These pages record the genealogical research of ancestral information
 by my uncle Muscoe, his great aunt's Ethel and Delia,
and great uncle, Rev. Dr. John Shackelford Gibson,
and originally written by Rev. Minor Winn Gibson Esq.
   

The Knowlton and Gibson families have been recording ancestral information for hundreds of years with a plethora of books and documents available.  These records are amazingly accurate and correspond very well with information found on the Internet.  Our family history is exceptionally noteworthy, with a few emotional and tragic events, and many ancestors exhibiting a significant influence on the founding of our country, the development of Europe and western civilization.

The Amorial Achievement of Thomas Gibson
The Achievement is the correct term for a Scottish Coat of Arms and includes:
Our Shield: Blue with three storks rising assigned to Thomas Gibson.
The Crest: Out of a ducal coronet, a lion's gamb grasping a club.
Our Motto: "Recte et fideliter" Translated: Just and faithful. 
The Heraldic Achievement can also include a Crown or Coronet, Torse, Helm, Mantling, Chapeau, Crozier, Robe and Supporters.  In Scottish Heraldry, there is no such thing as a Family Coat of Arms.
            

 The official Scottish Gibson Family Tartan consists of  six colors. and is registered as number 2164 with the Scottish Tartan Authority.
 The six colors of Hunting Green, Red, Yellow, White, Blue and Azure, indicate a family of high rank, nobility and leadership.

 The tartan kilt is a traditional garment of modern Scottish and Celtic (more specifically Gaelic) culture typically worn by men.
 With multiple descent from the House of Stewart,  members of our family are also authorized to wear the Royal Stewart Tartan.
   
 Our ancient Gibson heritage descends from Lord Johun Gibson, Keeper of the Castle of Rothesay, the MacAuslan Clan and the ancient High Kings of Ireland.
 The Gibsons are one of the Scottish armigerous families, with exceptional Royal and Noble lines, that trace back to the 11th century and earlier.
 Please note our early ancestors appointed Lord Clerk Register, Lord of Session and other high positions in the Parliament of Scotland.  (ref.) (ref.) (ref.) (ref.)
 One superb on line reference is "The Scottish Nation,  A Biographical History of the People of Scotland" by William Anderson,  printed in London in 1877.]
     
   The early Gibson families  were lowlanders living near the Scottish/English border.  Many  were Templars and Reviers or border warriors and fought hard to keep their lands and personal property.
   As more old world Scottish ancestral records are placed on line, we now have access to records that were very difficult and expensive to obtain just a few years ago.  (ref.)  (ref.) (ref.)  (ref.)   
   Our Gibson branch descends from these well know Scottish Clans: Buchanan, Stewart,  Hay, Livingstone, Bruce, Douglas, Ferguson, Stirling, Kennedy, Campbell and their many Royal ancestors.
   

The following records the chronological ancestry of Thomas Knowlton Gibson with thousands of links to additional information.

 

    

With four lines to the famous Lee family of Virginia, three to the Taylor family and two each to the Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe and Harrison families, we have significant links to many Colonial Founding Fathers.

  [The picture of Minor was taken shortly after the American Civil War ended, the photograph of Elizabeth in 1853.]

Grandpa served in the US Army during WWI.

Our extensive family tree is available on Rootsweb.com, with almost 180,000 entries in 52,000 families. Here is a 14 generation ahnentafel.

If you have an Ancestry.com account, or are willing to sign up for a free one, you are invited to view our complete family tree.
It is one of the largest on the web, with more than 200,000 entries in 67,000 families, many going back more than 2000 years.

Including historical links to Royal Ancestors, we have identified more than 12 million ancestors, one of the largest recorded family trees.

The Ancestry.com listing includes thousands of Royal and Noble ancestors, almost 5000 images, stories and descriptions, and thousands of citations.
Since a few of the older listing on Ancestry.com (before 1500) are in error due to their "One World Tree" systematic approach, always verify your sources.
Our tree includes hundreds of links to King John, Roger Mortimer, Charlemagne, Charles Martel and all of their European noble families,  
resulting in thousands of links to British, French, Spanish and Continental Royalty, Mediterranean Emperors and Egyptian Pharaohs.

*Some of our Royal link are a result of genealogy research taken from manuscripts and books containing incorrect or intentionally fraudulent information 
creatively written by "genealogist" Gustav Anjou (1863-1942).  His real name was Gustaf Ludvig Ljungberg, a Swedish immigrant to the U.S. in the 1890's.
When I find a line that is referenced to his work it is noted or removed, but unfortunately there are many branches that indirectly refer to his research.

Many of our ancestors are listed on the websites "The genealogy of 750,000 people connected to European Royalty", Cindi's List, DAR Patriot list,
Colonists with Royal Ancestry , and two superb genealogical surveys of the peerage of European royal families, and The Peerage.com.

Most of our gateway ancestors are fully approved, documented and cited, and can be referenced in many publications. 
Listed are known gateway ancestral families, or the earliest known colonial ancestor with links to relatives and additional information.
Most of our ancestors arrived during the early 1600's in Virginia, New England, New Amsterdam, and the Philadelphia area.
Our family tree lists more than 2000 colonial ancestors with almost 200 from Plymouth first arrivals and the First Families of Virginia.
As founders of the colonies of Roanoke, NC in 1586, Martha's Vineyard, MA in 1602, Jamestown, VA and Popham, ME in 1607,  Hampton, VA, in 1610,
and thirty one Mayflower Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in 1620, our ancestors were exceptionally significant and instrumental in the founding of our country.

