The White House Soulbury

[Geordie daughter]

I am researching a chap called Henry Hobman who was at various times in his life a stud groom, restaurant keeper, and boarding house proprietor. He and his wife Annie were living in The White House, Soulbury, by at least 1915, possibly a year or two earlier, and I'd like to find out more about it if I can, and whether it was part of the Liscombe Estate. There is very little available online about its history, and most hits tend to relate to the White House in nearby Leighton Buzzard instead. Any information gratefully received.

[AlanBoyd]

Given this possible confusion with the other White House, are you able to say approximately where it was (assuming that it no longer exists)?

[rosie99]

Next to a Bakery in 1911 so possibly Leighton Road, Soulbury as per 1901 for the same family 

[AlanBoyd]

Some circumstantial evidence suggesting that in 1915 he was not on the Liscombe estate:

in Kelly's Directory 1915, Soulbury, Ernest W Wright is listed for Liscombe Park (and is Lord of the Manor and one of the two principal landowners.), and George Maynard is listed as his stud groom.

Henry Hobman is listed as stud groom to Thurston Holland Hibbert, The Cottage, Soulbury.

Added: but I may have just discovered that The Cottage was in Liscombe Park.

[Geordie daughter]

Oh, Alan, that's brilliant! I've been trying to discover who Henry's employer was for the past few days. In 1911 he and his wife were living in Wing Road, Linslade, but by the time their son John was born the following year they were in Soulbury, so it all hangs together now.

[AlanBoyd]

What’s the source for his address being the White House?

[Geordie daughter]

The 1915 Electoral Rolls. The house is in the High Road, Soulbury (near the former Post Office, apparently) - I found recent sales particulars for it online, complete with photos.

[rosie99]

The occupant of the White House in 1911 was also a Groom (Domestic) - perhaps the property belonged to the estate  .   

[Geordie daughter]

That's really helpful Rosie. It definitely sounds like the house was tied to the estate, then. I have a sneaky feeling that Mr Holland Hibbert has a family connection to a previous employer of Henry's, back in Devon, but I would need to check that.