K/NIBB/S ONE NAME STUDY
4. COLLECTED K/NIBB/S TALES, ANECDOTES etc!
Yes, there really was such a marriage. Beata PENNE married Job KNIBB at Farnborough, Warwickshire on 20 May 1679. BRUSHES WITH ROYALTY (1)
One family of KNIBBS came from Englefield Green which was a hamlet on the fringes of Windsor Great Park. The head of the family was a gardener and disabled daughter Emily Jane ('Pem'), a dressmaker. She was alleged to have been a seamstress at Windsor Castle, but that might have meant outworking. In childhood, she was supposed to have had a dress made for her made from the offcuts from a dress for Queen Victoria; she also opened a gate for the Queen's carriage, though doubtless most of the local population could claim the same, says a descendant of hers, Julia WEBB. 'Pem's son, Samuel Charles Augustus Webb, although born in Sheffield, is said to have been christened in the private Chapel in Windsor Great Park. Interestingly, The Rev Norman V KNIBBS belonged to the same family.
BRUSHES WITH ROYALTY (2)
| More than a brush this! Prince Charles receives a kiss from Pauline KNIBB on Valentine's Day 2003 at East Keswick. |
|
Click on the image for an explanation and to see more photos of his serene Highness with Pauline, together with some press reports. |
Pauline is married to Tony, a cousin of Michèle's |
Photo wireimage Goff Photos |
Tony's twin sister is Linda CHAMBERS née KNIBB |
BRUSHES WITH ROYALTY (3)
A real brush this and an early one at that. Pieter DONCHE of Belgium tells of a family legend recorded by the Veurne chronicler, Paul HEINDERYCX (1633-1687), who states that the first KNIBBE in Flanders left England from Sandwich on the 2nd November 1164, in the company of Thomas A'BECKET, former Lord Chancellor of England and then Archbishop of Canterbury, who fled England for his life after falling out with King Henry II . With him was his cousin (?!), Harrard KNIB - but note both parents of Thomas came from Normandy originally. Thomas A'BECKET sought refuge in Flanders (exiled mostly at Sens Cathedral in France) but returned in 1170 only to be murdered shortly thereafter by overzealous knights wishing to "rid Henry of this turbulent priest". In the same year, it is said, Harrard married in Flanders and settled in Alveringem (a village near Veurne). Can any historians amongst readers expand on this?
CORONATION GUESTS
John KNIBB, clockmaker and later Mayor of Oxford, on 11 April 1689 went with the then Mayor to the Coronation of William and Mary at Westminster. (My thanks go to Stephanie JENKINS for this information). And see below REGICIDES?
Did some of those early KNIBB settlers in Virginia flee from England after the execution of Charles I in 1649? Well none put his name to the death warrant but the copy of it reveals there was a John PENNE signatory. Thomas KNIBB was 'a person of quality' who arrived in Virginia even earlier; a visit to the Public Record Office at Kew might reveal if he was indeed 'transported' in the sense that many less fortunate were later to arrive in Australasia. CONVICTS
William NIBBS was deported to Tasmania following his conviction for taking part in a swing riot - you can read his story. Other deportees to Tasmania were James KNIBBS in 1819 born Oxfordshire c1799, Thomas KNIBBS in 1825, also born Oxfordshire c1799, and Richard NIBBS in 1839. We know little about their background nor any descendants as yet. No other transported K/NIBB/S though - unless you know something I don't! Did you see William KNIBB's silver inkstand when the programme visited Jamaica? It's the one that appears in the Baxter print. And the KNIBB clocks (sic) owned by a gentleman who took them to the Hemel Hempstead venue a few months later? Value now £+five noughts each? And climbing. Even LEE's book referred to in the Dossier is advertised by some for £500+ on the internet. LUCINDA LAMBTON'S JAMAICA ADVENTURE
In her BBC2 programme broadcast on 11th December 2004, William KNIBB's contribution to the plight of slaves was acknowledged. The former manse at Falmouth, now restored, and the Knibb Memorial Church were shown, together with his and Mary's gravestone. Lucinda recited William's speech given to his congregation at midnight on the day of emancipation. Screenshots, which I'm sure she and the BBC are happy for me to have grabbed, appear below.
