The pictures below, with the exception of Nelson H., are the only ones I have related to these early Preston County settlers.

  Levi Gibson Fam, Jenkins Cem             James Gibson, Jenkins

James E. Gibson, Cress Cem.             Nelson H. Gibson, Cress Cem.

Ludema Gibson (Nelson's Sister)

Descendants of Thomas Gibson

Generation No. 1

        1.  Thomas Gibson was born WFT Est. 1744-1778, and died WFT Est. 1840-1860.

     "The Gibson Brothers, well known lumbermen of Preston County, are of Scottish-Irish descent."  Their great-great-grandfather, Thomas Gibson, was one of the first settlers of the northern part of  Preston County, and there opened up  a large farm.  James Gibson, their grandfather, grew up in the county and was here united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Cramer, a native of Maryland and daughter of Peter Cramer, who moved to this section from near Frederick, Maryland.  After his marriage James Gibson settled near Tunnelton of a woodland farm whereon he built a substantial log house, which was about 1840.

From History of Preston County, West Virginia by Oren F. Morton

"Contemporaneous with the Jenkins, Thomas Gibson settled on the Cheat Hills"

From History of Preston County. West Virginia, Wiley, pg 389.

Children of Thomas Gibson are:

+      2                 i.    J. James Gibson, Sr.

        3                ii.    Thomas Gibson.

        4               iii.    Robert Gibson.

More About Robert Gibson:

Fact 6: went to IL

+      5               iv.    Levi Gibson, born 01 Oct 1787 in N.J. (Per 1850 Census); died in Preston County 10 Dec 1862.

        6                v.    Isabel Gibson.  She married John Trembly 

Notes for John Trembly:

1850 census shows the following:

John Trimbly - Age 63 from NJ -Farmer

Frances - Age 52

John - age 12

Could this John be the same John Trimbly once married to Isabel Gibson (probably since both familys are from NJ) ?

Could John Trimbly have a sister Sarah that is the same Sarah Trimbly that married Levi Gibson, his brother-in-law? The same name (Sarah) that shows up in Samual and Benjamin's children?

Could Benjamin Trimbly be John's son? (b 1815) married to May, with children George, Sarah (age 9), Michael, Joseph, Adam, Samual.  Is Sarah, named after Ben's Aunt Sarah?

Could Samual Trimbly be John's son? (b 1813), married to Elisabeth, with children Sarah (age 18), John, Catharine, Benjamin, Charlotte, Louisa, Naoma. The children's names Benjamin and John are too much of a coincidence. Is Sarah, named after Aunt Sarah?

Amost certainly Samual and Benjamin were brothers.

 -From 1850 Census MJB

        7               vi.    Esther Gibson, born Abt. 1789; died 30 Sep 1871.  She married John Bryte ; died 18 Sep 1839.

        8              vii.    Nancy Gibson¹¹¹.  She married ? Jennings

        9             viii.    Ellen Gibson¹¹¹.  She married Henry May

Generation No. 2

        2.  J. James² Gibson, Sr. (Thomas) was born WFT Est. 1762-1791, and died .  He married Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Jonathan Smith and Mary ?.  She was born 1785 in DE., Per 1850 census MJB, and died 20 May 1857.

Notes for J. James Gibson, Sr.:

There was a James Gibson, Preston County, in the war of 1812 - Ser. 4 - Note sure if it was this James, the the age and birth dates of his children are right. MB

More About J. James Gibson, Sr.:

Burial: Cress Cementary above Mt. Nebo Church, Preston County, W.V.

More About Elizabeth Smith:

Burial: Cress Cementary above Mt. Nebo Church, Preston County, W.V.

Census: 1850, Shows Elizabeth Gibson living alone, age 65

Children of J. Gibson and Elizabeth Smith are:

+      10               i.    J. James Gibson, Jr., born 06 Jan 1814 in Grant District, Preston County, WV; died 16 Apr 1902 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV.

