This once impressive granite monument with a fallen obelisk is the grave of Charles Gibson and his wife Ann. They were, like most people buried in Hull General, just every day working class people who led unremarkable lives.
Charles was born on 9 November 1810 at Bassingthorpe in Lincolnshire, he married Ann Newstead, (b 23/3/1809) the daughter of labourer John Newstead and his wife Anne, at St Wulfran’s Church, Grantham on 17 Feb 1834.
The couple moved to Hull and Charles was recorded as a ‘fishman’, living at Duncan’s Place, Manor St in the 1841 census. The couple had no children, and in 1851 they were living at 6 St James’ Place. By 1861 he had a business as a fishmonger, and had moved to the more up market address of 30 Coltman St, where they remained for the rest of their lives. He is recorded in the 1861 Post Office Directory as trading as a fishmonger (oysters) from 5-6 The Shambles in Market Place. The Jones’s Mercantile Directory of 1863/4 gives his business as 6-7 The Shambles.
His wife Ann died of heart disease at their home in Coltman St on 12 June 1870 aged 61. Charles remarried in 1873 to Mary Ann Harvey, and is living with her at 30 Coltman St in the 1881 census.
Charles died of natural decay on 17 Aug 1884 aged 73.
Interestingly, 30 Coltman St, shown on the right of the attached photo, was purchased by John Henry Fenner, the founder of JH Fenner Ltd of ‘V’ belt fame.
The monument needs the obelisk re-erecting, but is otherwise in good condition, although a little clearing is required around the grave.
