Mark Anthony GIBBS

                   NOTE:
Source FGS gives birth place as "Astwood Feckenham", Worc.
This is a copy of the letter rec'd from England in reply to a letter Grandma Stock, Frances Gilson Gibbs Stock, sent telling them of Richard Gibbs her husband.

Boston (England)

My Dear Sister,

Your kind and affectionate few lines came safe to hand which was to all concerned a pleasure mingled with sorrow at your loss but death is learning us but to teach us the faculty of human life below-and to prepare for that better
meeting above in our Fathers house above where there will be sorrowing no more forever and when distance of miles will separate us no more forever.  I am glad that you find comfort in so distant apart from your once loved home and apart from dear connections you once loved but which now rest from earthly toil and care and where God our best friend and loving Savior reigns until the last weary traveler will find rest peace and joy forever and to part no more forever.

I now beg to give you line and to inform the birthplace of your dear and beloved husband.  He was born at Astwoodbank in parish of Feckenham,  Worstersshire, England on 7 of June in year 1825 (1) being the 4th of the
family (2) there was in all 14 (3) but now only 3 living and all brothers (4).  I am sorrow inform you within this last two years 2 brothers and 1 sister are gone to their long home within this last two years (5) the father is still living whose age is about 77 (6) and on the whole enjoy good health and is lliving at Astwoodbank where he has lived these 60 years (7) and whose occupation has been to follow the wheelwright (8) but is now past work.  His name is Thomas Gibbs (9) my oldest brother now living is Thomas the next is Henry and mine the writer of this letter the youngest is Mark Anthony Glibbs living in this place Boston Lincolnshire.  The/our mother's maiden name was Mary Broadberry (10).  She was born at Somborn in the Parish of Somborn in the couonty of Warwick (11) in year
1778 of the 14th of May (12) died year 1835 Feb 28th (13).  My father never married again (14) I have to painfully to inform you that there was many motherless children left (15).  I beg next to inform you that I am married to
my brother's widow who will have a small income at her father's death who is a kind father and one of the old English kind-hearted and been a loving father to his family has a son in Ameraica in N.Y. living at 671 8 Ave and 1 brother of sleeps in the silent grave at the same place.  Should you at any time feel a wish to answer this I would answer you.  Trad is but dull but would you not wish to return to your mother home we all should like to see you but I dare not say more do as you think best for yourself.  If we meet not here below time will soon come when I hope to meet you and to take part in swelling the song which will never end and when love divine will last forever.
I beg to conclude in my warmest love to you and in the name of each conclude.    Mark A. Gibbs.

COMMENTS ON THE LETTER BY ( ):

(1)  Confirmed by military records and 1 census record.
(2)  This would have to be fourth from the youngest, unless will & Ann died before Mark was born, then he would        have been the 4th oldest boy left alive but the 5th child.
(3)  Counting Mark there were 14 children. ??
(4)  Thomas Jr., Henry & Mark.
(5)  Geo, 11 Dec 1859; Elizabeth 1860?; Richard, 24 Sep 1859; William is still listed on 1861 census - maybe have       wrong William.
(6)  1861 census lists Thomas as 78 yrs. old living in Feckenham.
(7)  Moved there in 1801? at age 17, from Tardebigg (61 & 71 census).  Married at apprx age 30.
(8)  All censuses called him a labourer.
(9)  Parish records.
(10) Helped research.
(11) Found her.
(12) 14th of May works out but 1778 WAY OFF
(13) Bap church records shoe her burried Mar 4, 1834.
(14) He was 50 and had a newborn son, listed as a widower.
(15) If #2 is true there were 8 left still at home, none got married until
1841.  Mary was approx 43 when she died.
(16) Found in Boston Lincolnshire census married to Ann Gibbs.