Person:John Hobbs (22)

John Hobbs' origins have yet to be established. The age quoted when he died suggests he was born around 1740. His first confirmed sighting is on Christmas Eve 1767 when he married Elizabeth Cook at Eaton Bray in Bedfordshire. Their marriage record notes that he lived at Great Gaddesden, about eight miles to the south. After their marriage they returned to the Great Gaddesden area.

Their first two children died before they were able to be baptised. They went on to have another nine children between 1771 and 1795, all baptised at Great Gaddesden.

From 1771 to 1799 John is occasionally mentioned as being the tenant of a house at Ballingdon, which was at the time a detached part of the parish of Whipsnade in Bedfordshire, but on the borders of the neighbouring parishes of Great Gaddesden and Flamstead.

John and Elizabeth's youngest child was in 1795. The following year, 1796, their eldest surviving son married, and John's first known grandchild was born in 1797. He would have at least sixteen grandchildren born in his lifetime, although some died young.

John died in 1810, being buried at Great Gaddesden on 23rd December 1810. He was said to be 70 years old. He and Elizabeth had been married for just under 43 years. Elizabeth survived him by just under five years.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Church of England. Great Gaddesden Parish Registers. (Hertford: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies).

   Burials 1810
   Dec[embe]r 23 John Hobbs aged 70 years
   affidavit Susannah Ambrose

2.   Bedfordshire Archives Catalogue.

   Reference: BS284
   Date: 22 Nov 1770
   Title: Court of Sir John Saunders Sebright, baronet. Absolute Surrender by John, Thomas and George Andrew (the first of Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, wheelwright, the rest of Gaddesden Row in Great Gaddesden, husbandmen; the last being eldest son and heir of George Andrew of Great Gaddesden, yeoman) to use of said John. 2 closes called Great Bushes and Little Bushes (containing 10 acres), and a close called Northend Close (2 acres), abutting on Studham Lane north and east; also a close called Stockpiece Close (1 1/2 acres); all in parish of Whipsnade, in the occupation of John Bennett; also a messuage at Ballendon [Ballingdon] in parish of Whipsnade, a barn and other buildings lately built close by (held of the Manor of St Giles-in-the-Wood alias Beechwood, Hertfordshire; charged with an annuity of £4 to Abigail, wife of George, under his will), the messuage at Ballingdon being inhabited by John Hobbs; all now stated to lie in the Manor of Woodmanley alias Blackwells. Steward: William Ginger
   
   Reference: BS289
   Date: 30 Aug 1799
   Title: Admission of Nicholas Calvert of Great Gaddesden, esquire, and Admission of Sir Henry Englefield, baronet, and The Honourable Henry Lascelles. 2 closes called Great Bushes and Little Bushes (containing 10 acres), and a close called Northend Close (2 acres), abutting on Studham Lane north and east; also a close called Stockpiece Close (1 1/2 acres); all in parish of Whipsnade, in the occupation of Thomas Hall, victualler; also a messuage at Ballendon [Ballingdon] in parish of Whipsnade, a barn and other buildings lately built close by (held of the Manor of St Giles-in-the-Wood alias Beechwood, Hertfordshire; charged with an annuity of £4 to Abigail, wife of George, under his will), the messuage at Ballingdon being inhabited by John Hobbs; all now stated to lie in the Manor of Woodmanley alias Blackwells.