John Gilby

John Gilby was born January 9, 1812, in Kirton, Lincoln Co., England, and died February 15, 1863, in Malahide Twp., Halton Co., Ontario, Canada, at age 51. Buried in Oakville & St Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Oakville, Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario, Canada. He is the son of James Gilby Sr. of Wilksby, County Lincolnshire, England, and Mary Cooly of England.

Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" Straw was born April 15, 1816, in the City of Lincoln, Lincoln Co., England; Baptized April 26, 1816, in St. Mark's, City of Lincoln, Lincoln Co., England; and died March 2, 1910, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 94. Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. She is the daughter of John Straw of England and Hannah Unknown of Unknown. She was shown as "Elisama Straw" in the 1816 English records. Elizabeth Straw was born 1820 in ; Baptized May 7, 1820, in St. Mark's, City of Lincoln, County Lincolnshire, England; Martin Straw Baptized April 11, 1824, in St. Mark's, City of Lincoln, County Lincolnshire, England;

John Gilby and Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" Straw were married October 17, 1842, in York, York Co., England.

John Gilby and Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" (Straw) Gilby had at five children:

  1. Emily Gilby: Born April 14, 1844, in St. Mary, Bishop Hill Senior, City of York, Micklegate, York Co., England; Died February 11, 1935, in Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario, Canada (age 90). Married January 25, 1872, in Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario, Canada, to George Henry Hardy: Born January 9, 1843, in Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario, Canada; Died due to cancer of the left hand on June 6, 1933, in Toronto Twp., Peel Co., Ontario, Canada (age 90).
  2. James Gilby: Born February 15, 1846, in St. Mary, Bishop Hill Senior, City of York, Micklegate, York Co., England; Christened March 15, 1846, in York, York Co., England; Died November 9, 1922, in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN (age 76). Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Married about 1881 to Louisa "Louise" Schaefer: Born June 1860 in Canada; Died July 27, 1951, in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN (age 91). Buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN.
  3. Emma Gilby: Born January 10, 1848, in St. John Parish, City of York, Micklegate, York Co., England; Christened February 6, 1848, in York, York Co., England; Died July 19, 1928, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND (age 80). Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Married July 29, 1884, in Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND, to Abner Nathaniel Abbey: Born August 9, 1849, in Clarke Twp., Newcastle Dist., Durham Co., Canada West; Died September 26, 1929, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND (age 80). Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
  4. John Straw Gilby: Born April 1, 1850, in St. John Parish, City of York, Micklegate, York Co., England; Died November 4, 1942, in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada (age 92). Married about 1877 in Ontario, Canada, to Elsie Reid Young: Born March 13, 1852, in Berlin, Canada West; Died 1929 in Alberta, Canada (about age 77).
  5. George Gilby: Born September 22, 1852, in St. John Parish, City of York, Micklegate, York Co., England; Died June 4, 1936, in Galveston, Galveston Co., TX (age 83). Buried in Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, Cleburne, Johnson Co., TX.  Married January 1, 1884, in Glen Williams, Halton Co., Ontario, Canada, to Maria Jane Forster: Born July 17, 1865, in Toronto, Canada West; Died October 16, 1932, in Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada (age 67). Buried in Bayside Cemetery, Fergus, Ontario, Canada.

John Gilby died February 15, 1863, in Ontario, Canada, at age 51.

Alisemon Elizabeth (Straw) Gilby then married John' Gilbys brother, James Gilby Jr.

James Gilby Jr. was born May 2, 1821, in York Co., England, and died September 7, 1907, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 86. Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.

James Gilby Jr. and Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" (Straw) Gilby were married about 1890 in Grand Forks Co., ND.

James Gilby Jr. and Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" (Straw) (Gilby) Gilby had no children.

TIMELINE

 

The town of Gilby, North Dakota, was founded when James Gilby and Alisemon Elizabeth (Straw) Gilby moved west from Sheridan, Trafalgar Township, settling there in 1887.

Alisemon first married John Gilby on October 17, 1842, in York, County Yorkshire, England. They came to Canada and the 1861 Census shows John Gilby Sr. (age 48) born in England is a married farmer, living in a single story log home in Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario, Canada. Living with him are the following, all unmarried, except for Alezamon: Alezamon Gilby (age 44); Emily Gilby (age 17) born in England; James Gilby (age 15) born in England, a Labourer; Emma Gilby (age 12); John Gilby Jr.(age 11) born in England, a Labourer; Geo. Gilby (age 9), born in England, a Labourer; James Gilby Sr. (age 83) born in England, a widowed Labourer; James Gilby Jr. (age 40) born in England, a Labourer; Chas. Gilby (age 11) born in England, a Labourer; Emily Straw (age not listed) born in Trafalgar; and Frank Gilby (age not listed) born in Trafalgar.

John Gilby died at age 51. Alise then married his brother James and they moved to North Dakota.

George Hardy lived and farmed in Sheridan, Trafalgar Township. He married Emily Gilby in 1872.

The Elisamon Saga, provided by Andy Straw, as a PDF file.

