GIBBS  Stephen Searley 
Research by Gordon Freegard 2018
Additioal Information Supplied by Greg Gibbs 2022                          

His parents William John and Harriet Lacey Gibbs arrived from England in 1834 and Stephen Searley Gibbs, was one of four sons. Stephen was born on 16th December 1847 in Perth. Was a teamster in the 1860's and at the age of 19 he was convicted of cattle stealing. Charged with stealing a cow, calf and an ox from Mr. Thomas Jones. He was sentenced to 4 years penal servitude. On 12th July, 1869 aged 21 years, he was granted a Ticket-of-Leave, Convict No. 9367.

During the 1870's he was publican of the 47 Mile Inn on Albany Road, now Albany Highway. 

STEPHEN SEARLEY GIBBS       #1

ELIZA GIBBS (Nee White)       #2
 

Stephen Gibbs married Eliza White, daughter of Jabez Isaac White and Sarah Ann Lewis on 4th February 1879 in the Church of England, Perth Western Australia. She was born in Kelmscott on 20th May 1851. It is believed the couple lived on Hillside Farm, a 93.54 ha property in Martin, Gosnells, around 1880, when Stephen began to take up extensive properties, mainly for dairying. The Hillside Farm residence was built for dairyman, Stephen Gibbs (1847-1928) and his wife Eliza in the 1880's. The original farmhouse has insitu rammed earth walls to the exterior walls except the front wall that has now been replaced with concrete blocks. The corrugated iron clad gable roof breaks pitch over the front verandah that is supported by timber posts.
Stephen Gibbs had left the district by 1914 to take up residence in East Perth, where he died in 1928 at the age of 80. His son William married Hilda Dellar and they lived at Hillside.

HILLSIDE FARM       #12
 

On Saturday the 3^rd February 1888, Stephen Gibbs, brought into Perth a very nice little specimen of gold, which had been found in close proximity to his residence. The specimen was rather bigger in size than a large grain of wheat, and consisted of pure gold. The metal presented a water-worn appearance, although Mr. Gibbs declared it was broken out of a piece of stone. Some likely-looking quartz has been found in the neighbourhood of the scene of discovery, and Mr. Gibbs expressed his intention of having a thorough inspection of the quarts deposits made without delay. He intended to open up this reef forthwith, and at the same time to examine another promising-looking reef in the same locality, on his land in the Darling Range. 

Nothing was done about the find until 1909, when others tried to establish a gold mine.
In I909 mining speculators Rowlands and Lloyd financed W.J. Ross and Son to prospect for gold in the granite behind the Gibbs homestead. A 300ft tunnel was dug into the hill. They applied for a government grant to extend the tunnel but after investigations by the State Mining Engineer and the assaying of samples the grant was refused because the samples proved negative. These results conflicted with the reports by the prospectors. The mine was later abandoned and in later years part of the tunnels have collapsed making the site unsafe.

Gibbs undertook other commercial projects aside from his dairy farm at Hillside. He established an orchard in the 1890's. On the 13^th February 1890 he applied for a Certificate to operate an Inn or Public House for the sale of liquor at a building to be built near the new Perth’s waterworks, Victoria Reservoir. The application was refused because it lacked detail. On the 23^rd May he re-applied giving details that it would contain three sitting rooms and three bedrooms exclusive of those required by his family. Also it would operate under the name of the Forest Inn. This application was approved.

THE OPENING OF VICTORIA RESERVOIR    #3

Once the workmen involved in building the reservoir moved on, he realised he too had to move. This time to the Canning Jarrah Timber Mill at Canning Mills. Hence another application had to be made in August 1892, and this time including the essential details of; containing three sitting rooms and five bedrooms exclusive of those required by his family. This was approved and the building was moved and enlarged.

THE FOREST INN, CANNING MILLS       #4

At Canning Mills he also owned the slaughter yards which he later sold to George Armstrong in 1895. In 1897 Joseph White took over the operations of Forest Inn and Stephen Gibbs moved to Cannington where he was involved in establishing Cannington’s second hotel, the Hotel Cecil in June 1898. This building was to cost 3,000 pounds (6,000 Dollars) and have 33 rooms. By 1908 ownership of the Hotel Cecil was now listed as his wife, Eliza Gibbs and included grounds covering 10 acres.

