John Gibson Letters
S510
1812-1816
1 folder
Manuscript Section, Indiana Division
Indiana State Library
Processed by: Christina Baich, March 2006
Biographical Note:
John Gibson was born on May 23, 1740, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He served under General Forbes during an expedition against Fort DuQuesne, on the present site of Pittsburgh. Afterwards, he remained there to trade with the Native Americans. In 1763, he was captured by Native Americans and spent some time with them, learning their customs and acquiring several languages. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he took command of a Virginia regiment. Following the war, he returned to Pittsburgh. Gibson served as a member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention; a Major General of the militia; and as an associate judge. In 1800, he was appointed secretary of the Indiana Territory, a post he held until Indiana became a state in 1816. During the War of 1812, Gibson became Acting Governor of the Indiana Territory while William Henry Harrison was engaged in battle. He was forced to retire from public office in 1816 due to an incurable cataract. He died on April 16, 1822, in Vincennes, Indiana.
Source:
Cumback, Will and J. B. Maynard, eds. Men of Progress. Indiana. A Selected List of Biographical Sketches and Portraits of the Leaders in Business, Professional and Official Life. Indianapolis: The Indianapolis Sentinel Company, 1899.
Scope and Content Note:
The collection largely contains letters written to John Gibson while Secretary, and then Acting Governor, of the Indiana Territory. The letters are from several different officers regarding territorial affairs. There is one letter from John Gibson regarding the incorporation of Vincennes.
Item Listing:
1 Folder.
1812 Aug. 17 Wingate, Thomas S. to John Gibson, ALS
1812 Sept. 3 Wingate, Thomas S. to John Gibson, ALS
1812 Sept. 6 Barbour, Philip to John Gibson, ALS
1812 Sept. 25 McIntosh, William to John Gibson, ALS
1812 Nov. 18 Butler, Thomas L. to John Gibson, ALS
1813 Apr. 1 Scott, James to John Gibson, ALS
1816 Feb. 3 Gibson, John to unidentified recipient, LS
Collection Information:
Size of Collection:
1 folder (7 items)
Collection Dates:
1812-1816
Provenance:
Taken from an Indiana State Library scrapbook, 9 September 1932
Access: This collection is open for research.
Restrictions:
None
Reproduction Rights:
Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library. Possession of a reproduction from an Indiana State Library collection does not constitute permission for use.
Language Materials are entirely in English
Alternate Formats:
None
Related Holdings:
Notes:
Search the Indiana State Library's Online Catalog.