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Though it has nothing to do with Tarbits, I did finally figure out how my great grandmother (Margaret Chirnside Steel, Thomas' widow) came to inherit the 3 houses in Kelso.    She had only one paternal uncle - although he had 3 children, there were no direct heirs.   His son and one daughter both died childless before 1900 leaving his unmarried daughter Elizabeth sole heir.  I found her death certificate in Scotland and on it, the informant was my great grandmother, Margaret Steel who had apparently been taking care of the ailing Elizabeth (she died of gangrene of the foot and cardiac arrest).   Although there were several cousins (Margaret was one of 8 children of Elizabeth's only paternal uncle, John Chirnside)  4 of Margaret's siblings had moved to New Zealand in the 1860's -- another brother was deceased by 1881 census, which left only Margaret and her two married sisters.  
 
I have also been fortunate and found a "cousin" - a descendant of my grandfather's only sister, Christina.   Aunt Tina had remained in the Kelso houses until her death in 1974...    Which reminds me, I need to get back in touch with this cousin and see what information she can give me on my grandfather's nieces and nephews...  I have their names, and the married name of one of the daughters, but little else.  - from Laverne Markart 2006