With so many colonial gateway ancestors in our tree, it is usually quite simple to find a reasonably close family link to most Founding Fathers, U.S. Presidents or Revolutionary Leaders of our Nation.
None of our ancestors passed through Ellis Island as they all arrived before the facility was opened.  All sixteen of my great great grandparents and 60 of 64 4th great grandparents were U.S. citizens.
We had more than 1000 ancestors living in the colonies during the American Revolution with at least 35 serving as soldiers or patriots.   Twelve ancestors served as officers in the Continental Army.

The matrilineal branch of our tree through the Knowlton, Metzger, Swett, Mayhew, Norton, and Wyckoff families is also very noteworthy.

Allerton, Isaac m. Mary Norris, emigrated on Mayflower to Plymouth Colony in 1620.  Mary died the first winter along with half of the passengers. 
Allerton, Mary b. 1616 d. 1699, daughter of Isaac and Mary, the last surviving Mayflower passenger, married Thomas Cushman.
*Appleton, Samuel m. 1656 Mary Oliver, their son Issac, b. 1664 d. 1747 who in 1695 married Priscilla Baker, the daughter of Thomas and Priscilla Baker.
   Samuel is a well documented ancestor of William James Cushman through Mary Whipple and Eunice Fairfield, with significant multiple Royal Ancestry.
Baker, Thomas b. 1636 d. 1718 m. Priscilla Symonds in 1672, ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
*Bannister, John,  maternal grandfather of early PA Supreme Court Justice John Bannister Gibson.
Bearse, Augustine married MARY "Little Dove" Hyanno, daughter of Mary Noape and John Hyanno, Chief of the Naragansett and son of Ihyannough.
*Bidgood, Richard 1679-4/10/1760 m. 7/11/1707 to Sarah Ellet b. 1682 Daughter of William Ellet b. 1662 and Ann (?), ancestors of civil engineer Charles Ellet. 
Bohrer, John Peter, July 25, 1746-1798
Bower, Samuel, b. 1726 m. Mary Sutter 4/18/1790  (Read volume 72 page 136)
Brewster, William 1566-1644, and Mary 1569-1627, Both emigrated on the Mayflower to the Plymouth Colony in November, 1620.
   Their Daughter's Patience and Fear, arrive on ship Anne in 1623.  There is no recorded evidence that grand daughter Rebecca married John Putnam.
    Interestingly, one of my mother's Mayflower ancestors, Richard More was raised in the household of  Elder Brewster, therefore one of my father's ancestors raised one of my mother's ancestors.
Clark, John married Mary Morton   John was an early Jamestown settler.
*Clark, Susanna, married Barnabas Lothrop, ancestors of William Cushman, she was a descendant of Albert I "The Pious", Count of Vermandois.
*Clark, Thomas married Rose Kerrich, ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
Clayton, Samuel m. *Elizabeth Pendleton in 1705.  The *Pendleton family descended from a significant line of European royalty.
Coleman, Robert m. Sarah Ann Saunders
Cooke, Francis 1582-1663 m. Hester Mahieu 1592-1675 (Francis was a Mayflower passenger, his wife and children arrived in 1623 on the Anne).
Cooke, Josiah married Elizabeth Ring, ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
*Cushman, James was a National Masonic leader with the titles of "Most Excellent Master" and "Grand Lecturer".
    An early major promoter of Cryptic Masonry, he was a leading member of the York Rite including the Shriners and Knights Templar.
    James was a direct descendant of King Edward III and European Royalty, and a close cousin to presidents Jackson, Coolidge and both Roosevelts.
    James Cushman was a direct descendant of the notable Putnam and Hutchinson families of Salem, MA, ancestors of General Israel Putnam,
    and also from Robert Cushman, Steven Hopkins, Isaac Allerton and Rev. John Robinson, four of the pilgrim founding fathers of  Plymouth.
Cushman, Thomas, 2/2/1603-12/10/1691 raised in the family of Governor William Bradford after his fathers death, married in 1636 to Mary Allerton 1616-1699.
    Emigrated at age 13 on the ship Fortune to Plymouth Colony in 1621, with his father Rev. Robert Cushman 1578-1625, one of  the Plymouth Colony founding fathers.
    Thomas Cushman was the seventh great grandfather of  both Eleanor Roosevelt  and Theodore Roosevelt and closely related to seven other presidents including FDR.
    Not all of our ancestors were high standing members of the community.  I found three direct ancestors and five close relatives listed in the following early Plymouth Colony court records.
Cushman, Elkanah, 6/1/1651-9/4/1727, third son of Thomas and Mary,  m. 2/1676 to Martha Cooke, 3/16/1659-4/17/1722, daughter of Francis Cooke.
Dear, David 1830-1930, m. Deama Hughes 1830-1916. His son Thomas Dear 10/21/1863-5/10/1955 m. Eliza Ann Wood. [I was seven when my GGF Thomas Dear died.]
    They live at 111 Wood St. (named after her father) in Norristown, Penna.  He married Emma Root shortly after Eliza died but moved before the marriage because she would not live on Wood St.
    The six bedroom home is now a multi family dwelling.  The 1906 "prayer bench" (naughty seat) Thomas built for the children (obviously including my grandmother Nellie), remains on the third floor.
*Dudley, Thomas - Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony 1634, 1640, 1645, 1650. He married Dorothy Yorke in 1603 and Katherine Deighton in 1644.
*Dunham, Deacon John m. Abigail Barlow early Plymouth Colony members and ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
   Our Dunham family branch is well documented as one of seven to King Edward III of England and obviously his European Royal Ancestors through the Neville and Plantagenet family trees.
*Fairfield, William 1662-1742,  Early MBC colonist,  descended from King Robert I, "The Bruce", King of Scotland, through his grandfather William Skepper.
Faunce, Mary daughter of John Faunce and Patience Morton, married in 1649, Isaac Robinson son of Rev. John Robinson, (this marriage is recently questioned).
Franklin, Thomas, and Jane White.  We have 3 lines to the Franklin and White families of Boston.  Benjamin Franklin had 16 siblings and his father Josiah had 8.
Fuller, Edward m. Mrs. Anne? Fuller, both emigrated on Mayflower to Plymouth Colony in November, 1620 and died the first winter.
    Son Matthew Fuller arrive in 1623 on ship Anne, raised with his younger brother Samuel by their uncle, Dr. Samuel Fuller and his wife.
    Ruth Fuller m. Peter Robinson, Great Grand Son of Pastor John Robinson.  Their daughter Ruth Robinson m. William Cushman.
*Gardiner, Eva C., a cousin of Lion Gardiner, the ancestor of one of the first families to settle New York and Connecticut.  The family owns the largest private island in the U.S.
*Gates, Caleb, married *Mary Forbes, early Connecticut settlers and multiple ancestors of Tom Gibson, Sally Knowlton, Bill Gates III and the Udall family.
*Gibson, Lord Thomas, 1223-1265, many of our Gibson ancestors are recorded above in the chronological listing, sub listings or links to a separate page.
*Gilbert, Otho married Elizabeth Hill, financier of early colonization, he sent his son Sir Humphrey Gilbert  and stepson Sir Walter Raleigh to America.
*Grenville, Richard, 1542-1591, son of Thomas, and founder of Roanoke Colony, he was a cousin of both Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake.
