BRENNEN FAMILY CHRONICLES

© Christopher Earls Brennen

Appendix 5A. GIBSON FAMILIES

FAMILY OF ALEXANDER GIBSON, LABOURER, OF KIRCUBBIN:

The records suggest that there were two Alexander Gibsons living in Kircubbin and having children at the same time. As well as our ancestor, Alexander Gibson (1801-1848), who is usually referred to as a farmer, there was an Alexander Gibson who can only be distinguished by the imprecise criterion that he is referred to as a labourer. The family of this second Alexander Gibson:

  1. Alexander Gibson and Sarah McFerron (also remembered as McFarlane), both of Kircubbin, were married in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Feb.27, 1822 (Robert Finlay and Charles Carr were witnesses). Children of this other Alexander Gibson may be:
    1. Margaret Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Jan.19, 1823.
    2. Agnes Gibson was christened on Oct. 31, 1825, in the Kircubbin Church; her father was recorded as Alexander Gibson of Inishargy. On June 8, 1847, an Agness Gibson, aged 21 and a spinster of Inishargy whose father was Alexander Gibson, a labourer, married William Moreland, aged 21, a bachelor, of Fishquarter, Inishargy whose father was William Moreland, a soldier, in the Kircubbin Presbyterian Meetinghouse. William and Agnes moved to the Edinburgh area of Scotland about 1870. Agnes died in 1890 in Partick, Lanarkshire. We know of the following children of William and Agnes Moreland:
      1. Isaac John Moreland was born in 1850 in Ireland. He married Mary Brydie Drummond on Nov.10, 1876, in North Leith, Scotland. On Jan.10, 1882, at Grindley's Stables, 1869 Govan Road, Lanark, Scotland, where he was working as a funeral director's coachman, he died from a ruptured liver, the result of an accident. The death was registered by his father William Moreland. Isacc and Mary had the following children:
        1. Mary Moreland was born about 1876 in Leith.
        2. Agnes Moreland was born about 1878 in Leith.
        3. John Moreland was born about 1880 in Leith.
      2. William Alexander Moreland was born in 1853 in County Down. On Feb.28, 1888, in St.Mary's Church, Partick, Lanark, Scotland, he was married to Annie Paterson Anderson, born Jul.5, 1863, in Kilmarnock. William died on Nov.30, 1895, in Charters Towers, Queensland, and Annie on Jun.10, 1945, in Toronto, Canada. William and Annie had the following children:
        1. William Alexander Moreland was born on Aug.6, 1888, in Charter Towers, Queensland, Australia. On Mar.10, 1911, in Greenock, Scotland, he was married to Sarah Logan. William died in Greenock in Sep. 1961.
        2. Agnes Moreland was born on Apr.21, 1890, in Charter Towers, Queensland, Australia.
        3. Robert John (Isaac) Moreland was born on Apr.17, 1892, in Charter Towers, Queensland, Australia. He married Elizabeth Florence Hinves. Isaac died on Jan.12, 1973, in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. Isaac and Elizabeth had five children:
          1. Frederick Alexander Hinves Moreland. He is the father of Wendy Moreland, born about 1952, in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. Wendy married and was divorced from a man named Prenty and had three children listed below. Wendy (ice_nana@hotmail.com) lives in Barrie, Ontario, and provided much of the information on this Moreland family.
            1. James Derek Prenty was born on May 29, 1970, in St.Catherines, Ontario, Canada.
            2. Christopher Robert Prenty was born on Feb.17, 1973, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
            3. Lisa Michelle Prenty was born on Oct.29, 1976, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
        4. Annie Moreland was born on Nov.12, 1895, in Charter Towers, Queensland, Australia. She married Alan Tyner. Alan died in 1895 just after his daughter Annie was born. Annie then went back to Scotland and, according to the 1901 Census, was living as the ``wife'' of John Campbell with whom she had two children, Hugh and James Campbell. Later Annie emigrates to Canada where the boys, Hugh and James, are now listed with the last name Moreland. Annie died on Aug.30, 1948, in Toronto, Canada. Her children:
          1. Annie Moreland
          2. Hugh Moreland
          3. James Moreland
      3. Ellen Jane Moreland was born in 1859 in County Down.
      4. Robert E. Moreland was born in 1861 in County Down. On Jul.4, 1891, in Belfast, he married Mary McCartney.
      5. Mary Jane Moreland was born in 1863 in County Down and married James Graham in Scotland. The 1891 Census records them as living in Greenock, Scotland with their four children (born in Partick) as well as Mary Jane's brother James and sister Agnes. in Belfast, he married Mary McCartney.
      6. David Hugh Moreland was born on Feb.19, 1865, in Greyabbey.
      7. Agnes Moreland was born on Jul.7, 1869, in Greyabbey.
      8. James Moreland was born on Sep.8, 1872, in Goven, Lanark, Scotland. On Jan.10, 1896, in Partick, Lanark, he married Isabella Harland and they had five children.

