William Hibburd 1805 - 1851
William Hibburd , of Egham, saddler (1826-39). He is said to have become Master of the Horse to Queen Victoria after 1827 (thought to be correct) and to have lived near Windsor. Clerk at Ascot Races, 1836, 1841, 1851. Mr Hibbard of Egham was appointed Clerk of the Course at Ascot in July 1836 after the dismissal of the previous Clerk of the Course, Mr Jenner. The reasons for Mr Jenner's dismissal appeared to be that whilst he was a well respected man he was ill suited to the job of Clerk which requires a devotion and very thorough knowledge of horse racing. In 1837 the prize money for Royal Ascot was trebled and the course itself had undergone numerous improvements. The scheme of improvements under the direction of Lord Errol, Master of the Buckhounds (the Chairman) continued and in 1839 the new Grandstand was completed only three days before the Royal Meeting and Mr Hibburd found that his responsibilities were broadened to include ordering furniture for the ladies retiring room! The day to day business of life at Ascot continued under the watchful eye of Mr Hibbard until 1851. He was apparently a huge man and very strong but was renowned for "great coolness and judgement and honesty of purpose". Not only did he act as Clerk of the Course at Ascot but he also took turns at being the starter and the judge. Unfortunately Mr Hibbard's early strength gave out in middle life and his death was accelerated by being knocked down by a racehorse at the Manchester meeting in the autumn of 1850. The link between the Hibbards and Ascot did not end there. William Hibbard's widow was appointed housekeeper on the death of her husband and Henry and Edward, his sons, both held the post of Clerk of the Course. Edward was appointed to this role after his father's death however was dismissed in August 1860 after falling foul of the Master of the Buckhounds and the Trustees of Ascot. At this point Mrs Hibbard was also dismissed although they softened the blow by rewarding her the exact sum she received as a salary (£50 per year), as a annuity. They also let her stay at her apartments. Dorothy Laird's publication - "Royal Ascot". Pigot's Directory 1839, Surrey, Egham - HIBBURD William of Egham Saddlers & Harness Makers Reports from the Windsor & Eton Express 27th February 1836 "The Steeple Chase The lovers of field sports had a fine treat on Thursday, near Egham, in witnessing an admirable steeple chase. The day was remarkably fine, and consequently great numbers of persons were attracted to the neighbourhoods of Egham, Staines, and Chertsey, near the latter of which towns it was know pretty early in the morning the spot had been fixed on for starting. That place was Cherry Orchard, near Chertsey, from whence to a field belonging to Mr.Willis, about a quarter of a mile from Egham, near the Thorpe road, the line of country, a distance of little more than three miles, was marked out with flags. The land chosen was flat and all meadow land excepting one piece of fallow. The fences were about 32 or 33 in number, including some bullfinchers, and in addition there was a brook to cross three times, and two or three lanes. The sweepstakes were 10 sovereigns each, 11st, 7lb, for horses of all denominations, the inhabitants very liberally added 50 sovereigns to the stake. The following horses were entered viz:- Capt.Lamb's Vivian (rode by Capt.Becher); Mr.Bryan's Red Deer (Mr.Powell); Mr.Crommelin's Butterfly, (owner); Mr.Seffert's Parasol (Mr.J.Mason); Mr.Bloxham's Hop Duty, (owner). It is believed that the entries would have been more numerous but for the dread of Vivian which prevented it. According to previous arrangements the riders met Mr.Hibburd on Runnymede, from whence all the preliminaries had been arranged, they preceeded about one o'clock to the starting place at Cherry Orchard, Chertsey. In the mean time the line of country presented an animated appearance from the great number of persons on horseback, in vehicles of all descriptions, and on foot. Many also mounted up the trees to have a better view of the race. A little after two o'clock, the horses appeared at their post and were soon afterwards started. Butterfly jumped off with the lead, Parasol waiting upon her till nearly through the second field; she then took up the running, and was the first over the brook. Vivian charging it at almost the same instant, and, like the mare, clearing it in beautiful style; the others took a narrower brook to the right of them. Parasol continued in advance, at a rattling pace, till she reached the first lane, where she refused the fence into the next field, and by doing so nearly knocked down Butterfly, who