Thomas Gibson (abt. 1748 - 1805)

Born about 1748 in Onslow, North Carolina

Husband of Bedford (Bedeford) Stewart — married 1780 (to 1805) in North Carolina

Descendants

Died 1805 at about age 57 in Onslow, North Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lili Hammond [send private message]

Biography

This profile is part of the Gibson Name Study.

Thomas Gibson (c.1748-1803) was the patriarch of a large family in Onslow County, North Carolina. His will, signed in Onslow County in 1803 and probated that same year in that county, provides researchers with great insight into his life and family.

A Thomas Gibson appears in the 1790 census of Onslow County ^[1]. The household consists of two males over 16; six males under sixteen; and three females. Thomas "Gibbson" also appears in the 1800 census of Onslow County^[2]; this census suggests that both Thomas and his wife were 45 or over in 1800, placing their birth dates at 1755 or before. It also suggests that as many as eight children were living with them.

Thomas evidently died in 1803. His will, signed and probated in 1803 in Onslow County,^[3] mentions a wife named "Bidda" who survived him, as well as 11 children who were heirs: Elijah, Tomy (aka Thomas, Jr.), John, Joshua, David, Samuel, Solomon, Polly (Gibson) Barber, Rachel, Narcissa, and Dovy. Sons Tomy and Joshua were named as administrators. The will mentions doctor's books (indicating Thomas may have been a doctor); "carpenter's, cooper's, and shoemaker's tools", indicating Thomas may have tried his hand at those professions; as well as furniture, cattle, horses, and hogs, indicating the existence of a large plantation. The will mentions land and a plantation on Bear Branch (today called Bear Creek), as well as another plantation on the Trent River.

After his death, almost all of Thomas Gibson's children and his wife Bidda migrated in approximately 1805 to a largely unsettled area straddling Wilson and Rutherford Counties, Tennessee.

The following list of children of Thomas and Bidda Gibson is compiled from the will of Thomas Gibson, as well as other sources (note that the list may not be complete, and some of the birth dates are just guesses):

• Elijah D. Gibson (c.1775-bef.1830), married Susan (Suckey) Sparrow
• Thomas (Tomey) Gibson (c.1775-bef.1815), married Nancy Fields
• Mary (Polly) Gibson (c.1777-c. 1865), married John Barber
• John Gibson (c.1778-??)
• Joshua Gibson (c.1780-??)
• David Gibson (c.1781-1839), married Purity Bloodworth
• Samuel Gibson (c.1785-Aft.1860), married Sarah "Sally" Browning
• Rachel Gibson (c.1788-c.1841), married Levi Lannom
• Solomon Gibson (c.1789-Aft.1850), married Tempa Modglin
• Narcissa Gibson (1792-1821), married Jesse Bloodworth
• Dovie Gibson (1796-1839), married Alexander P. Richmond, M.D.

Sources

1. ↑ United States Census, 1790, database with images (FamilySearch, : 20 May 2023), Entry for Thomas Gibson, 1790.
2. ↑ United States Census, 1800, database with images (FamilySearch : accessed 14 July 2023), Thomas Gibbson, Wilmington, Onslow, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 139, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 32; FHL microfilm 337,908.
3. ↑ North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970, images (FamilySearch : 21 May 2014), Onslow > Wills, 1765-1825, Vol. A > image 120-21 of 241; county courthouses, North Carolina.