Maj. George GIBSON

   Other names for George were "The Major" and George Isaac GIBSON I.

  Birth Notes:

[http://members.aol.com/holmestree/gibson.htm#Major George Gibson]

  Death Notes:

Gibson Station, Lee County, Virginia

  Noted events in his life were:

• Biography. George Gibson was a Lieutenant in the French and Indian War, and served at the Point Pleasant Campaign during the Indian Wars when the Indians were defeated in October 10, 1774. During the Revolution he served in the Continental Army, was promoted to Major. He fought at Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777-'78 and is said to have been at the Battle of King's Mountain. Major Gibson served with General Washington after resigning from the British Army and was at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktowne, October 19, 1781.
After the Revolution, Major Gibson moved westward to Washington County, Virginia, and when Lee was formed in 1792, his property fell in the new county. He had three or four entries of seven hundred acres of land on Treasury Warrant No. 14,105. One of 200 acres on Four Mile Creek, a branch of the Powell River, and one of 200 acres on Indian Creek, another branch of Powell River. Here he built a fort for the protection of his family and neighbors; it was known as "Gibson's Fort." It was in the western part of Lee County. In later years, 1890, when the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company built their line through Lee County, they named this section Gibson Station.
George Gibson served his community as well in peace as he did his country in time of war. He was selected by Governor Lee as one of the eight men to sit on the first court of the county, and was one signers of the petition for the establishment of the town of Jonesville for the county seat. His will in W.B. 1, p. 57, Lee County, written 3 Oct. 1818, filed 1819.

GIBSON'S STATION
Gibson's Station was located in lower Lee Co., Virginia about five miles from Cumberland Gap, and is still, today, called Gibson's Station.
In 1775, Ambrose Fletcher made a settlement on a tract of land in the western end of what is today Lee Co., Virginia, and on the 10th of August 1785, Fletcher assigned his certificate for land to Major George Gibson. This tract was entered before the Commissioners of Washington Co., Virginia on August 10, 1781, by Fletcher, and is described as 400 acres of land lying in Washington County in Powell's Valley, and known by the name of the "Indian Old Fields". George Gibson had this land surveyed on December 8, 1785, and was issued a patent for the same on August 1, 1785.
George Gibson doubtless moved on this land shortly after acquiring it and established a station, since, and to this day known as Gibson's Station. His home was a two story log house nearby a spring. The spring was inside the fort, and the chimney of the old Gibson home is still standing, but another house has been built to it. The location is beyond the Southern Railroad underpass about 300 yards beyond on the right.
Apparently this was another of the neighborhood forts, for I find no record that militia was ever stationed there. It was likely defended only by its occupants.
Upon coming to Southwest Virginia, it is said that he first settled in the vicinity of Abingdon, before coming to Powell Valley around 1785.
The Indians captured his son, Matthew Moss Gibson, when he was a small child and he lived with the Indians until grown, when he was identified by a birthmark and ransomed by his father. Family tradition states that he never became accustomed to living with his family, and would often be found outside the door listening and not entering the house. That he often returned to his Indian parents, staying awhile and then returning to his own parents. He later moved to Missouri where he spent the remainder of his life.

[FRONTIER FORTS OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
By Emory L. Hamilton
From Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia, Number 4, 1968, pages 1 to 26]

Information from DAR:

George Gibson, born in Cork County, Ireland, 1732, came to America with his parents, Robert and Isabella Gibson. They were among the army of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who emigrated to America before 1743. They settled in Augusta County, Virginia, where he married Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Zachariah Smith, about 1776. They had eleven children. George died April 3, 1819, Gibson Station, Virginia. Elizabeth died March 2, 1826, same place. They are buried near the site of the old Fort on a knoll at the foot of Cumberland Mountain.
Young George served as Lieutenant at the battle of Point Pleasant, under Captain George Mathews, in the Southern Division of Lord Dunmore's army. He was commissioned a Captain, Feb. 2, 1776 at Williamsburg, Virginia, a Major on March 22, 1777. He served with distinction in Scott's Brigade the terrible winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge.
Migrating to Washington County after the Revolution, then settled in Lee County about 1800. He purchased land at .25 an acre and built Gibson Fort near Cumberland Gap, a pass in the mountains used by all going west. Today this is Gibson Station, where some of his descendants live in a remodeled part of the Fort.
Mrs. Frank Kincaid (Elizabeth Ball) and her daughter, Mrs. Nannie Lee Kincaid Stickley (Ross) of Ewing, Virginia became interested in honoring their distinguished ancestor, Major George Gibson. They decided to organize a DAR Chapter. Other cousins became interested and in July 1917 (After the death of Mrs. Kincaid) twelve cousins met. They organized the Chapter and named it for their mutual ancestor, Major George Gibson, with its location at Gibson Station, Virginia, the most Southwestern point in Virginia.

Daughters of the American Revolution Approved Papers

NANIE LEE KINCAID STICKLEY NATIONAL NO 131721
Major George Gibson descendant

Nannie Lee Kincaid was the organizing Regent of the Major George Gibson chapter of the DAR April 14, 1917.

GIBSON FAMILY

"High fortune may be tossed away,
Nor health nor skill my long endure,
Only the name I bear is sure,
And since from it I cannot hide,
Lord, let me hold my name in pride."