Dear Leigh:

I recently found your website while looking for information about an ancestor of mine, Alisemon Gibly (nee Straw).

My relationship to Alisemon is that she was a first cousin of Thomas Straw (born 1828 in Lincoln, England) who was my Great Grandfather and emigrated to Australia in 1853, the same year as the Giblys emigrated to Canada.

Although I had previously found that Alisemon Straw married John Gibly in York, I had very little information as to what became of them after they arrived. I found your website very interesting and have used the information about Alisemon in developing my records of the Straw family.

My particular interest in Alisemon is because of her uncommon name which with different spellings has been used in many generations and the original Elisamon was a "fairy godmother" to my Great Grandfather. This is explained in a story I have written in the attached document (The Elisamon Saga). I have attached two different formats of the same story

My reason for writing to you is to let you know that I have a great deal of information about Alisemon's ancestors in England which I could send to you if you are interested. Also I would be very interested to know if in your family research you have come across any information which may help in me finding more about why the name Elisamon or Alsemon has been so popular in our history.

Regards,

Andy Straw

Sydney Australia

The Straws of Lincolnshire, provided by Andy Straw, as a PDF file.

The Descendants of George Straw, provided by Andy Straw, as a PDF file.

The Descendants of Walter Straw, provided by Andy Straw, as a PDF file.

Dear Leigh:

Thank you for your very prompt reply to my my previous email.

Yes, you can include whatever parts of my story you wish on your web site.

For your information I have attached some more information providing more details of Alisemon's English ancestors.

As all the names become confusing, in the attached story I have included the date of birth in brackets after the name to help in identifying who I am talking about.  I have also attached two descendant charts to help in keeping track of all the ancestors.

To help in understanding where Alisemon Gilby fits into the story the line of descendants from the first Straw is as follows

Walter Straw (c1650) - Jane

Walter Straw (1679) - Mary

Walter Straw (1712) - Elizabeth

George Straw (1754) - Mary Walker

John Straw (1792) - Hannah Martin

Alisemon Straw (1816) - John Gilby      (Emigrated to Canada 1853)

 

My line of ancestors is the same as far as George Straw (1754) then

Robert Straw (1786) - Sarah Martin  (Sarah and Hannah Martin were sisters marrying brothers Robert and John)

Thomas Straw (1828) - Emily Osborn     (Emigrated to Australia 1853)

Frederick Martin Straw (1858) - Harriet Stroud

Keith Blundell Straw (1894) - Constance Barbour

Andrew James Straw (1933) - June Hill

 

As well as my particular interest in Alisemon I am also interested in the Emily Straw who emigrated to Canada with the Gilbys.

You will note that in Chapter 3 of my story I record that an Emily Straw, then aged 14, was residing with Robert Straw (1786) at the time of the 1841 Census. I think she was the same Emily that emigrated with the Gilbys, but I can't work out which family she came from.

Do you have any further information about this Emily Straw.  Did she eventually marry?

Regards,

Andy Straw

Sydney Australia

   

Abner Nathaniel Abbey and Emma (Gilby) Abbey are buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Charles and Pearl Abbey are also buried there. Pearl's mother, Alise Gilby, along with her second husband, James Gilby, are also buried there. John Gilby, Jr., is also buried there.

John Gilby was born January 9, 1812, in Kirton, Lincoln Co., England.

Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" Straw was born April 15, 1816, in the City of Lincoln, Lincoln Co., England.

James Gilby Jr. was born May 2, 1821, in York Co., England.

John Gilby House, Oakville

The 1841 UK Census as of March 30, 1841, shows John Gilby (age 25) born in another county is a Porter living in the City of York, St. Crux Parish, County Yorkshire, England.

The 1841 UK Census shows John Gilby (age 25) not born in Yorkshire is a Porter (in a Grocery Store?) living in St. Crux Parish, York, County Yorkshire, England.

The 1841 UK Census shows Alesmore Straw (age 25) born in Lincolnshire, England, is a House Servant and is living in Boston, Boston Parish, Lincolnshire, England. Elizabeth Straw (age 20) born in Lincolnshire, England, is a Dress Maker and is also living in Boston, Lincolnshire, England.

John Gilby and Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" Straw were married October 17, 1842, in York, County Yorkshire, England.

The 1851 UK Census as of March 30, 1851, shows John Gilby (age 36) born in Kirton, County Lincolnshire, England is a Grocer Master employing one man and living at 6 New Bridge Street, St. John Parish, City of York, Micklegate, County Yorkshire, England. Living with him is his wife Elizaman Gilby (age 34) born in the City of Lincoln. Also living there are their children, all born in York: Emily Gilby (age 6); James Gilby (age 5); Emma Gilby (age 3); and John Straw Gilby (age 1). John's widowed father also lives there: Jas. Gilby, Sen., (age 70) a Retired Farmer born in Willsby, County Lincolnshire, England. The assistant grocer and two house servants also live there.

