wrap-around porch and gingerbread trim, stood until some time after 1910. Downtown residences had been gradually disappearing since the turn of the century, as vehicular traffic and business houses steadily increased in size and number. The Barber house was one of the last to go, along with Captain W. L. Roddey‘s mansion up the street.”
R&R HISTORY LINK: MAIN STREET ROCK HILL SC – A LINK
He goes further to state, “Mr. Barber, a merchant, built a large frame storehouse in 1869. Then, on March 3, 1870, he took into partnership John R. Allen, formerly of Chester, S. C., and they operated there the firm of Allen and Barber. At about the same time Mr. Barber erected his large frame residence on the adjoining Lot 6. The writer would like to share this insight with any serious student of Rock Hill history, particularly the history of the original downtown area. The western property line of F. H. Barber‘s Lots 5 & 6 has remained the same line since it was laid down by Squire John Roddey in 1851, and as far as the writer knows, that property line remains the same today. It can, therefore, be used as a reliable point of reference in measuring other places of property on the north side of East Main Street. To describe this line in a more familiar way, we may say that it is the line between the former McCrory‘s store and the former People‘s National Bank building to the west.”
The Herald reported on Jan. 25, 1883 – “That the Chester Bulletin of last Friday states that Mr. Erskine Moffatt, machinist in Chester, finished putting in an 80 HP boiler at the Fishing Creek Cotton Mill. There are plans for more spindles and looms. The Board of Directors reports the factory is doing a good business and is being managed by Mr. Barber. It is probable that a new post office will soon be established at the factory.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Feb. 1, 1888 – “Mr. F.H. Barber has placed a handsome monument in Laurelwood Cemetery to the memory of his two daughters. The monument is the largest in the cemetery.”
The Herald reported on May 23, 1889 – “Mr. F.H. Barber has purchased a lot at Lesslie from Sep Massey on which he intends building a saw and grist mill at an early date.”
The Herald reported on Aug. 28, 1897 – “That Capt. F.H. Barber’s handsome residence on Main Street is in the hands of the painters this week.”
Click on Barber to see additional information on his extensive home’s location on the south corner of East Main and Hampton streets.
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R&R HISTORY LINK: EARLY DEVELOPMENT IN DOWNTOWN ROCK HILL SC
R&R HISTORY LINK: LANDO HISTORY CENTER – THE BARBER CONNECTION
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