+      11              ii.    Levi Gibson, born 01 Jun 1809; died 06 Apr 1884.

+      12             iii.    Zacheus Gibson, born 1811 in Va. Per 1850 census MJB.

        13             iv.    Samuel Gibson, born in Preston County, WV.  He married Clarissa Ladd; born  in IA; died .

        14              v.    Thomas Gibson.  He married Ann Gardner WFT Est. 1826-1869¹; born WFT Est. 1806-1837 in PA; died WFT Est. 1826-1900.

        15             vi.    John E. Gibson.  He married Priscilla Richards WFT Est. 1826-1869¹; born WFT Est. 1806-1837 in PA; died WFT Est. 1826-1900¹.

Notes for John E. Gibson:

A minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania.

From History of Preston County, West Vriginia, Wiley, pg 389.

        16            vii.    Mary Gibson.  She married Jesse Smith¹ WFT Est. 1822-1865; born WFT Est. 1796-1828; died WFT Est. 1822-1886.

        5.  Levi Gibson (Thomas) was born 01 Oct 1787 in N.J.  Per 1850 Census, and died 10 Dec 1862.  He married Sarah Trembly.  She was born 28 Jun 1790 in N.J. 1850 census, and died 24 Dec 1850.

Notes for Levi Gibson:

Probably had two more children:

Josiah Gibson DOB Nov. 19 1815 -  DOD Sept 19 1839

Benjamin DOB Sept 22 1817 - DOD May 31 1834

There was a Levi Gibson, Preston County that was in the war of 1812 - Not sure if it was this Levi, but most likely was him.

More About Levi Gibson:

Burial: Jenkins Cemetary, 1 Mile SW of Mt. Nebo Church

More About Sarah Trembly:

Burial: Jenkins Cemetary, 1 Mile SW of Mt. Nebo Church

Children of Levi Gibson and Sarah Trembly are:

        17               i.    Mary Gibson, born 1814.

+      18              ii.    Eunice Gibson, born Abt. 1821 in Va (probably present WV); died Aft. 1868.

        19             iii.    Sophia Gibson, born 1823.

        20             iv.    Lydia Gibson, born 26 Dec 1826; died 15 Aug 1850.

Notes for Lydia Gibson:

Married a Liston

Listed on the same tombstone as her parents

        21              v.    John T. Gibson, born 29 Sep 1828; died 15 Apr 1886.

Notes for John T. Gibson:

Need to confirm if this is John T Gibson

DOD 4-15-1886 Aged 57 Yr 6 mo 17 days

        22             vi.    Ellen Gibson, born 1830.

        23            vii.    James Gibson, born 1833.

Generation No. 3

        10.  J. James Gibson, Jr. (J. James, Thomas) was born 06 Jan 1814 in Grant District, Preston County, WV, and died 16 Apr 1902 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV.  He married Rebecca Cramer, daughter of Peter Cramer and Elizabeth ?.  She was born 26 Oct 1813 in Frederick, MD, and died 25 Mar 1891.

Notes for J. James Gibson, Jr.:

                                                IN MEMORIAM

     Thursday, January 6, 1814, witnessed the birth of James Gibson, in what is now Grant District, Preston County, West Virginia, but was then Monongalia County, Virginia.  He died  Wednesday, April 16, 1901, aged eighty-eight years, three months and ten days, at the residence of his son John L. Gibson, on the old homestead near Tunnelton, which had been his abiding place for more than half a century.

     His parents were early settlers in what is now Preston County and their descendents are still  numerous in Grant district.  The Gibsons are of that sturdy Scotch-Irish race whose achievements have marked all modern progress; and in integrity, industry, sobriety and sound judgement which everywhere distinguish this wonderful people, found ample exemplification in the successful career of the subject of this sketch.

