John KNIBBS was born 1807 in Deddington, Oxfordshire, England. He married Mary Ann KNIBBS 12 April 1836 in Deddington, Oxfordshire, England. He died 10 March 1901 in Deddington, Oxfordshire, England. Mary Ann KNIBBS, daughter of John KNIBBS and Susannah PERRY , was born 1809 in Deddington, Oxfordshire, England. She died 08 December 1883 in Woodstock District, Oxfordshire, England.


Children of John KNIBBS and Mary Ann KNIBBS are:
1. Richard KNIBBS, b. 10 March 1837 See Richard KNIBBS & Mary Jane TAYLOR OR Richard KNIBBS & Susannah TAYLOR
2. Emma KNIBBS, b. 14 October 1838
3. Thomas KNIBBS, b. 23 August 1840
4. Sarah KNIBBS, b. 17 April 1842 See John BAYLISS & Sarah KNIBBS
5. Mary Ann KNIBBS, b. 23 February 1844 See Caleb MURREY & Mary Ann KNIBBS

Marriage Notes for John KNIBBS\Mary Ann KNIBBS:

Witnesses to the marriage were James Knibbs and Elizabeth Gammage. James may have been John's uncle or his cousin, but Elizabeth we know was John's 1st cousin. John had acted as a witness to Elizabeth's marriage to John Gammage a couple of years earlier.


Notes for John KNIBBS:




John Knibbs, probably in the very late 1800's. Click to enlarge
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Currently, there's uncertainty about the parentage of this John. It was previously assumed he was the son of John Knibbs and his wife Susannah Perry, but it isn't certain, mainly due to his age as given in the various census returns.
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Listed in the 1841 census for central, South and East Oxfordshire as living in Pilcock Street, Deddington with his wife Mary Ann, son Richard aged 4 years and son Thomas aged 10 months.
John KNIBBS 33
Mary Ann 31
Richard 4
Thomas 10 months
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Listed in the 1851 census living at Tabernacle Square, Deddington, Oxfordshire:
John Knibbs Head Mar 43 Thatcher Oxon Deddington
Mary Ann Knibbs Wife Mar 41 Oxon Deddington
Richard Knibbs Son 14 Thatchers Labourer Oxon Deddington
Sarah Knibbs Daur 9 Scholar Oxon Deddington
Mary Ann Knibbs Daur 7 Scholar Oxon Deddington
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From the January 1851 entries of the diaries of the Rev. Cotton Risley:
4th January - J. Knibbs came and I paid him his bill for thatching the boys school.

Clearly John was a very versatile man - Town Crier, Ale Taster, Thatcher, as well as General Labourer.
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The 1861 census living at Castle End, Deddington, Oxfordshire:
John Knibbs Head Mar 53 Whitewasher Oxon Deddington
Mary Jane Knibs Wife Mar 51 Whitewashers Wife Oxon Deddington
Richard Knibbs Son UnM 24 Lab at Axle Tree Manufactory Oxon Deddington
Mary Ann Knibbs Daur UnM 17 Seamstress Oxon Deddington
Sarah Knibbs Daur UnM 19 Seamstress Oxon Deddngton
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The 1871 census living at Oxford Road, Deddington, with his wife and one of his daughters:
John Knibbs Head Mar 64 Plasterer Oxfordshire Deddington
Mary Knibbs Wife Mar Oxfordshire Deddington
Sarah Knibbs Daur UnM 29 Dressmaker Oxfordshire Deddington
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In the 1881 census, John appears living at Philcock St, Deddington, Oxfordshire, England
John Knibbs Head Mar 74 General Lab Oxon Deddington
Mary Ann Knibbs Wife Mar 70 Oxon Deddington
Mary Ann Knibbs Daur Unm 37 Dressmaker Oxon Deddington
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From the Bicester Herald - Friday 21 November 1890:
DEDDINGTON
Deddington Ducky Manor.---The court baron of W. C. Cartwright, Esq., of Aynho, was held on Saturday, November 15. Mr. N. Stilgoe foreman. Also present Messrs. W. H. Austin, G. S. Hedges (high bailiff), W. Hawkes, J. Hoperaft, J. Parish, W. H. Stilgoe, and G. Coggins (steward). A substantial luncheon was served at the King's Arms' Inn. Mr. John Knibbs, for the 37th time, was appointed town crier and ale taster of Deddington.

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In the 1891 Census John is shown as 84 years old, a widower, living as an inmate of the Almshouses in Church Street, Deddington.
John Knibbs Head Widr 84 Inmate of Alms Houses Oxon Deddington
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From Jackson's Oxford Journal (Oxford, England), Saturday, November 14, 1891;

Duchy Manor. - On Saturday last the court baron
William Cornwallis Cartwright Esq., of Aynho Park, the Lord of this manor, was held at the town hall, when Mr. Nathanial Stilgoe, of Adderbury, was chosen foreman of the jury. The business transacted was of a routine character. Major Austin was appointed High Bailiff of the parish, in the place of the late Mr. G. Hedges, Mr. W.P. Spiers under-bailiff, and Mr John Knibbs crier. After perambulating the town the company adjourned to the King's Arms Hotel, where a luncheon had been provided by Mrs. B. Whetton. Mr. G Coggin, as Steward of the Manor, presided, and the usual patriotic and complimentary toasts having been duly honoured, the company retired.

