Henry Jacobs (priest)

Anglican Dean of Christchurch (1824–1901) Henry Jacobs (3 January 1824 – 6 January 1901) was a Church of England priest and schoolmaster, and the first Dean of Christchurch, New Zealand. Biography Jacobs was born at Chale Abbey, Isle of Wight, the son of William Hearn Jacobs and Ann Tucker. The Jacobs were substantial landowners on the Isle of Wight and two of Henry's ancestors, the Reverend Matthew and the Reverend John Hearn, were rectors of Chale in the 17th century. Jacobs was descended from many of the principal families on the Isle of Wight, including the Oglanders, Worsleys, Urrys, Dingleys and Leighs. He was educated at Charterhouse School where he was captain of the school. From Charterhouse he gained a scholarship to Queen's College, Oxford. He was awarded an MA degree in 1848, ordained deacon in 1847 and priest in 1848. He became a Michel Fellow of Queen's College. From 1847 to 1848 he was curate of Bussage, Gloucestershire, in 1848 he was briefly headmaster of St Nicolas' College, Shoreham-by-Sea, and from 1849 to 1850 curate of All Saints Church, Poplar, London. In 1850 he sailed to New Zealand on Sir George Seymour to be classical professor of a proposed new colle