Rev. Alexander Gibson (1790-1863) Westmeath, Mullingar, Ireland Part 2

FAMILY FOUND - WIFE & THREE MORE DAUGHTERS

I joined Find My Past that covers the British Isles newspapers. I found an interesting article about Rev. Gibson attending a luncheon honouring him with his ministry to the local jail. Another article about Rev. Gibson starting a Bible Study group in the community of Mullingar where he was the Presbyterian minister. I then found the page that revealed what I was seeking.

In the Westmeath Journal dated 27 March 1823, on page 3, column 3; I find the marriage announcement of Rev. Alexander Gibson.

Westmeath (Ireland) Journal, 27 March 1823, p. 3, col. 3; digital images, findmypast.com: accessed 11 May 2015. Used with permission.

“On the 9th instant [March], in the city of Londonderry, by the Rev. Mr. Hamilton, of Fahan, the Rev. Alexander Gibson, Presbyterian Minister of the United Congregation of Mullingar and Tyrrelspass, to Jane, youngest daughter of Mr. Joseph Gibson, of Strabane.”

So here we have a Gibson marrying a Gibson. Are they cousins? How are their fathers, John and Joseph, related or are they?

On the same page, right above the marriage announcement is Rev. Gibson’s Ordinance article. 

Westmeath (Ireland) Journal, 27 March 1823, p. 3, col. 3; digital images, findmypast.com: accessed 11 May 2015. Used with permission.

“The Ordination of the Rev. Alexander Gibson, Presbyterian Minister of the United Congregation of Mullingar and Tyrrelspass, was celebrated in this town on Wednesday the 19th instant. The Rev. Mr. Scott began the service by singing and prayer--the Rev. Mr. Carlile preaches an appropriate sermon on the occasion, the Rev. Mr. Horner ordained, and the Rev. Mr. Morgan delivered a most eloquent address to Mr. Gibson and the members of the congregation.

“After the ceremony a numerous and respectable party dined in Mr. Murray’s Inn. The following toasts were drunk. ‘The King,’  ‘The General Synod of Ulster,‘   ‘Mr. Gibson and the Congregation of Mullingar,‘   ‘Mr. Horner, Mr. Carlile, and the Congregation of Mary’s Abbey,’  ‘The Land we live in,’ &c. &c.”

At the same time, Rev. Gibson started a 'Classical and Mercantile' School to teach higher education to those who are interested in his community of Mullingar.

“Education. The Rev. Alexander Gibson, A. M.,” Westmeath (Ireland) Journal, 23 January 1823, p. 3, col. 4; digital images, findmypast.com: accessed 11 May 2015. Used with permission.

I find a birth announcement of a daughter, born on 31 May 1826, in the same local newspaper, The Westmeath Journal. Who is this with no name listed?

Westmeath (Ireland) Journal. 1 June 1826, p. 3, col. 5; digital images. findmypast.com: accessed 7 Jan 2015. Used with permission.

Elizabeth Gibson Cooper, my 2nd great-grandmother was born 19 April 1828.

Jane Gibson Digges La Touche was born in 1831 according to a census record. She was identified as the Reverand's daughter in her marriage announcement to Edmund Digges La Touche. Jane & Edmund's daughter, Frances Digges La Touche, married her first cousin, Henry Cooper, son of Austin & Elizabeth Gibson Cooper.

“Marriages.” Cork (Ireland) Examiner. 12 April 1850. p. 2. col. 3. digital images. Accessed findmypast.com : accessed 11 May 2015. Used with permission.

Looking through Google Books, I find several mentions of Rev. Alexander Gibson of Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland. One is in A Genealogical & Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain by Bernard Burke. It states that Alexander Jason HASSARD marries 14 Jan 1864, Frances Margaret, youngest daughter of Rev.  Alexander GIBSON, of Mullinger, and has issue, Alexander Jason, born 28 May 1866.

Here is a fourth daughter of Rev. Alexander & Jane Gibson. I find Frances Margaret’s marriage registration on 14 Jan 1864, 18 months after Rev. Gibson’s death.

"Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGJX-NJR : 10 February 2018), Alexander Jason Hassard and Frances Margaret Gibson, 14 Jan 1864; citing 921,Bray,Wicklow,Ireland,  FHL microfilm 101,453. Accessed 8 May 2012.

It states that they are married by license by John Gibson. Is this the same John Gibson, who was listed as a witness to Austin and her sister's Elizabeth’s marriage, 13 years earlier, in 1851? (Refer back to Part I of Rev. Alexander Gibson (1790-1863) Westmeath, Mullingar, Ireland.) Is this John Gibson a family member?

Looking through the Irish newspapers again, I find the marriage announcement for Frances Margaret GIBSON & Alexander HASSARD.

“Marriages,” Dublin, Ireland. The Dublin Evening Mail. 16 Jan 1864. p.1. Col. 1. digital images. findmypast.com: accessed 7 Sep 2016. Used with permission.

In this announcement, I see that Rev. John Gibson is a "brother of the bride!" I can conclude no relation evidence other than the marriage record of her parent's Austin Cooper/Elizabeth Gibson's marriage registration with John Gibson listed as a witness.  Could this be Frances Margaret's uncle? More research is needed to find out how this John Gibson is related.

I find the obituary for Rev. Alexander Gibson in the local newspaper announcing his death on June 12, 1862, in Mullingar. Did the Mullingar Presbyterian Church with their new minister, Rev. Robert Hugh Harshaw, perform a funeral service for Rev. Gibson, who served the community of Mullingar for 35 years? Or did he just quietly ‘disappear’?Where was he buried?

"Deaths." Meath People, and Cavan and Westmeath Chronicle. 21 June 1862, p.4. col.5. digital images. Findmypast.com. : accessed 12 Mar 2015. Used with permission.

"Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920," database with images, Alexander Gibson, 12 Jun 1862; FamilySearch.org: Accessed 30 Jun 2013.

I search Ireland, Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920 records online at FamilySearch.org. Here is Rev. Gibson, who is mentioned as a Clerk, with his death 4 years after his suspension. I see Frances Margaret Gibson mentioned with another sister I am not aware, Mary Gibson, both spinsters.

Is this Mary Gibson, the eldest daughter born 31 May 1826? I look for other records for this Mary, finding no marriage nor death records to verify this woman. This will take more work to locate her.