Gibson House-bluetyger1

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bluetyger magazine Issue 1 - July 2001

Issue 1 Contents

Photography: Gibson Portfolio July 2001

Go to the other sections of the July Portfolio:

Big Chute
Toronto - June

Gibson House - An 1837 Rebel's House

David Gibson, Surveyor and Rebel

Born March 9, 1804 in Forfashire, Scotland. Emigrated to Lower Canada (present day Quebec) in 1825. Soon after he moved to Upper Canada. On May 5, 1826 he was appointed Deputy Surveyor of Highways for the Southern District of the County of York. Married Eliza Milne on March 4, 1828. 1829 purchased 105 acres of land on Yonge Street, where the Gibson House stands. In 1834 he represented the First Riding of York in the Assembly of Upper Canada.

Gibson's work with the Reform Party brought him to the ill-fated Rebellion of 1837. The rebellion erupted from the absence of responsbile and representative government. William Lyon Mackenzie.

Some background to the Rebellion of 1837: Responsible Government in Canada.

The Battle of Montgomery's Tavern (near present day Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue) was a defeat for the rebels. After burning Montgomery's Tavern, Loyalist forces marched the four miles north up Yonge Street and burned Gibson's house. Eliza and their four young children fled to a neighbour's house. David Gibson with a price on his head for high treason fled to the Unites States.

During his exile, Gibson found work as an engineer on the Erie Canal. The family was reunited to live for a time in Lockport, NY. Gibson was pardoned in 1843. He returned to his farm in 1848. Their new house was completed in 1851. David Gibson died in January 1864. Eliza Milne Gibson died in 1887.

The house is open year round. For information about tours, programs nad special events, please call (416) 395-7432. The house is just north of the North York City Centre complex.

Photos taken with a Canon G1. Some images edited using Photoshop.

quilts

Gibson House Front Entrance

kitchen

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