William KNIBBS, son of
John KNIBBS and Ann WHITE
,
was born 10 January 1846 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. He married Ellen DRINKWATER
16 August 1879 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. He died bef. 21 June 1905 in Woodstock District, Oxfordshire, England.
Ellen DRINKWATER was born 20 August 1852 in Wootton, Oxfordshire, England. She died 15 February 1934 in Chipping Norton District, Oxfordshire, England.
The 1881 census shows William Knibbs living at Back Lane, Woodstock, England
William KNIBBS Head M Male 35 Woodstock, Oxford, England Glove Ironer
Ellen KNIBBS Wife M Female 28 Wooton, Oxford, England Machinist (Glove)
Sarah A. KNIBBS Daur Female 1 Woodstock, Oxford, England
__________
The 1891 census for Oxfordshire and North Berkshire shows William living at Back Lane, Woodstock with Sarah Ann and two children from his previous marriage:
William KNIBBS 45
Sarah Ann 39
Sarah Ann 11
Leah Florence 6
I believe that the first Sarah Ann is an error on the census, and it should read Helen or Ellen, the name of his wife.
Living with them were:
Harry Duffield, 20, a Glover from Wootton, Oxon, and
Richard Day(?), 44, a Suplementary(?) Letter Carrier from Woodstock, Oxon
__________
William is shown aged 55 years, living at Woodstock at the 1901 census with his wife Helen and daughters Helen and Leah. All appeared to be working in the Glove Trade.
William Knibbs 55 Oxon Woodstock Oxon Woodstock Glove Cutter
Helen Knibbs 48 Oxon Woolton Oxon Woodstock Glove Machinist
Sarah Knibbs 20 Oxon Woodstock Oxon Woodstock Glove Machinist
Leah Knibbs 16 Oxon Woodstock Oxon Woodstock Glove Machinist
__________
William died in June 1905 aged 59 years.
See Ellen's Birth Certificate
A picture of Ellen Drinkwater probably taken at about the time she married William Knibbs. (Click to enlarge).
__________
A picture of Ellen Knibbs (nee Drinkwater) probably taken at about 1915-1920 when she was in her late 60's. It was taken in the back yard of 29 Oxford Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. The house belonged to Ellen's daughter Sarah Ann Knibbs and her husband Alfred Longworth who also owned the shop next door at No.27 and the garage further along the road at No.21. (Click to enlarge).
__________
Ellen's father was Robert Drinkwater, a labourer. Her mother was Leah Drinkwater, formerly Franklin. It is understood from notes made by her granddaughter Elsie Maud Longworth, that Ellen was one of four daughters.
She had a sister Elizabeth who married P Smith, a sister Rose who married Charles Brooks and another sister Jane, but we're not sure who she married.
Her granddaughter Elsie also recorded the following notes:
Rose & Charles Brooks had 3 daughters and 1 son.
1)Nell married F J Bolton and went to Canada. They had 1 daughter Myrtle,(born 14/9/1910) and 1 son Fred.
2)Rose married William Silman had 2 sons
3)Charles married Rose Robinson had 1 son Charles
4)Louise married Bert Willis and had 2 daughters.
__________
It's noted that Ellen was baptised as Ellen but her marriage certificate is in the name of Helen.
__________
Ellen's mother can be seen at the 1881 census, a widow, living at Back Lane, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England:
Leah DRINKWATER Widow (Head) M Female 60 Blackthorn, Oxford, England
Nurse (Sub Med)
Rosa A. DRINKWATER Daur U Female 18 Wootton, Oxford, England Gloveress
__________
Ellen's mother Leah is seen in 1891 living in Back Lane, Woodstock, just two doors away from Ann Knibbs, the mother of her son-in-law William Knibbs. She was employed at that time as a Sick Nurse.
__________
Ellen's mother can still be seen at the 1901 census living at Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England:
Leah Drinkwater 78 Oxon Black Thron Oxon Woodstock Monthly Nurse
__________
I believe it is Ellen's mother Leah who died at Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England in the final quarter of 1903, aged 81 years. However, there is a photograph in the family that makes note of a "Grannie Drinkwater" who lived to be 102 years old. We're not yet sure who she was.