*Greenville, Thomas, married Isabella Gilbert, daughter of Otho Gilbert and Elizabeth Hill and grand daughter of William Gilbert and Isabel Gambon.
*Gosnold, Bartholomew, established three of the earliest English settlements on the North American Continent. with financial assistance from his father.
   He led the first European expedition to visit Cape Cod, on May 15, 1602 and is now recognized as "The Founding Father of Jamestown, Va".
   Bartholomew Gosnold, Captain of the Godspeed, is considered by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to be "The prime mover of the colonization of Virginia."
   He named Martha's Vineyard for his daughter and the Elizabeth Islands for the Queen.  His grave was recently discovered at the Jamestown Colony.
   Along with many others, Bartholomew died shortly after arriving in Virginia and the leadership of the colony passed to the arrogant and boastful Captain John Smith.
   John Smith rarely mentioned Captain Gosnold in his 1620's imaginative writings on the founding of Jamestown and claimed credit for the colony establishment himself.
   Specifically, his incredibly embellished stories of Pocahontas and his saving the colony of Jamestown from savages have been passed on as fact for more than 350 years.
*Gosnold, Lord Robert the principle financial  backers of the failed Roanoke Colony, sent his cousin, Sir Walter Raleigh to establish the colony in 1586.
   Our Gosnold family branch is well documented as one of seven to King Edward III of England and obviously his European Royal Ancestors through the Neville and Plantagenet family trees.
*Harrison, James married Elizabeth Mott, James was a 2nd cousin to President William Henry Harrison and a 3rd cousin to President Benjamin Harrison.
    William Henry Harrison served as the first Governor of the Indiana Territory from 1800 to 1816 with his cousin John Gibson serving in his stead from July 4, 1800 to January 10, 1801.
      With Harrison's approval, General John Gibson named one of the first three counties in the territory, St. Clair County,  for their cousin,  Continental Army General Arthur St. Clair.
   Our Harrison family branch is well documented as one of seven to King Edward III of England and obviously his European Royal Ancestors through the Neville and Plantagenet family trees.
Headley, Joseph m. Hanna Palmer 8/13/1706, father of Joshua Headley b. 10/17/1726
Hopkins, Stephen, m. Elizabeth Fisher, arrived on the Mayflower at Plymouth Colony in November, 1620, Early member of Jamestown 1609,  First Families of Virginia.
Hopkins, Damaris, m. Jacob Cooke, Daughter of Mayflower passengers Stephen and Elizabeth, she was a second daughter names Damaris, the first dying young.
*Howland, Henry married Anne Margaret Aires, ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
   Henry was an ancestor of seven presidents including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard Nixon,  Gerald Ford, and George W. Bush, as well as Sir Winston Churchill.
   Both of my parents are descended from his son, John Howland, my mother is also descended from his second son Henry who married *Mary Newland.
Howland, John with his wife Elizabeth Tilley, and her parents John Tilley  and Joan Hurst, all arrived on the Mayflower in 1620.
   John and Elizabeth Howland and obviously John and Joan Tilley are also ancestors of my mother, Sarah Jane Knowlton.
Hurt, Isabella m. *Philip Pendleton in 1682.  The *Pendleton family descended from a significant line of European royalty.
*Hutchinson, John b. May 1643 at Salem, MA. d. 2 Aug 1676 at Salem, MA, m. Jul 1672 to Sarah Putnam, 1674-1740, daughter of John Putnam.
       Ancestors of Lucy Hutchinson, the descendants of John Hutchinson were founders of the state of Rhode Island, escaping religious persecution in the Massachusetts Bay Colonies.
     Charles, The Prince of Wales, and President Andrew Jackson are direct descendants of John and Sarah, and his notable father, Colonel John Hutchinson.      
     A dark side of our family history, the Hutchinsons and Putnams were the accusers in the 1692 Salem Witchcraft Trials that resulted in the execution or imprisonment.
     of almost 200 member of the community. Well worth further investigation, it is one of the most tragic, emotional and significant events in American history.
Janney, Thomas m. *Margaret Heath, were early Philadelphia and Bucks County residents, and the grandparents of *Elsie Janney who married Moses Gibson.
     Elsie Janney's mother *Elizabeth Stacy, was descended from an amazing line of English Royalty, including King Edward III and Roger Mortimer of Wigmore.
     The Janneys were devout quakers and very early settlers of Philadelphia, being invited by William Penn and William Gibson to help establish the settlement.
*Johnson, Elizabeth m. *Richard Tutt, both descended from early (FFV) Virginia colonists with significant European Royal ancestors.
*Jones, Elizabeth m. *Benjamin Shackelford descended from the well known southern colonial aristocratic families of Thomas Rolfe, Richard Henry Lee, and Roger Shackleford.
      Elizabeth was a second cousin to 5th U.S. President James Monroe through his mother, also named Elizabeth Jones.
*Keene, Matthew m. *Elizabeth Withers, both descended from early Virginia colonists with significant European Royal ancestors.
*Lee, Richard Henry Sr. the son of the Honorable Colonel Thomas Lee, and Hannah Harrison Ludwell and the great uncle of Robert E. Lee.
   This line is one of four family connections to the notable southern colonial (FFV) aristocratic Lee family of Stratford Hall Plantation,Virginia.
    Some of the *Royal links in the Lee family are a result of genealogy research taken from manuscripts and books containing incorrect or fraudulent information written by Gustav Anjou. 
Lettice, Thomas 1612-1681 m. Susanna Ring 1600-1631 daughter of William Ring and Mary Durrant.
*Lathrop, Rev. John b. 12/20/1584  m. Anna Howse, son Barnabas m. Susanna Clark,who descended from Lord Thomas Aston and European Royalty.
    Benedict Arnold, most of the Roosevelt family, Shirley Temple and many other famous Americans descended from Rev. John Lathrop.
     Some of the Royal links in the Lathrop family are a result of genealogy research taken from manuscripts and books containing incorrect or fraudulent information written by Gustav Anjou.
    Rev. John Lathrop and his second wife Ann Hammond are also ancestors of my mother, Sarah Jane Knowlton through their daughter Abigail.
*Livingston, John m. *Janet Fleming  We have three links to the Livingston family of Scotland, who settled in Amsterdam, N.Y. and New Jersey in the 1600's.
   Continental Congress delegate and Declaration of Independence signer Philip Livingston was a grandson of John and Janet. He died and is buried in York, PA.
Lloyd, Samuel, m Margaret Dodd
Lyne, John, an early Virginia settler,  his daughter Anne married John Shackelford.
Manton, Experience m. Peter Robinson son of Isaac Robinson and grandson of Rev. John Robinson and *Bridget White.
Marshall, Edward m. Elizabeth Weiser,  He was the only "walker" to complete the distance on the infamous Walking Purchase.
*Martin, John one of the principal founders and leaders of Jamestown, Virginia.  We are descended from or closely related to four of the six founders of Jamestown Colony.
