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people:james_gibson_1837

James Gibson

James Gibson (20 December 1837 – 14 May 1918) was a Scottish-born New Zealand stationary engine driver who lived and worked on the West Coast. He was the husband of Mary Dumbreck and the father of five children.

Early life

James was born at Carnwath, Lanarkshire, on 20 December 1837. Family records identify his parents as Adam Gibson and Catherine Smith.1)

Marriage and family

James married Mary Dumbreck at St Nicholas Presbyterian Church in Lanark on 13 December 1867. They had five children: Adam, Mary Stevenson, Catherine, Margaret Stevenson, and James.2)

A family record states that James and Mary travelled from Scotland aboard the *Westland*, arriving at Port Chalmers on 21 April 1879. It records James as aged 41 at arrival.

Work and the West Coast

Family records describe James as a stationary engine driver at Denniston for the Westport Coal Company. He died at Westport on 14 May 1918.3)

The family record names Orowaiti Middle Cemetery as his burial place, while the gravestone was located at Westport Cemetery. Whether the two names refer to the same burial ground is unclear.4)

1) , 3)
Beban family archive, family record for James Gibson; accessed 21 September 2026.
2)
Beban family archive, family record for the household of James Gibson and Mary Dumbreck; accessed 21 September 2026.
4)
Beban family archive, gravestone location record; accessed 21 September 2026.
people/james_gibson_1837.txt · Last modified: (external edit)