Reference
GA2440-2581
Title
Deeds, Wills, Bills, papers and general correspondence of the Gibbard family of Sharnbrook. See also GA877-884, 1084-1106 and 1677-1712.
Date free text
1706-1847
Production date
From: 1706 To: 1847
Admin/biog history
Numerous references in the 'Alumni Oxoniensis' suggest that the Gibbard family originated in Oxfordshire. They are described as 'gentlemen' and seem to have been considerable property owners (eg. GA2465). William I was living in London at least by 1746 (GA1103) and on his death in 1760 left his property in St. Margaret's, Westminster to his nephew William, son of his brother John. This William II, at first described as a baker, (GA2445), rose to an important position and became a J.P. of the Borough of Westminster (GA2475). He owned property in London and Neithrop, Banbury.
In 1774 William II bought an estate at Sharnbrook from Nathaniel Mason, a London Merchant, (GA1687-1712) and lived there until his death in 1800. He was Sheriff for Bedfordshire in 1785. William's elder brother John was vicar of Sharnbrook from 1766 until his death in 1796, having been previously at Tydmarsh, Berkshire, and Whaddon, Buckinghamshire.
William Gibbard II was married three times and had six children. His eldest son William was killed at the siege of Seringapatam (1792 or 1799). An interesting letter from him to his uncle, the Reverend John, is to found in GA2488. After William II's own death in 1800 his son John succedded him. Many of the following papers in this collection are his, and provide a fairly complete picture of his life at Sharnbrook. He was Receiver-General for Bedfordshire, and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Bedfordshire Militia. GA2478-87 are of particular interest. John's sister Susannah, married in 1796 to John Harvey of Ickwell Bury (GA2453). A copy of the pedigree can be found in the GA Catalogue, (GA2440-2581) in the search room of Bedfordshire and Luton Archives.
Level of description
sub-fonds