James Thomas Gibson Sr. (1750 - abt. 1835)

Born 21 Nov 1750 in Halifax, Halifax, Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about Dec 1835 at about age 85 in Whitley, Kentucky, United States

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Biography

This profile is part of the Gibson Name Study.

Birth

Birth: ABT 1750 VA, Halifax Co

• An act for the division of Knox County, KY by the General Assembly in 1817 was approved in January, 1818, thereby creating Whitley County.

• It said:

• That from and after the first day of April next, so much of the County of Knox, as is contained in the following bounds, to wit; beginning at the boundary line between this state and the state of Tennessee due south of the most w esterly fork of Poplar Creek; thence northwardly to the head of said creek, so as to leave the dwelling houses of Josh Tye, George Tye, James Gibson, Joshua Tye in the new County; from thence a direct a direct line to the Cumberland River, to include David Wilson, Sr. and Thomas Mahan in the new County; thence with the ridge that divides the waters of the Cumberland River from Meadow Creek; thence with the ridge that divides the waters of said creek and Flat Creek, so as to strike Lynn Camp Creek at Michael Whi tman's old place; thence with said creek to the mouth thereof; from thence a direct course to the reserved line to Bi g Rockcastle, thence with Rockcastle to the mouth thereof; thence with the line of Knox and Pulaski Counties to the Tennessee line and thence with the same to the beginning shall be one district county called and known by the name of Whitley.

• James Gibson was born either in Hanover or Halifax Co., Va. James Gibson and his father, Valentine Gibson are in Surly Co, NC in John Deathrages's district on July of 1774. He md Sarah probably in 1776 in Surry Co., N.C.

• On 2 Sep 1778 there was a deed for Garrett (sp) Gibson which included James Gibson's plantation in Surry Co., N.C.

• On 10 Nov 1779 he was ordered to view a road in Surry Co. along with David Rowark, Garret Gibson & others.

• It is very possible he was the James Gibson who served in the Revolutionary war and was paid for Public Claims with vouchers numbers 23370 and 2350 dated 31 Aug 1782 and signed by Charles Bruce and Tragott Bagge. Traggott Bagge was paymaster for the upper district and was a resident of Salisbury District.

• He appeared in the 1784-1787 State Census for N.C. in Capt. Gaines District which was taken by Mattw. Moore, J.P. He is recorded as having I white males between 21-60 years old; 2 white males under 21 and above 60; 3 white females all ages in his household. Other Gibsons in the 1784-1787 Census: Voll. Gibson, Garrott Gibson, John Gibson, William Gibson.

* He is on the jury along with others on IO Aug 1785 in a court case Phebe Summer vs David Rowark

• His name is mentioned in another court case 2nd Thursday Nov 1788 State vs Jonathan Harold with the following Gibsons as witnesses: Archelouis Gibson (Archelaus), Garrott Gibson; John Gibson; James Gibson

* Stokes County was created from Surry County in 1789 and the land James owned is not located in Stokes Co.

* He appeared in the Salisbury District, Stokes Co., NC 1790 Census with I male over 16; 5 males under 16; 4 females including head of family. Other Gibsons in the 1790 Census: John Gibson, Valentine Gibson, Garrott Gibson, Archelus Gibson.

• On 28 Mar 1791 James Gaines & wife Elizabeth sell to James Gibson for 200 pounds 200 acres which adjoining a tract surveyed for Jos. Take which is located both sides Peter's creek adj. Thos Lankford. Witnesses were Robert Gains, James Bohannon, and John Fanner. On the same day James Gaines & wife Elizabeth sell to James Gibson for 10 pounds 150 A. which are adjoining a tract surveyed for Jos. Tate on Peters Creek & his own line & thos Lankford's line. Witnesses were James Bohannon and Robert Gains.

• He is appointed to serve on a Jury in Stokes Co. on June 1792 to mark way leading from Mathew Moore Esq. to Snowdeth meeting house beginning at Randall Falls

• On 25 Oct 1793 James Gibson owes Moore 63 pounds Va money for 203 acres surveyed for Joseph Tate on both sides Peters Creek.

• On 5 Nov 1793 James Gibson & William Bates of Stokes Co., NC sell to John Royall and William Hill of Halifax Co., Va for 200 pounds land situate on Peters Creek being the land whereon James Gains formerly lived containing 333 A and bounded by lines of Joseph Cloud, Thomas Gains, Thomas Esbell and Valentine Gibson. Wit: Wit: James Stevens, John Correll Tunstall & Ephraim Hill.

