Mariage 1864 from Blisworth Parish Records, NRO ref. 35p/40, no. 198. Age 22, a spinster of Blisworth.

This picture was taken of Henry in 1902. (Click to enlarge)


Please visit my Notable KNIBBS Page for Henry

Banstead Village school in Surrey, England, was opened in 1858, and Henry was the headmaster there for 42 years between 1862 and 1904. Irene O'Shea has written a small book which tells the story of the School and showing how Henry Knibbs, a man of great energy, played a major part in the life of the village. Interestingly, Irene's book contains a letter dated 5 November 1862 wherein Edward Buckle, the vicar of Banstead at that time, wrote to Henry informing him of his starting salaray at the school - it was �50 for the Master and �20 for the mistress. It was also clarified that the mistress was expected to work an equal number of hours to those of the master.

I am not sure yet of the connection, but the Trotman family were the squires of Dallington, Northamptonshire, England where Henry Knibbs was born. It is understood that for some reason, the Trotman family encouraged Henry to further his education and may even have paid for his teacher training at Cheltenham Training College. It was his connection with the Trotman family that resulted in him being offered the position of headmaster at Banstead School. All I've managed to discover about the family is that in 1841, the Clergyman of the Dallington parish was a man named Trotman, aged 40.

The Trotman's daughter Mary married a man named Edward Valentine Buckle, the son of the Vicar of Banstead, who was also chairman of the school committee. The school was experiencing difficulties in finding a headmaster and Henry's name was put forward as a result of his connection with the vicar's daughter-in-law.
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Henry can be seen in 1861 living at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England:
Henry KNIBBS 1842 Dallington Northumberland Cheltenham Gloucestershire

He was probably at teacher training at that time.
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Henry can be seen in the 1871 census living at the National School House, Banstead, Surrey, England:
Henry Knibbs Head 29 Certificated Schoolmaster Northampton Dallington
Annie E Knibbs Wife 28 Schoolmistress Northampton Milton
Henry G Knibbs Son 5 Scholar Surrey Banstead
Annie W Knibbs Daughter 3 Surrey Banstead
Emily Dyer Servant 14 Surrey Cheam
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Henry and his wife appear in the 1881 census for England and Wales, living at Hubert Road School House, Banstead, Surrey with their daughters Annie Warburton, Mary Eleanor, Winifred Eliza and Margaret Kate.
Henry KNIBBS Head M Male 39 Dallington, Northampton, England School Master
Annie Elizabeth KNIBBS Wife M Female 38 Milton, Northampton, England
Annie Warburton KNIBBS Daughter U Female 13 Banstead, Surrey, England Scholar
Mary Eleanor KNIBBS Daughter U Female 7 Banstead, Surrey, England Scholar
Winifred Eliza KNIBBS Daughter U Female 5 Banstead, Surrey, England Scholar
Margaret Kate KNIBBS Daughter U Female 1 Banstead, Surrey, England
Minnie Jane LEE Servant U Female 13 London Chelsea, London, Middlesex, England General Servant (Domestic)
Living with them is Minnie Jane LEE, aged 13 from Chelsea, London, working as a Domestic servant to the family.
There is no sign of the son Henry living with them at that time.
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Henry can be seen in the 1891 census returns living at what looks like Wilmott Cottage, Banstead, Surrey, England:
Henry Knibbs Head 49 Male Dallington, Northampton
Harriett Knibbs Wife 38 Female Chipstead, Surrey
Henry Geo Knibbs Son 25 Male Banstead, Surrey
Anna Warburton Knibbs Daughter 23 Female Banstead, Surrey
Mary Eleanor Knibbs Daughter 17 Female Banstead, Surrey
Winifred Eliza Knibbs Daughter 15 Female Banstead, Surrey
Margaret Kate Knibbs Daughter 11 Female Banstead, Surrey
William Garrett Knibbs Son 3 Male Banstead, Surrey
Dorothy Knibbs Daughter 8/12 Female Banstead, Surrey
Elizabeth Castle Servant 18 Female Wandsworth
Town: Banstead, Ecc. Parish: Banstead All Saints, Civil Parish: Banstead, County: Surrey
Registration: Epsom, Carshalton, 1
Source: PRO/National Archives Reference # RG12/542 Folio 27 Page 47
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Henry appears in the 1901 census living at Banstead, Surrey with his second wife, Harriet. I understand from a family member that he was stil living at Wilmott Cottage.
Henry KNIBBS 59 Elementary Schoolmaster Dallington Northampton
Harriet Knibbs 48 Chipstead Surrey
Margaret Kate Knibbs 21 Teacher of Corken Banstead Surrey
Winifred Eliza Knibbs 24 Elementary Schoolmistress Banstead Surrey
Bernard Robert Knibbs 9 Scholar Banstead Surrey
Esther Burt 22 General Domestic Servant Chipstead Surrey

The son William from Henry's first marriage, and daughter Dorothy Knibbs from his second marriage are seen to be living in Birmingham, Warwickshire, with their older sister Annie and her husband Lionel Jones.
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From the London Gazette, June 5th 1908:
HENRY KNIBBS, deceased.
Pursuant to 22 and 23 Victoria, cap.35
Notice is hereby given that all persons having any claims against the estate of the late Henry Knibbs, of the Sixways, Banstead, Surrey (who died at the Sixways, Banstead aforesaid, on the 5th day of April 1908, and whose will was proved in the Principal Probate Registry, on the 19th day of May, 1908, by Harriett Knibbs, the sole executrix of the said deceased),are hereby required to send particulars thereof, in writing, to us, the undersigned, the Solicitors for the said Harriett Knibbs, on or before the 18th day of July, 1908, after which date the said Harriett Knibbs will proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased, as and when the same shall come to her hands, having regard only to the claims of which she shall then have had notice;and that she will not be liable for the assets, or any part thereof, to any person of whose claim she shall not then have had notice. - Dated this 29th day of May, 1908
BROOKS and HELLER, 146, Upper Thamesstreet, London, E.C.
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The Banstead History Research Group web site lists Henry on the web page headed "People of Banstead" where Knibbs is listed amongst several of "the most notable families in Banstead". Under Henry's name they write:
"Became Master of the Banstead Village School in 1862, assisted by his sister until 1864, then by his wife and by paid monitors or pupil teachers. Encouraged outside activities by the children - gardening, cricket, etc. Also arranged social events, lectures and meetings for the villagers in the school building. He played a major part in the community. Worked as an insurance agent, Clerk of the Parish, rate collector, etc. Retired from school in 1904. Developer of houses in Court Road."

Annie pictured probably in her mid-late 20's. (click to enlarge)
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I believe her parents were George Garrett, born about 1812 in Northampton, and his wife Martha.