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In 1895, we can see John listed in Kelly's Directory of Oxfordshire under the heading "Volunteers":
Town Crier, John Knibbs, Church Lane.
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From the Banbury Beacon - 27 November 1897:
Deddington
COURT BARON.—This Court, of which W. C. Cartwright, Esq., of Aynho Park, is lord of the manor, was held in the Town Hall on Saturdav, there being present Messrs. G. Coggins (steward), N. Stilgoe (foreman), W. H Austin (high bailiff), H. W. Stilgoe, W. Howkes (jurors), M. H. Woolnough, and J. F. Mitchel (under bailiff). The necessary presentments were produced, and the usual preambulation of the town was made in order to ascertain what encroachments had taken place on the "lord's waste" during the past year. The company afterwards dined at the King's Arms, . and the high bailiff and under bailiff were reappointed, together with the crier, John Knibbs.

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From the Banbury Advertiser Thursday 03 January, 1901:
DEDDINGTON,
Looking forward to his centenary.—Mr. John Knibbs reached his 94th birthday on New Year'e day. He in still hale and hearty, and holds the responsible post of town crier in connection with the customary Court. of the Duchy Manor of Deddingtnn. His slumbers must le as sound as those of an infant, for during a gale the other night the chimney over the bedroom at the almshouse in which Knibbs resides was completely removed by the storm; still the veteran says he did not hear a sound. Luckily the chimney did not fall upon the roof, otherwise he might have been somewhat rudely awakened; as it was, the morning light showed a nasty crack in the ceiling. Knibbs formerly held the ancient office, of "ale taster in connection with the same Manor.

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From the Oxford Journal - 30 November 1901:
DEDDINGTON
THE COURT LEET AND COURT BARON In connection with the estate (Duchy Manor) of Mr. W. C. Cartwright, took place on Saturday at the Town Hall. There were present Messrs. H. W. Stilgoe, Adderbury Grounds, Foreman of the Jury; J. Whetton, Free Suitor; G. Coggins, Steward; W. Hawkes, High Bailiff ; and J. F. Mitchell, Under Bailiff. Several "presentments" were made and signed and lists of the various rents enumerated. Then followed the perambulation of the town and precincts in search of encoachments, etc. The dinner succeeded, provided by Mr. and Mrs. Higham, of the Unicorn Hotel. Mr. Coggins presided, Mr. H. W. Stilgoe being in the vice-chair. Mr. Christopher Joseph Ell was appointed town Crler in the place of Mr. John Knibbs, deceased, who held the office for over half a century. ln the "good old days", whenn Knibbs was elected, it was the custom to also elect flesh-tasters, bread-weighers, leather-sealers and ale-tasters. which offices have fallen into abeyance or became defunct. There is probably as great necessity for conscientious officials us the kind mentioned at the present day as at any former period.

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From Deddington News, March 2000:
IN MEMORIUM in April 1901. 'The late JOHN KNIBBS (died 14 March, aged 94) who lived under FIVE SOVEREIGNS, was for many years, and within a few years of his death, a Member of the Church Choir, which he attended with great regularity as long as his strength and age permitted him. He also acted as Town Crier.'
(JOHN KNIBBS was born in the reign of George III, lived through the reigns of George IV, William IV. Queen Victoria and one month into the reign of Edward VII).

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John gets a mention in this 1991 News Sheet of The Old Trades of Deddington. So too do his mother Ann Fardon's family of Clockmakers, and his uncle Richard Knibbs, the Saddler.
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From the Banbury Advertiser, 14 March 1901:
Knibbs - March 10 at Deddington, John Knibbs, age 94 years.

Sources for John KNIBBS:

  1. Oxfordshire Parish Register - Deddington,
  2. 1851 Census of Woodstock Union, Oxfordshire,
  3. Deddington News,
  4. Kelly's Directory of Oxfordshire, 1895,
  5. 1861 British Census,
  6. 1871 British Census,
  7. 1881 British Census,

Notes for Mary Ann KNIBBS:

Our gratitude goes to the members and volunteers at Find A Grave web site for recording the details, in memory of Mary.

Sources for Mary Ann KNIBBS:

  1. Oxfordshire Parish Register - Deddington,
  2. 1861 British Census,
  3. 1851 Census of Woodstock Union, Oxfordshire,
  4. FreeBMD,

Notes for Emma KNIBBS:

Our gratitude goes to the members and volunteers at Find A Grave web site for recording the details, in memory of Emma.

Sources for Emma KNIBBS:

  1. Oxfordshire Parish Register - Deddington,
  2. GRO England & Wales, GRO England & Wales gives 4Qtr1838 

Notes for Thomas KNIBBS:

Sources for Thomas KNIBBS:

  1. Oxfordshire Parish Register - Deddington,
  2. GRO England & Wales, GRO England & Wales gives 3Qtr1840