• On 2 Oct 1794 James Gibson sold to William Boyles for 203 pounds 203 A part of a tract surveyed for Jos Take Esq located on both sides Peters creek adj. Thos Lankford. Mathew Moor's name was razed out of the above contents before signing & sealing by consent & agreement of us to wit William Boyles & James Gibson. Wit by Matthew Moore.

• 2 Oct 1794 Matthew Moore quit claim unto Boyles two tracts of land held by deed of trust from James Gibson, one surveyed for Jos Tate both sides Peters Creek adj. Thos Lankford for 203 A. The other adj. his line and Thos Lankford and it is for value received that said Moore relinquishes his title and claim in above land.

• 2 Oct 1794 James Gibson to William Boyles 203 pounds for 150 A adj. his own line and Thomas Lankford.

• 2 Oct 1794 -Valentine Gibson to Matthew Moore 63 pounds Virginia money. Said Gibson indebted to Matthew Moore as security for his son James Gibson for 200 A on little Yadkin River place where William Boys (Boyles) now lives.

• On 15 Mar 1797 Christian Rhodes of Knox Co. sells to James Gibson of Grainger Co. Tn for 40 pounds 200 A on the north side of Holston Rwer below Buffalow Creek beginning at an oak on Lamar's comer Wit: John Hance & James McCartey. Archibald (Archelaus) Gibson of Grainger Co., Tn also purchased land from Christian Rhodes on 2 May 1799 100 acres for L30 located on North Side of Holston River & South side of Richland Ridge in Grainger Co. Wit: Joseph Ray. This is an indication that James & Archelaus could be brothers and were the same two Gibsons who were in Surry & Stokes Co., N.C.

* On 3 Oct 1797 James Gibson & his wife Saray (Sarah) sell to John Hall 200 A for LIOO which are located on the north side of Holston River below Buffalow Creek. Wit: Joel Pervin, Murd Smith, Thomas Watson, Amos Watson.

* 14 Jun 1797 James served on a Jury for a suit James Kain Vs John Ross. He served on the jury along with George Smith, John Green, Isiah Madkiff, John Byrd, James Short, Samuel Cox, John Coony, Francis Jones, John Smith & John Arvine. James also served on the jury on 13 Dec 1797 and again on 21 Aug 1798.

• He is in Captain English's Company in Grainger County Tax lists for 1799 with two free polls, His brothers, Archelous Gibson & Garrett Gibson, free polls, were listed in Captain Homer's Company. Other Gibsons on the list: Jacob Gibson; Isaac Gibson. Isaac probably moved to Knox Co., KY and was on the 1806 Tax list for Knox Co., KY & on the 1810 Census with males: 3 under10, 110-16, 116-26, 1over 45; females: 4 under 10, 1 10-16, 1 16-26; 1 26-45.

• May 21 1799 & Aug 1799 James Gaines vs James Gibson-The defendant security comes into court & delivers himself up in discharge of himself as bail who gives Archelus Gibson in the room thereof. On pg 65 James Gaines vs James Gibson, the Plaintiff is awarded $280.60 costs. Wonder if this is the same James Gaines from whom James bought land in 1791 in Stokes Co. NC.

• James Gibson and others were appointed to view and mark a road from Old Town Creek where the valley roads cross the creek to John Bullard's Ferry on the Clinch River in Claiborne Co. James Gibson as road viewer on 23 Jun 1800.

• March 1802 James Gibson was on the jury in Claibome County, Tn Claibome County, was created in 1801 from Grainger County, Tn

• Mar1802 Jury was appointed to mark a road from Old Town Creek to John Bullards ferry on Clinch River. The road is to pass from the ford on Old Town Creek in the direction of an old path leading to the head of John Owens Sugar

• Camp Hollow down the same, crossing Powell's River where James Gibson now lives thence by where James Forest now lives thence by Sand Lick thence to John Bullards ferry on Clinch River.

• June 1804 James Gibson & Valentine Gibson were witnesses in a court case.

• Sept 1804 William Barker was appointed overseer of the road on Barron Creek and in the area was Aaron Gibson, Garrot Gibson, George Sutherland, William York, David Lindsey & John Lindsey.

• The same Gibson names now appear in the records of Knox Co., Ky. therefore, we believe James moved there in about 1805.

• Nov 1807 reference is made to flour bought from James Gibson in the Court records dated Nov 1807 and in May1809 court records James Gibson is appointed surveyor.

• He and Sarah joined the Cumberland River Baptist Church. Their membership was recorded: " Ist Saturday May 1809-Received Andrew Evans and Sarah his wife and James Gibson and Sarah, his wife and Elizabeth Pritchard by Ietter." They are on the List of Members of the First Baptist Church. The male and female members in two columns.James is #8 and Sarah is #18.

