Henry Charles Harrington

Who was Mr Henry Charles Harrington?

Mr Henry Charles Harrington was a 37 (thirty-seven) year-old English first-class passenger and personal servant who perished in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912. Born in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in early 1875, Harrington had a distinguished career in domestic service, culminating in his position as manservant to wealthy Washington businessman Clarence Moore.

Early Life and Family

A Hampshire Upbringing

Henry Charles Harrington was baptized on February 7, 1875, in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England. He was born into a family with deep roots in the region:

• Father: Frank Harrington (b. 1846), a game and forest keeper
• Mother: Eliza Chilcott (b. 1849)

Henry was one of seven children in the Harrington family:

1. Kate (b. 1870)
2. Amelia (b. 1872)
3. Henry Charles (b. 1875)
4. Walter (b. 1877)
5. Rosa Jane (b. 1879)
6. William Frank (b. 1885)
7. Frances Louise (b. 1887)

Childhood and Early Work

The 1881 census places young Henry in Canterton, Minstead, Hampshire. By the time of the 1891 census, at the tender age of 16, Henry had already embarked on his career path:

• Left school
• Began working as a domestic servant

This early start in service would set the course for his entire professional life.

A Career in Service

London and the Foreign Office

Henry’s ambition led him to London, where his career took a prestigious turn. The 1901 census reveals:

• Residence: 21 Hertford Street, St George’s
• Position: Footman to Francis Leveson Bertie (1844-1919)
  • Assistant under-secretary of the British Foreign Office
  • Later Ambassador to Italy and France

This position undoubtedly exposed Henry to the upper echelons of British society and diplomacy.

Across the Atlantic: Service in Washington

By 1912, Henry had crossed the Atlantic to serve as personal manservant to Clarence Moore, a wealthy Washington businessman. This position offered:

• Residence: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington D.C.
• Salary: Reportedly in excess of $1200 per year
• Status: Unmarried

The Fateful Voyage

Boarding the Titanic

Henry Charles Harrington boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912. His travel details were as follows:

What was the purpose of Harrington’s journey?

Harrington was accompanying his employer, Clarence Moore, who was returning to Washington, D.C. after a combined business and leisure trip to England. Tragically, both men would lose their lives in the disaster that unfolded in the early hours of April 15, 1912.

Legacy and Aftermath

A Body Never Identified

Like many victims of the Titanic disaster, Henry Charles Harrington’s body, if recovered, was never identified. This lack of closure would have added to the family’s grief.

Financial Matters

Following his death, Harrington’s estate was valued at £185, a testament to his frugality and the respectable wages he earned. The administration of his estate reveals:

• Date: April 1, 1913
• Administrator: Walter Harrington (Henry’s brother), a policeman

Legal Action

The Harrington family sought justice and compensation for their loss:

• Claimants: Henry’s brother and mother
• Lawsuit: Against the owners of the Titanic
• Amount: £25,000 in damages

This substantial claim reflects both the family’s loss and the perceived value of Henry’s life and future earnings.

A Hampshire Ending

Despite her son’s travels and tragic end far from home, Eliza Harrington, Henry’s mother, remained rooted in Hampshire for the rest of her life. She passed away in 1938, having outlived her son by more than a quarter-century.

Henry Charles Harrington’s life, from his humble beginnings in Hampshire to his distinguished service in Washington, exemplifies the often-overlooked stories of the serving class aboard the Titanic. His dedication to his profession and his presence on that ill-fated voyage ensure his place in the annals of this great maritime tragedy.