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Horace Benge Dobell was born on 1 January 1828 and his birth was registered at Dr Williams' Library on 10 January 1834, on which date his baptism took place at his father's house. This too was registered with Dr Williams' Library. The records of these events are now held by the National Archive (RG5 / Piece 132 / Folio 458 and RG4 / Piece 4674 / Folio 43 respectively).

There is conflicting information on where he was born. His birth certificate says "In the house of John Dobell, no.7 Newgate Street, London". His baptismal certificate says "Northbrook, Newbury, Berkshire".

John Dobell (born 31 August 1797: died 29 June 1878) was the father of Horace and his 9 siblings. The full list of John's children is:
 * Sydney Thompson Dobell 1824 – 1874 On Wikipedia with his niece Eva
 * Edmund John Dobell 1826 – 1900
 * Horace Benge Dobell 1828 – 1917
 * Ellen Eliza Dobell 1829 –
 * Isabella Julietta Dobell 1831 – 1922
 * Clara Elizabeth Dobell 1833 –
 * Clarence Mason Dobell 1836 – 1917
 * Cyrus Faulkner Dobell 1838 – 1920
 * Nora Selina Dobell 1841 – 1924
 * Mary Alice Dobell 1844 – 1945


 * John Dobell's wife, the mother of these 10, was Julietta Thompson. Her father was Samuel Monkland Thompson 1804 – 1884, described in the Dictionary of National Biography as 'the founder of the "Freethinking Christians"'.
 * John Dobell was opposed to schooling and none of his children attended school, college or university. It is remarkable that they developed talents which are, in some cases, quite exceptional.
 * John Dobell figured indirectly in literature.Dinah Mulock Craik wrote part of her best known novel John Halifax, Gentleman in Charlton Kings, where he lived, and it is said to be based on John Dobell's life.
 * Dinah Craik also published "Our Year: a Child's Book" (1860) which was illustrated with 12 pictures by Clarence Dobell
 * Horace Dobell married Elizabeth Mary Fordham (1828 to 1908). She was a prolific poet and late in life she was widely published. The book "Mrs. Horace Dobell at Home: A Life Sketch; Illustrated by Selections from Her Works, Portraits, and Other Plates" was published anonymously (author and publisher).
 * Horace Dobell's brother Sydney Thompsoon Dobell married Elizabeth Mary Fordham's sister Emily (1822 to 1900). Sydney was well-known for his writings and some of his publications were illustrated by his brother Clarence.
 * Mary Alice Dobell married Briton Riviere who has a Wikipedia reference dealing mainly with his art work and deerhounds.
 * Mary Alice Dobell married Briton Riviere who has a Wikipedia reference dealing mainly with his art work and deerhounds.