entered the lane at the same spot; Vivian came up at the moment, and was first in the field, retaining the lead to the next lane, where Parasol again showed up in front, went in and out like a shot, and for the second time took up the work, Vivian lying next to her, and the others in good places. The second brook was cleared by all without any mischance, but in jumping at the fence out of the next lane, Parasol over reached herself , wrenched off a shoe, and was constrained to give up the lead to Red Deer, Vivian being now close up. At the road which intersected the line, two fields from home, Red Rover was leading, Parasol second, Vivian third, and Butterfly at their heels; here Parasol refused again, and the race was left to the two horses; they charged the brook into the winning field at the same moment. Vivian, as it appeared to us, taking it a trifle out of a straight line, and thereby losing a little ground; nevertheless the race up to the flags was very severe, Red Deer winning with great difficulty , by half a length; Parasol was third by about three of four lengths; Butterfly fourth (well up), and Hop Duty last. Notwithstanding the severity of the pace, and the number of the fences, there were not any falls. In the absence of Lord Errol, from indisposition, the Earl of Uxbridge officiated as umpire. When the five horses had cleared the last brook, a gentleman , whose name we could not learn, but who was well mounted, and had followed pretty close, in endeavouring to leap it, failed, and got a complete ducking. We should observe that two men were stationed at each flag post, to see that the horses kept on the side that had been allotted to them. One of the horses ( we have not been able to ascertain which) in jumping over the last brook but one, cleared the extraordinary length of 29 feet 3 inches, according to the admeasurement of several respectable persons. " Reports from the Windsor & Eton Express 1842 "Egham, Saturday, April 30 Egham Races At a public meeting held at the King's Head Inn, Egham, on the 18th instant, C.J.Clarke, Esq., in the chair, it was recorded that a committee consisting of the following names be appointed, five to be a quorum:- Messrs. Hibburd, Harris, Dore, Overton, Clarke, Bayle[?], Gardener, Moulden[?], and Eyre; and the committee shall first call on the gentlemen and tradesmen for their subscriptions, and that they shall also wait upon the stewards to use their interest with their friends in aid of the fund. The subscriptions collected by the committee, appointed at the late meeting, on the first day of its labours far exceeded the most sanguine expectations. " Reports from the Windsor & Eton Express 28th May 1842 Ascot Heath Races Now that the great Epsom meeting has terminated, the all engrossing object of the sporting circle is the forthcoming meeting at Ascot, which commences on Tuesday, the 7th of June, and continues for the three succeeding days. Although many persons were somewhat disappointed that her Majesty and her illustrious Consort did not attend Epsom on the "Derby Day," as it had been reported they would do (but we do believe there was no foundation for the report), the public may rest assured there will be "no mistake" about the usual royal visit at the Ascot meeting, when her Majesty and Prince Albert will be accompanied by their illustrious relatives, now on a visit to the Palace, and their numerous and distinguished suite. The presence of royalty at Ascot at all times adds to the popularity of this otherwise attractive and fashionable meeting. The course, by the continued exertions and attention of the indefatigable clerk (Mr.Hibburd), and from the late refreshing showers, is in the most perfect order for racing. Several horses have already arrived in the vircinity of the Heath, and many more are expected during the ensuing week; indeed, the approaching meeting is made manifest in a variety of ways. The Stewards of the races have announced the letting of the ground for the suttling booths and stables on the 2nd of next month, and for the fancy and gingerbread stalls on the 4th. The magistrates of Windsor have issued their caution to keepers of gaming tables; Mr.Layton has issued his notice of the race ball at the Town-hall, with the stewards of the races as stewards of the ball; and "Oxley's Official Card and Sheet List," by the authority of the stewards, is as usual duly announced, all of which will be found in our advertising columns. The latter announcement is highly necessary for us to make, for although some petty London printers have imposed on the race going public for some years by issuing "false cards," a neighbouring printer has now, for the first