Two Gibsons and the Molyneuxs

This wonderful monument stands on the grave of Mary Eleanor Gibson (1854-72).

Not much is known about Mary Eleanor Gibson. She passed away at the tender age of 18 years at the Great Western Hotel (now Hilton London Paddington Hotel) . It is assumed that she might have had come to London for medical consultation. 

Great Western Hotel 

The sculptor of the monument was a J. S. Farley. 

James Samuel Farley established his business in 1833. I found some information about this stone mason company here

"J S Farley lived at Kensal Green where he established his business in 1833. It was carried on after his death by his son, another J S Farley, passing after the son’s death to T Kemp. It currently trades as Jordan Farley Ltd, from the original premises opposite the entrance to Kensal Green Cemetery. The elder Farley was appointed chapel clerk and sexton of the cemetery in 1843, and was buried there. His monument to Mary Gibson (4) gives striking proof of the high level of craftsmanship achieved by commercial firms of Victorian monumental masons. It is an open-canopied tomb with a peristyle of 12 Corinthian columns and a frieze of lilies around the entablature. This supports 4 angels whose outstretched arms once held a crown of thorns. "

It must have looked like this in April 2003:

source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pietschreuders/3052081877

I have checked google maps and used street view but sadly there is now another (rather ugly) building opposite the main entrance of Kensal Green Cemetery. (image captured March 2017)
The address was 758 Harrow Road.

I have read online that the angels once held a wreath, and the quote above speaks of a crown of thorns. Now the space between their hands is empty.

source: https://ternerito.tumblr.com/

Our next Gibson, unrelated to the young girl, is John Gibson (2 June 1817 – 23 December 1892)

John Gibson was an English architect. In 1835 he became assistant to Sir Charles Barry and worked with him on the drawings for the new Palace of Westminster. 

So he was one of the architects working on this project. 

My friend explained to me what RIBA means ~ Royal Institute of British architects. Gibson became an Associate of RIBA in 1849, and FRIBA (a Fellow of RIBA) in 1853. 

He specialised in the design for banks but was also responsible for several churches. And he obviously designed sepulchral monuments.

So he designed his own monument which somehow looks like some left-over from the Midland Grand Hotel St Pancras, doesn't it? ;) It was built in 1890.

On Dec 23rd 1892 John Gibson died of pneumonia (inquiring minds want to know!) and he "moved in" his mausoleum on Dec 28th, 1892.

He had also designed this monument which was built in 1864. It was built for Edmund Molyneux who died in Paris in 1864. 

He was a wealthy merchant from Liverpool. Also buried here are his wife Eliza Harriet Molyneux, née Johnstone and one of their 6 children, Anne Molyneux, who only became 22 years old. 

According to the M&M Trust website this mausoleum once had a spire.