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I was born in the year 1832. in the County of Dorset,
claiming the honour of my birth-place. My Father was a baker in the township of
Cerne Abbas, once a market town and at the present time considered of importance
there being still in existence, the remains of an old abbey and a very ancient
church, several stone coffins, urns, pieces of money having been disintered at
various times. Our house was situated in the centre of the town next to a farm
yard, on the front of which, about a half a mile distant, was a figure of a
great Giant cut out on the hill side in the turf down to the chalk. Once in
three years the outline of the giant underwent a new delination, his brawny
arms, legs, body and head receiving a new surface of chalk which seemed to
please the old fellow amazingly, who after such interesting occasions looked
brighter than ever. Many a time have I chased my playmates over the body of this
monster jumping and running over him in all directions. I used to think if he
opened his mouth he would have made a meal of a few of us. There was an old well
in the church yard called by the natives “Tasker’s Well” and it was rumoured and
believed by some of my schoolfellows, that this Gant when he heard the clock
strike three, he came down to drink at this well. When I was a kid and wore
pinafores, I believed this and have often watched for him being hid away among
the tombstones, but never had the felicity of seeing him and perhaps it was as
well for I fear such a sight would have made my legs run away with me. My
Father’s name was James Gibbs, my Mother’s Dinah. Our family consisted seven,
besides Father & Mother four sons and 3 daughters. My brother James was eldest
of the boys, John second, myself third & Tom fourth. My eldest sister Jane was
courting when I was a baby and to her lover, who often carried me about, I am
indebted for the nick name of “Old Heart” which he still persists in calling me
to this day. |