Richard and John Gibson - did they go to America?

[mazzie74]

Hi,

My wife's Gt-Gt-Gt Uncle's were Richard Gibson (born Benton Square, Benton, Northumberland, England 1831) and John Gibson (born Benton Square, Benton, Northumberland, England 1833).

They were the sons of John Gibson (born 1805 Monkseaton, Northumberland, England) and Ann Amour (born 1808).

They are in the 1841 and 1851 Northumberland Census living at Earsdon and Holywell, Northumberland.

Richard and John can't be found in any other census records from 1861 to 1911.

I have tried all variations of their birth place, but no matches show up.

There is a possibility that they had died between 1851 and 1861, as the ages in the indexes aren't shown, so it's difficult to tell.

I have seen that there is a Richard and a John Gibson, born England - showing up in the US census records (particularly 1880 in Pennsylvania).

Their younger sister, Frances Scorer (nee Gibson) emigrated to Pennsylvania in the early 1860's (as did their niece Frances Jeffery (nee Gibson) in 1910.

Can anybody find any US records of Richard and John Gibson (ie other census / marriage / death) to see if they are my wife's 3x Great Uncle's?

Thanks,

Darin,

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

[Erato]

John Gibson can be found in the 1900 census [at FamilySearch].  This seems to be the same individual who appeared in the 1880 census in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania [born 1831 in England; wife Alice/Allis].  He claimed to have immigrated to the US in 1845 which, if true, makes him unlikely to be your man.  I didn't spot Richard Gibson in 1900.

[mazzie74]

Hi,

Thanks for that,

At least I can eliminate John.

The Richard I found was in the 1880 Pennsylvania census,

Thanks,

Darin.

[mazzie74]

Hi again

I am again trying to trace the above Richard Gibson.

I have found the family grave in Earsdon Cemetery, and this confirms that John Gibson died in 1852 aged 19.

However, Richard's name is not mentioned on the grave even though other children are.

There is an 1853 and 1858 death of Richard Gibson's in Northumberland, but I can eliminate both:

1853 was the grandfather Richard Gibson aged 83.
The 1858 was aged 21 and died in Benton Square pit due to a mine collapse in 1857 (inquest not completed until March 1858).

This Richard is also present in 1851 census so definitely isn't my Richard.

So as my Richard didn't die between 1851 and 1861 I am again led to believe he left possibly for America.

I suppose he may have joined the army (serving in Crimea? ).

Can anybody again look for possibilities of Richard Gibson born in Benton Square in 1831 - last seen living in East Holywell in 1851.

(He had a sister who moved to Pennsylvania in 1863 - Mrs Frances Scorer).

Thanks

Darin.