Thomas Gibbins

   Cause of his death was Bronchitis & Heart disease.

  General Notes:

Thomas Gibbins remained with the army for many years and was the army bandmaster. He was also the first private bandmaster in Auckland City.

  Medical Notes:

New Zealand Herald 15 April 1892

  Death Notes:

An inquest was held into his since it was sudden. Witnesses to the inquest were: his wife Mary Ann; Lydia Reeves, a neighbor; and Thomas Lewis, his doctor.

Auckland Star 16 April 1892
One by one the old soldiers of the 58th are passing from our midst. Mr Thomas Giubbins, who belonged to that regiment, died at his residence in Day-street on Thursday afternoon. Deceased was 64 years of age, and came to the colony in 1845. He had been unwell for several days, but did not wish to be attended by a medical man. On Thursday afternoon Mr Gibbins was seized with a fit. Upon recovering he expresssed the conviction that he was going to die, Mrs Gibbins got a neighbour to stay with her husband, while she went for Dr. Lewis. Death, however, occurred before she returned. Under the circumstances as inquest, held by the coroner, Dr Philson yesterday, at 2.30 oçlock, when evidence was addiced to show that deceased suffered from bronchitis and heart disease. A verdict of "Death from natural causes" was returned. Mr Gibbins was for some time employed in the Colonial Armoury under the late Major Tisdall. He was a member of the Good Intent Lodge, I.O.F., M.U. Deceased leaves an adult family of six sons and one daughter.

New Zealand Herald and Daily Southern Cross 15 April 1892
Yesterday afternoon, an old identity, Mr. Thomas Gibbins, died somewhat suddenly, at his residence, Day street, Newton. He had been in indifferent health for the past year or so, but had not been medically attended. His complaint was bronchitis and heart disease. Mr. Gibbons had not been well for a few days past, but would not have a medical man called in. Yesterday, about half-past two p.m., he took a fit, and was put on a sofa, and restorative measures used. On recovering consciousness he expressed appiehensions that he was going to die. Mrs. Gibbins got a neighbour, Mrs. River, to remain with him till she could bring Dr. Lewis. On her return her husband had passed away. As deceased had not been medically attended for some time, Dr. Lewis refused to certify as to the cause of death, and the usual inquest will be held by Dr. Philson. coroner. Mr. Gibbins was formerly in her Majesty's 58th Regiment, and had been here since1845. He aided in establishing the first volunteer band, and for some time was employed in the Defence Department (Colonial Armoury), under the late Major Tisdall. He was a member of the Good Intent Lodge, I.0.F., M.U.,ahd leaves a grown-up family of six sons and one daughter. The funeral will take place at half-past two to-morrow afternoon.

His death notice reads:
GIBBINS: On April 14, at Day Street (off Beresford street). Suddenly, Thomas Gibbins, late of H.M.'s 58th Regiment, the beloved husband of Mary Ann Gibbins, aged 64 years.

  Burial Notes:

at Judges Bay.
Thomas Gibbins of 58^th Regiment died 14 April 1892 aged 64 years. Husband of Mary Ann Gibbins and buried 16 April 1892 in Symonds Street Cemetery.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Census, 1841, Chester, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom. ⁷

• Education: at Bluecoat School, 1841, Chester, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom. ⁸ Bluecoat School, in Upper Northgate St, was the first charity school built outside London by the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge.
The 25 boys attending the school as boarders were clothed in blue and educated at the expense of the charity and 120 others, known as Green Caps, were taught there as day-scholars.
The Bluecoat School was restored in 1854 and finally closed in 1949.

At the time of the 1841 census, there were 26 pupils at the school, mostly aged 12 and 13 (1 aged 11). There was one school master (John Edward) with his wife and 4 children, plus two girls (maids?) aged 14 and 20.