Meylin, Martin m. Anne Rutgen, is credited as the inventor of the Pennsylvania Long Rifle, usually incorrectly identified as the Kentucky Long Rifle.
*Minor, Elizabeth married John Winn
*Morgan, Edward, we are descended from the Quaker Morgan family of Gwynedd Valley in Montgomery County and lived down the street on Swedesford Road.
*Morris, Robert m. Mary White,  We have three links to the Morris family & White families.  Robert was the first and only U.S. Superintendent of Finance.
*Mott, George married Elizabeth Mott, (2nd cousins)
*Muscoe, Salvatore m. Mary Lewis, both early Virginia settlers.
Norris, Mary wife of Isaac Allerton and mother of Mary Allerton, all 1620 Mayflower passengers.
O'Conner, Betsey or Elizabeth
Palmer, Hanna b. 3/23/1683 daughter of John Palmer 1655-6/11/1726 and Christiana Jones 1660-7/8/1740
*Pendleton, Philip, Emigrated in 1674, son of George, b. c1600. The *Pendleton family of (FFV)Virginia descended from a significant line of European royalty.
    John Pendleton Kennedy, U.S. Navy Secretary and his brother, U.S. Senator Anthony Kennedy are descended from Philip, and the Cooke and Dunham families.
*Pettingall, Sir John, of Manchester.  His daughter Elizabeth married Philip Pendleton.
*Pettus, Sir John, of Norwich provided finances for his son Colonel Thomas Pettus and his wife Elizabeth Durrant, both early settler of Jamestown, VA.
*Putnam, John Jr. (b. ca 1627-4/7/1710) & Rebecca Prence d. 11/6/1704, their daughter Sarah 1674-1740 m. John Hutchinson.
      Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam 1718 - 1790 was a grandson of John Sr, nephew of John Jr, and 1st cousin to Sarah Putnam.
      There is no recorded evidence that Rebecca Prence was the grand daughter of Governor William Brewster, as recorded for more than 300 years.
Ring, William married Mary Durrant, both early Plymouth Colony members and ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
Robinson, Rev. John 1575-1625 m. Bridget White, he was a leader and founding pastor of the Mayflower pilgrims, arriving on the Anne in 1623.
       His son Isaac, born 1610, was married twice, first to Margaret Handford and second to Mary (last name unknown), but was not Mary Faunce as recorded.
*Rolfe, Thomas m. Jane Poythress, was the only child of Pocahontas by her English husband John Rolfe. His only child, Jane Rolfe married Colonel Robert Bolling.
*Shackelford, John, as early settlers in King and Queen County in 1649, they were one of the first southern aristocratic (FFV) Virginia families.
Shenkmeyer, Mary Magdalene The only information I can find on Mary Shenkmeyer on the Wingerd family page.
Shurtleff, Susannah d. 7/27/1763 daughter of William and Susanna (Lathrop) Shurtleff
Shurtleff, William b. 6/16/1624, killed by lightning on 6/6/1666, he married Elizabeth Lettice 1636-10/31/1693, in 1645 and raised at least five children.
*Sinkler, Captain William, married Susannah Garner, parents of Esther Sinkler who married Isaac Gibson, and a highly respected Virginia family.
   Captain Sinkler descended from the ancient and noble Scottish family of Baron Sinclair of Ravensheugh Castle, and the Earls of Caithness.
*Skepper, William 1597-1650, early MBC colonists and significant Scottish Royal descent to King Robert I, "The Bruce", of Scotland.
*Skipper, Sarah 1639-1710 m. Walter Fairfield 1632-1723 son of John Fairfield  Sarah was a cousin of President Calvin Coolidge.
    Some of the Royal links in the Skipper family are a result of genealogy research taken from manuscripts and books containing incorrect or fraudulent information written by Gustav Anjou. 
    Sarah was a direct descendant of King Edward III of England, Charlemagne the first Holy Roman Emperor, and Attila the Hun.
Springsteen, Johannes Casperszen married Maria Johannes Theunis, early Dutch Long Island residents and ancestors of singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen.
St. Clair, William was the grandfather of Continental Congress President and Continental Army General Arthur St. Clair.
*Stacy, Mahlon, 1638-1704, married Rebecca Ely, 1648-1711, settled in Nottingham, Burlington, New Jersey, parents of Elizabeth Stacy who married Abel Janney.
Sumner, Rodger b. 1576 m. Joan Franklin b. 2/13/1559, son William Sumner  m. Mary West, Daughter Mary m. Joseph Swinnerton father of Sarah
Sutter, Mary 1774-1850 Daughter of Daniel Sutter and Eve C. Gardiner. Daniel was an uncle of Johann Augustus Sutter founder of Sutter's Fort.
Swinnerton, Sarah m. Deacon Joseph Whipple 2/2/1702 - 1740
*Taylor, John, 1754-1824, a great uncle of President Zachary Taylor, was directly descended from famous Martyrs, Dr. Rowland Taylor and William Tyndale.
Thatcher, Elizabeth m. Samuel Fuller 10/31/1700
Thomas, Martha married Richard Whitton June 4, 1770.  She was the daughter of Abednego Thomas.  Any information on Martha Thomas would be appreciated.
Tilley, Elizabeth with her husband John Howland, and her parents John Tilley and Joan Hurst, all arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. (Three lines)
*Tutt, Richard  1680-1728 m. 5/26/1703 *Mary Underwood,  1687-1743 daughter of William Underwood and a descendant of European Royalty.
*Underwood, William married *Mary Moseley, a direct descendant of Sir William Gerard, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and his Royal ancestors.
   William and Mary were ancestors of both Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton.
*Whiton, Thomas, Great grandfather of Thomas who was father of Richard who married Martha Thomas, and GGF of Abednego T. Whitton m. Maria Bower.
All descended from Mayflower passengers John Tilley, signed the Mayflower Compact, his wife Joan Hurst, and their daughter Elizabeth Tilley, who married John Howland who also signed the Compact.
*Joseph Morris Bower Whitton SAR. was the founder and a significant land owner of Glenbrook, Connecticut and a long time officer of the Stamford Historical Society.
      Joseph was also the owner and manager of the original Niblo's Garden in New York City, and wrote and produced many of the plays performed at the famous venue.
*Whipple, Joseph 10/31/1666 - 1731 m. Sarah Hutchinson early MBC colonists.  Declaration of Independence signer, William Whipple was a descendant of Joseph.
     Joseph Whipple and Sarah Hutchinson are also ancestors of my mother,  Sarah Jane Knowlton.
Wingerd, Abraham 3/15/1768 - 1/1/1820  The Wingerd family was from southern Germany.
*Wingfield, Edward, 1560 – 1631  He was one of the financial backer, first president, and the principal founder of Jamestown, Virginia.
*Winn, John 1553-1626 son of Owen Wynne descendants of  Sir Thomas Gerrard and Dulcia Asheton, a direct descendant of Owain I of Gwynedd, King of Wales.
*John Winthrop Governor of Massachusetts Bay Company.  Married Mary Forth, on 16 April 1605 and Thomasine Clopton, on 6 December 1615.
*Withers, Betsy d. 1825 m. Minor Winn 10/17/1765 Betsy is descended from many well known gateway ancestral families with documented Royal ancestry.
           [There are many instances of  homogamy, endogamy and  consanguinity throughout our family trees,  not an uncommon occurrence in large "Old Money" families of European descent.]  