THE HOTEL CECIL, CANNINGTON       #5

THE CAROUSEL TAVERN 1990 (Formerly Hotel Cecil)           #6
 

ELIZA & STEPHEN GIBBS FAMILY       #9

Back L- R;  PEARL, STEPHEN SEARLEY, LOUIS JOHN,  ELIZA
Front L - R; WILLIAM HENRY, SARAH HARRIET, STEPHEN JABEZ, FRANK FORREST SAMUEL

He also had quarrying interests. He was elected to the Gosnells Road Board at its inception in 1907 until 1914 when he left the district to take up residence in 138 Summer Street, East Perth.  

They had four sons, Stephen Jabez, William Henry, Louis John and Frank Forrest Samuel and two daughters, Sarah Harriet (Mrs. George Macmillan) and Eliza Pearl (Mrs. Alf Scott).

Information on the children supplied by Greg Gibbs 2022

SARAH HARRIET GIBBS was born on 23rd March 1880 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 22th July 1944 in St. John of God Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia. Cause of death – (a) Myeloid Leukaemia, (b) Purpura. Sarah Harriet married George Macmillan, eldest son of Mr. Nathaniel Harvey Macmillan, of Mount’s Bay Road, on the Wednesday 8th March 1911 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, St. George’s Terrace, Perth.
 

    WEDDING OF GEORGE & SARAH MacMILLAN       #13
L - R:  STEPHEN JABEZ GIBBS, ELLEN MAUDE (Belle) MENZIES, WILLIAM HENRY GIBBS, SARAH HARRIET GIBBS,
STEPHEN SEALEY GIBBS, GEORGE MacMILLAN, ELIZA GIBBS, ELIZA PEARL GIBBS

The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in a figured silk voile over cream lace, trimmed with appliqué and directoire sash. Her veil and wreath of orange blossom were those worn by her mother when a bride. The bridegroom was attended by Harry Gibbs as best man and Jabez Gibbs as groomsman, both brothers of the bride. The bridesmaids – Miss Menzies and Miss Gibbs – were both attired in pale blue with wreath of lily of the valley in their hair. A reception was held afterwards at the residence of the bride’s parents, where a large number of friends gathered together to wish the happy couple the best of good fortune. Dancing was kept up until 12.20 a.m.. The presents were numerous and costly. He was born on 12th September 1872 in Campbeltown, Scotland. He died on 15th September 1931 in 136 Summers Street, East Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

George MacMillan was born on 12 Sep 1872 in Campbeltown, Scotland. He died on 15 Sep 1931 in 136 Summers Street, East Perth, Western Australia, Australia. George Macmillan died September 1931 at his residence, 136 Summers-street, East Perth, at the age of 58 years. The deceased gentleman enlisted with the 28th Battalion, 17th Reinforcements, A.I.F., on August 7, 1916, and was invalided home on the Troopship Argyllshire in January, 1919. He served in France and took part in the battles of Amiens, Ypres and Bullecourt.

GEORGE MacMILLAN & SARAH HARRIET GIBBS  had the following children:

SARAH ALMA ELIZA MACMILLAN was born on 31 Jan 1912 in 17 Bramall Street, East Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 27 Nov 1985 in Willetton, Western Australia, Australia.

RUBY JEAN MACMILLAN was born in 1913 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 20 Aug 2007 in Duncraig, Western Australia, Australia.

Information on the children supplied by Greg Gibbs 2022

    SARAH & GEORGE MacMILLAN WITH THEIR FIRST CHILD ALMA       #14

      MacMILLAN BABY     #15
 

    ELIZA PEARL GIBBS       #16
 

      SARAH MacMILLAN     #17
 

    SARAH MacMILLAN WITH HER CHILDREN ALMA & RUBY       #18

Sarah Harriet MacMillan, of 14 McKenzie-street. Wembley, widow of the late George Macmillan, died suddenyl on 22rn July 1944, beloved mother of Alma (Mrs G. Bradshaw) and Ruby (Mrs J. A. Anderson), loved grandma of Russell; aged 64 years.

