John Gibson's Indiana Territory
John Gibson was the long-time Secretary of the Indiana Territory who helped build it into a State.
John Gibson
While still a teenager, John Gibson fought in the French and Indian War, the first of several wars he would participate in.
After the fighting ceased, Gibson moved to western Pennsylvania where he began a career trading with the local Native American nations.
Before long, John began fighting in Pontiac’s Rebellion, during which he was captured and very nearly executed.
After securing his release, Gibson returned to his trading career and became closely associated with the Mingo tribe, marrying a woman of Mingo heritage and learning to speak the language.
Sadly, his wife was one of many Mingo citizens killed during a savage raid conducted by British settlers, though fortunately his daughter survived.
Revolutionary War
Almost immediately Gibson began participating in Dunmore’s War where his work as a translator was vital.
The following year he was named Virginia’s Indian Agent in Pittsburgh. During this time he decided to side with the Patriots during the American Revolution and covertly sent British communications he received to the rebels.
Though John was a Colonel and fought as far east as New York, most of his contributions were in discussions with Native Americans. He represented the Continental Congress in Ohio in addition to a brief time commanding Fort Pitt.
Indiana Territory
After the war, Gibson served in Pennsylvania’s constitutional convention of 1790 before receiving appointment by President John Adams to take up the position of Secretary to the newly created Indiana Territory.
Gibson arrived well before Governor William Henry Harrison and therefore served as Acting Governor for the better part of a year.
By 1811 Tecumseh’s War began and John led the militia against the hostile American Indian Confederacy. This war bled into the War of 1812 where Gibson was a major aide to Governor Harrison.
Acting As Governor Again
When these wars concluded, Gibson again served as Acting Governor between Harrison’s resignation and the arrival of Thomas Posey.
By the time Indiana achieved Statehood in 1816, John had been its Secretary for the entire time it was a territory.
In his role, he helped put into place the foundation of a State Government which still exists to this day. In recognition of his efforts, Gibson County currently bears his name.
Want to read about more FOUNDERS ON THE FRONTIER?
Great! Check out these articles:
Overshadowed by Lewis and Clark - Zebulon Pike’s Expedition
Temporary Freedom - York and the Corps of Discovery
Daniel Boone - Founding Father on the Frontier
Surprisingly, John Gibson does not have a biography.
‘A Timeline of Indiana History’ covers the period just before Gibson’s arrival and is a great review of events leading up to the creation of the Indiana Territory.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
Want to get fun American Revolution articles straight to your inbox every morning?
Smart!
Subscribe to my email list here.
You can also support this site on Patreon by clicking here.
