McManus 168

Early life

Joseph Gibson was born in Dundee in 1830. He was the son of Joseph Gibson, a jute manufacturer and his wife, Margaret Boath.^[1][6]

Adult Life

By profession, Joseph Gibson was an “average adjuster and marine insurance broker,” who became the senior partner in Messrs Joseph Gibson & Co. Joseph’s partner in the business happened to be his brother-in-law, Thomas Farquharson. Their partnership was dissolved, with mutual consent, in 1908 by Joseph’s retiral.

Joseph was “prominently identified with shipping circles.”^[8] A Director of a number of companies owning Arctic fishing vessels and holder of substantial business interests, he was one of the ‘instigators’ of a venture which sent four of the Dundee whaling fleet to Antarctica in search of the whale. “The main purpose of the venture was unsuccessful, but large quantities of seals and penguins were brought home and much useful scientific  knowledge was obtained.”^[8]

He served as a Justice of the Peace and held a number of other influential, social and charitable positions over the course of his lifetime, including being President of the Chamber of Commerce, a Director of Dundee Royal Infirmary and President of the Dundee Seamen’s Friend Society^[8]. Gibson was a member of the West United Free Church, Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, where he served variously as Elder and Session Clerk.^[8]

Joseph Gibson was a man of wealth and influence, involved in overseas trade and development at an important time for the British Empire. Having been a business leader, including President of the Chamber of Commerce, he was influential in the development of Dundee at a significant period in its history. Having held the position of Justice of the Peace, he was a man who also had a strong sense of civic duty. He was active in supporting charitable institutions to benefit the poor of Dundee, including the Dundee Royal Infirmary and Dundee Seamen’s Friend Society.

Death

Joseph Gibson lived for a time with siblings, Jane, Margaret and Jessie, at 12 James Place, Broughty Ferry^[2] and then at Bay Cottage, Broughty Ferry^[4]. By 1878, he was living with servants at Ellieslea,^[15] Broughty Ferry, a 10 room mansion.^[5] Joseph Gibson died at his home, Ellieslea, Broughty Ferry aged 84, on 30 June 1915 ^[6]. His death was registered by his nephew William Gibson.^[6]

Estate

At the time of his death^[17] Joseph Gibson had holdings in a number of whaling, shipping and other companies connected with Dundee’s maritime industries. He also held interests in the jute industry, rubber estates, land development and mining companies, together with banks and insurance companies.

After a number of legacies ranging in value from £100 to £8000, he left the residue of his estate to his nephew, William Gibson, who is believed to have been living with his uncle at Ellieslea, Broughty Ferry, at the time of his death.^[18]