Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1909-10-26
Death of Mrs. Frances w. Gibson

S~>sAss ~ 40. AeAfA&Sc W. NssOcOss-
1t was with deep sorrow that her many
friends heard Of the passing away of Mrs.
Frances Williams Gibson. widow of Col.
John rhe5, GIBSON. last Thursday morn
ing. October zIst. at her residence Oh
scventyiiith year of her age. She had
been in failing health for more than
year. but her ,ndition did not become
serious until week before her death.
when she WIS selz d with An acute at
tack OF Brieht's disease. from the fatal
effects of which she could not be saved
OF calm and serene nature she viewed
the approach of the angel of death, with
out fear or worry. and with no complain
ngs she died in the perfect peace Of one
resigned TO the will of her Heavenly
Father, leaving TO her children the
blessed inheritance of mothers love and
tenderness and unse,fshness. Mrs. Glib
son was a member of the Protestant
Episcopal church. and love for her church
was among the expressions of her faith,
worship and good deeds Kind hearted,
charitable aud doer of many good
works, she was highly esteemed by the
] poor and distressed to whose needs her
heart was always open. AS her life
ebbed away she was spared from suffer
ing and pain; her bodily and mental Wig
or preserved her cheerful and trar quil
disposition to near the very enc; irquir.
ing about hen many friends; giving her
children advice; talking of those of her
family who had preceded her across the
dark river. With peaceful thoughts OF
love for every one and abiding faith in
| God, 1T seemed as if exhausted nature was
yielding to gentle and restful s'eep
| And true woman devoted wife aud a
loving mother was called to her Heaven
ly reward. Mrs. Gibson took great in
ter est IN the success of the volunteer fire
companies of tins town, and we are in
formed she made liberal contribnti ons &c
their support. As a member of the
| United Daughters of the Confederacy
she loved the South. and to the day oi
her death she remained loyal to the "Lost
Cause--her life having been part Of
the splendor of Southern patriotism Sic
hoped TO live to see markers placed
throughout Jefferson county. to common
orota tho baroic,, nf Conf derota col "A ,a,,.
She was also a member of the Society Of
Daug hters of the American Revolution
Mrs. Gibson was VIZ man of much bust
ness ability, and her advice was alway:
sought IN the successful manage ment o.
her large property interests. She
was the daughter of the late Coloue
Braxton Davenport. for many years il
ante belium days President of the ole
Jefferson County Court. ard was borr
December 9th. 1894 at her fathers coun
try estate. Altoona, near Charles Town
Her mother was E!;z lbeth Bednger. a
daughter of Major Henry Bedineer Of
tue Revolutionary War Her ancestor.
OH her fathers side We're also patriots il
the war for indes.-~~enc as well as IN III,
War of 1872 when America gained The
final victory over Great Britain She
was sister of the late Col Henry B
Davenport, and their relatives are among
the oldest families of the county ano
State. Mrs. Gibson was educated at the
famous MIS-. Meade's School on Grace
street in Richmond. Va. where she
formed lasting friendships with members
of the most prominent families OF Virginia
and other Southern States In MAY. 1883.
she was marued at her father 5 home. to
Col. John Thos Gibson an attorney-at
law and member of the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia, Col. and Mrs Gibson
resided in Charles Town until the break
ing out of the War between the States
which called him to service with the
troops IN the field. During the absence
of her husband in the war, she lived al
her fathers near town, and witnessed
many of the terrible sufferipgs of thai
war. After her husband returned from
the surrender at Appomat.ox Court
House, in 1865, the test oath not permit
ting Col. Gibson to resume the practice
of law, thew went to live en- her farm al
Bedington, Berkeley county. from whence
they moved to Shepherdstown in 1868
and thence i'll Septe mber 1869, moved to
their farm "Burnlea" near Charles rown.
7hich they sold to Col John T. Colston
IN 1891 and came to live that year in this
town. Hell husband died here in lam
uarv, 1904 There were five children
born 10 them.-two sons and three dauph
ters. A son, John Frances, died in 1864
aud daughter, Elz ,beth Bedlnger, died
ia the year 1895 Mrs Gibson is survived
by enc son, Col. Braxton ID Gibson.
President of the National Citzers Bank
and a prominent lawyer of Charles
Town. and two daughters. MIS- Annie
g. Packet. wife of VIM Bainbr,dpe
| Packet. and Miss Susan G Gibson. both
of whom live here The funeral ser
vices Were held in Zon Protes-
tant Episcopal church on Sunday after
noon. the services being conducted by
the rector, Rev. J S. Alfr;eud, and Bish-
up w. L, Grsvatt The funeral was
largely attended by the numerous friends