Stillman Gibson Obituary
New Ipswich Historical Society
September 3, 1925
September 3,1925
Death of Stillman Gibson
Stillman Gibson died at the home of his son, Frederick Gibson, in Leominster, Mass., Sept. 3. He was born in Ashburnham, Mass., Jan, 27, 1837, the son of Joseph A. and Miranda (Kibling) Gibson, and grandson of the late Dr. Stillman Gibson. When he was less than a year old his parents moved to this town and this was his home until he went to Townsend, where he lived from 1864 to 1907. He married, Oct. 27, 1864, Lucinda J., daughter of Isaac Foskett of this town. To them four children were born, Frank P., Frederick E., Tracy O. and Florence. For 18 years he had lived with his son. During his long illness he has been cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Gibson and their daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Barrett. He is survived by three sons, Frank Gibson of Munsonville, Frederick and Tracy Gibson of Leominster, and a daughter, Mrs. Edward Wildman of Newton Upper Falls; 18 grandchildren and 12 great grand- children; a brother, Fred J. Gibson of this town, and a sister, Mrs. Carmi Scales of Leominster. The funeral was held at the Haws Memorial chapel Sunday afternoon. A large number of relatives were present. Burial was in the family lot at the Leominster cemetery. Fred J. Gibson, Mrs. Frances Jones Burton, Mrs. Ma bel M. Jones, Harry Chandler, Albert F. Mansfield and Miss Arlene Mansfield attended the services.
Photo Archives
Etching of residence of Doctor Stillman Gibson (grandfather to Stillman Gibson in Obituary).
St. Paddy’s Day at Noah’s Ark Kindergarten
circa 1980s
James Roger diary entry
17th March 1913
Frost, wind northwest to west, cold wind. David splitting wood and working in Garrett all Day. I put leaves in henhouse, riddled church ashes, lit fires in Church for Society meeting at 2 PM. Opened with prayer by Deacon James Roger.
Mr. Charles Wheeler elected as moderator, Clerk and treasurer.
Messrs William L. Corbett, Edward R. Wheeler, and Alfonso L. Travis elected as standing committee.
Treasurers report read and accepted. Revenue: $1158.77 Expenditures: $1143.17.
Money for support of Gospel ministry and other incidental expenses to be raised as formerly by Freewill offerings.
Repairs on Church and improvement of lawn, also removal of flagpole, left in hands of standing committee.
Treasurer empowered to receive any legacy bequeathed to the Church.
Meeting adjourned subject call of Church Congregational Society closed at 3:30 PM.
Present:
Deacon and Mrs. Charles Wheeler, Deacon James Roger, Mrs. McKown, Mrs. Thayer, Miss Etta M. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Corbett, Mrs. Ferrin, Mr. & Mrs. Edward Wheeler, Mrs. Mary Balch, Mrs. George Sargent, Mr. Travis, Arthur Wheeler
Committee afterwords inspected the retaining walls in church cellar, etc.
Signed: Deacon James Roger, Clerk pro tem
Wonderful etching. Like the actions of horses in it.
And those church committee people in James Roger’s day and age worked diligently. “Ye servants of God.”
And the little kids at Noah’s Ark. The Town beat goes on.
The Gibsons are an important part of New Ipswich history. As a young man in NI I was aware of the Gibsons and other families like the Prestons, the Barrs, the Barretts, etc. I have to admit, like most young people I did not pay much attention to them, they were irrelevant to me at the time. I am now more interested in their contributions than I was then. I enjoy reading these obits because tells me more about NI history. One thing I've noticed is that many of these famous families are connected by marriage. The Gibsons are connected to the Barretts, the Jones, The Chandlers, the Prestons, the Perrys, etc. It would be interesting to do a 'connection' chart of these families. My interest in the Gibson's is connected with Dr. Stillman Gibson's grandson who owned property on River Rd near the whirlpool about 1 mile from Gibson village. My father4 told me where it was, and I was always afraid it would reappear as I rowed across it. The story my father4 told me is that some men floated a large stump to it and chocked it off. My father bought that Gibson property in 1949 which had a foundation hole and large center chimney, the house had burned down years before. We built a house using that foundation for 3 sides and hand dug a 40' trench on the 4th side to increase the footprint.