• Military: Private, 58th Regiment, 1 Sep 1848, Chatham, Kent, England, United Kingdom. ^{9 10} The booklet "Discharged in New Zealand"- Foot Regiments discharged in NZ 1840-1870 NZ Genealogical Society lists Pte Thomas Gibbons from Chester as a baker.
Thomas is recorded as having enlisted in the regiment 31 Aug 1846 and was discharged (with an unspecified gratuity) on 31 Oct 1858. (The regimental records show an enlistment date in Chatham as 1/9/1848, two years later)
British Army, Worldwide Index 1851 Transcription
First name(s) Thomas
Last name Gibbons
Name as transcribed Thomas
Year 1851
Service number 2399
Rank Private
Regiment or unit 58th (The Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot
Period 01/01/1851-31/03/1851
Location New Zealand T
he National Archives reference WO 12/6753

• Emigration: On the ship Blenheim, Bet 23 Sep 1848 and 22 Feb 1849, Chatham, Kent, England, United Kingdom. ^{9 11} He sailed from Deptford, London on the ship Blenheim leaving 23 Sept 1848 (not long after having joined the regiment in Chatham) arriving in Sydney on 22 Feb 1849. This was a convict ship with the regimental men acting as guards.
25 January 1848 - 13 February 1850
Blenheim voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1848 with 3 passengers
Convict Description Convicted At
James Dunne ** community contributed record **
Thomas Dunne ** community contributed record **
Philip O'reilly ** community contributed record ** Ireland, Leitrim

Surgeon's general remarks. The Blenheim transport sailed from Kingston Harbour, Ireland on 1 November having on board 300 male convicts and a guard consisting of 52 officers and men (and five women and four children, being the wives and children of the above). During the period of the journal 78 persons were entered on the sick report, of which one case (a soldier) was a complicated case 'derangement of the liver and jaundice'. The cases of fever were slight and easily subdued - in one presented with typhoid character, the disulphate of quinine in large doses was found most useful. Four cases of acute and chronic bronchical inflammation came under treatment - in one only difficult of management. It occurred in the person of one of the guard and in whom there was evident disposition to phthisis and requiring active treatment with repeated blisters. There was considerable more sickness among the guard than the convicts. Most of the former were young recruits raised in Ireland and probably most of them suffered from the late disastrous famine and fever, no less than four of them had evident symptoms of incipiens consumption. Among the prisoners the most marked disease was a subacute inflammation of the conjunctiva, which was also prevalent at most of the Dublin Prisons and at Spike Island; repeated blisters to the temples and behind the ears together with the use of the solution of nitrate of silver were the most serviceable remedies. In no case was there any evidence of its being contagious. Bowel complaints and indigestion both induced by sudden and extreme change of diet, in one case the diarrhoea took on a most uncontrollable form resisting every means - alteratives, astringents, sedatives, tonics and it terminated fatally. This patient had suffered on the preceding winter from famine and famine fever and was of a very intemperate character.

• Immigration: Thomas sailed on the "Maid of Erin" from Sydney, Bet 24 Feb 1849 and 14 Mar 1849, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. ¹²

• Military: Private, 58th Foot (Rutlandshire) Regiment, Bet 14 Mar 1849 and 31 Oct 1858, , , , New Zealand. ^{13 14} This regiment, also known as the "Black Cuffs" served in NZ from March 1845 to November 1858.
The 58th regiment was in NZ for eleven years, with its headquarters in Auckland, and detachments took part in various engagements until the Regiment left for Portsmouth in November 1858 (except for those who were discharged and stayed in NZ - this included Thomas).
The 58th Regiment was stationed in Auckland on land that is now Albert Park. The regiment came to NZ to fight in the NZ Land wars. Thomas remained with the Militia for many years and was the army bandmaster.
The 58th Regiment was in the following principal engagements:
Okaihau, Ohaeawai, Ruapekapeka, Boulcott Farm, and Wanganui (July 1847).
All these battles were before Thomas arrived in NZ so he would probably not have seen active service.
Refer also to http://www.geocities.com/rutlandshire58th/index.html

• Military: Auckland Militia, Bet 1858 and 1868, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. ⁵ Recorded on Robert Grant's death certificate (1862) as being a bugler (Thomas registered Robert's death)

• Residence: Grey St, Bet 1861 and 1892, Onehunga, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. ^{15 16}

• Military: arms cleaner, 1866, Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand. NOMINAL RETURN OF ALL OFFICERS IN THE EMPLOY OF THE GOVERNMENT: THEIR DUTIES, SALARIES, LOCATION, AND DATES OF APPOINTMENT.
Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1866 Session I, D-03

Gibbins, T., Arms Cleaner, Militia Store. Auckland

• Hobby, Apr 1866, Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealander 25 April 1866
The members of the Auckland Rifle Volunteer Band held a meeting on Saturday evening last, in the Odd Fellows'Hall, Sergeant Thomas Gibbins presiding. The new regulations were read and approved of, the only objection being that the members considered the Government should give them the services of a bandmaster to instruct them. All the members present attached their names to the roll. No other business was transacted.