The Gibson Family is of Scotch origin, the records in Scotland going far back in the 15th century, the first of whom there is record being named George which was then the favored name of the eldest son, also we find the given name of Robert, and John, plentifully sprinkled on the family tree.
The 8th baronet, Sir Robert Gibson the Scotch traditions state, died in America without issue, about the year 1700, the title reverting to his brother Alexander. Sir Robert Gibson also had a brother named George Gibson.
The Gibsons are of the clans of Culloden which recalls the old poem by Campbell and the Wizards warning to the prod chieftain, "Lochiel, Lochiel! Beware of the day when the Lowlands shall meet thee in battle array! For the field of the dead rushes red on my sight, and the Clans of Culloden are scattered in flight." This presaged the defeat and exile of the clan which really took place. Be that as it may, our Gibson family was amongst those Scotch Presbyterians, that by the thousands migrated or fled to Ulster, and there is County Cork one hundred and ninety seven years ago George Gibson, the son of Robert and Isabella Gibson was born. A family tradition states that as a lad of fourteen years of age, George and a younger brother James, emigrated to America, paying for their passage with their labor. It is probable that their parents came at the same time for we find Robert Gibson's name on the muster rolls and doing military duty in the early settlement of Augusta County. A vast territory which at present comprises four entire states, and nearly forty counties in western Virginia. Robert Gibson's will was probated in Augusta County, Va. March 22, 1760 his wife Isabella executer. Besides his sons George and James he mentions in the will "Son John if he be alive and come to claim his share." Nothing is known of this son John, perhaps he was the famous Indian Scout and fighter of that section, and period, whose name is written large on the page of Border Warfare.
After the destruction of General Braddock's expedition against Fort Duquesne in 1755, the western frontier settlements were exposed to the most terrifying Indian attacks, men, women, and children were killed, scalped or carried into captivity, worse than death. In this school of warfare upon the borders of a savage empire, young George Gibson received his military training, in 1771, the Miamis, Ottawas, Shawanees, Delawares, Wyondots and Mingoes, united in the most powerful Confederation that ever confronted English civilization in America, this culminated in Dunmore's War, the last American war waged under the flag of England.
George Gibson was a Lt. in this war. He belonged to the Southern Division of Lord Dunmore's Army, commanded by General Andrew Lewis, his caption, George Mathews. These men, it is said, were recruited from the very flower of the pioneers of the old Southwest. Their march lay through dangerous defiles, over precipices through a tractless and wild mountainous wilderness. Two thousand seven hundred of these most remarkable men that ever gathered on the American frontier, marched one hundred and sixty miles over the Alleghenies, until they reached the great Kanawha. There on Oct. 10, 1774 was fought the sanguinary battle of Point Pleasant. Historians till us that this battle changed the course of American History. Roosevelt says, "in no other contest did whites inflict so great a loss on the Indians, and it kept the northwestern tribes quiet for the first three years of the Revolutionary struggle; and, winning of the West. Had it not been for Dunmoree War it is more than likely that, when the Colonies achieved their freedom they would have found their western border fixed at the Allegheny Mts. Hence the title of "Empire Builders" has been given to these brave men who from sunrise to sunset fought this momentous battle which raged with obstinate fury with no marked success on either side all day. General Lewis, knowing that a night massacre would follow with another day of doubtful conflict on the morrow, sent three companies-to one of which Lieutenant Gibson belonged----to pass beyond the enemy and attack them in the rear. Cornstalk found himself thus encompassed and, supposing reinforcements had arrived, fled in the night. The companies who participated in this movement were called the most renowned in the army. At the time of the battle at Point Pleasant no white man had founded a permanent home in Kentucky. Was it not the Kentucky settlements, that formed the basin of the operation of Gen. George Rogers Clark in his conquest of the Illinois Country, whereby the General Assembly of Virginia passed an Act in which the Government was extended to the Mississippi River?
The descendants of George Gibson are eligible through his Colonial services as an officer in Dunmoree War to membership in the Society of Colonial Dames and also, the Society of Colonial Wars. Let us not forget the danger to which he was exposed hourly, risking his life to make a "world more wondrous than his dreams in which
"They, who blazed the trail and broke the Virgin soil,
Ne'er garnered half the harvest of their toil;
To-day, wher'er they sowed, others reap
To them is sleep."
their brave deeds and, alas, too often their very names are forgotten."
February 2nd, we find George Gibson with a company of men from beyond the mountains at Williamsburg, Virginia, on that date receiving his commission as a Captain in the Continental Army and not in the Virginia State troops which shows that he and his men volunteered for service to fight wherever they were needed regardless of State boundaries. Those who formed young Captain Gibson's company were accustomed to Indian Warfare, and great freedom of action. They were independent of spirit and found military restraint so distasteful that they mutinied. Food was scarce and it was bitter winter weather. Poor mountaineers they were, far from home, unpaid for their services. They were given the sarcastic name of "Gibson's Lambs." General Mercer with these same lambs, harangued them in an eloquent and feeling manner impressing on them duties as citizens and soldiers and the certainty of death if they continued to disobey their officers and remained in that mutinous spirit, equally disgraceful to them and hazardous to the sacred interests they had marched to defend. Disorder was instantly checked and the whole company was ever after as exemplary in this deportment as any troops in the army. From the War Department, the Virginia Historical Society, and other authentic sources we find meager records here and there. March 22, 1777, Capt. Gibson received his Commission as a Major in the 4th Virginia Regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Reed commanding, they spent the terrible winter of 1777-78 in Scotts Brigade at Valley Forge near Philadelphia. Again, we find a balance due his "April 16, 1785, as Major of Infantry on account of his services in the Revolutionary War." Again, a court record shows that Major George Gibson was living near Cumberland Gap, in 1808.
Well authenticated family tradition states that at the close of the Revolution, Major Gibson, built at Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia, a stone house, with port holes for defense against the Indians. 400 acres were granted him in Washington Co. in 1788 and 300 acres in Lee County in 1800. In the year 1790 he built the home at Gibson Station, Lee County, Virginia, where he was to end his days. This house is still standing, and from that day to this has never passed from the hands of his descendants. It is an interesting old place, and in one corner of the yard was built a stone fortress as a protection against the Indians.
Captain George Gibson became one of the leading men of Lee County and was for many years one of its most highly honored citizens. He was selected by Governor Lee and his council as one of the eight men to sit on the first court in Lee County. This was a position to which only men of highest intelligence were appointed. He served without salary and contributed largely to the proper government of his county for many years. He was one of the signers of the petition for the establishment of the County of Lee, which was filed with the Legislature of the State of Virginia October 5, 1792. He was the eighth sheriff of the county. At that time the sheriff was also the treasurer of the county, recommended by the governor, and he was also a member of the court.
George Gibson died in the year of 1819 at the venerable age of 87 years. Captain George Gibson made his will October 31, 1818; and was recorded in the county clerk's office December 1819. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth Smith Gibson; she was the daughter of Zachariah Smith, a soldier who served with General Washington in the French and Indian wars, and by several children, all of whom were worthy of their noble sire. Brains, honesty and pluck, no less than bravery, have been a distinguishing trait of the Gibson family through all the years, since first their name was inscribed upon the nations annals.