     He was reared on his father's farm, educated in the subscription schools of that early day, and devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, in which he became widely known as one of the best and most progressive farmers and stock raisers of the county.  At the early age of twenty one he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Cramer daughter of Peter Cramer, also an early settler in the county, and reared a family of three sons and five daughters to honored manhood and womanhood .Samantha P., wife of A. C. Scott of Independence; Rebecca C., who married Jesse Spahr of Kingwood; Miss Mary J.; Milford C., of Tunnelton; Elizabeth M. wife of William M. Jenkins of Kingwood; Ashbel F., formerly of Tunnelton buy now residing at Morgantown; Annie A., wife of John H. Garner of Kingwood; and John L., residing ho the home farm near Tunnelton.  The eldest son, Virdin died in infancy.

     For a number of years after his marriage he continued to reside in the lower end of the county, but in 1842 he purchased from Israel Baldwin a tract of some two hundred acres of woodland near what is now the town of Tunnelton and in the same year erected a hewed log cabin on the place and cleared a small piece of ground.  In the

following spring, 19 April 1843, just fifty nine years ago, he moved into this house and spent the remainder of his long and active life on this farm which he redeemed from the primeval forest and brought to a high state of cultivation.  Few things seemed to afford him greater satisfaction than the clearing of land and in his later life when the hard work was long past he still insisted on being actively engaged in clearing a new piece of ground every year.

     The ample provisions he made for the enjoyment of this life were not more earnest nor marked than his pointed preparation for death and for the life to come.  When only seventeen years of age he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church.  In this faith he lived and reared his children, and in this faith he died, after an exemplary Christian life of more than three score and ten years. Ten or twelve years ago he ordered the coffin in which he was buried on Friday last and had it constructed of solid black walnut lumber.  He also selected the mantel stone from the first house he built, in 1842, as the base of his tombstone and had the date of his birth cut on one end and the other end smoothed for the date of his death, saying he had spent many happy hours sitting near it in the early days.

     Every detail of his funeral and burial was arranged by himself years ago and were strictly carried out by his children.  The funeral address - not sermon - was made by Rev. C. H. Lakin, his pastor, at Camp Chapel, at 2:30 o'clock on Friday afternoon, April 18th, immediately after which the mortal remains of James Gibson was committed to mother earth, in the Camp Ground cemetery, by the side of the companion of his joys and sorrows, who had preceded him some ten years ago.  The grave was lined with evergreen from top to bottom and many handsome floral tributes were placed upon it.  The vast concourse of relatives, friends, and neighbors who met on this occasion to do honor to his memory testify better than any mere words to the positive esteem in which he was held.  "Vivit post funera virtus" 

W.S.G.

     From a clipping in the family Bible of Lloyd B. Williams, Kingwood.

More About J. James Gibson, Jr.:

Burial: 18 Apr 1902, Camp Ground Cementary near Camp Chapel, Preston Co, W.V.

Fact 1: Farmer

Fact 4: 18 Apr 1902, Camp Ground Cemetery, Preston County, WV

Notes for Rebecca Cramer:

                                                IN MEMORIAM

     Rebecca Gibson, nee Cramer. was born in Maryland, Oct. 26. 1813. and departed this life March 25, 1891.  She was married to James Gibson and moved with her husband to their present home in Preston County, W.Va. then yet a wilderness, but they started out with brave hearts to meet the toils of life together, and for nearly half a century that was their home, which, best of all, was noted for its loyalty to God and devotion to the cause of Christ.  Early in life she gave her heart to God and her name to the church, and ever after lived a consistent and exemplary Christian.  She

was loved by all who knew her.  During the forty-seven years' residence here, her home was the home of the preacher, and used to be one of the preaching places on the old Kingwood circuit.  She died as she lived, reflecting the glory of redeeming power.  Her last words to the writer were, "The religion that supported me in my youth does not forsake me now:" and in a few hours she fell asleep to awake in the resurrection in immortal youth.                 