* Some researchers believe James Gibson's wife, Sarah's maiden name was Roark or O'Roark. One researcher stated that James was appointed to administer the estate of Barnabas Roark and the appointment was later changed to Sarah Gibson. James Owens was security for Sarah Roark when she contested the right of James Gibson to administer the estate of Barnabas Roark. It is not known when this event took place or where. The record containing the estate of Barnabas Roark with James Owens as security for Sarah Roark has not been located by Dorothy Tuttle, the compiler in NC. or Tn. However, a land record in Surry Co., NC was located for Barney Roark, Sr. for 300 A located on both sides of Bigg Creek in 1778. Barnabas Rowark or Roark appeared in Court records of Surry Co., NC in 1781 & 1783. Barn. Rowark appeared in the State Census of North Carolina 1784-1787 and does not appear in the 1790 Census of N.C. A Barnabas Roark appeared in the 1790 census for Greenville Co., S.C. and lists 3 males under 16; 2 males over 16 and 5 females over 16. Perhaps they are the same person. The Greenville Co., S.C. records were checked at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Ut. for information about Barnabas Roark without much success. He was listed in the Index to Land Grants for 1790 as Barnaby Roark.

• A letter dated 6 Mar 1992 was received from G. Faye Roark Johnson of Connersville, In. Barnabus Roark from Greenvffle Co., SSC is her ancestor. Faye wrote that Barnabus died in 1811. His survivors were listed as John Roark, Nancy Roark & her husband, Jesse Vaugh & Lucinda Roark who was probably the wife of Barnabus. More children than this was reported in the 1790 census.

• The International Genealogical Index of the L.D.S. Church was checked for Roarks. A David Roark b 1788 md Elizabeth Miller 14 June 1814 in Claibome Co., Tn. and d 15 Dec 1857 was listed as the son of Barnabas Roark.

* Another reseacher thought Sarah, wife of James Gibson's maiden name was Sumner.

• On 5 Jun 1809 it was ordered that James Gibson be appointed surveyor of a road leading from the dividing ridge between the waters of Lynn Camp Creek and Richland Creek to the cropping of Big Robinson Creek in the room of William Sneed and he together with all the male laboring formerly allocated to said Sneed to keep and repair the road as the law directs.

* Dec 1809 John Bodkin Surveyor of the road. The following men were included in his district: Lewis Bailey, Robert Bailey, Charles Ricks, James Gibson, Sr., Lewis Gibson, James Gibson, Jr., William Sneed, Charles Sneed, Thomas Ferguson, William Ferguson, Tarlton Reynolds, Samuel Author, Thomas King, William Stephenseon, Robert Parsons, Garrord (Garrett) Gibson, Hugh Hales.

• In the 1810 Census for Knox Co. Ky. James Gibson, Sr. is over age 45 with I son 10- 16; 1 16-26. Other Gibsons in the census of Knox Co., KY: Barnabas age 26-45; Garrot (Garrett) 16-26; Isaac over 45; James, Jr. 26-45; John over 45; Valentine 16-26; William over 45.

• Sep 1810 Ordered that the following tithable work on the road in their district: William Campbell, Joseph Payne, Gatliff, Deavers, James Gibson, Isaac Fowler, John Fowler

• James Gibson Surveyor by a church; others to work on the road were: Edward Herman, Edward Slover, Edward Owens, Mose Owens, Lewis Gibson, James Gibson, George Sutherland, John Stone, Lewis, Robert and David Bailey, Tarleton Reynolds and Wyatt Dodson.

• A meeting of the First Baptist Church was held at his home the First Saturday in May 1811. "The Church met according to adjournment and after worship and unity appearing among us we proceeded to business. First the decision of the church that met at Peter Shulls on the third Monday in April called for, read and approved by the Church. Second Received Thomas Foley by letter and at a meeting held at James Gibsons there was received by experience John Johnson, Polly Johnson and Hannah Cox, which being approved by the Church, adjoumed until meeting in course.

• In Sep 1811 James Gibson was appointed as a delagate to the next association. "The Church met and proceeded to business as follows: First received Mary Author by experience. Second appointed Brother Moses Foley and James Gibson as delagates to the next association. Ordered that Sister Polly Wilson gave a letter of dismissal. Adjomed.

• Another entry in the I st Baptist minutes, "First Saturday April 1812. Church met according to adjournment and after worship proceeded to business. A motion was made by Brother Elijah Fioley for the admission of Brother Luke Williams and the Church agreed for it to be done at the Clear Fork Meeting House on the Fourth Saturday 1812. A petition to the church by Brother Hopper to send someone to look into their ability to see if they were sufficient to become a Church, which being read and approved by the Church and that the Clerk nominate brother Eoijah Folwy, Moses Foley, Samuel Wiatt, James Gibson and George Engle. The committee is to meet at the House of Thomas Arthur, Sr.