---

Our branch of the Gibson family is fully approved for membership in the following organizations:

Mayflower Society - Thirty one direct lineal ancestors arrived on the Mayflower at Plymouth Colony, Mass., in November of 1620. (twenty approved)
Allerton, Isaac m. Norris, Mary with daughter Mary:  Hopkins, Stephen, m. Fisher, Elizabeth,  with daughter Constance: Cooke Francis, Fuller, Matthew m. Ann ? with son Samuel:
John Tilley m. Joan Hurst, with daughter Elizabeth Tilley m. John Howland, William and Mary Brewster.

Jamestown Society and the First Families of Virginia (17 ancestors listed) 
     Most are descended from the Gibson, Lee, Carter, Gilbert, Pendleton, Shackelford, Rolfe, Bolling, Harrison, Hopkins, Ludwell, Minor and Winn families.

Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution (31 DAR approved direct blood patriot ancestors), with more than 100 close relatives.
THOMAS Wagoneer Withers, MINOR Jr. Lieutenant Winn, MINOR Winn , WILLIAM Lieutenant Williamson, JOSEPH Capt. Dr. Whipple ,  BENJAMIN Quartermaster Tutt,
DANIEL Private Sutter,  JOHN George Shoemaker,  BENJAMIN Captain Shackelford,  PETER Ensign Ruth, NATHANIEL Pendleton,  ABRAHAM Sergeant Paulhamus, 
NOAH Corporal Norton,  PETER Private Marshall, SAMUEL Captain Knowlton, JOSEPH Sergeant Knowlton,  JEREMIAH Private Knowlton , JESSE Ensign Holbrook, 
JOSHUA Headley , SAMUEL Private Gray,  JAMES Private Gray, CALEB Graffam, ISAAC Gibson,  ELIHUE Esq. Getchell, THOMAS I Ferguson,  PHILLIP Ellis, 
EDWARD Private Carter, AMOS Sergeant Brown, CHRISTIAN Private Bricker,  JOHN Peter Bohrer,  All are listed here if you don't have Ancestry.com access.

