Gibson (Buchanan)
Gibson Family Origins The Gibson's are a Sept of the Clan Buchanan. They can trace their origins to the Kings Ireland. A principal branch of this line moved to Scotland very early in the 11th century, before the arrival of William the Conqueror.
The Buchanan's of Auchmar, trace their origins to Anselan O'Kyan who was the son of a King of Ulster, Ireland. Dermod O'Kyan was said to be the King of Southern Ulster beginning in 970 AD. Anselan Buey O'Kyan was the 10th Laird of the family in the year 998 AD. Anselan O'Kyan's, younger son therefore was a prince of Ulster, he was compelled to flee his homeland after a failed attempt to oust Ireland's Danish occupiers.
ANSELAN BUEY OKYAN:, the first Scottish Chief of the Clan Buchanan was born about 980, in Ulster, Ireland. Anselan (or Absolon) Buey (or fair) Okyan or Bocainain - in Scottish was Buchanan. The Origins of the Buchanan Clan thus is from Ulster, Ireland. Tradition states that after many centuries of raiding, the Danes, under Swein The Fork Beard took control of most of England and Ireland from 1013-1014. His son, Canute (994-1035), was to be made King of England. Swein ordered celebrations be held in Limerick, Western Ireland. Swein also ordered that 1,000 beautiful daughters of the Irish nobility must attend. The Irish sent 1,000 people, but they were not female.... They were young men, disguised as women. They had long Irish Scains (daggers) concealed below their cloaks. A massacre of the Danes, at the feast then followed. One of men of the 1,000 was Buey Anselan O Kyan/ O Cahan, (which is pronounced O Kane). He was the son of the King of the Dermod Okyan, provincial King of the southern part of Ulster, Ireland. As a result of this, he was in a great deal of trouble! He fled Ireland and went to Argyll, Scotland....
In Scotland, O'Kyan's Irish surname evolved to Buchanan. Some theorize that mostlikely the name in part was derived from the parish of that name, that was on Loch Lomond. According to tradition Anselan first arrived in Argyll, Scotland about the year 1016. For the services that he and his family provided to King Malcolm the II, in the war against the Danes, the family was granted lands of Buchanan (east of Loch Loamond), therefore the Clan's name.
By the 14th century the Clan became very powerful. The Buchanan Clan or family sent also about 7,000 men to assist the French King after the battle of Agincourt, which took place in the fall of 1415. October 25th is the anniversary of the English victory at Agincourt, France. This most famous battle (or massacre as it was to the French) was recounted by William Shakespeare's play, Henry V.
Note about Henry V: If you did not read the work in College, there was a most excellent movie done a few years back, in 1989 I believe - The movie as the play was named, "Henry V". It recounts in "Shakesperean" manner and speech, this most famous event in history. It is right up there in my all-time favorite movies. I would highly recommend that everyone watch it! October 25th, by the way, is also the day designated to venerate St. Crispin.
King David II officially recognised the family of Buchquhanane(Buchanan) in the 14th century and the clan prospered with a number of cadet branches; Arnprior, Auchamar, Carbeth, Drumakill, Leny and Spittal. The Buchanan's were staunch supporters of Robert the Bruce, and others that helped to fight for the Independence of Scotland. The Chief of the Clan fell at the battle of Flodden, as did most of Scottish Nobility, in 1513. The Buchanan lands were sold in 1682, after the death of the 22nd Chief of the Clan. This also marked the formal extinction of the principal branch of the Clan Buchanan. The Chieftainship of this clan is currently dormant.
Some sources claim that The Buchanan Clan has ecclesiastical origins, and are hereditary clerics of the Celtic church. It is also cliamed that the Clan Buchanan have the oldest established clan society in Scotland....
Recent History of the Buchanan Clan Towards the end of the 17th century the house and lands of Buchanan were sold to the Marquess of Montrose, Chief of Clan Graham, after the death of John Buchanan of that Ilk. His death meant the mainline of the chiefship passed to the Auchamar branch of the clan, and upon its failing it then went to the Spittal family. The Buchanans of Leny were the last to hold the chiefship which is now dormant. The clan has since scattered worldwide over the centuries. Just recently, Clairinch ( the island in Loch Lomond, from where the clan took its war cry) was purchased by a wealthy clansman. He then presented it to the Buchanan Clan Society and the island is now a nature reserve.
The Clan's Motto: "Clarior Hinc Honos"
Brighter hence the Honor
Gaelic Name: Canonach
Gibsons in New York, Vermont and Michigan
Nathaniel GIBSON (born mid 1700's - ??)
The GIBSONS's of our line can be traced back to the Nathaniel GIBSON, who was born in New Hampshire (We believe) sometime in the mid 1700's. Nathaniel wife's first name was Betsey(maiden name unknown). We believe that this couple had other children but we do not have any info on names. Matthew GIBSON was born about September of 1789, in Vermont.
