Rash's Surname Index
Notes for William GIBBONS
DOCTOR WILLIAM GIBBONS, son of James and Eleanor (Peters) Gibbons, was born on the 10th day of August, 1781, during a temporary sojourn of his parents, in the city of Philadelphia, - the old family home being in the township of
Westtown, Chester county. His father owned the splendid farm, which the Society of Friends purchased, and on which they established the well known Westtown Boarding School, near the close of the last century. The Gibbons family, - one of the oldest and most respectable in the county, - are descended from the early Quaker Immigrants to this Commonwealth, who came hither under the auspices of WILLIAM PENN. They had mostly a slight tinge of eccentricity in their composition, with a rather decided will of their own, which rendered their
characteristic traits an interesting study to their friends and companions. Among the members of the tribe, we find by the Colonial Record, men who, at an early day, were sufficiently enlightened and public spirited to become Teachers and
principals of Classical and other superior Schools, - and who also mingled occasionally in the political concerns of the young Province. From the aforesaid Records, we learn that there was a James Gibbons, in the Legislature, from Chester county, for 8 consecutive years (1737 to 1744); and Joseph Gibbons, a Representative in that body for 13 years (1750 to 1763); also, another James (the Doctorfather), a member for 3 years (1773 to 1775); and William Gibbons (an uncle of the Doctor), a member in 1801, - who had held other responsible
positions, and was, moreover, a soldier of the Revolution . James, the father of Doctor Wm. Gibbons , was a classical French Teacher in Philadelphia, for a
number of years, - and was remarkably familiar with the grammar of the Latin and French Languages, - as the compiler of these Notes had frequent occasion to observe. Doctor Williams was the youngest of 13 children; and being somewhat of a favorite (as youngest children are apt to be), was mainly
educated by his father, - who took great pains with his instruction, and made him an excellent scholar and linguist.
When William arrived at the appropriate age, he began the study of Medicine under the tuition of Dr. Jacob Ehrenzeller, an expert Revolutionary Surgeon, residing in the Borough of West Chester. The latter portion of his Medical pupilage was under the direction of Dr. John Vaughan, an estimable
Physician in Wilmington, Delaware. At the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, in the winter of 1802-3, William Gibbons, William Baldwin, and the compiler of these Notes, first met as classmates, and finding themselves to be congenial spirits, soon contracted an intimate friendship of life long duration. At that period, it was not usual for country lads, engaged in the study of Medicine, to aspire to the DOCTORATE, or to persevere until they obtained that
Degree; but this Trio - all from Chester county - discovering that, as far as they could ascertain, no Student of the county had then been ambitious enough to acquire the title of M.D., - they all resolved to obtain it, if practicable; ...all three
of the friends...obtained the Degree; and were among the earliest, from the county, so to aspire and to succeed. Doctor Gibbons graduated in the spring of 1805, - and the subject of his well written Inaugural Thesis was HYPONCHONDRIASIS. Having reached the goal of his student ambition, he returned, for a season of relaxation, to the home of his parents, who then
resided neat the ancient village of Dilworthtown, in the county of Chester. Here he remained until the summer of 1806, - when he purchased a farm, in Kennett township, near the southern border of Chester county and soon thereafter obtained an excellent wife, in the daughter of David Donaldson, of
Wilmington, Delaware, a Soldier of the Revolution. On this beautiful property he became an amateur agriculturist, and practicing Physician, until the ensuing spring of 1807; when the death of the lamented Dr. Vaughan created a medical
vacancy in Wilmington, which several young Physicians attempted to fill, - but which was eventually occupied by Dr. Gibbons, who, on the invitation of friends, removed to Wilmington, where he continued during the remainder of his
life, in the acceptable exercise of his arduous Profession. In this position, the Doctor settled down to the business of his calling, and was speedily recognized as among the most eminent and reliable members of the Faculty. His active mind soon engaged him in scientific research, philological studies, and the acquisition of languages, - among which was the Hebrew tongue, wherein he attained to a remarkable proficiency. He had, also, a decided taste for the Natural sciences, - became especially fond of the culture of ornamental plants, and choice Fruit trees; and was among the earliest in promoting associated efforts for the extension of those interesting departments of knowledge, - one of which was the establishment of the 'Delaware Academy of Natural Science,'of which he was Presiding officer, and delivered some able and instructive
Addresses, in the furtherance of the objects of the Society.
Some of his sons, also - especially the eldest - cooperated, and rendered valuable service in the good work, by Addresses, Essays, and researches. Some 12 or 14 years after the settlement of Dr. Gibbons in the Borough (now City) of Wilmington, a distinguished Clergyman of the Presbyterian Church commenced the publication of a series of Letters, addressed to the religious Society of Friends, over the signature of 'PAUL,'- in which that Society was charged with holding doctrines inimical to the principles of the Gospel, as
contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. These Letters were replied to by a writer over the signature of 'AMICUS,'- who appeared in defence of the Friends. The controversy continued for nearly two years; was conducted with marked ability - spiced with some acrimony, - which excited a lively interest in the community, with some degree of animosity, between the two Sects. It was supposed at the time, and many persons still remain under the impression, that the Letters of AMICUS were written by Dr. Gibbons. Such, however was not the fact. But during the controversy, and about the close of it, Dr. Gibbons appeared as a vindicator of the Society of Friends, over the signature 'VINDEX,'in a work
intitled 'TRUTH ADVOCATED,'addressed to the Presbyterians. This was an able and successful refutation of the charges preferred by 'PAUL,'one of the clearest expositions, and perhaps the best defence, of the doctrine of the Friends,
published in modern times. The unpleasant feelings excited between the members of the two Sects, in Wilmington, during there controversies, were afterwards much softened, and indeed almost eradicated, - partly perhaps, by the fact, that the Society of Friends had been so far benefited by the
discussion, that their principles were better understood, and unfounded prejudices removed; and partly by a touching incident, personal to the clerical gentleman and the Doctor, which was highly honorable to the parties, and resulted in the restoration of a good understanding, and an unfeigned
friendship. The compiler of these Notes can cordially testify (and finds a sincere pleasure in doing so), that Doctor Gibbons was a man of bright, expansive mind, - of an amiable and generous disposition, and a true philanthropist. After a
long, busy, and most exemplary life, he was gathered to his fathers, on the 26th day of July, 1845, - leaving eight Sons, and five Daughters; among the former, are found distinguished scientific attainments, acute business talents, and sound legal learning, and among the latter, estimable ladies, - well fitted to enhance the charms of the social circles which they illustrate and adorn.
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