"High fortune may be tossed away,
Nor health nor skill my long endure,
Only the name I bear is sure,
And since from it I cannot hide,
Lord, let me hold my name in pride."

An Historic Battle by Mrs. E. S. Moss of Williamsburg, Whitley County, Kentucky; wife of Dr. Edwin Smith Moss who is the 4th child of Rufus Morgan Moss-b. May 7, 1829-Tombstone-Lancaster Cemetery-Garrard Co-DAR-records say 1827.

Major George Gibson's wife was Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Zachariah Smith, she was born 1768 Augusta County, Virginia, died at Gibson Station Virginia 3-20-1826, they were married 1775 in Augusta County, Virginia, her father was a revolutionary soldier.

Capt. (Major) George Gibson

The Gibson name is found among those who were in very early days prominent in Southwestern Virginia. Among the list of Revolutionary soldiers from Washington County, of which County Lee was then a part of the names of George Gibson, John Gibson and Thomas Gibson, and it noted that all three were in the Battle of King's Mountain. George Gibson attained the rank of Captain, (Major).

In 1775 Ambrose Fletcher made a settlement on a tract of land in the western end of what is now Lee County, and on the 10th day of August, 1785, Fletcher assigned, in writing, his certificate for title to George Gibson. Fletcher had previously, on August 11th, 1781, gone before the Commissioners for the District of Washington and Montgomery Counties and made proof of his actual settlement on this land. In this proof and certificate thereof, the land is described as 400 acres of land in Washington County in Powell Valley and known by the name of INDIAN OLD FIELD. This tract was then particularly valuable because it had within its boundaries a large field which had been cleared in former times by the Indians and hence was ready for cultivation, without the great labor required to clear away the great forest trees, which in that day covered all this country.

On the 8th day of December 1785, Captain Gibson caused this tract of land to be surveyed by the County Surveyor of Washington County, and on the 1st day of August, the Commonwealth of Virginia issued to him a patent for the same.

George Gibson doubtless moved upon this tract of land soon after he acquired a right to it in 1785, and it was here that he at once established a "Station" since and to this day known as "Gibson Station." In that day the name "Station" was used as synonymous with "Fort." In that day, generally in this section of the County, dangers from the Indian foe was great, and this Station established by Capt. Gibson was a built for defense and protection against Indian raids, and it was so __________ that no Indian band was ever able to successfully attack it.

• Court, 1764, Augusta County, VA. AUGUST 22, 1764
(70) George Gibson, one other, and 195 acres added to tithables; 196 acres of Isabella Gibson added to tithables.

[Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, Volume I, AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS. ORDER BOOK No. IX.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~chalkley/volume_1/or09_114.htm#page%20115]

• Land: 150,200 acres, 1768, Augusta County, VA. 17th November, 1768. George ( ) Gibson and Isabella ( ) to James Gilmore, Jr., ?150, 200 acres on North Branch of Collier's Creek. Teste: Moses Collyer, John Collier.

[Records of Augusta County, Virginia, 1745 - 1800]

• Military Service: possible match, 1774, Augusta County, VA. MARCH 16, 1774.
(319) George Gibson qualified Lieut. in Capt. Robert Thompson's Company. William Findley, same, as Ensign in same.

[Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, Volume I, AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS.
ORDER BOOK No. XV.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~chalkley/volume_1/or15_175.htm#page 178]

• Military Service, 1777-1778. George served in the Revolutionary War and fought at Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777-1778 and at Point Pleasant during the Indian Wars.

• Residence, 1790, Lee County, VA. MAJOR GEORGE GIBSON HOMESITE AND FORT - GIBSON STATION
Major Gibson came to the area around 1790. The house burned arund 1890. Not far from it, Major Gibson and wife are buried, with large flat rocks covering their graves. In recent years this cemetery has been restored by the Major George Gibson Chapter of the DAR, named in his honor. The cemetery and home site are located in Gibson Station.

[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bobbistockton/geogibhouse.html]

• Tax List, 1795, Lee County, VA. Gibson Georg 1 1 1 6
[http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/lee/taxlists/1795land.txt]

• Tax List, 1800, Lee County, VA. Gibson George 2 0 1 9
Gibson John 1 0 0 0

[http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/lee/taxlists/1800property.txt]

• Tax List, 1810, Lee County, VA. Gibson George Sr 24 Mar 2 2 6
Gibson George Jr 24 Mar 1 0 2
Gibson Matthew 24 Mar 1 0 2 1 studhorse-$4.00
Gibson Zacheriah 24 Mar 1 2 5
Gibson Robert 27 Mar 1 1 8

----
[http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/lee/taxlists/1810tax.txt]
Gibson, George Sr 24 Mar 2 tithables 2 slaves 6 horses/notes

• Will, 1818, Lee County, VA. wrote his will on 3 Oct 1818 and it was probated in 1819 [Will Book, I, pg. 57, Lee Co. VA]

Title Gibson, George, Senior.
Publication 1818
Gen. note Part of index to Lee County Wills and Administrations (1794 - 1832)
Note p. 48-50. Will written 31 Oct. 1818.
Note Misc. Wills, 1794-1832 (Reel 13)
Subject - Personal Gibson, George, Senior.
Subject -Geographic Lee County (Va.)
Genre/Form Wills.
Added Title Virginia wills and administrations.

System Number 000541360

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WILL OF MAJOR GEORGE GIBSON

Lee County, Virginia, Will Book I
Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia
10 October 1818

In the name of God amen, I George Gibson Sr., of Lee County State of Virginia being weak in body but sound in mind and disposing memory for which I thank God and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate that it hath pleased God to bless me with I herefore give and bequeath and dispose of the same in the following manner.

First: I desire and direct that my executor, here after appointed as soon as practical proceed to sell all my estate both real and personal at public auction except such as herein excepted and out of money arising there from all my just debts and expenses be paid, also personal expenses.

Second: I give and bequeath unto my wife Elizabeth Gibson in line of her dower in my estate to be enjoyed by her only during her natural life or widowhood my dwelling house together with the yards and all the out houses appertaining and joined heretofore with the use of the orchards contiquior and two feather beds and furniture and such other household furniture as she and my executors may conclude she stands in need of. Also 100 acres of good land to be laid out in such manner as she thinks most convenient and may direct. Also my Negro slave Cate and other slaves of whom my said wife is to have choice, out of all the slaves I might possess at my death, except Navoh who is hereafter otherwise disposed of. Also two horses, three milk cows, twelve hogs and twelve sheep of which my said wife is to have her choice at my death out of my whole stock. But in case my executors make sale of everything devised which legally followeth herewith except two 100 acres! of land which she is to hold as a dower during her natural life and enjoy the profits thereof and out of the proceeds of sale make divisions among all my children as directed by the fourth clause of this testament and at her death if one remarried then her dower land is to be sold by my executors and divide the proceeds to be made in a way above directed and in case of her death before remarrying then everything real and personal devised to her by this will is to be sold by my executors the proceeds to be divided among my children.