DING DONG ON THE BBC
Does anyone watch 'Mind Games' on BBC4? It is a show of brainteasers,
puzzles and conundrums, hosted by Marcus du Sautoy, with regular team captains
Kathy Sykes and Michael Rosen. Kathy Sykes is Collier Professor in the Public
Engagement in Science and Engineering, at Bristol University. Michael Rosen is
an author, poet and presenter of Radio 4's Word of Mouth.
I submitted an item based upon clockmaker Joseph KNIBB's energy saving
invention of Roman Striking . Lo and behold, it was broadcast on 13th October 2005 - episode 10 in case it is ever repeated.
Guest panellist, the lead BBC weather forecaster Helen Young, introduced the
item and set the puzzle to the opposing team - basically how many strikes
would occur between 6.30 and 9.30. The 'trap' is the number 9 which is ding, dong
dong. It did take a while and a nudge from Marcus before the correct
solution was found.
Fun and games with hand bells and a little publicity for Joseph KNIBB!
John KNIBB, clockmaker, twice Mayor of Oxford, on July 19 (sic) 1722 according to the antiquary Thomas HEARNE .... 'there died an old, quiet, harmless man about four score years.... Tis said he ate his supper heartily, went round the New Parks with his wife, sate himself down in his chair and died' And see above.
The mention of William KNIBB at the start of the programme broadcast from Kettering in September 2001 made for a hat-trick of mentions.
The inscription on the memorial is copied here. Click on this link to go direct to The William KNIBB Memorial Church website.
 |
William KNIBB's son Andrew Fuller KNIBB was buried 'near to the feet' of Andrew FULLER in the Fuller Baptist Church graveyard in Kettering, Northamptonshire. This headstone was placed nearby but is no longer to be seen against the wall as shown. Can anyone solve the mystery as where it is now located? Upside down on the ground of the graveyard perhaps?
The photograph came from Tony HADDON whose family in Kettering are reputedly related to William KNIBB. It was taken in 1938.
|
YOUNGEST K/NIBB/S MOTHER
Well, I can't be sure she is the youngest but spare a thought anyway for Sarah NIBBS daughter of William NIBBS, the swing rioter. At just 15 years of age she gave birth to a son, John William in Tasmania, registered as 'male'on 16th July 1865. The father is given as Benjamin Henry ROOKE, Military. A Colonel no less who seems to have had a penchant for young girls but at least he made a declaration admitting to be the father of Sarah's child. OLDEST K/NIBB/S
The first centenarian found for the the database was John Oliver KNIBB born 11 September 1893. He died on 17 March 1998, aged 104 - by all accounts, quite a character to the very end of his days.
John Oliver is now joined by Alfred James NIBBS born 27th October 1883 in Newington. He emigrated and intially slipped my net but a relative now informs me that Alfred received the congratulations of the Ontario Premier, William Davis, on gaining his hundredth birthday. He lived until just prior to his 102nd birthday.
There also two female centenarians who married K/NIBB/S. One easily spotted in the GRO indices was Annie KNIBBS nee Ann WHITE who died aged 102 in 1919 in the Woodstock District - see her at Don KNIBBS website . The other takes some finding but a relative set me on the right path. She was Eliza Ann STRATTON who appears in the GRO indexes as KNIBBS, having died December 1984 in the Waveney District with a birth date there shown as 24 March 1883. It didn't help matters that she appears in the marriage indices as Annie - what's in a name? Clearly Annie = longevity!