 C.W. Cox

     From a clipping in the family Bible of Lloyd B. Williams, Kingwood

More About Rebecca Cramer:

Burial: Camp Ground Cemetery, Tunnelton WV

Children of J. Gibson and Rebecca Cramer are:

        24               i.    Virdin Gibson, born WFT Est. 1832-1861; died WFT Est. 1833-1922.

        25              ii.    Samantha Percis Gibson, born 1836 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV; died 29 Jul 1905 in Grafton.  She married Crawford A. Scott 30 Dec 1856 in Preston Co, Va; born 1835¹; died WFT Est. 1852-1911.

More About Samantha Percis Gibson:

Burial: Bluemont Cementary

More About Crawford A. Scott:

Occupation: 1856, Tanner

+      26             iii.    Rebecca C. Gibson, born 1840 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV; died 22 Jul 1923.

        27             iv.    Mary J. Gibson, born 1843 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV¹; died WFT Est. 1844-1937.

Notes for Mary J. Gibson:

Never Married

+      28              v.    Milford C. Gibson, born 1845; died 1913.

+      29             vi.    Ashbel F. Gibson, born 09 Jun 1850 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV; died 15 Mar 1940.

        30            vii.    Annie A. Gibson¹, born 12 Oct 1854¹; died WFT Est. 1883-1948.  She married John H. Garner¹ 21 Dec 1878¹; born 19 Apr 1854¹; died 1929¹.

+      31           viii.    John L. Gibson, born Abt. 1856 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV; died WFT Est. 1873-1946.

+      32              ix.    Margaret Elizabeth Gibson, born 12 Oct 1847 in Tunnelton, W.V.; died 10 Dec 1921 in Kingwood, W.V..

        11.  Levi Gibson (J. James, Thomas) was born 01 Jun 1809, and died 06 Apr 1884.  He married (1) Elizabeth Liston.  She was born 15 Nov 1815, and died 03 Apr 1888.  He married (2) Lodema Graham, daughter of David Graham and Hannah Sterling.  She was born in 1808.

Notes for Levi Gibson:

Guessing his religion as Methodist Episcopal since *he went to church with Abraham Liston and Ebenezer Liston*, and the fact is he was married to Elizabeth Liston.

* From History of Preston County, West Virginia (Wiley pg 401).

More About Levi Gibson:

Burial: Cress Cemetary near Mt Nebo Church

Religion: Methodist Episcopal

More About Elizabeth Liston:

Burial: Cress Cemetary near Mt Nebo Church

Children of Levi Gibson and Elizabeth Liston are:

        33               i.    Sylvanus Gibson, born 03 May 1836; died 10 Nov 1836.

More About Sylvanus Gibson:

Burial: Cress Cemetary near Mt Nebo Church

+      34              ii.    Nelson H Gibson, born 1837; died 1912.

Note: Nelson's son, Thomas Hall Gibson,  married Alta Mae Christopher, my G. Grandmother - see the Christopher Page.

        35             iii.    Martin Gibson, born 24 Jan 1840; died 28 Nov 1863.

Notes for Martin Gibson:

Co. H 3rd P.H.B. Md. Inf.

More About Martin Gibson:

Burial: Cress Cemetary near Mt Nebo Church

        36             iv.    Jonathan Gibson, born Abt. 1841.

        37              v.    James E. Gibson, born 1844; died 27 Sep 1862.

Notes for James E. Gibson:

Age 18 Y 7 M 21 days

More About James E. Gibson:

Burial: Cress Cemetary near Mt Nebo Church

        38             vi.    Ludemia Gibson, born 1847; died 10 Mar 1861.

Notes for Ludemia Gibson:

Age 13 Y 11 Mo 9 Days

More About Ludemia Gibson:

Burial: Cress Cemetary near Mt Nebo Church

        39            vii.    William Gibson, born 05 Feb 1855.

More About William Gibson:

Burial: Cress Cemetary near Mt Nebo Church

        12.  Zacheus Gibson (J. James, Thomas) was born 1811 in Va. Per 1850 census MJB, and died .  He married Nancy Clark, daughter of Joseph Clark.  She was born 1809 in Pa. Per 1850 census MJB, and died .

