John Gibson letters
Collection — Folder: S0510
Identifier: S0510
Scope and Contents
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, ranging from 1812 to 1816. There is one letter from John Gibson regarding the incorporation of Vincennes.
Dates
- 1812-1816
Creator
- Gibson, John, 1740-1822 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
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 WilliamHenry 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
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
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a records transfer from Indiana Division (taken from an Indiana State Library scrapbook) on 1932/09/09.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2006/03 by Christina Baich. EAD finding aid created 2006/03 by Christina Baich. EAD finding aid revised 2015/11/04 by Brittany Kropf.
Creator
- Gibson, John, 1740-1822 (Person)
- Title
- John Gibson letters
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
