Henry W. Peabody & Co. was in the general import-export business until 1890. At that time it turned over the general business to the New York Office and concentrated henceforth on hemp. An Agent, Arthur Peirce, represented them in Merida (Yucatan?) from 1890.
Henry W. Peabody was born in Salem, Mass. on August 22, 1838. In 1856 he entered the counting house of Messrs. William & Hall, China and Indian merchants located on Central Wharf in Boston. In 1859 he assumed a clerkship with Samuel Stevens who was engaged in the Australian trade, making partner in 1862. He retired in 1866 and set up a special partnership in his own name in February, 1867. Henry's brother, Alfred S. Peabody was the special partner of the Peabody firm and supplied its original $25,000 capital. Henry died December 7, 1908.
From the guide to the Henry W. Peabody & Company records, 1867-1957, (Baker Library, Harvard Business School)