Notes for Nancy Clark:

Suspected, but not documented as a child of Joseph MB

Children of Zacheus Gibson and Nancy Clark are:

        40               i.    Edgar Gibson, born 1836.

        41              ii.    Waitman Gibson, born 1837.  He married Rebecca Liston 02 Aug 1858; born Abt. 1841.

        42             iii.    Haymond Gibson, born 1839.

        43             iv.    Nancy Gibson, born 1843.

        44              v.    James Gibson, born 1844.

        45             vi.    Zacheus Gibson, born 1847.

        18.  Eunice³ Gibson (Levi, Thomas) was born Abt. 1821 in Va (probably present WV)², and died Aft. 1868².  She married Leonard Greathouse, son of William Greathouse and Barbara Cale.  He was born Abt. 1826 in Va. (WV), and died 25 Aug 1904 in Herring, WV.

More About Eunice Gibson:

Burial: Pleasant Grove Cemetery w/o a marker

Notes for Leonard Greathouse:

Member of the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church until 1849 until transferring to Herring.

More About Leonard Greathouse:

Burial: Pleasant Grove Cemetery w/o a marker

Occupation: Farmer

Children of Eunice Gibson and Leonard Greathouse are:

        46               i.    Sarah Greathouse, born Abt. 1847.

        47              ii.    Henry Greathouse, born Abt. 1849.

        48             iii.    Levi Greathouse, born Mar 1850.

+      49             iv.    Frances Ellen Greathouse, born 20 Oct 1858; died 14 Apr 1896.

        50              v.    Elizabeth Jane Greathouse.

        51             vi.    James C. Greathouse.

        52            vii.    Missouri Belle Greathouse.

Generation No. 4

        26.  Rebecca C. Gibson (J. James, J. James, Thomas) was born 1840 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV and died 22 Jul 1923³.  She married Jesse Spurgeon Spahr.  He was born 1833³, and died 1912³.

More About Rebecca C. Gibson:

Burial: Maplewood Cementary, Kingwood

More About Jesse Spurgeon Spahr:

Burial: Maplewood Cementary, Kingwood

Children of Rebecca Gibson and Jesse Spahr are:

        53               i.    Mary L Spahr.

        54              ii.    Stella M Spahr.

        55             iii.    Lula B Spahr.

        56             iv.    Jesse B Spahr.

More About Jesse B Spahr:

Adoption: Adopted Child

        28.  Milford C. Gibson (J. James, J. James, Thomas) was born 1845, and died 1913.  He married Mary Ann Jackson 1869, daughter of Alexander Jackson.  She was born 06 Sep 1847 in Ohio, and died 04 Oct 1936.

Children of Milford Gibson and Mary Jackson are:

+      57               i.    Bert T⁵ Gibson, born 05 Feb 1871; died 1940.

+      58              ii.    James C Gibson, born 17 Apr 1879.

+      59             iii.    Joseph V. Gibson, born 25 Aug 1882; died 26 Feb 1946.

+      60             iv.    Besse N Gibson, born 20 May 1884; died 26 Jul 1977.

        29.  Ashbel F. Gibson (J. James, J. James, Thomas) was born 09 Jun 1850 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV, and died 15 Mar 1940.  He married Elizabeth Brown.  She was born 26 Jun 1850 in England       

Children of Ashbel Gibson and Elizabeth Brown are:

+      61               i.    Herbert Gibson.

+      62              ii.    Gail Gibson.

+      63             iii.    Clay Gibson.

        31.  John L.⁴ Gibson (J. James, J. James, Thomas) was born Abt. 1856 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV.^. He married Sarah Menefee. 

Notes for Sarah Menefee:

Could have possibly been born on Sept 6, 1856 to Robert and Elizabeth Menefee at Yorks Run (unnamed baby girl) MB.