"MOLLY'S STORY" - Part 1 - The Youngest Gibson

My Grandmother Janet Dent (nee Clark) used to tell me about her sister Mary (Polly) Gibson (nee Clark).  Mary gave birth to 13 children (sadly two died). Her husband was Tom Gibson who was General Manager in the huge armaments factory, Vickers Armstrong in Scotswood, near Newcastle upon Tyne.  Tragically Mary Gibson died giving birth to her 13th baby.  Mother and child were buried in the same coffin.  This left Tom Gibson a widower with 10 children 6 boys and 4 girls.  So Molly Gibson remained the youngest child aged 16 months old. 

In March 2018 one of my half cousins emailed me to say that she had been on Facebook's Lemington Past and Present and found that Christine Smith (nee Moore) who was also a half cousin had made a few posts.  It brought all my Grandmas stories flooding back as Christine Smith (nee Moore) was Molly Gibsons' only daughter, so I decided to join the group, to see if I could contact Christine.  It has become one of the best things I have ever done.  Christine and I hadn't seen each other since we were young children, but snippets of news about her often came up in family conversations with Grandma Dent.

It is an absolute joy keeping in touch with her, and we have become firm loving friends. 

When I told Christine I had a blog going back as far as both my Great Grandparents, we decided to expand the notes she had made over the years of her mum's memories and add them to this blog.  

Even though life wasn't easy, Molly's path was somewhat smoothed by the ever-loving kindness of her sister Eliza and husband Archie.

Molly turned into the gentlest and kindest of human beings.

So, I'll begin the story about a small babe who never knew her mother, who grew up in a large family.  As they used to say on the BBC Children's Radio many many years ago, "Are you sitting comfortably, then I'll begin." 

MOLLY'S STORY PART 1

Written by her daughter Christine Smith (Nee Moore in 2018)

Circa 1919

Three of the "Gibson Girls"

L-R:  Ann aged about 5,  Mary (Molly) aged about 3 & Lillian (Lil) aged about 12 with Annie Tweedy seated

Mary (Molly) Gibson was the 12th child born to Mary (Polly) (nee Clark) and Thomas Gibson. Mary (Molly) was born on the 18th April 1916. 

Two of  Mary Polly and Thomas' babies had died.  Mary (Molly) was 16 months old when her mother died whilst giving birth to her 13th child.  Sadly the baby also died, both were buried in the same coffin.  Thomas became a widower, left with 10 children, six boys and four girls

The rest of the story Mary will be referred to as Molly.

The family adored her and even in adulthood she was often referred to as "our little Molly".

Their father, Thomas Gibson was the General Manager of Vickers Armstrong in Scotswood.  They were obviously very comfortably off and lived in a large house in Parmontley Street Scotswood.  

Circa 2018
To the right are the two large houses at the bottom of Parmontley Street - at one time the Gibson's lived in both these houses
Note: Where the grass is (opposite) Janet Dent (nee Clark) Mary's sister, lived in Gregson Street - now demolished

After their mother died, Tom Gibson asked 15 year old Eliza to look after the household and to employ however many staff they needed to help look after the house and the children.  Eliza and her sister Lillian, together with friends and family looked after baby Molly and 3 year old Ann. 

Molly had fond memories of all the helpers that came to care for them.

Their father was a staunch Methodist and each Sunday the whole family would walk to Bells Close Chapel.  One of Molly's fondest memories was their Sunday teas.  Every Saturday the whole day was spent baking cakes and scones and after Chapel on the Sunday many sandwiches were made.  About 4:00pm 'everybody and their aunties' arrived (this was one of Molly's favourite sayings).  They all joined in a single song after tea, then their father would sneak off to the library in the house, then off to his bedroom where he kept a drawer full of oranges, apples, sugar mice and aniseed balls.  This was to keep the children quiet whilst he read them a story.

Thomas Gibson was an avid reader and this has been passed down to his children and further generations. He was a member of the Oddfellows in Newcastle, who were all teetotal, and the family were brought up teetotal too.  Odd Fellows.  

The 'Annual Anniversary' at the Chapel, was always enjoyable, where the children would sing or recite on their own.  However, the best thing was, they all got new outfits!  

Molly also remembered the smallpox outbreak, and the white sheets with a red cross painted on them, covering the doors, showing which house had smallpox.  This made a shortage of staff for Eliza.

Smallpox

Around this time their father's sister Martha and her young son Tom came to live with them.  Aunt Martha was dying of cancer, and Molly remembered the extra work Eliza had to do looking after her.  After Martha passed away Tom stayed with the family and was brought up as one of their own.

The following is a photograph of a teenage Molly and sister Ann as a bridesmaid at her sister Lillian's marriage to Thomas Potts.

Restored
Lillian Gibson and Thomas Potts Wedding
(circa date?)
Back Left: Thomas Gibson & Minister
Molly & Ann (in Cloche Hats and same dresses)
 the rest is unknown

Here is another Gibson wedding, this time Molly's brother Alfred (Alf) 1910-1986

Restored
Wedding of Alfred Gibson and Louise Weir

When Molly was 14 she fell in love with a chap who worked in Scotswood Co-op, who had ginger curls and beautiful teeth.  The family kept sending her to the Co-op and they all teased her unmercifully - (this young man would eventually become her husband).  

Molly's father was not amused, as this chap was 6 years older than Molly, he was Church of England, a Freemason and also liked a drink!!

SCOTSWOOD CO-OP - JUNCTION OF FOWBERRY ROAD & DENTON ROAD

         FIRST LEFT MRS JAMESON'S GROCERY STORE AND FURTHER DOWN THE CO-OP

Eventually there was only Ann and Molly left at home so their

father sold the house in Parmontley Street, and bought a house, just across the road, and round the corner, in Whitfield Road. 

HOUSE ON WHITFIELD ROAD WHERE TOM GIBSON, ANN AND MOLLY MOVED TO
Eddie Gibson (on his hunkers) with his father Tom Gibson right other gentleman unknown

The Whitfield Road House today (2018)
The path (front left) leads to Parmontley Street
Opposite (right) was a path which passed Janet & Luke's house leading down to Scotswood Road & Vickers Armstrong

Molly used to help Eliza and her husband Archie in their shop.  

Ann became a tracer at Vickers Armstrong.

Molly's father wanted her to do something to help her in later life, so he sent her to the then renowned Marie Garson in Whitley Bay, to be taught elocution.  Molly gained Honours and was able to teach.

When Molly was 16 her father asked her to employ a housemaid.  Molly employed a young girl, Janet Smith aged 18.  When Molly was 18 their father told them he was getting married.  They hoped it was Evelyn Storey, (a family friend), however, it was Janet Smith, the maid.  Thomas was 60 and the maid 20.  The family were devastated.  

Ann went to live with her future in-laws, (Mr & Mrs Hull & Robbie Hull) and Molly went to live with Eliza and Archie in their house on the West Road.

Eliza and Archie paid for Molly's large 21st Party.

All Forster's family adored Molly, and were so kind to her.  To this day Molly's daughter still wears the necklace that Forster's only sister, Maggie, gave to Molly for her 21st Birthday.

Molly's 21st Birthday present from her sister-in-law Maggie - now worn with love and pride by Molly's daughter Christine

Molly Gibson and Forster Moore became engaged on the 18th of April 1937.  All Forster's family were there, but Molly's father refused to attend."