EARLIEST K/NIBB/S
Apart from Harrard KNIB above, John NYBBE appears on the Exchequer Lay Subsidy Rolls in Somerset during the reign of Edward III (per Kirby's Quest, as quoted by C W BARDSLEY in 'The Dictionary of English & Welsh Surnames' published in 1901. It is also recorded, 44 Edward III (1371) Monday after St Martin, that John KNYBBE was leased the chief messuage (house) of Fenny Compton with desmesne lands etc rendering ten quarters of corn etc yearly. On the Wednesday next before St George's day (ie 19 April 1374), I conjecture the same John KNYBBE witnessed a Conditional sale, indented by John de COMPTON to Sir Richard ATWELLE (Parson of the Church of Aven Derset (Avon Dasset?). Another Deed, one of Gift to Robert WEBBER of Fenny Compton, was witnessed by John KNYBBE dated 22 Richard II, Monday after the Feast of St Philip and St James (ie 5 May 1399 -just before Richard was deposed). In 1514, these two brothers(?) from Fenny Compton, with their wives, Cristian and Margerie respectively, were admitted into the Guild of Knowle, Warwickshire. This was not a craft guild but 'an association of persons banded together for mutual aid and assistance' per W B BICKLEY in his 1894 transcription book of the Register of the Guild of Knowle. Perhaps that's where the KN came from! Or like an old penny from Birmingham:-) Or again from Flanders? Read on. For many years, the wealthy KNIBBs at Fenny Compton lived in the Woad Farmhouse. It is claimed that a KNIBB, possibly Richard (where are you or your descendants Miss W COTTERIL?), came to the village as a Flemish Huguenot refugee in 1564, bringing with him woad seeds. The blue dye from the woad plant was much in demand. For sure, we know about John KNYBBE there in the 14th Century - was he too from Flanders? Fact or fiction? Mrs Billington is the 'woad' expert. CONTROLLING INTEREST?
According to Professor Philip STYLES in his excellent book 'Studies in Seventeenth Century West Midlands History' 17% of the population of Fenny Compton in 1698 were KNIBBs. My how those woaders prospered! The professor practically challenged anybody to sort them all out - another reason for my starting the One Name Study:-) Seriously some were wealthy landowners but many others were ag labs. The result of primogeniture! None live there now but distantly related descendant contributors to the Study are in Canada and Australia, as well as in various parts of Britain. MORE RECENT CENSUS RETURNS
So you want to trace all the K/NIBB/S in eg the 1851 or 1881 Census CD Rom? Well, be prepared to search under the following names as well!! GNIBBS KNITH KNUBB KNIBLE KINBLE KNIELE and more I guess. They're all proven K/NIBB/S. SHADRACH, MESHACH and ABEDNEGO
You won't find all these KNIBBs in the 1881 Census. However, tradition was so strong in one family, through various lines who had lost touch with each other, that there just had to be brothers so named. Shadrach is in the records for all to see, named no doubt after the local clergyman at Stoke Goldington. Meshach entered this world quietly, registered as Unamed it seems in the Newport Pagnell District, but surfaced as a child on the 1851 Census in Northampton. Subsequently, he ditched the name in favour of William. I suspect brother Benjamin was glad that his father showed him some mercy! Ancestry.com records a "Walks Long Way NIBBS" in their index of persons appearing in the US World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. He is shown as being of Indian origin which would account for the first names but closer inspection of the actual card reveals this nomad wasn't a NIBBS at all. Pity! WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Bill KNIBBS of Alberta, Canada, recounts the story that his ancestor John KNIPP arrived in America from Voyen in Germany and was promptly given the more anglicised name of KNIBB for KNIPP. The family settled in Minnesota before moving to separate farms on the prairies of Alberta in the early 1920's. The local postmaster couldn't cope with mail for two KNIBB families, so unilaterally arranged for Bill's line to be henceforth KNIBBS whilst the other retained the surname KNIBB - still the case to this day! A TALE OF WOE
Put yourself in the position of a mother of five in Warwickshire mid 19th century, one child already in his grave and being widowed at 38 years of age. You set sail for America on the
ship "Shakespeare" and arrive at New Orleans on 20 Oct 1855. The passenger list at ancestry.com discloses that your son aged just 12 has died on board ship, less than a couple of weeks previously. Once in America, you lose your only daughter before the census of 1860. Such was life in those days and many mothers lost far more children than this but no other K/NIBB/S on board ship as far as I'm aware. You are Elizabeth KNIBB nee KNIGHT from Leamington Priors and thank you Marsha for 'poking around' at ancestry to solve the mystery of what happened to George.
