William Henry Selby – honourable in all his dealings

Many of the men who built Swindon were incomers to the town, but William Henry Selby was homegrown.

William Henry Selby was baptised at Holy Rood, the old Swindon parish church in the Lawn, on April 27, 1834, the son of Thomas Selby, bricklayer and his wife Mary. On the 1841 census the 7 year old boy is living in Dammas Lane with his parents and four siblings, Daniel 8, John 5, Jane 4 and 3 months old George.

William followed his father into the building trade, working as a stonemason. In 1863 he married Mary Ann Saddington, a domestic servant working for the Goddard family at the Lawn at the time of her marriage. In 1871 the census reveals the couple were living at William’s boyhood home with his widowed mother and their own three children. William would live his whole life in the house where he was born.

William’s name first appears in trade directories in the 1870s and across the years his sons Albert Henry and George Alexander Selby would join him in the business. Between 1896 and 1900 the family business built more than 50 houses across both Old and New Swindon from St. Margaret’s Road and Goddard Avenue to Graham Street and Rosebery Street.

Image of St Margaret’s Road published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.

William died April 14, 1899 aged 66 years. He was buried in plot E8088 on April 19, which he shares with his son George Alexander who died in 1923 and Julia Barnett, possibly a family member, who died in 1953 aged 91 years.

Death of Mr W.H. Selby

Another link between the Swindon of the past and that of the present has been snapped by the painfully sudden death of Mr W.H. Selby, builder. Mr Selby had not enjoyed the best of health of late, but he moved about with his wonted activity, and his friends did not entertain any forebodings. About 9.30 on Friday night, however, Mr. Selby was taken ill in Victoria Street, and within a few minutes he had breathed his last. He was assisted in the direction of his home as far as the Goddard Arms Hotel, where, in view of his condition, it was thought advisable to complete the journey in a cab. Mr Selby was accordingly driven home, where he expired in the course of half an hour, his death having been brought about by a paralytic stroke. The deceased’s figure was very familiar in Swindon, and the news of his death will be heard with great regret. Three generations of Mr Selby’s ancestors have been associated with Swindon, and have carried on successful businesses as builders in the town; and Mr Selby himself well perpetuated the tradition, winning much respect as a tradesman of the best type, upright, faithful, and honorable in all his dealings. Deceased was an enthusiastic horticulturist, and did a lot of hard work as a member of the Swindon Horticultural Society. His chief hobby was fruit and flower growing, and the success of his efforts in this direction may be gauged by the fact that he has won numerous prizes at the Crystal Palace shows against the strongest opposition. His local triumphs have been almost innumerable.

The interment took place on Wednesday at the Cemetery amid many tokens of sorrow and regret. The cortege left deceased’s residence at three o’clock, and proceeded to Christ Church, where the service was read by the Rev N.E. Howe (vicar). The procession then wended its way to the Cemetery, where the last solemn rites were performed by Mr. Howe. The principal mourners were Mr. T. Selby (brother) and Mrs T. Selby, Miss Annie Selby (sister). Messrs Albert, George and Lewis Selby (sons), Miss Louisa Selby (daughter), and Mr and Mrs Smith (cousins). A large number of friends followed. Wreaths were sent by the family, Mr Wheeler, Mr and Mrs F. Williams, Mr and Mrs Fenton, Mr and Mrs Day, Mr and Mrs White, Mr and Mrs Croad, Mr and Mrs D. Lane, Mr and Mrs Cockbill, Miss Kinneir, and the Committee of the Swindon Horticultural Society. The coffin was of polished panelled elm, with massive brass fittings, bearing the inscription, “William Henry Selby, died April 14^th, aged 65 years.” The funeral arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by Mr F.J. Williams, acting for Mr. J. Williams.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, April 21, 1899.