   SARAH MacMILLAN        #19
 

STEPHEN JABEZ GIBBS was born in 1882 in “Hillside Farm”, Canning, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 13th October 1961 in Wooroloo, Western Australia, Australia. He married Agnes Hodgson in 1956 in Canning, Western Australia, Australia. She was born in 1881. She died on 11th December 1959 in Wooroloo, Western Australia, Australia.

STEPHEN JABEZ GIBBS c1935       #29
 

STEPHEN JABEZ GIBBS WITH RACEHORSE "ROGER"
KELMSCOTT 8th NOVEMBER 1916       #11
 

WILLIAM HENRY GIBBS was born in February 1884 in “Hillside Farm”, Canning, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 3rd December 1967 in Hollywood Hospital, Western Australia, Australia. He married Hilda Lucy Dellar, daughter of John Dellar and Priscilla White, in 1929 in St. Andrews Church, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She was born in 1900 in Canning, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 15th December 1985 in Maddington, Western Australia, Australia.

WILLIAM HENRY GIBBS & HILDA LUCY DELLAR had the following children:

HILDA BETTY GIBBS was born Aug 1930 in 138 Summer Street, East Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
HENRY JOHN STEPHEN GIBBS was born Nov 1934 in Maddington, Western Australia, Australia.

Information on the children supplied by Greg Gibbs 2022

GERTRUDE MARY (rhs) & LUCEY HILDA DELLAR c1920       #28
 

WILLIAM HENRY GIBBS       #20
 

  WILLIAM HENRY GIBBS           #10
 

WILLIAM & HILDA ON THEIR WEDDING DAY 1929       #21
 

LOUIS JOHN GIBBS was born on 27th January 1886 in “Hillside Farm”, Canning, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 7th October 1956 in Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia. He married Edna Kate Weir, daughter of John Alexander Weir and Annie Berry, on 8th April 1908 in St Bartholomew’s Church, East Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She was born on 17th March 1888 in Milparinka, New South Wales, Australia. She died on 6th September 1930 in 31 Windsor-street, East Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He married Ethel Imrie (nee) Hartigan, daughter of Thomas Henry Hartigan and Harriet Harman in 1932 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She was born on 2nd May 1892 in Wesport, Buller, New Zealand. She died on 27th May 1982 in Inglewood, Western Australia, Australia.

EDNA KATE GIBBS      #22
 

LOUIS JOHN GIBBS      #23
 

LOUIS JOHN GIBBS & EDNA KATE WEIR had the following children;

EDNA OLIVE ELIZA GIBBS was born in 4 Mar 1909 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 05 May 1999 in Esperance Community Nursing Home, Western Australia, Australia.
STEPHEN LOUIS SENLEY GIBBS was born on 12 Jan 1912 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 01 Mar 1992 in Busselton Hospital, Western Australia, Australia.
VERNON JOHN CARLYLE (VERN) GIBBS was born in 13 Jun 1914 in Canning, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 07 Sep 1979 in Maylands, Western Australia, Australia
MERVYN EDWARD (Mick) GIBBS was born on 19 Jan 1916 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 06 Sep 2002 in Maylands, Western Australia, Australia.
NORMAN HENRY (CURLEY) GIBBS was born on 14 Mar 1917 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 05 Aug 1977 in Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia.
HAZEL MAUREEN GIBBS was born on 26 Aug 1920. She died on 12 Aug 2004 in Dianella, Western Australia, Australia.
ROBERT ARTHUR GIBBS was born on 28 Nov 1922 in Maddington, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 25 Dec 1974 in Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia.
PATRICIA GIBBS was born on 20 Nov 1923 in Maddington, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 31 May 2002 in Shenton Park, Western Australia, Australia.
DAPHNE ISABEL GIBBS was born on 28 Nov 1924 in Private Hospital, Kelmscott, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 07 Mar 2019 in Inglewood, Western Australia, Australia.
IRENE BABS GIBBS was born on 29 Dec 1925 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 26 Feb 2018 in Glengarry Hospital, Duncraig, Western Australia, Australia
GORDON LYNDSAY GIBBS was born on 28 Jan 1928 in Carlisle, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 14 Jun 2012 in Leeming, Western Australia, Australia.
MARCIA GIBBS was born May 1929 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Information on the children supplied by Greg Gibbs 2022
 

LOUIS JOHN & ETHEL GIBBS       #24
 

LOUIS JOHN GIBBS       #25
 

ELIZA PEARL GIBBS was born in 1888 in “Hillside Farm”, Canning, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 6th May 1961 in Mount Lawley, Western Australia, Australia. She married Alfred Forbes Scott, son of Thomas Scott and Mary Young Forbes, on 28th June 1911 in Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He was born in 1889. He died on 16th June 1971 in Mount Lawley, Western Australia, Australia.  

