White House Historical Association

Henry B. Farbore

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"Henry B. Farbore," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/341.
Position
Footman
Years in President's House
circa 1860
Legal Status
Free Person
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
White
Presidency
James Buchanan
Biography
Henry B. Farbore was born around 1830 in Wales and later moved to the United States. Little is known about his life; however, according to the 1860 Census, he worked as a footman for President James Buchanan.1 As a footman, Farbore assisted with meal service, delivered messages, answered the door, carried luggage, and accompanied the presidential carriage. It is possible that Farbore served for the entirety of James Buchanan’s presidency; however, no additional documentation has been identified to confirm the length of his service.
  1.  1860 U.S. Census, Washington, District of Columbia, Ward 1, p. 203, dwelling 1471, family 1470; National Archives microfilm publication M653, Washington, DC, https://www.archives.gov/research/census/presidents/buchanan.html.
Birthplace
Wales
Unclear from Context