The 1851 UK Census as of March 30, 1851, shows Robert Gilby (age 40) born in Kirton, County Lincolnshire, England is a Gardener and living on Regent Street, St. Lawrence Parish, City of York, County Yorkshire, England. Living with him is his wife, Elizabeth Gilby (age 44) born in Brantingham, County Yorkshire, England. Also living there are his three daughters: Emma Gilby (age 12) born in Brantingham, County Yorkshire, England; Mary Gilby (age 10) born in Bradford, County Yorkshire, England; and Maria Gilby (age 4) born in Bradford, County Yorkshire, England.

A receipt, dating back to 1852, for 12 pounds and 10 Shillings rent paid by John Gilby while still in England. They left England for Canada in 1853.

In 1855 John Gilby was still listed as a Grocer at 6 New Bridge Street.

The 1861 Canadian Census shows John Gilby Sr. (age 48) born in England is a married Farmer and is living in a single story log home in Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario, Canada. Living with him are the following, all unmarried, except for Alezamon: Alezamon Gilby (age 44); Emily Gilby (age 17) born in England; James Gilby (age 15) born in England, a Labourer; Emma Gilby (age 12); John Gilby Jr.(age 11) born in England, a Labourer; Geo. Gilby (age 9), born in England, a Labourer; James Gilby Sr. (age 83) born in England, a widowed Labourer; James Gilby Jr. (age 40) born in England, a Labourer; Chas. Gilby (age 11) born in England, a Labourer; Emily Straw (age not listed) born in Trafalgar; and Frank Gilby (age not listed) born in Trafalgar.

John Gilby died February 15, 1863, in Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Canada West, at age 51.

Gravestone in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" (Straw) Gilby, picture taken in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Alisemon Elizabeth (Straw) Gilby then married John's brother, James Gilby Jr.

James Gilby Jr. and Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" (Straw) Gilby were married about 1890 in Grand Forks Co., ND.

James Gilby Jr. died September 7, 1907, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 86. Buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, City of Gilby, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.

Emily and Emma (sisters) holding pictures of their parents, John Gilby and Alisemon Straw

John Gilby, picture taken in Grand Forks, ND.

Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" (Straw) (Gilby) Gilby, picture taken in Grand Forks, ND.

Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" (Straw) (Gilby) Gilby, picture taken at her home in Gilby, ND.

The entire Abner Abbey family, with Alisemon (Straw) (Gilby) Gilby, taken in Gilby, ND, 1909.

Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" (Straw) (Gilby) Gilby, picture taken in her home in Gilby, ND, 1909.

Alisemon Elizabeth "Alise" (Straw) (Gilby) Gilby died March 2, 1910, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 94.

Emily (Gilby) Hardy and Emma (Gilby) Abbey, 1914

Name                    Country                       Date                              Papers               County

Abbey, Abner       Canada                        March 28, 1888            1st                     Grand Forks 

Abbey, Abner       Canada                        January 28, 1892         2nd                    Grand Forks 

Gilby, Frank        Canada                         April 19, 1880              1st                     Grand Forks

Gilby, Frank        Canada                         November 01, 1890      2nd                    Grand Forks    

Gilby, George       England                       June 10, 1879              1st                     Grand Forks   

Gilby, George       England                       June 14, 1884              2nd                    Grand Forks

Gilby, James        England                       June 10, 1879              1st                      Grand Forks 

Gilby, James        England                       March 01, 1890            2nd                     Grand Forks 

Gilby, John          England                       April 24, 1880              1st                      Grand Forks 

Gilby, John          England                       August 07, 1885           2nd                     Grand Forks 

In 1880 Abner came to Grand Forks County, North Dakota and that year filed a pre-emption claim four miles southeast of the present site of Gilby. Here the Gilby brothers, George, James and John, homesteaded. In 1882 Miss Emma Gilby came to keep house for her brothers. Emma and her three brothers had emigrated from York, England with their parents, John and Alisemon (Strow) Gilby to Canada in 1853. Accompanying them were several uncles and aunts making a total of ten Gilbys who sailed for three weeks on a sailing vessel to the new land.

It was when Abner came to discuss a land sale with the Gilbys that he met their sister, Emma. A romance began and in 1884 Abner and Emma were married in Grand Forks. A daughter, Alisemon was their first born. In the fall two years later, a second child was expected. Abner had business in Grand Forks and he left by horse and buggy for the two day trip. Arrangements were made with the Lewis family who lived a short distance away, that if Emma needed help she could signal them by placing a lighted lamp in the east window. In the early morning hours of September 20th, sharp pains indicated an early birth. Emma attempted to get out of bed to light the lamp. Halfway to the window she stumbled and fell to the floor and her baby boy, Charles Gilby was born there. She was able to tend to her own needs and it was here Abner found her and their son upon his return from Grand Forks.

Abner Nathaniel Abbey was married in 1884 in Grand Forks to Miss Emma Gilby. Mrs. Abbey is a native of England, her parents, John and Alisemon (Straw) Gilby, having emigrated from that country to Canada in 1853. They had three sons and one daughter, Mrs. Abbey. Two of the sons, James and George, settled in Grand Forks county in 1879, in the township that has been named for them.