Subject

A Commissioner for the 1892 Westminster Public Baths and Wash-houses.

Andrew Behan has kindly carried out some research on this man: James Gibson was born about 1833 in Crowland, Lincolnshire. He served in the army and in mid 1876 he married Alice Martha Hale. The marriage was registered in the administrative district of St.George Hanover Square, London. (The 1911 census shows that they had a total of nine children but by 1911 only five were still alive, Alice Rose Ethel Gibson, born 12 May 1879; James Thomas Gibson, born 1882; William Lewis Gibson, born 1883; Dorothy Gibson, born 9 March 1890 and Lily Gibson, born 7 December 1892).

On 14 November 1876 he was initiated as a Freemason in Wanderers' Lodge No.1604 giving his home address as 18 New Street, Vincent Square, Westminster and his occupation as an Agent. On 2 February 1880 he joined Caxton Lodge No.1853. His address was still 18 New Street and his occupation was given as Army Agent. The 1881 census shows him living with his wife and daughter, together with his sister in law Elizabeth Hale and her mother Eliza Hale at 18 New Street, giving his occupation as Army Pensioner.

On 31 January 1884 he was founding member of the newly consecrated Abbey Lodge No.2030. In 1889 he resigned his membership of the Caxton Lodge. The 1891 census states that he was still at 18 New Street, with his wife and two of their children, William and Dorothy, together with a general servant. His occupation was now Manager, Guards Work Society. The 1901 census relates that his address and occupation were unchanged and he was living there with his wife and five children. The occupation of his elder son, James, was Assistant Manager, Guards Work Society.

In 1905 he resigned from the Abbey Lodge. The 1911 census confirms that he, together with his wife and five children were still at 18 New Street, but being aged 77 years, he no longer had an occupation. Electoral registers from 1918 onward show he and his wife were residing at 69 Balham Park Road, Wandsworth Common, where he died, aged 89 years, on 10 September 1922. Probate of his estate was granted to a Henry John Brown, a bookkeeper and his effects totalled £3,088-1s-5d.