No Surprise as Mr. Gibson Is Left $5,000 — Plans to Remain on the Estate
Seventeen years of faithful service to one family is rare today, and few in Norwood were surprised when the will of Mrs. Louisa J. Morrill, recently probated, revealed a bequest of $5,000 to Charles W. Gibson, longtime steward of the Morrill estate.
When George H. Morrill, the noted ink manufacturer, passed three years ago, he too remembered Mr. Gibson, leaving him $2,000. Yet Gibson’s role has always been far more than that of a coachman. Acting as steward and caretaker, he managed the extensive property for both Mr. and Mrs. Morrill, overseeing the homestead during their frequent absences with quiet diligence.
Born in Northboro about fifty years ago, the son of Samuel Gibson, Charles developed a lifelong love of horses—his father set him in the saddle almost before he could walk. After meeting George H. Morrill seventeen years ago, he was engaged to care for the family’s horses and grounds. He and his wife, Harriet Beecher Blake of Westboro, settled in a pleasant cottage near the Morrill mansion, where they have lived ever since.
In recent years, following Mr. Morrill’s death, Gibson handled much of Mrs. Morrill’s business affairs. He speaks of her with deep respect, recalling her quiet generosity and charitable acts known to few outside her circle. “I never had an unpleasant word with Mrs. Morrill in all those years,” he said.
Horses remain his passion—he owns a fine animal himself—and the Morrill stables reflect his care. Gibson expects to continue his duties under Leon G. Morrill, grandson of George H. Morrill, who inherits the homestead and plans to make it his home.
Throughout Norwood, Mr. Gibson is regarded with esteem, and townspeople share in his good fortune, seeing it as a fitting reward for years of loyal service.
Text and images may have been created, edited, colorized, or digitally restored using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society
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