Call Number:

2012.007

Repository:

Old York Road Historical Society

Extent:

0.9 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1860-1955 (bulk) and 1761-1955 (inclusive)

Creator:

Gibson family

Abstract:

Henry C. Gibson (1830-1891), one of the wealthiest men in Philadelphia in his time, indulged liberally in collecting art and philanthropic causes. His son, J. Howard Gibson, lived from about 1855 until about 1894. J. Howard's grandson, Henry C. Gibson, Jr. (born circa 1922), established a firm to explore commercial uses of atomic energy in Palm Beach, Florida. The Gibson family papers, 1860-1955, primarily concern John Howard Gibson and his father Henry Clay Gibson, with some material on other family members. It consists mostly of family scrapbooks and memorabilia.

The Gibson family had a long association with eastern Montgomery County and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania beginning with Frederick Pepper who established an estate "Fair Acres" in Abington in the later half of the nineteenth century. His daughter Susan Worrell Pepper Gibson (Mrs. J. Howard) established a residence, "Fairy Hill," on a piece of the estate after the deaths of her father and husband. Her son continued to live on the property until circa 1975.

Henry Clay Gibson (1830-1891) was one of the wealthiest men in Philadelphia in his time. Through inheritance, a successful business, and investments Gibson was able to indulge liberally in collecting art and philanthropic causes.

Henry Clay Gibson's son, J. Howard Gibson, lived from about 1855 until about 1894. His grandson, Henry C. Gibson, Jr., born circa 1922, established a firm to explore commercial uses of atomic energy in Palm Beach, Florida.

The material in this collection primarily concerns John Howard Gibson and his father Henry Clay Gibson, with some material on other family members. It consists mostly of family scrapbooks and memorabilia.

Henry C. Gibson's (1830-1891) scrapbook, 1855-1891, contains a wide range of letters, invitations, clippings, photographs and other memorabilia reflecting his business, civic, and personal interests. Some examples of many subjects covered are: his residences at 43rd and Walnut Streets (including floor plans), 1612 Walnut Street, and "Maybrook" in Wynnewood; the 1887 Constitutional Centennial; twelve mosaic medallions purchased for St. James Episcopal Church at 21st and Walnut Streets, including renderings of the medallions; the Poughkeepsie Bridge Company; and Confederate currency.

Gibson's son J. Howard Gibson (circa 1855- circa 1894) also kept a scrapbook covering the years 1874 when he entered the University of Pennsylvania until 1893. There are condolence letters on the death of his father and other letters, sketches, and notices relating to his travels and family.

Henry C. Gibson, Jr. (born circa 1922), J. Howard's grandson, carried on the scrapbook tradition which appears to cover a period from the 1930s into the 1950s, but includes items as early as 1761. His scrapbook is less ambitious than his predecessors', but there are several family photographs, including one of the Wynnewood estate.

Additional family memorabilia consist of sale catalogs for family postal covers and stamp collections, an autobiographical sketch by Mary Gibson Henry (Mrs. J. Norman), a noted horticulturist residing in Gladwyn, and other publications.