CANADIAN
GILLBARD'S Updated on
8/7/02 See the Gillbards who emigrated
page.

 I believe that the Gillbard line died out in Canada in the
early 1900's, but would be delighted to find some of their descendants, if
you are one of them or know of any of them please get in touch
with John Gillbard, see
homepage. --------------------------- Thomas Gillbard 1829 -
1907 was instrumental in building the Thomas Gillbard School in
Cobourg, Ontario.( See below for his life
story) -------------------------- In Union
Cemetary he built a Memorial Mortuary Chapel in
1904 in memory of his only sister
JANE.
 In this
Chapel you will find this Plaque in her Memory
Ad Gloriam
Dei This mortuary chapel was erected
AD 1904 by Thomas Gillbard, Esquire, of Cobourg, in loving memory of his
only sister Jane Gillbard Smale,who died at Orono, June 12, 1860 and her
only son William Thomas Smale who was cruelly murdered in his own home at
Eskridge, Kansas, U.S.A. November 9,
1903. Blessed are the dead, which die
in the Lord. ---------------------------------------------------------------
The Life of THOMAS GILLBARD (1826 -
1907) He emigrated in 1847 to Cobourg,
Ontario, Canada with his father William, mother Grace(Symons) and two
brothers, William & John, and sister Jane. It is believed that he
already had an Aunt living there, called Ann Kenner who was married in
1832 in Tresmere Parish Church , next to his own parish of North
Petherwin, where he was born, in 1826, Cornwall,
U.K. His father was a Tailor and so
he learnt the trade and started up in business in Cobourg, where he lived
all his life. In 1848 he married a Selina Floyd, she emigrated in 1830,
also of Cornish extraction, and were married for 59 years, but had no
children.
His family were Methodist -
Bible Christians (this sect was founded not far from where he lived in
Cornwall by William O'Bryan, who visited Canada in 1833/4.) and they
worshipped firstly in a chapel in the Orange St location, and later in a
new brick built church at the North Eastern corner of James and Bond St.
Due to various the amalgamations of the Methodists he also worshipped at
the Methodist Church at King and Ball Street. Most of this time he was
acting as a Sunday School Superintendant, through his love for children
and his Lord Jesus Christ. He was also a Methodist Local Preacher taking
services in various local chapels.
In 1853 Thomas moved into the
Retallack Block( another good Cornish name) of three stories, thus
expanding his business, and for 20 years, ran an extensive tailoring and
clothing business. He sold out to James and Shaun Clarke, in 1873 but
retained ownership of the premises.
From 1873 until 1877 he was a
Cobourg Town Councillor, later serving as the Town
Treasurer. ( Many Gillbard's
have served on town councils through the years in the U.K at present there
are at least two, Mike in Liskeard, Cornwall & Bernard in East
Grinstead, Sussex.)
In 1864 he became a member of
the Public School Board, and served on it for over 40 years until his
death, in 1907. In 1869 he was made the Chairman and occupied this
position 12 times. He recognised that the schooling was taking place in
several locations and felt that it would be more efficient if all the
children were brought togther in one building. Financial help was thus
needed, so he gave $10,000 towards its erection, it was finished in his
time but he died only a few days prior to its opening, his name appeared
on the official opening programme, as one of those taking part in its
opening proceedings. Later the School Board prepared a Memorium statement
in which they said that " But for Mr Gillbard's generous donation, it
seems not probable that Cobourgs Public School would have remained in
inferior accomodation and equipment for many years to come. His cheery
presence, his friendly greeting and his good advice will be greatly missed
by both trustees and teachers."
The Cobourg Public Library
received a legacy of $200 from his estate for use in purchasing new
books.
Today the George Street Public
School, the original one he helped to bring about bears his
name. See the picture
above. ---------------------------------------------------------- I wish to thank the Saturday
Morning Post of March 22, 1919, and the Cobourg & District Historical
Society, for most of the above information, and Thomas Ronayne for his
help and information. -----------------------------------------------------------------
To bring matters up to date see below:
 Below is Ted Peterson a descendant of Thomas Gillbard
representing the Gillbard Family .
 Thanks to Thomas
Gillbard
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