Sons and Daughters of the War of 1812 (9 ancestors)

Sons and Daughters of the US Civil War (both north and south with 5 ancestors listed).

FOUNDERS & PATRIOTS
National Society of  the Sons and Daughters of Founders & Patriots
(Two Lines Approved) (Twelve lines recorded)

• Founder: Thomas Cushman
• Patriot: Isaac Cushman

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE PILGRIMS (S&D PILGRIMS)
Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims
Thirty lines (Twelve Lines Approved) Only descendants of James Cushman and Mary Whipple can make this claim. 
As my grandfather was the only child of Amy Butler Whitton with children, 
and I am the only child of Thomas Cushman Gibson and Sarah Jane Knowlton with biological children, 
there are very few of us remaining with more than 20 lines.

• Allerton, Isaac m. Norris, Mary with daughter Allerton, Mary,  Constance Hopkins,  Hopkins, Stephen, m. Fisher, Elizabeth, Cooke Francis, Matthew m. Ann Fuller,  
  John Tilley m. Joan Hurst, Elizabeth Tilley m. John Howland,  William Brewster m. Mary Brewster.

Pilgrim Society - We have a significant family relationship with many past and present members.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN COLONIST (SDAC)
Daughters of American Colonist National Homepage
Philip Livingston Chapter of DAC
(Seventeen Lines Approved) (at least twenty three lines recorded)

ORDER OF DESCENDANTS OF COLONIAL GOVERNORS (Seven lines approved and twenty three recorded)

We are related to every American President within 12 generations, at least 27 American Presidents within 10 generations and seven presidents within 8 generations.  
Being related to every president is not unique, all presidents except Martin Van Buren, are descended from King John of England along with more than 50 million Americans.
Obviously being related to a president or descent from Mayflower Pilgrims or Royalty is not  uncommon in colonial families of European descent dating from the 17th century.
What is uncommon is having almost 1000  well documented 17th century gateway ancestors in one family.  "We are all cousins."
Our family is also descended from or related to at least 18 signers of the United States Declaration of Independence, and more than sixty soldiers and thirty officers of the Continental Militia.

The National Huguenot Society maintains on its website an "open listing" of persons who have been documented,
to the satisfaction of The National Huguenot Society, to have been Huguenots, i.e., French Protestants living between 1520 and 1787.
Several of our ancestors are included in this list of Huguenots, especially Pieter Monfoort (number 4046).

General Society, Sons of the Revolution, Lancaster, PA Chapter,  Our Gibson ancestors were founders of Lancaster and founded the chapter.

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) publishes a Patriot Index, a list of persons whose honorable service in the cause
of independence during the American Revolution renders their female descendants eligible for membership in the NSDAR.
More than 30 of our ancestors appear in the Patriot Index and my mother was a full member.  Both grandmothers and three great grandmothers were full members.
While I am not eligible for membership in the NSDAR (by not being female), I am a full member in the equivalent organization for men, NSSAR,
the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.  My father, both grandfathers, three great grandfathers and six gg grandfathers were full members.
I am an officer and full member of the Continental Congress Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, PSSAR, a division of the NSSAR.

---

Gibson Family Genealogy Notes

Originally written in 1867 by the Rev. Minor Winn Gibson Esq. and updated 1898 by the Rev. Dr. John Shackelford Gibson.

  Both John and his grandfather Minor  were well aware of our exceptional family history, but were quite modest when recording the position or accomplishments of our many notable ancestors.
  The family tree, printed in 1892 and examined by many of my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, lists hundreds of notable ancestors by name only.  No one in the immediate family recognized any of the names.

With boxed family memorabilia being passed on and rarely examined, I am absolutely certain my uncle Muscoe had no idea of our Mayflower connections or our exceptional lines of Royal Ancestry.        
Unfortunately my parents and grandparents stored our family archives in basements or damp areas of  their homes, and many publications, papers and heirlooms are foxed or exhibiting similar damage.
If my father or brothers would have investigated names listed in the family Bibles or on old ancestral charts, they would have easily discerned the origin of their middle name, (Cooke and Cushman).      
According to my mother, the middle names of my brothers and sister were selected from recent ancestors of our tree because my parents "just liked the name, or the name had a nice sound to it".            

1.    Rev. Minor Winn GIBSON m. Elizabeth Pendleton SHACKELFORD

Minor Winn Gibson was born 7 Apr 1797 in Hillsborough, Virginia. He died in 1877 in Lonaconing, Allegheny Co, Maryland. 
The1820 census shows Minor and Elizabeth as newlyweds living in Berryville, Frederick Co, VA. In 1830, they are living in Culpeper Co VA with five children. 
By 1840, they are in Rappahannock Co with a household of 3 adults and 10 children.  
In 1860, they are living in Washington DC with Minor age 63, Elizabeth age 60, Moses age 23, James age 21 and Lucy age 39.  
In 1870, the family is in Lonaconing,Allegheny Co., MD (p. 456A): Minor is listed as retired minister at age73, Elizabeth is age 70, 
Lucy is teaching school at age 49 , James is a store clerk at age 31, and a 60 y.o. minister named A. Rankin is living with them at that time. 
There are many references to Minor Winn Gibson writing genealogical articles in the Richmond Times about the Gibson, Winn, Withers, Pendleton and Shackelford family histories.
He married Elizabeth Pendleton Shackelford (b 14 Jun 1800 Cleveland,Culpeper Co, VA; died 8 Feb 1874 in Lonaconing) on16 Jun 1819.
The mother of Elizabeth is Lucy Pendleton Tutt who descended from many exceptionally notable early colonial families from Virginia.