ALFRED FORBES SCOTT & ELIZA PEARL GIBBS had the following children:

RONALD FORBES SCOTT was born on 07 Jan 1912 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 04 Aug 1957 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
IVY PEARL SCOTT was born in 1917 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 14 Jun 2009 in Morley, Western Australia, Australia.

Information on the children supplied by Greg Gibbs 2022

ELIZA PEARL SCOTT & HER CHILDREN, RONALD & IVY       #30
 

ELIZA PEARL GIBBS       #26
 

WEDDING OF ALFRED FORBES SCOTT & ELIZA PEARL GIBBS 1911      #27
 

FRANK FORREST SAMUEL GIBBS was born in 1891 in Canning Hills, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 19th August 1968 in Southern Cross Hospital, Brentwood, Western Australia. He married Ellen Jane (Jean) Caple (nee Reid), daughter of William Reid and Barbara Margaret Hannah Stott, on 15th July 1916 in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. They were divorced on 23rd July 1943 in the Supreme Court, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She was born in 1886 in Victoria, Australia. She died on 16th December 1951 in Merredin, Western Australia, Australia.

FRANK FORREST SAMUEL GIBBS & ELLEN JANE REID  had the following children:

HAROLD WILLIAM GIBBS was born on 15 Jan 1914 in Western Australia, Australia (Adopted - birth name Harold H Williams, Biological parents – Harold Hunter Ecclestone Williams and Ethel Lily May Williams). He died on 24 Jun 1983 in Mount Helena, Western Australia, Australia.
NORMA JEAN GIBBS was born on 24 Sep 1917 in Nurse Street’s Private Maternity Hospital, 38 Caledonian Ave Maylands, Western Australia, Australia (Adopted). She died on 06 Apr 2014 in Annesley House, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.
DOROTHY IRENE GIBBS was born about 1920 (Adopted). She died in Oct 1994 in Karridale, Western Australia, Australia.
MAVIS GIBBS was born in Sep 1920 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia (Adopted – birth name Mavis Taylor). She died on 06 Mar 1921 in Children's Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia. The funeral of Mavis Gibbs took place at the Anglican Cemetery, Karrakatta, Western Australia, Australia on 08 Mar 1921.

Information on the children supplied by Greg Gibbs 2022

ELIZA & STEPHEN GIBBS       #7
 

134 & 136 SUMMERS STREET, EAST PERTH       #31
 

ELIZA & STEPHEN GIBBS ' GRAVESTONE      #8

Eliza Gibbs, constructed five residences on her land in Summers Street, East Perth. In 1898 No.134 was occupied by Eliza and Stephen Gibbs and No.136 by Bernard Walkemeyer who operated a bakery on the opposite side of the street.

Eliza Gibbs and Stephen Gibbs lived in Summers Street at various residences that Eliza owned until their deaths in 1928.

Stephen’s wife, Eliza, died on the 20th July 1928 aged 78 years, at 136 Summers Street, East Perth, Western Australia. 
Cause of death - Angina Pectoris. Stephen died a month later, on the 18th August 1928 at the age of 80, in East Perth.
Both are buried at Karrakatta Cemetary.

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:           Article:         Gordon Freegard
                                              Tony & Lesley Gibbs
                                              Greg Gibbs

                           Images:      1, 2, 7, 8, 22, 23, 24, 25             Tony & Lesley Gibbs
                                             3, 4                    Kalamunda & Districts Historical Society
                                             5, 6                    Battye Library
                                             9, 10, 11             Greg Gibbs
                                             12                      City of Gosnells Municipal Heritage Inventory
                                             15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30    Gosnells Historic Photographic Collection
                                             31                      State Heritage W.A.

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2008-2022