Third: I desire and direct that my daughter Elizabeth Gibson to have and enjoy all the privileges of my mansion house along with her mother in the same way she enjoyed them during my lifetime and so much as my said daughter has lived longer than any of my other children and tenderly waited upon me in my feebleness and age, I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth, my Negro slave child Novah and her increase to her and her heirs forever and above my equal division of her other estate and in case the said Negro child Navah should die before me, it is my will and direction that out of the proceeds of my other estate my executors pay unto my daughter, 100 dollars compensation in full for such loss.

Fourth: It is my will and desire that the proceeds of all my other estate whatsoever not known before specifically disposed of be equally divided after my death among my children Isabella Campbell, Robert, Zachariah S., Rachel Click, George, Matthew, James, William, Elizabeth, Margaret (Peggy) and John to be enjoyed by their assigns forever.

Fifth: Should my Negro slave Harriet who has brought suit maintain same, it is my desire that my son Robert from whom I purchased her shall pay no more to my estate for her loss than three hundred and thirty dollars for her loss.

Sixth: In case of my death before my son John Gibson arrives at legal age, it is my will and desire that he shall live and remain in my dwelling house during his minority under the protection and government of his mother. I do will and direct that my executor put out his dividends to my estate at interest with good security until he arrives at 21 years of age.

Seventh: As whereas my sons Mathew, George, and James have purchased certain parts of my land and taken my bonds for the title, therefore and given me their notes for the purchase money thereof now it shall be the wish of my said three sons or either of them after death to throw the said lands in hotch potch and have them sold by my executors for the benefit of my estate, they or either of them are at liberty to do so. Whereupon my executors are to give them or either of them up their notes now held by me for the purchase money thereof but should my sons or either of them choose to retain the land so purchased then my executors will proceed to collect and distribute the purchased money as directed with my other estate and make them or either of them, return the said land letters thereunto as required by my bonds given therefore in all sales of land made to my executors I do hereby to make letters therefore.

Eighth: I hereby cancel revoke and disannul all and every will and testament heretofore written or subscribed. I do hereby make ordain and declare this my last will and testament.

Ninth: Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons Mathew Gibson and James Gibson my sole executors to this my last will and testament. I do earnestly request that they take upon themselves the execution thereof conforming themselves in all things to be true spirit and meaning thereof producing harmony and peace from all interest.

My Seal October 1st, 1818
(Signed) George Gibson

Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of
Josh Ewing John L. Hardy William Sayers

[http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=lesa&id=I00286]
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George Gibson (will Oct 3, 1818) wife Elizabeth [Smith?] Gibson. Witnesses: Josh Ewing, John L. Handy and Wm. Sayers. pg 57. These names are given.
Elizabeth Gibson
Isabel Gibson & _____ Campbell
Robert Gibson
Zachariah [Smith] Gibson & Ann? Johnston?
Rachel Gibson & _____ Click
George Gibson
Matthew Gibson
James Gibson
William Gibson
John Gibson
Peggy Gibson & _____ Miller
Will dated Oct 3, 1818, filed 1819
[Ref: Lee Co. VA Will Book 1, pg 57.
http://members.aol.com/holmestree/gibson.htm#Major George Gibson]

• Cemetery: Major George Gibson Cemetery, 1819, Lee County, VA. Major George Gibson Cemetery, Gibson Station, Lee Co., Virginia

• See also. http://members.aol.com/holmestree/gibson.htm#Major George Gibson

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bobbistockton/gib.html#Samuel

Lesa Pfrommer
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=lesa&id=I00286

Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia

http://www.rootsweb.com/~chalkley/volume_1/vindx_g.htm

George married Elizabeth SMITH, daughter of Zechariah SMITH and (probably Rachel), in 1775 in Lee County, VA. (Elizabeth SMITH was born on 2 Mar 1758 in Augusta County, VA and died on 20 Mar 1826 in Lee County, VA.)