Children:

1. Lucy Withers Gibson (b 1821)  employed as school teacher, never married.  In 1860, age 39 living with parents in Washington DC. 
In 1870, age 49 living with parents, teaching school in Lonaconing MD.

2. Mary Ellen Gibson (b 1823) Married Dr. James Madison Porter of Frostburg, MD. 
Two children: Thomas Glissan Porter (b ~1849, lived in Frostburg) and Lucy Porter Teddy (b ~1852, lived in Piedmont). 
Mary died young and Dr Porter remarried twice before he died in 1890.

3. Martha Irene Gibson (b 1826)  Never married and died young.

4. Isaac Tutt Gibson (b 30 Jan 1828) in Rappahannock Co,VA) see above.

5. Alcinda Esther Gibson (b 1830) Married Dr. G.E. (Ellis) Porter of Frostburg, MD in 1853. Lived in Lonaconing. 
Had nine children, 6 of whom were deceased in 1889 when Dr. Porter died. 
Alcinda filed for widow's veterans benefits in 1890 in Lonaconing (dist 18).

6. John St. Pierre Gibson (b 1832) Became a doctor and married Mary Wallace of Augusta, GA.

7. Minor Pendleton Gibson (b 1835)  Died young

8. Moses Winn Gibson (b 1837) In 1860 at age 23, he was living with parents in Washington DC.

9. James Green Gibson (b 1839) In 1860 at age 21, he was  living with his parents in Washington D.C. 
                                                             In 1870 at age 31, he was working as a store clerk in Lonaconing,  MD living with his parents.

        2.     Rev. Isaac GIBSON m. Annie Sophia WINGERD
             Rev. Issac GIBSON was relatively unique in NOT marrying a spouse of English descent.  The Wingerd, Bohrer and Schenkmayer families were all from Germany.

Rev. Isaac Gibson was born on 30 Jan 1828 at Bowling Green, Flint Hill in Rappahanock Co., VA. He died 12 Jun 1906 in Norristown, Montgomery Co, PA.
At age 22 he began his career in ministry, first with the Methodist Church and then later with the Episcopal Church. 
The 1860 census shows the family in Sheperdstown, Jefferson Co., VA: Isaac age 32, minister, Annie age 28, John age 6, Ethel age 4, Muscoe age 1, 
and also Annie's younger siblings Margaret age 19 and George age 15)

He served as minister for churches in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. He served as rector of the Old Fork Church in Hanover Co, VA. Other church jobs included the following--1866: Asst Rector of Zion Church in Charlestown, WV.1866-1868: Rector of St. Martin's Parish, VA. 1868-70: Danville, KY;1870-71: Calvary Church, Louisville, KY; 1871-72: Trinity Church in Covington, KY then to St. John's in Norristown from 1872 until his death in 1906; he was made Rector Emeritus there in 1898. He is listed in the Norristown City Directory 1888-1893, residing at 27 E. Airy and also 
17 E. Elm St in Norristown, PA. The Southern Churchman said in his obituary that he"was the author of several works on the Higher Criticism, the latest,"Reasons for the Higher Criticism" being well-known." Author: Leading Higher Critics on the Origin of the Levitical Law, 1894; The Pentateuch and Joshua, 1895; Reasons for the Higher Criticisms of the Hexateuch, 1897.  

There is a stained glass window in the sanctuary dedicated to Rev.  Isaac Gibson.  Explore the St. John's Church web pages for more information and images.

Married Annie Sophia Wingerd  in 1853.

Children:

1. John Shackelford Gibson (b 22 Dec 1853) in Port Tobacco, Charles Co, MD. 

2. Ethel Wingerd Gibson (b 4 Feb 1856).  In 1930 census, Ethel and Delia are residing together unmarried (ages 63 and 57) in Norristown, PA.  Ethel's occupation listed as  commercial retail dry goods.

3. Muscoe Minor Gibson (b 6 Feb 1859) in Blacksburg, VA.  Lawyer in Norristown, PA.  Married Amy Bower Whitton. In 1930, he is listed in the census as a lawyer, age 60, living with his son, Joseph Whitton, age 20, and a servant.

"The law firm which was for many years Larzelere & Gibson, Mr. Larzelere's partner being Muscoe M. Gibson, son of Rev. Isaac Gibson, has within a few years been enlarged further by the addition of Gilbert R. Fox, also of Norristown, the firm name being Larzelere, Gibson & Fox, in which working shape it is prepared to take up any and all legal business that is presented, and carry it to a successful issue. From: "Ellwood Roberts' Biographical Annals,1904: Montgomery Co, PA Vol I - Part 1: pp. 1-19."

"MUSCOE M. GIBSON, son of the Rev. Isaac Gibson, was born at Blacksburg, Virginia on February 6, 1859. He acquired his education at the Norristown High School, at the Treemount Seminary, under Professor John W. Loch, and at Lafayette College, where he was graduated in 1880. He studied law in the office of Benjamin E. Chain,Esq., was admitted to the bar of Montgomery County in June, 1883, and then located in business in Norristown, where he is now in practice,"from: "History: Local: Chapter XXXVI : The Bench and Bar - Part II :Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery Co, PA"

4. Delia Pendleton Gibson (b 23 Nov 1862) is listed on the 1930 census as living with her sister Ethel in Norristown and unmarried.   Her occupation is listed as a music teacher. 