FAMILY OF JAMES GIBSON OF BALLYGARVIN:

  1. James Gibson is mostly known to us from the baptismal records of Kircubbin Presbyterian Church. We list below the group of baptisms which may all be the children of a single James Gibson of Kircubbin:
    1. Margaret Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on May 28, 1791, the daughter of James Gibson of Kircubbin.
    2. Mary Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Jul.8, 1792, the daughter of James Gibson of Kircubbin.
    3. Robert Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Jul.15, 1794, the son of James Gibson of Kircubbin.
    4. Margaret Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Sep.4, 1796, the daughter of James Gibson of Kircubbin.
    5. James Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Nov.23, 1798, and became a farmer in Ballygarvin. He married a woman named Jane. The James Gibson listed in the 1834 tithe applotment records as holding land in Ballygarvin is either James or his father. In the Griffith Valuation of about 1860, James Gibson is listed as holding a farm in Ballygarvin of about 30 acres with a house worth three pounds; it is rented from Hugh Montgomery. James and his wife Jane (1807-1879) are remembered on a gravestone in Kircubbin Presbyterian Graveyard which reads:
      ``Erected by James Gibson, Ballygarvin, in memory of his beloved wife Jane Gibson who died 26th February 1879 aged 72 years. Also his grandson James McKee who died 14th July 1887(1857?) aged 1 year and 11 months. Also the above named James Gibson who departed this life 28th June 1895 aged 96 years. Also his son William Gibson who died 23rd August 1852 aged 17 years. Also his daughter Margaret A. Gibson who died 6th May 1852 aged 8 years. Also his son Andrew M. Gibson who died 23rd Novr. 1852 aged 2 years. Also his son Alexander Gibson who died 7th November 1931 aged 89 years.''
      This stands with a modern McKee stone in a low-railed enclosure. It follows from this and another McKee gravestone that the children of James and Jane Gibson were:
      1. Mary Ann Gibson was born about 1830. On Oct.9, 1852, in the Kircubbin Meetinghouse she was married to William McKee, a 21-year-old labourer from Ballyhemlin whose father was also a labourer called William McKee. A William McKee is listed as holding land in Ballygarvin in the 1834 tithe applotment records. Mary Ann died in 1859. Their children:
        1. Samuel McKee whose gravestone in the Kircubbin Presbyterian graveyard is next to the above gravestone of James Gibson of Ballygarvin was probably a son of William and Mary Ann McKee. The gravestone reads:
          ``Erected by Samuel McKee of Belfast in loving memory of his children. James who died Jul.14, 1887, aged 2. Sarah Robina who died Apr.5, 1900, aged 11. Also his daughter Mary Jane who died Jun.10, 1924, aged 43. Also the above Samuel McKee died Dec.29, 1928, aged 77. Also his wife Mary Ann McKee who died Jun.16, 1944, aged 91. Also his daughter Martha who died Nov.10, 1947, aged 65. Also his daughter Margaret Ferguson who died Aug.1, 1967, aged 73.''
        2. James McKee died 14th July, 1857 (?) aged 1 year and 11 months.
        3. Eliza Jane McKee died in infancy in 1859.
      2. William Gibson was born about 1834 and died on Aug.23, 1852, aged 17.
      3. John Gibson was born about 1838. He is listed as a carpenter in Ballygarvin at the time of his marriage but as a farmer on subsequent documents. On Feb.21, 1868, in the First Presbyterian Church, Ballywalter, he was married to Margaret Kerr whose father Charles Kerr was a farmer in Ballygarvin. Alexander Gibson and Eliza Anne Kerr witnessed the marriage. John and Margaret had at least two children listed below. In the 1901 Census John (aged 62) and Margaret (aged 63) are listed as living in Ballygarvin with their 24-year-old son John, a 70-year-old visitor Mary Kerr (a farmeress) and a 61-year-old boarder, William McQuoid(?), a pensioner from the Royal Irish Constabulary. A gravestone at Kircubbin Presbyterian Church commemorates John and Margaret and reads as follows:
        ``Erected by John Gibson of Ballygarvin in loving memory of his wife Margaret who died Jul.17, 1915, aged 78. Also the above John Gibson who died Oct.11, 1925, aged 85. Their daughter-in-law Elizabeth loved wife of John Gibson who died Sep.11, 1960. John husband of above Elizabeth died June 29, 1971, aged 95.''
        The sons of John and Margaret Gibson:
        1. William Gibson was born on Jan.9, 1864, in Magherascouse, parish of Kilmood, and registered by John Kerr, farmer, of Magherascouse. Clearly he was born before his parents marriage. He also probably died young.
        2. John Gibson was born in Ballygarvin on May 14, 1876, and is listed as an unmarried farmer living with his parents in Ballygarvin in the 1901 Census. John married a woman named Elizabeth as the above gravestone inscription attests. They may have been the parents of Nora Gibson, born about 1910. Cecil Brennen remembers that Nora Gibson married John Mateer of Bayview. Nora's daughter Muriel Mateer married a boatbuilder. Nora's granddaughter is said to have compiled a Gibson geneology.
      4. Alexander Gibson was born about 1841 and died on Nov.7, 1931 aged 89.
      5. Margaret A.Gibson was born about 1843 and died on May 6, 1852, aged 8.
      6. Andrew Gibson was born about 1849 and died on Nov.23, 1852, aged 2.
    6. Samuel Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Jun.14, 1801, the son of James Gibson of Kircubbin.
    7. Jane Bailie Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Apr.19, 1804, the daughter of James Gibson of Kircubbin.
    8. William Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Oct.23, 1805, the son of James Gibson of Kircubbin.
    9. Jane Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on May 9, 1809, the daughter of James Gibson of Ballygarvin.