Matthew GIBSON September 1789 - March 13th, 1873
Matthew a native of Vermont. We know that Matthew served in the War of 1812, but it is unclear with whom or with what state he served. Matthew GIBSON married his wife Esther (unknown maiden name) in New York, the date of the marriage(abt 1820). Esther was a native of New York, she was born there abt April 15th of 1800. The couple lived in New York for a number of years. They had 7 children, one of whom was Esther GIBSON. (named after her mother) Esther was born in New York on November 20th, of 1823. In 1833, according to records, the family came to Michigan. They settled in Monroe Michigan around June of 1833. Most of the time the family lived in Monroetown. Matthew and Esther purchased a farm from Mr.LaFountain (also a relative indirectly) that had an interesting history. This farm resided on the exact spot which once was located the block-house of General George Winchester. It was said that this that this was also the site of the famous massacre of the Raisin River in 1813; the blockhouse was surrendered to the British and Indians after the this famous battle.
Esther GIBSON-WAKEFIELD
Esther GIBSON-WAKEFIELD was born on 1823, in New York. She was married before, therefore her name appears as Moore, which caused some confusion at first. We do not know if she had any children from her first marriage. Her second marriage was to Stephen Brown-Wakefield, of Monroe. She had 3 children from this marriage; and at the time of her death, in 1893 she had 3 sons and 2 grandsons. The parents of Esther were very early settlers in southeastern Michigan. According to an the obituary that appeared in the "Monroe Democratic", on May 12th 1893 - Esther Wakefield (nee GIBSON) was born in New York state on November 20th of 1823. It states that she was one of the oldest residents of Monroetown and was "well known". Her mother Esther GIBSON, the wife of Matthew Gibson was a longtime resident of Raisinville, Michigan. It stated in the obituary that appeared in, "The Monroe Commercial" on March 13th 1871 - "Matthew was for nearly 50 years a worthy and constant member of the Methodist Episcopal Church". "He was an honorable and upright man; an excellent citizen and highly respected by all who knew him".
Esther GIBSON's husband, Stephen BROWN-WAKEFIELD was born in Williston, Vermont on July 29th 1814. He worked on the family farm there until he was of age; he then moved to Cleveland Ohio, and then to Monroe Michigan in 1836. His first wife died of cholera in 1851. According to, "The Monroe Democratic", He married Mrs. Esther Moore(Gibson) in 1860.... An obit that appeared in the local newspaper stated:
'Stephen BROWN-WAKEFIELD was a industrious and progressive citizen of Monroe. For close to 30 years he had the contract to carry mail from Detroit to Toledo. He also became a contractor that built plank roads, he built the Erie, Flat Rock & Monroe planks. He next began to construct railroads. The Canada Southern between Detroit and Toledo was one of his more famous projects. He also constructed railroad line between Chillecothe,Wisconsin and Ottumwa, Indiana. In addition he contracted work with the Sante Fe railroad line.'
Stephen was my husband's great grandfather.
NEW INFORMATION
We are currently trying to connect our Nathaniel GIBSON that was born sometime in the mid 1700's in New Hampshire. One of Nathaniel's son's - our "Matthew GIBSON". Matthew was born on September of 1789, in Vermont and died on Mar 13th, 1873, in Raisinville, Michigan. Matthew served in the War of 1812, according to numerous sources. His father Nathaniel, served in the Revolutionary War. Some information that I recently came across - there was a Nathaniel GIBSON that lived in Cheshire County and he served in the Rev. War. Apparently his name was spelled wrong as Gilson (the Army is famous for this!) In 1818 Nathaniel had the spelling corrected to GIBSON. His name is on record in Vol. xxx of the New Hampshire State Papers. This family also has a Matthew... Matthew GIBSON was born in New Hampshire and went to Michigan also in early to mid 1800's. I am trying to determine if this is right one??
I also found another Matthew GIBSON:
Name: Matthew GIBSON born abt 1748 in Weare, Hillsborough, NH; died 1823 in Great Valley, Cattaraugus Co., NY. His father was Samuel GIBSON born abt 1693 in Ulster, Ireland. His mother Ann MCDUFFEE was also born in Ireland in 1705.
This Matthew GIBSON married Elizabeth "Betsey" MCCLEARY, in 1755 in of Litchfield, Hillsborough Co. NH.
They had 10 children;
David GIBSON b 1773
Mary GIBSON b Dec 30th 1774
Samuel GIBSON b abt 1778
Rebecca GIBSON b May 23rd 1780
Rachel GIBSON b abt 1781
Margaret GIBSON b abt 1784
Thomas GIBSON b abt 1788
Matthew GIBSON(our Matthew??) b abt 1790 in Francetown, Hillsborough Co. NH
Elizabeth GIBSON b abt 1792
Nehemiah Lovel GIBSON b abt May of 1799
If you have any information in regards to any of these people please contact me - THANKS!
Last updated Tuesday, March 29th, 2005. This page is updated about once a month. If you find any discrepancies, broken links, typos ect., please let me know.
| elliott clan history | back to main page |
| wakefield famliy history | the elliot clan - border reivers |