ANTHONY J CAMP
None other than this eminent genealogist based an article on tracing KNIBBs in a published article in the redoubtable 'Family Tree Magazine'. See Issue July 1998. DEFORMITIES
Some families have a rogue hereditary gene. One that seems to run through K/NIBB/S has resulted in certain members suffering from a deformed foot. In one case, a grandfather was not too fondly remembered for his peg leg. TWINS
Another hereditary trait? William KNIBB himself was a twin - to Ann. Her three times great granddaughters are, wait for it, twins. KISSING COUSINS
Well not hereditary but the K/NIBB/S were not unique in having a number of marriages between first cousins - see eg William KNIBB's chart. Those great granddaughters, unbeknown to them before the Study, received a double dose of twin genes. KINSHIP
By contrast, others who by family tradition assert kinship to the clockmakers or William KNIBB, discover that I've 'shattered the illusions of a lifetime' by finding their ancestors elsewhere in the database. Sorry:-( Not content with mentioning Royalty and Thomas A'BECKET above, be it known that a granddaughter of William KNIBB married the brother of the mother of British Prime Minister Herbert Henry ASQUITH. The granddaughter was Mary Knibb ("Minnie") MILBOURNE and husband John Wrigley WILLANS - see chart below.. He was editor of the Leeds Mercury and had first married Charlotte BAINES, daughter of Sir Edward BAINES, proprietor of the newspaper and MP for Leeds whose brother Matthew Talbot BAINES was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1855-1858.
The first impressions of Minnie's stepmother on meeting her as a child were none too complimentary - see The Secret Diary of Sarah THOMAS. A granddaughter of William KNIBB's twin Ann KNIBB, who married Samuel LEA, was via the missionary to China, William Knibb LEA, the mother of Sir Arnold BAX and Clifford BAX. The former was a musician and poet under the pseudonym Dermot O'BYRNE, Master of the King's Musick until his death in 1953. The latter was a well known critic, editor and playwright. Their sister was Evelyn BAX.
On November 15th 2003, Professor Catherine HALL gave a lecture on William KNIBB as the final event in the bicentenary celebrations held in his home town of Kettering. A member of the audience produced this medal which had been struck on the occasion of the Baptist Missionary Society Jubilee in October 1842.
Copies of this and an Anti-Slavery medal of the same year were sold to help raise money for the purchase of land by William and others for the establishment of Free Villages after the abolition of slavery in Jamaica . The gentleman had found his medal on land owned by a Kettering ancestor. It is presumed that the medal had been purchased and then lost. Quite a find and matching a 'slide' Catherine had shown us during her talk of a similar one held by the Birmingham Library! Daniel KNIBB, a brother of the clockmakers John and Joseph, was a Clerk in Holy Orders at Neithrop and another brother, George, was Vicar of Blisworth. Their cousin Isaiah became the Vicar of Westbury. In the 19th Century, Charles KNIBBS was a Congregationalist Minister at Torquay, Edward KNIBBS a Wesleyan Minister at various locations in England and John KNIBBS a Methodist Minister in Crawford County, Wisconsin, USA. More recently the Rev Norman V KNIBBS was the Vicar of Great Brington. His parish incorporated Althorp, the home of Princess Diana's family. Indeed, he participated in the funeral of her father, Earl SPENCER, and the marriages of her older brother and sister - see Brushes with Royalty above The William KNIBB Memorial High School, Holland Road, Martha Brae, Trelawny, Jamaica has a high reputation befitting its namesake. It was founded by the Rev. Stephen James former pastor of the Duncans Baptist Church in 1961 at the Old William Knibb Baptist Manse on Market Street, Falmouth. It is now a Government Grant Aid school with a population of over 900 students. Alumni include sprinter Usain BOLT, World Record Holder and Olympic Champion
The distinguished Westwood Girl's School in Stewart Town, Jamaica has its origins in a Falmouth school for ladies founded by two great nieces of William Knibb, Polly and Lily, called the School For Ladies Of Colour. In 1876, they enrolled two black girls, one a daughter of a Jamaican Baptist minister, the other a daughter of a Presbyterian minister. The Knibb sisters refused to expel the black girls notwithstanding intimidation by white parents who then withdrew their daughters. This caused the school to falter and eventually fail in 1881. Later that year, a Baptist minister and father of one of the girls managed, on a trip to England, to secure funding for the establishment of a new school, and in 1882 the doors were opened to all young ladies, regardless of race or colour. See http://www.visitjamaica.com/attractions/stewart-town.aspx and