• He appears on the 1812, 1818, 1819 Tax List for land on Little Poplar Creek in Knox Co., Ky.

• 19 Jun 1812 a meeting of the Ist Baptist Church was held at his home on Lynn Camp Creek. "At the meeting held at James Gibsons house on Lynn Camp Creek on Friday 19th day of June 1812, a door was opened and the following were received: William Engle and Lean Sexton by letter and Polly Sutherland and Peggy Henrick by experience. Lewis Gibson, & Valentine Gibson were also members of this church.

• Third Friday July 1812 The Church met at the house of James Gibson. "According to the order of the Church it met at the house of James Gibson according to appointment and opened a door to reception of new members and received Elizabeth Moore."

• First Saturday in Aug 1812 the Church met at the house of James Gibson on Watts Creek. "The Church met according to adjournment and after worship proceeded to business. The business done at the Church meeting at the home of James Gibson on Watts Creek was called for, read and approved. First Sat Jul 1813 Church of Lynn Camp Arm met and James Gibson & Lewuell Arthur were appointed to invite Winfred Foley to Church. In June 1813 he is a jury member.

• First Sat April 1814. The Church met and after worship proceeded to business. A request was handed by Brother James Gibson from the Arm on Lynn Camp Creek for as many members as they think proper to come and look into their standing and see if they are sufficient to become a Church and it was fully agreed by the Church.

• First Sat Apr 1815. Church met and after worship proceeded to business. Brother James Gibson reported to the Church that James Campbell desires to withdraw herself from the Church and it was granted.

• 3 Aug 1815 James Gibson received 146 Acres on Big Poplar Creek by grant known as a Tellico Grant for lands ceded from Cherokee Indians treaty 1805.

• On 3 Aug 1815 land was surveyed for James Gibson as Assignee of William Chesher containing 146 acres of land by virtue of a Knox Circuit Court Certificate No. 65 situate & lying in Knox Co. on Big Poplar Creek: Beginning at a beech standing between a bond and said creek ....... three white oaks in Joshua Tye's line ...... two beeches in William Mays line .... Wit: William Mays, Robert Grimes. Note: Joshua Tye received 100 acres of land 3 Aug 1815 on S. Fk Laurel.This is the same land that James Gibson, Jr. & his wife Mary sold in 1832 from Whitley Co., KY

• James Gibson appears in the 1820 census Knox Co. Ky for Little Poplar Creek. He is over 45 with I male under10 & I female over 45. Other Gibsons still in Knox Co. Ky. 1820 Census: Jesse age 26-45; Major 16-26; Isaac 16-26 who are living on Clear Creek; Valentine; 26-45 lives on Stinking Creek; Lewis 26-45 lives on Little Poplar Creek.

• 29 Mar 1823 Michael Wilson & Polly, his wife sell to James Gibson for $5 a certain tract or parcel of land in Knox Co. Ky. on Little Poplar Creek which is to include Gibson's Mill ... John Allen's upper corner and containing 50A of land.

• Whitley County, KY was created from Knox County in 1818. In the History of Knox Co., KY by Warren pg 58-59 it stated "That from and after the first day of April next, so much of the County of Knox as is contained in the following bounds, to wit; beginning at the boundary line between this state and the state of Tennessee due south of the most westerly fork of Popular Creek; thence northwardly to the head of said creek, so as to leave the dwelling houses of Josh Tye, George Tye, James Gibson, Joshua Tye in the new County; from thence a direct line to the Cumberland River, to include David Wilson, Sr. and Thomas Mahan in the new County; thence with the ridge that divides the waters of the Cumberland River from Meadow Creek; thence with the ridge that divides the waters of said creek and Flat Creek, so as to strike Lynn Camp Creek at Michael Whitman's old place......

* It is possible that James was living there alone in the 1830 Census of Whidey Co. and is between the age of 70-80. James probably died in about 1831.

* Again, there is not enough proof to name for certain the children of James & Sarah Gibson. It is with hesitancy the following are listed. They are only listed with the hopes that someone might come up with the proof needed. We only know that they had eight children in the 1790 Census in Stokes Co., N. C. - 5 boys and 3 girls and they probably had more children after 1790.

Death

Death:

Date: 1835

SDATE 1 JUL 1835

Place: KY, Whitley Co

James Thomas Gibson

Sources

• 1790 United States Federal Census
• 1810 United States Federal Census
• 1820 United States Federal Census
• 1830 United States Federal Census

• http://www.haygenealogy.com/hay/gibson.html

DNA Notes