FAMILY OF ANDREW GIBSON OF INNISHARGY:

  1. Andrew Gibson was baptized in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church on Jul.19, 1795, the son of Alexander Gibson of Nunsquarter, Kircubbin. Andrew married Eliza Harrison, born about 1797, and they had several children listed below. At Kircubbin Presbyterian Church there is a gravestone which commemorates Eliza who died on May 30, 1839, at the age of 41:
    ``Erected by Andrew Gibson of Inneshargie in memory of his wife Elizabeth alias Harrison who departed this life 30th May 1839 aged 41 years. Also his daughter who died young.''
    The children of Andrew and Eliza Gibson:
    1. Alexander Gibson was baptized in Ballywalter on Oct.26, 1823. On Dec.22, 1849, a Alexander Gibson, an unmarried labourer from Ballyhemlin and the son of Andrew Gibson, a labourer, was married in the Ballyhemlin Meetinghouse to Letitia Beggs from Ballyhalbert, the daughter of labourer Robert Beggs.
    2. A daughter who died young.

FAMILY OF HUGH GIBSON OF GREYABBEY:

  1. Hugh Gibson was a shoemaker in Greyabbey. His son:
    1. James Gibson was born about 1806 and became a shoemaker in Greyabbey. He married twice. His first wife Susanna Gilmore, born about 1810, died on Oct.24, 1845, at the young age of 35 as the inscription below attests. The second time, James (of Inishargy) married Margaret Bailie of Ballygarvin on Oct.29, 1836, in Kircubbin Presbyterian Church. James Gibson and Joseph Baillie were witnesses. The following gravestone inscription can be found in the Greyabbey graveyard:
      ``Here lieth the remains of Susanna Gibson alias Gilmore, wife to James Gibson of Greyabbey, who departed this life the 24th October 1845 aged 35 years. Also 3 of his children who died young. Also the above named James Gibson who died 16th January 1878 aged 72 years. Also his wife Margaret Gibson who died 9th Feb. 1882 aged 74 years. Also his grandson Francis Gibson who died 24th Decr. 1883 aged 1 years. Also his grand-daughter Eliza Gibson who died 26th May 1901 aged 2 years. Also his great-granddaughter Alice Taylor, died at Myra Castle, Downpatrick, 24th Nov. 1913 aged 7 years. Inscribed by William Gibson in memory of his wife Eliza Gibson who died 4th February 1922 aged 62 years. Also the above named William Gibson who died 1st May 1931 aged 81 years.''
      As this suggests, James had several children:
      1. John Gibson who became a miner in West Painton, Durham, England. In 1867 John, whose father was the shoemaker James Gibson, was married in the First Presbyterian Meetinghouse, Greyabbey, to Ellen Robinson from Cardy, Greyabbey, whose father was the farmer James Robinson. James Gibson and Eliza Robinson were witnesses.
      2. William Gibson was born about 1850 and became a shoemaker in Greyabbey. He married a woman named Eliza, born about 1860, and they had at least eight children listed below. William, his wife Lizzie and eight children are listed in the 1901 Census as residing in the village of Greyabbey. Their children:
        1. Agnes Gibson was born about 1883 and is listed as a 17-year-old stitcher living with her parents in Greyabbey in the 1901 Census.
        2. Margaret Gibson was born about 1885 and is listed as a 15-year-old folder living with her parents in Greyabbey in the 1901 Census.
        3. Mary Gibson was born about 1887 and is listed as a 13-year-old schoolgirl living with her parents in Greyabbey in the 1901 Census.
        4. Francis Gibson was born about 1889 and is listed as an 11-year-old boy living with his parents in Greyabbey in the 1901 Census.
        5. Andrew Gibson was born about 1890 and is listed as living with his parents in Greyabbey in the 1901 Census.
        6. George Gibson was born about 1892 and is listed as living with his parents in Greyabbey in the 1901 Census.
        7. William Gibson was born about 1895 and is listed as living with his parents in Greyabbey in the 1901 Census.
        8. Lizzie Gibson was born about 1897 and is listed as living with her parents in Greyabbey in the 1901 Census.

Ballywalter beach about 1920 Gibson's shop, Ballywalter, about 1900

FAMILY OF JOHN DUFF GIBSON OF BALLYWALTER:

  1. John Duff Gibson was born on Apr.27, 1791, and became the minister of the Second Presbyterian Church in Ballywalter. John Duff Gibson married Jane Campbell. John Duff Gibson died on May 13, 1861, and is buried in the Whitechurch Graveyard where the gravestone reads: GIBSON. In memory of Rev. John Duff Gibson, late of Ballywalter, born 27 April 1791, died 13 May 1861. Also in memory of Alexander, his fifth son, born May 18, 1842, died July 11, 1861. Also in memory of Jane, wife of above Rev. John Duff Gibson, born 16 August 1809, died 2 April 1886. Also to the memory of Joseph, their eldest son, born 3rd Feb. 1829 died 13 Aug. 1886. The children of John Duff and Jane Campbell:
    1. Joseph Gibson, the eldest son, was born on Feb.3, 1829. It seems likely that he became a lawyer. He died on Aug.13, 1886, and is remembered on the above gravestone.
    2. Mary Anne Gibson was born about 1832 and in Pres. Church, Ballywalter, on Jul.14, 1853, Mary Anne Gibson, 21, spinster, seamstress, of Ballywalter (father: J.D. Gibson, presbyterian minister) was married to James Browne, 21, bachelor, commercial traveller, of Belfast (father: Samuel Browne, farmer). Both signed. Joseph Gibson, solicitor, and William Gibson were witnesses.
    3. William Gibson, the second son, about born about 1837. William inherited and ran Gibson's grocery store in Ballywalter. He lived at Ballyobegan House. William's first wife was Jane Gunning. Jane died on Feb.26, 1874, aged 35, and William was married again to Ellen Hastings. William is listed in the 1880 Ulster Directory as a shipowner, timber, coal and general merchant and woollen draper, in Ballywalter. He is also listed in the 1886 County Down Directory as Wm. Gibson, farmer and resident of Ballywlater. Ellen died on Sep.23, 1892, aged 51, and William must have been married for a third time to Annie ??, born about 1856. In the 1901 Census, William is listed as a 64-year-old magistrate (no denomination!) living in the townland of Ballyobegan with his 45-year-old wife Annie (Presbyterian), his 33-year-old unmarried son and farmer Robert Gibson, his 20-year-old unmarried son and Cambridge University student Herbert Gibson, and his 5-year-old son Walter S. Gibson (born in Belfast). Also in the household are an 86-year-old ``inmate'' Ann Thomson and a 57-year-old domestic servant Jennet Curran. William died on Apr.1, 1906, aged 69. They are remembered on the following gravestone in Whitechurch Graveyard, Ballwalter: GIBSON. In memory of Jane, wife of W. Gibson, born 15th Nov. 1838, died 26 Feb. 1874. Also his wife Ellen who died 23 Sept. 1892 aged 51. Also their son Robert who died at Melbourne, Australia, 27 May 1905 aged 38 years. Above William Gibson died 1st April 1906 age 69. Also Elizabeth wife of Ewart Gibson, died 24 Feb. 1931 age 57. Interred in Mount Hope cemetery Chicago. Also their son Ewart died 19th July 1947 age 73 yrs. Also his son Hugh Taylor died 20 Feb. 1970 age 70. Family burying ground of William Gibson, Ballywalter. The children of William Gibson:
      1. John Duff Gibson, the son of William and Jane, was born on Oct.2, 1864, in Ballywalter.
      2. Robert Gibson, the son of William and Jane, was born on Oct.28, 1867, in Ballywalter. In the 1901 Census he is listed as a 33-year-old unmarried farmer living with his father in Ballyobegan. Robert died in Melbourne, Australia, on May 27, 1905, aged 38. He is remembered on the above gravestone.
      3. James Arthur Gibson was born on Jul.28, 1868, in Ballywalter. He lived in a house close to Ballyobegan House called Bank Lodge now owned by Jean Gilmore (c.2000) who bought it about 1920. His granddaughter is Wilma Tomerlin.
      4. Alexander Gibson, the son of William and Jane, was born on Dec.6, 1870, in Ballywalter.
      5. Helen Gibson, the daughter of William and Jane, was born on Mar.10, 1872, in Ballywalter.
      6. William Ewart Gladstone Gibson, the son of William and Jane Gibson, was born on Dec.8, 1873, in Ballywalter. He emigrated to Chicago and married a woman called Elizabeth. Elizabeth died on Feb.24, 1931, aged 57, and Ewart on Jul.19, 1947, aged 73; they are buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Chicago, and are remebered on the above gravestone. Their son:
        1. Hugh Taylor Gibson died Feb.20, 1970, aged 70.
      7. Alfred Hastings Gibson, the son of William and Ellen Gibson, was born on Aug.21, 1877, in Ballywalter.
      8. son Gibson, the son of William and Ellen Gibson, was born on Sep.2, 1878, in Ballywalter.
      9. Henry Gowan Gibson, the son of William and Ellen Gibson, was born on Aug.24, 1879, in Ballywalter.
      10. Herbert Gibson, the son of William and Ellen, was born about 1881. In the 1901 Census he is listed as a 20-year-old unmarried Cambridge University student living with his father in Ballyobegan.
      11. Walter S. Gibson, the son of William and Annie Gibson, was born in Belfast about 1896. In the 1901 Census he is listed as a 5-year-old boy living with his father in Ballyobegan.
    4. James Gibson, the fourth son, was born about 1839 and joined the army. He died in Calcutta on Mar.5, 1874, at the age of 35 and is remembered on a gravestone in the Whitechurch graveyard that reads: GIBSON. Erected by his mother Mrs Jane Gibson, widow of the Rev. James Duff Gibson, Presbyterian Minister of Ballywalter, in memory of their fourth son James, a commander in Her Majesty's Bengal Marine, who died at Calcutta on the 5th March 1874 in the 35 year of his age.
    5. Alexander Gibson, the fifth son, was born on May 18, 1842. He died on Jul.11, 1861, and is remembered on the above gravestone.
    6. Jane Gibson was born about 1846 and on Jan.4, 1866, in the Second Presbyterian Church, Ballywalter, Jane Gibson, 20, spinster, of Ballywalter (father: John Duff Gibson, Presbyterian minister) was married to Henry Gowan, full age, bachelor, emigration agent and broker, of York Street, Belfast (father: John Gowan, sea captain). Margaret Gowan was a witness.

Christopher E. Brennen