http://jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Samples/histre06.htm Can you match this family legend? It is said that an Indian merchant from Kashmir befriended a French merchant de KNIBBS who took the son of the former to Manchester. That Indian son later married a daughter of the latter. Thanx go to Vivienne O'DONNELL for this gem. K/NIBB/S IN COURT KNIBB v BUNNEY 1840 (TLR 28 Feb)
William KNIBB was duly awarded damages of £70 for a scandalous libel published in the John BULL newspaper. His lawyers produced to the Court 'a minute account of [his] biography' and as the allegations had included aspersions on his parentage, no doubt a pedigree of some nature was included. Alas all attempts to find the Court papers have failed. Did the Bristol Solicitor, Henry Wait HALL, who funded the action keep a copy I still wonder? KNIBB v SMITH 1840 (TLR 25 Mar)
This appeared in 'The Times' within a month of 'KNIBB v BUNNEY'. A local lad was 'engaged in kicking a hat, covered with pitch and other combustible matter, and set on fire, about the streets of Lutterworth' as one does! OK it was Guy Fawkes night. However, a town constable took exception, 'seized the boy and "twisted" him into a beer tub.' Protestations about his broken thigh (from an earlier railway accident [or that deformity:-)]) were ignored and after hearing somewhat conflicting evidence, the drunkard(?) KNIBB was awarded £50 damages! Nice one but if your name is KNIBB, stay away from Lutterworth, lest the local constabulary still bear a grudge! OTHER REPORTED CASES
Jessie NIBBS was convicted of cruelty to her child on 7th January 1896 (per 'The Times'). The grim details were that Jessie of Carlton Road, Kentish Town, married in August 1894, mistreated Naomi LOAKE her child of 6, who suffered 70 bruises. Naomi was illegitimate and her father had died. She had previously lived with her grandmother and had 'dirty habits' which seemed to be the excuse for the beatings. The fine imposed was £5 (or if not paid imprisonment) for Jessie who was at the time 'near confinement'. A pretty set of tales to pass on to your grandchildren, I don't think! Now here's something you'd be glad to hand down to the grandchildren. Searching the internet for K/NIBB/S reveals the Dyna-Glo Skill yoyo, made by L H KNIBB & Co. A little research led me to the grandson of Leroy Hayes KNIBB who confirmed that his grandfather did indeed make Yoyos. Click on the link to find out more and to see a picture of one. Named apparently after the dog of the German born firm's proprietor, this soda drink was on sale in Pennsylvania 1940-50s Beware of a fake 'NIBBS Private Label, Premium Dry Beer' clock advertised on the web.
Years ago, Austen KNIBB from England met Dorothy KNIBB, both now sadly not with us. I'm not too sure of the circumstances of the meeting nor even if it was here or in America but he travelled places on business for Shell.
At the Kettering Gathering, Austen's daughter Linda (twin brother Tony ) brought along a copy of the 1981 Washington Post article about KNIBB Pie. Dorothy had given it to Austen and indeed I already had a copy. She asked if it could go on the website and I'm more than happy to oblige. Click on the link to see it.
Of interest, Richard de Nibbeley (or de Nubbe) was elected 1357 and died 1367 as Prior of Snelshall Bucks
Doubtless it inspired the name of the school featured in the film Billy Madison.
 |
Not many people have the honour of their picture appearing on a postage stamp.
One who did was Stanley NIBBS B.E.M. 1914-1985, teacher and preacher who lived on the British Virgin Island of Tortola. The NIBBS name on that island is well respected and the family has many high achievers - see NIBBS Family website.
The stamp is referenced as 857 in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue of British Virgin Island stamps 1993. It's tantalysing to think there's a connection between his family and James Langford NIBBS
|
Enos KNIBBS - He umpired for Jamaica in eight test matches. I'm now in touch with a descendant but can anyone can tell us more about him?
Alexander KNIBBS - Proudly nominated by his father, read all about his sporting prowess here.
A FOOTBALL LEGEND
In her book, 'An Epitaph for a Bygone Manchester', Kathleen KNIBB 1906-2001 refers to her maternal grandfather who was at one time President of Newton Heath football club. She tells in her own words the tale (that appears elsewhere on the web) about how the club found a new benefactor by the happenstance of a run-away St Bernard dog. The Club changed its name and is now owned by an American - Manchester United FC no less.
