See caroline and George's Marriage Certificate

Carolne was married under the name of Caroline Knibbs. They were married at the Warwick Street Chapel according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Baptists. The marriage was witnessed by Caroline's father William Knibbs, and her sister Mary Louisa Knibbs.



George and Caroline, taken some time around 1878. Click image for larger version.

Caroline died when she was just 36 years old. George then married her younger sister Mary Louisa.

George Hilton was the son of James Hilton and Elizabeth Troup. I'm grateful to Beth Robertson in Sydney, Australia for telling me more about George's immediate family. Beth's husband is descended from George's sister Mary Hilton, born 6 Feb 1859
__________

George can be seen at the 1881 census living at 67 Elderton Road, Lewisham, Kent:
Geo. HILTON Head M Male 24 Aberdeen, Scotland Gardener
Caroline HILTON Wife M Female 34 Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
Albert G. HILTON Son Male 2 Grt Totham, Essex, England
Minnie HILTON Daur Female 6 m Swerford, Oxford, England
Mary A. KING Visitor U Female 28 Avelegh, Essex, England Dressmaker
__________

Graham Barber tells me:
George was at one time Head Gardener at Pitlochry House, Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland. At one time he used to sell religious books from his home and at markets in Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe in Devon, England.
He retired in 1926 and moved to live at 24 Avery Hill, New Eltham, London.
His hobbies were gardening and painting.

His occupation was given as Colporteur in 1921 which - in case anyone (like me) is uncertain as to what a colporteur is, it's an "itinerant seller or giver of books, especially religious literature".

__________

Caroline's birth was registered at Salisbury as Caroline Harris, the daughter of William and Emily Harris. We know that her father was in fact baptised as William Knibbs/Harris. He was the illegitimate son of William Harris and Sarah Knibbs from Swerford, Oxfordshire. Clearly he used the name Harris for some time when and after he married Emily Davis. We assume that William, his wife and Caroline started to use the name Knibbs when they returned to live at Swerford. She certainly used the name Caroline Knibbs when she married George Hilton.


See Caroline's Birth Certificate
__________

Caroline can be seen at the 1871 census living at Chapel Brampton, Northamptonshire, England, working as a Housemaid:
Caroline Knibbs Servant 24 Housemaid Wilts Salisbury

Caroline Knibbs abt 1847 Salisbury Wiltshire Servant Chapel Brampton Northamptonshire
__________



George and Caroline with their two children Albert and Minnie. Click image for larger version.
__________

Caroline died aged just 36 years. After she died, her husband George Hilton, married her younger sister Mary Louisa.


See Caroline's Death Certificate
__________

Minnie can be seen in 1891 living with her grandparents William and Emily at Blue Row, Swerford, Oxfordshire, England.