William Alfred Gibbs
William Alfred Gibbs (1819-1900), inventor of agricultural machinery, soap maker, inventor of Gibbs Toothpaste and poet
of Gilwell House, Chingford
1819 Born the son of David Gibbs (1774-1854), a Butcher, and his wife Anne Marshall (1777-1869)
1845 Partnership dissolved. David Gibbs, David Apsland Gibbs and William Alfred Gibbs of Milton street, Cripplegate, Soapmakers and Remelters.[1]
1851 Living at 2 Warwick Road, Hackney: William A. Gibbs (age 31 born Islington), Soap maker. With his wife Sarah Gibbs (age 22 born Droylsden) and their son William A. Gibbs (age under 8 Months born Hackney). Three servants.[2]
1858 Bought Gilwell House. Reputed to have commuted to his manufacturing business on a large white stallion.
1861 Living at Gilwell House, Waltham Holy Cross: William Alfred Gibbs (age 51 born Highbury), Land owner. With his wife Sara Gibbs (age 42 born Lancashire) and their children; Annie Helena Gibbs (age 18 born Upper Clapton); Ethel Gibbs (age 16 born Upper Clapton); Laura Gibbs (age 12 born Lower Clapton); Mildred Gibbs (age 10 born Essex); Katharine Gibbs (age 8 born Essex); Douglas Haliburton Gibbs (age 7 born Essex); Archibald Storment Gibbs (age 5 born Essex); Effie Gibbs (age 4 born Essex); and Mabel Lilian Gibbs (age 6 Months born Essex). Two visitors and seven servants.[3]
Married(2) to Sarah Slater
Worked on overcoming the difficulties connected with the drying of harvests in wet seasons. The Council of the Society of Arts awarded him a gold medal and fifty guineas for his first essay on this subject, and shortly afterwards the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland awarded him another gold medal for his second essay on the subject. This led to a patented design of drier which in many cases, despite its complexity, saved its cost within a year[4]
c.1887 Developed a second, simpler machine; also addressed wheat and tea drying applications.
1891 Living at Gilwell house, Waltham Holy Cross: William A. Gibbs (age 71 born Highbury), Partner in Soap Works. With his wife Sarah Gibbs (age 62 born Lancs.) and their children; Annie H. Gibbs (age 38 born Upper Clapton); Mildred Gibbs (age 30 born Waltham Cross); Katharine Gibbs (age 28 born Waltham Cross); Archibald S. Gibbs (age 25 born Waltham Cross); Effie Gibbs (age 24 born Waltham Cross); Mable Gibbs (age 20 born Waltham Cross); Ethel Read (age 36 born Upper Clapton). Also his son-in-law Charles Read (age 46 born Clarkenwell), Surgeon. Four servants.[5]
1895 Completed the design of a new hay drier, using hot air furnace and fan.
1900 August 6th. died