In the book she mentions that her father's unsuccessful attempt to trace the family roots back to Oundle (now proven) and that an uncle had carried out some research (if only we had the papers). It was a family joke that he had traced he family back to 'Guy of Warwick'. A Google search shows that he was a mythical character.
Submissions by some members of the Mailing List and another search for K/NIBB/S placenames has produced these:- THE TRAWLER "JOSEPH KNIBB"
Owned by a horologist who also owned a horse? - see next item
BERT KNIBBS PARK at Taber, Alberta, Canada named after a keen community worker
KNIBB HILL Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England - to be verified but there was a KNIBB family there in the nineteenth century
KNIBB's HILL in Fenny Compton, Warwickshire, England leading to the site of Daniel KNIBB's old farm
KNIBB STREET Pascoag, Rhode Island, USA named after ??
KNIBBS CIRCLE in Bristol, Connecticut. A cul se sac constructed c2003 on property formerly owned by 'Jack' & 'Dot' KNIBBS
KNIBBS CRESCENT in Saanich, British Columbia after ??
KNIBBS STREET Canberra, Australia named after Sir George Handley KNIBBS
NIB LANE near Swinsty Reservoir, Yorkshire, England
NIBBS BAY Antigua named after the sugar planting family there - see James NIBBS
NIBBS CREEK Idaho, USA where you can buy supplies of Rhyolite Building Stone
NIBBS KNOB in Uvas Canyon Country Park, Santa Clara County near San Francisco, USA. Any brave claimant?
NIBBS ESTATE Sea Cow Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Isles certainly named after one of the planters there in earlier times
NIBBS HOLE Port de Grave Parish, Newfoundland - sounds delightful
'THE KNIBBS' in Smith Street, Warwick, England named after Alfred Talbot KNIBBS family who once livedthere
'WILLIAM KNIBB CENTRE' Kettering, England - need I say more?
 |
Built by Cochrane & Son at Selby in 1955, this vessel was ordered by Croft Baker & Sons Ltd of Grimsby before they were taken over by the Ross Group.
Renamed the Kenilworth and later Ross Kenilworth she was lost off the Icelandic coast in May1962.
|
RUNNER/RIDER 6 Apr 1990
3.45 Seagram Fox Hunter's Chase at Aintree(?) 2 miles 6 furlongs £8,773.60 413 0/11223- JOSEPH KNIBB (385) (Mrs J McGowan) T Carberry (Ire) 11 120.... Mr P Carberry Starting Price forecast 14-1 Where did it finish? RUNNER/RIDER 16 Mar 2004
5.20 The Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham 3miles 1 furlong, 'His Nibs' came in a creditable 4th out of a field of 24 runners at 25-1. His Nibs, a 7 year old trained by Miss Venetia Williams, was ridden by jockey Richard Johnson. As one might expect from such a name, His Nibs is certainly a cut above the average! BILLY MADISON
QUESTION: Which high school did the hotel billionaire's son Billy MADISON attend? 'KNIBB, The Musical'
A more serious production this, not as yet on the silvery screen. Written to celebrate the bi-centenary of The Baptist Missionary Society, the musical was performed at The Broadmead Baptist Church, Bristol between 6th and 10th October 1992. It is based on the life of William KNIBB, scripted in words by Peter ENGLISH to the music of Tony WARE. A video captured the essence of the production which was warmly received by the audience at the church where William and his wife had been members before they departed for Jamaica. The libretto and score are still available - enquiries welcome. My wife has a souvenir mug of the occasion, kindly given to her by Muriel BOLTON who attended a performance.
ANSWER: The Joseph KNIBB Memorial High School.
Source: The comedy feature film BILLY MADISON released in 1994. All references to any living or dead persons is purely coincidental .....(eg the respected William KNIBB Memorial High School at Trelawny, Jamaica.)
Afficionados (only!) of the film can download this sound. Listen out, man. Peace, I'm outta here!
| To contact your host: | ||
|
Complete and submit the Response Form or simply e mail: jackari2@aol.com |
OR |
Write to K/NIBB/S One Name Study 6 Whitechapel Close Leeds LS8 2PT ENGLAND Telephone: 0113 293 1907 |
Home Page |
Introduction |
Contents |
Response Form |
Latest