time, announced his intention of bringing out an opposition card to "Oxley's," stating that he has the authority of the stewards for doing so, which we undertake peremptorily to contradict. We are therefore doing but an act of justice to the public generally in cautioning them to be more particular than usual at the ensuing races in purchasing their cards, &c. As the races cause a number of thieves of various descriptions to pay this town and neighbourhood a visit, the inhabitants cannot be too cautious in guarding against their handiwork also. Tuesday last being the anniversary of her Majesty's birthday, it was observed in Windsor by the bells of the Castle and the parish church ringing merry peals, a royal salute being fired at noon in the Acre, and in the evening by some of the tradesmen illuminating their houses. Reports from the Windsor & Eton Express 4th June 1842 Ascot Heath Races A meeting of the trustees of the Grand Stand, consisting of the Earl of Rosslyn, Henry Seymour, Esq., Thomas Rawdon Ward, Esq., and Matthias Gilbertson, Esq., with the secretary, Mr.William Hibburd, assembled on Wednesday last at the Stand, on the heath, for the purpose of making the necessary preliminary arrangements for the ensuing week. The chair was taken by the Earl of Rosslyn. Some very considerable improvements have been effected in the vircinity of the Grand Stand, since last year, by Mr.Hibburd, also the clerk of the course. The rails which were in front of, and between, the Grand Stand and the course, have been removed, leaving an open space between the enclosed lawn in front of the stand and the course. This area will be kept entirely clear; the public not being permitted to remain at this spot, in order that there may be obstruction to the view of the spectators from the lawn, who have paid for admission to the stand. The following horses had arrived at Ascot up to yesterday evening:- The Marquis of Westminster's Satirist, William de Fortibus, and Auckland; the Duke of Bedford's Envoy; the Duke of Grafton's Eutopia; Mr.Phillimore's Finchley, Solomon, and Rochester; Col Peel's I'm-not-aware and Nicholas; Mr. Ord's Bee's Wing; Lord Exeter's Saros, Albica, Reversion, Revision, Bosphorous and Amina filly; Mr.Combes's The Nob and Rosslind; eight of the Duke of Richmond's and Lord G.Bentiack's; nine of John Scott's; nine of Brown's; and several others will arrive to-day, to-morrow, and Monday. Besides these arrivals, there are fourteen horses at Scott's stables, on the heath, and ten at Death's. Every stable and box in the neighbourhood of Ascot has been engaged. Indeed a greater number of horses are expected than have been known to attend the meeting for many years past. The ground for the suttling booths, which was let by auction yesterday by order of the stewards, realised nearly fifty pounds more than it has ever yet done. The heath is nearly covered with buildings of all descriptions, and to describe the variety of architectural orders displayed, would be a difficult task. The Royal Stand has been fitted up in the usual manner for the reception of her Majesty, Prince Albert, and suite, who will attend the races with their distinguished visitors and suite. The Grand Stand is in its usual perfect order, and the old Betting Stand has been beautified for the occasion. The assemblage on the heath will no doubt be as large as usual, and for the convenience of the public who come from London, extra trains will run on the Great Western Railway. In closing our remarks relative to the races, we again caution the public with respect to the purchasing of their race cards and lists, and to remind them that "Oxley's Official Card" will be printed as usual, and no other printer has the authority of the stewards. We are requested to caution the inhabitants of Windsor, Eton, and the vicinity , against leaving their houses unoccupied for ever so short a period during the week of the races.
|
| Born: Egham, Surrey, , England 19th Jun 1805 | Baptised: Egham, Surrey, , England 4th Aug 1805
| | Died: Sep 1851 | Buried: Egham, Surrey, , England Sep 1851
| | Family: Hibburd of Egham |
Timeline
| 19th Jun 1805 | Born (birth) Egham, Surrey, England | | 4th Aug 1805 | Baptised (baptism) Egham, Surrey, England | | 23rd May 1825 | Married Catherine Ann Jennings
(Hibburd ) 1798 - 1870 (marriage) London, England | | 1841 | Head of household in 1841 census (census) Ascot, Berkshire, England | | 31st Mar 1851 | Head of household in 1851 census (census) Egham, Surrey, England | | 1st Sep 1851 | Made a will (will) | | Sep 1851 | Died (death) | | Sep 1851 | Buried (burial) Egham, Surrey, England | | 8th Jan 1852 | PROB/ROLE DEAD London, England |
|
|