The Washington herald., 1917-03-25
Answers to CORRESPONDENTS,

z. T. B. asks for Ginformation about
the Gibson family and the coat-of-arms. /"
The American family with best claim
TO using a coat-of-arms seems to be the
family descended from John Gibson, who
settled in Cambridge, Mass. in 1884 This
coat-of-arms is described: First and
fourth a stork between three crescents
argent. Second and third, argent a chew
ron between three mullets sable. Crest:
On an embattled tower a stork rising
gules, beaked and membered or. The
motto is "Cassis tutissima virtus"
A large family of the name was founded
by James Gibson who was born in As
trea. Ireland. He lived in Mullaughwo-
bragh with his wife. Elizabeth Lamnon
He was a weaver by trade. About 1731 he
sailed with his wife and two sons, John
and William. and a maid from Ports
mouth. England. a son, Barnabas, was
born in the passage. Later he and his
wife had James. Elizabeth. and Margaret
John. the eldest son. left many descend
ants in Maine. William was a soldier and
Barnabas was a deacon.
Mrs. W. II. NJ writes for informa ton
about the Tunstalls. of Virginia, who
settled in Pittsylvania County and King
ard Queen County.
1 am afraid that II will be hard 10 get
very definite information about this fam
lily in spite of its age and distinction |
suggest that you consult the Virginia
magazine of History, vol. Il, page 444, for
something about the family. I think you
can find bound volumes of that magazine
in any large library. The name is OF good
English origin and was originally Town
stall Many derive the name from a mar
ish so called in Devonshire, England
NJ. c. In reply to L. D., who inquired
for information about the Carr family
very kindly writes as follows: ''I will give
him some OF the Carrs of our side OF the
house. This is taken from the Bible OF
Michael and Rachel Carr.
Thomas Carr. born March 8, 1913, died
December "a, 1876; Alexander Carr, born
June u, 1914, died January IA. 1875; Jane
Carr. born September g. 1928, died septem-
Der Is. 1924; Robert Carr. born December
9. 1924, still living; Mary Carr, born
December 6. 1925 died October 10, 1877:
Racheal Carr born June 2, 1928 still
living; Catherine Carr, born February 1s
1890 died October %. 1908; Jemina carr.
born February g. died May II 1890;
Michael Carr. born February p, 1884,
still living: George Carr, born July 6,
1886 died July 1S 1857; Jane Carr, born
June 2, 1885, still living; Michael Carr.
died January II, 1854 76 years old: Rachel
Carr. died May 6, 1884, 81 years old.
There are some of our folks who live
In old Virginia and some in Canada and
some in Massachusetts, and New York.
I don't know whether this will do the
gentleman any good or not but thought
I would send these few names.
am indeed grateful to our correspon-
dent for giving this. information. 1t is
only by piecing together individual
family records OF this sort that WORTH
while genealogical records become COM
plete.
F. H. NJ. writes thus: 'T wonder
whether you can tell me where I can
get information as to the two family
names Merrill and Peirson. My mother
was a Pelrson and some relative OF hers
was private secretary of George WASH
inston. Both my mqther and father came
from Maine. II you could direct me to
information as to either or both Of these
families I should appreciate 1t.
The Peirson family of New England
seems TO be of the same origin as the
Pferson family. and probably the family
In question traces descent from Abraham
Pierson. clergyman. who was born In
Yorkshire, England. in l6oS and died in
|&aEaxk. y. I, N ls7S Hs wa, q krad.