3.     Rev. John Shackleford GIBSON m. Ilicia Wheeler DAVIS

Rev. John Shackelford Gibson was born on 22 Dec 1853 in Port Tobacco, Charles Co, VA. He died on 4 Dec 1912 in Virginia.  He was educated at Hanover Academy in Hanover Co VA.   He also attended school at the Central University in Lexington, KY and the University of Cincinnati. He attended Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia from 1872-1875. His first assignment was as a missionary to the Diocese of Kentucky 1875-1879. He was then an assistant pastor at St. Michael's Church in Trenton, NJ from 1879-80,missionary in southern Ohio from 1880-1882, pastor of Nelson parish in West Virginia from 1882-1890, pastor of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, VA from 1890-92. He took over as the minister of Trinity Episcopal Church in Huntington WV from 1892-1912.He had just accepted a new ministry position back in Virginia at Christ Church in Gordonsville when he died of a heart attack. He was buried in Trenton, NJ. At the time of his death, the Southern Churchman publication said of him that he was "a devout Churchman and a scholarly preacher.; noted especially, for his missionary zeal..."

Married Ilicia Wheeler Davis on 12 Jan 1881 in Trenton, NJ.

Children:

1. Frances Bodine Gibson (b 5 Nov 1881) 

2. Rev. James Davis Gibson (b Oct 1883) James Davis became a clergyman like his father and grandfather. He worked as rector in the same church as his grandfather (Trinity Church in Covington, KY), and married Mary Leadbetter.  In 1930, the family is listed in Fort Mitchell, Kenton Co KY: James was working as an Episcopal clergyman and living with his wife Mary and their children John Gibson age 19,Janet Gibson age 17, James Gibson age16, Douglas Gibson age 11 and Philip Gibson age 8. Rev James died on 5 Mar 1932 in Covington KY.

3. Anna Gibson (b Sep 1885)  Anna married Dr. John Mitchell Willis,  a Colonel in the US Army Medical Corp,  stationed in Fort Snelling, MN and other bases.  In 1930,  Ann and her husband were living on the Ft. Leavenworth Base in Kansas, with their son John Willis Jr , age 14, who was born on a military base on the Philippine Islands where he was stationed.   Dr. Willis was the grandson of  Lucy Taliaferro Madison, a first cousin to President James Madison.

4. Dr. John Shackelford Gibson Jr. (b Jan 1887), John Shackelford Jr. attended the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, became a Major in Medical Corp, US Army, and married Patty Braxton. In 1930 John is listed as a Surgeon at the "Government Hospital" in Washington DC. He is living with wife Patty and a daughter Eleanor Gibson and has a profound interest in Gibson genealogy like his father.

5. Philip Pendleton Gibson Esq.  (b Jun 1890). Became a prominent lawyer in Huntington, WV. One source mentions him as "of Washington & Lee University in Lexington".  He married Morrell Sanford. In 1930, Philip and Morrell are listed in Huntington, Cabell Co. WV.

---

The following are excerpts of a letter from a noted professional genealogist who questioned our incredible family history and pedigree:

"After spending several “fun” evenings on the Gibson ancestry, I am happy to report verified multiple Royal or noble lines of descent 
through the Gibson, Knowlton, Swett, Whitton, Whipple, Tutt,  Metzger, Mayhew, Norton, Cushman, Hutchinson, Putnam, Shackelford and Pendleton family lines."

"Tom's ancestry is unique in his direct multiple descent from founders of all of the principle early English colonization attempts of our country."

"His family is the only one that I know of that is closely related to the families of all four presidents with images carved on Mount Rushmore."
"Unlike many of us who are related to most U.S. presidents by King John of England, Tom is related to every president of the United States within 12 generations."
"He is exceptionally unique in his descent from three separate 16th century Native American Families from Virginia, Pennsylvania and New England."

"Tom's ancestors are descended, via New England immigrants to the Philadelphia area, Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia, 
from a plethora of Mayflower passengers, New England colonial ancestors and founders of Jamestown, Virginia. . .
I suspect Tom and his children have more documented Mayflower blood ancestors than anyone else on the face of the earth."

"He is descended from most of the Mayflower Pilgrims and has well documented colonial descent from more than 35 Revolutionary War soldiers".

"Tom is a ninth cousin to both HRH Prince Charles of Wales, and Diana, the former Princess of Wales.
Obviously, his sons, Chris and Jon Gibson are double cousins to Princes William and Harry.  
Tom is also a multiple 9th cousin to both George and Laura Bush."

Update: President Barack Obama, George Bush, and Thomas K. Gibson are all direct descendants of Samuel Hinckley and Sarah Soole.
Thomas Knowlton Gibson is actually an eighth great uncle to the President of the United States and a ninth cousin to the former president.

The letter to the Obama girls from the bush twins, Barbara and Jenna, is actually to their 9th cousins Malia and Sasha. (I wonder if they know it.)
Chris and Jon, the letter is also very relevant to both of you, it is well written and has a superb message that is meaningful and poignant.

Please note that these relationships are not unique to anyone of Scottish, English or European descent, tracing colonial ancestry to the 17th century.
In twelve generations you could easily have more than one thousand different ancestors unless there is significant consanguinity in your family tree.
The chances of some of them being descended from Royalty or a Mayflower Passenger is actually quite probable, (1 in 5 or 20%).
We are directly descended from thousands of Emperors, Pharaohs, Kings & Queens, Princes, Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Counts, Viscounts and Barons.

Thomas Knowlton Gibson and his descendants, are members or are eligible for full membership
in the following Military, Genealogy and Hereditary Societies.

Presidential Families of America
First Families of America
America's First Families
First Families of Virginia
Established Families in America
National Society of the Sons of Colonial New England
National Society of Sons of American Colonists
National Society of Old Plymouth Colony Descendants
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Descendants of the Knights of Bath
Descendants of British Royal Families
Military Order Of The Crusades
Hereditary Society Blue Book
Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors
Holland Society of New York   We are directly descended from five early founders of New Netherlands.