GIBSONS OF
POOSIE NANSIE'S

 Sorn     Mauchline     Catrine     Muirkirk     Irvine Valley     Kilmarnock     Other

Robert Burns and Poosie Nansie's are synonomous with 'The Jolly Beggars'. That night in 1785 when Robert Burns, John Richmond and James Smith stood outside Poosie Nansie's and listened to the music and singing from the Gangrel Bodies within. Truly Poosie Nansie's is said to have been the worst ale and lodging house in Mauchline, whose patrons were the tinkers, tramps and prostitutes of the area. Burns immortalised them in The Jolly Beggars, but what happened to Poosie Nansie (Agnes Gibson and her daughter Racer Jess). Would they ever climb the social ladder, make their mark on society and the church. This is their story told by their descendents. (Intro by Jimmy Davidson)

The Australian family who have their roots in Ayrshire have supplied the following information from their research. I asked "Tish" about direct lines from Agnes and George Gibson.

Hi Kenny

The connection with Poosie and the Richard Gibsons appears to be hearsay, the only link is both are buried in the Gibson plot in Mauchline graveyard. Poosie ( Agnes ) left a fund for the perpetual maintenance of the Gibson plot and is supposedly buried in it with George Gibson ( Black Geordie ) her husband. Not sure if Racer Jess is in it too.

Re the lack of evidence of a connection with Poosie, it was said in our family they have always known there is a connection, but unknown exactly how it came about. There are not even any George Gibsons in our line that I can find, though Richard of Mauchline, merchant, was born in St Quivox to another Richard and Janet Gillies from Stewarton. We can't establish the parents of the first Richard ( two contenders - both William ) so don't know if that Richard had a brother who may have been Black Geordie, or even his uncle, brother of William, the dates there would be about right, mid 1700s. It is odd, if that is the connection, that there are no Georges to be found.

Have tried searching for Poosie and /or Black Geordie, even Jess, but know too little about them to find anything useful except their burial cloth dates, George Gibson 11 Oct 1796 and Poosie 5 August 1796.

Image - Archie Baird

The above image is a bill head / receipt for Gebbie of Wynds Farm, just over the boundary line in Galston Parish. The R Gibson is associated with Mauchline, but there is no address on the receipt. The signature Isobella Gibson is the proof of connection, see the Gibson family tree.