Joseph Gibbs 1826 to 1900

John Gibbs had three sons, Arthur, Joseph and Charles. All three sons joined the gold rush in Australia; Joseph returned to England when his father suffered a stroke and he became the second generation to run the family business.

The Spinney Cottage at Bedfont in the late 1950’s.

From right to left; Sydney, Reginald and Murray Gibbs, the fourth generation to run the family firm.

John Gibbs lived with his family in The Spinney with the wheelwright and blacksmith workshop attached. Originally there were two cottages which were later made into one. Members of the Gibbs family continued to live in The Spinney until 1986. The cottage no longer exists.

The first page from John Gibbs’ ledger of 1844

When John Gibbs began the business, the horse was an essential form of transport and vital for most agricultural work. As Bedfont was in the middle of a busy farming area, there was plenty of work for the new firm, making and mending both horse drawn vehicles and agricultural implements.