• Occupation: Labourer, Abt 1869, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. at the Albert Barracks.

• Land: southern portion of allotment 170, Parish of Hunua, 1879, Hunua, Auckland, New Zealand. Gibbins, Thomas of Auckland - southern portion of allotment 170, Parish of Hunua
Item type: ItemID: R25396145
Dates: 1879 - c. 1879
Box number: 319
Record number: 1493
Additional description: Certificate of Title: 17/244
Location: Auckland repository

• Hospital: hand injury, Jul 1881, Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand. ¹⁷ Thames Advertiser 21 July 1881
Special Telegrams - Auckland
Thomas Gibbins had his left hand smashed at the railway crance. Two fingers are amputated. He is best known as formerly colonel's bugler in the 58th Regiment.

• Property: Panmure, Oct 1882, Onehunga, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. ¹⁸ 1 acre, value £70, Settler, Panmure, Eden county

Hand Injury: 20 Jul 1881, Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand Herald 21 July 1881
On Tuesday afternoon a man named Thomas Gibbins got his left hand smashed accidentally while working at a railway crane near the station. He was endeavouring to clear one of the cog wheelswhen his hand got drawn in, crushing the first two fingers of the left hand, and injuring the others. Gibbins went to the Provincial Hospital where Dr. Philson amputated the fingers, which had been crushed, and dressed his other wounds. He is now progressingl favorably.

Drowning of Charles Rowley: 16 Jul 1881, Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand Herald - To Correspondents
Q1. When Charles Rowley, miner, was drowned off the Queen St. wharf.
A1. Charles Rowley was suposed to be drowned at 10 p.m.mon the 14th June, 1877, as at that time a splash was heard in the water near the Lalla Rookh, then at the Railway Wharf.
Q2. Where was his body found?
A2. Floating near the Railway Wharf.
Q3. Who found him?
A3. Thomas Gibbins reported the discovery of the body to the police.
Q4. WHen was he found?
A4. His body was found on June 27, 1877.

Broken leg: 2 Oct 1886, Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand Herald 11 October 1886
Accidents and Inquests
On the 2nd of October, as Mr Thomas Gibbins was returning home from his duties as ticket-taker at the Opera House, he met with a painful and serious accident. He had got halfway up Anglesea-street, where he resides, when, at a badly-lighted part of the street, he slipped and fell, fracturing his left leg above the ankle. Mr Gibbins lay there for some little time unable to move, till someladies passing bydiscovered his condition. He told them where he lived, and they kindly went and informed his family. Steps were promptly taken to have him removed to his home, and Dr Lewis was sent for, who attended to his injuries. Mr Gibbins is progressing favoutably.

Thomas married Mary Ann Hotterway, daughter of George Hotterway and Jane Eltham, on 12 Jan 1852 in Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.¹ (Mary Ann Hotterway was born in 1836, christened on 18 Jan 1837 in Chatham, Kent, England, United Kingdom,^{19 20} died on 14 Oct 1898 in Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand ^{6 21} and was buried in Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand.). The cause of her death was Morbus cordis.

  Marriage Notes:

The family of eight (plus 3 who died young) children lived with Thomas and his wife, Mary Ann, in the family quarters of the army barracks.

The Town Clerks file 162/59 of 09/07/1959 at Auckland city Council Archives has Thomas Stanley Gibbins (a Sergent in the 58^th Regiment), his wife, Mary Ann Gibbins and their children Thomas Stanley, Harry Gibbins, Robert Gibbins, Rhoda Gibbins age 7 and Emily Gibbins age 18 months buried in Symonds Street Cemetery.