Person Page 564

Jordan Gibson

Parents

Children with Susannah ("Susan") Black (b. 1730, d. 1792)

Daughter	Rhoda Gibson+ (b. 1755, d. 2 December 1817)
Daughter	Cynthia Gibson (b. 1764)
Son	Roger Gibson (b. 1765)

Biography

Person Source		Jordan Gibson had person sources.1
ChildParent1,1
Anecdote		Companion to Daniel Boone. Killed by Indians.1
Anecdote		JORDAN GIBSON of SUMNER COUNTY, TENNESSEE  Like many others, the GIBSONS commonly used the same family names for their children making identification of individuals within each generation more difficult. Based on tradition and naming patterns, it seems to be undisputed that JORDAN GIBSON of Sumner, TN was a member of the Gibson Family of SC. Identifying exactly which part of the Gibson family he belonged remains something of a challenge. Let's start with what FACTS are known about JORDAN GIBSON of Sumner, TN before we get into the stuff of LEGEND.  JORDAN GIBSON'S DEATH Jordan Gibson died on 17 Jan 1788 when he was scalped by the indian chief Moon during a raid near the residence of a neighbor, Major Hall. A letter written by acquaintances indicated that Jordan Gibson was "about 80" years of age. (See sources & info below) The estimation of 'about 80' in 1788 puts his DOB around 1708. Just how close this estimate actually is seems to be anyone's guess. Jordan Gibson of Sumner, TN lived in the years before census records existed for the region.  JORDAN GIBSON'S FAMILY Jordan Gibson of Sumner, TN died intestate leaving no will naming his children or distributing his estate. Sumner Lawsuit #591 indicates that ROGER GIBSON was Jordan's 'only son and heir'. Roger Gibson, James Harrison and James Odom requested the division of the estate into 4 parts. A: Roger Gibson, son of Jordan Gibson B: James Harrison, husband of Cynthia Gibson who was Jordan's daughter C: James Odom, husband of Rhoda Gibson who was Jordan's daughter D: Unidentified Daughter, the Widow Black, whom researchers believe was named Mariah. Family researchers believe that Jordan Gibson may have been married at least twice with the Widow Black being a daughter from his first marriage. No sources specified.  PROPERTY & OTHER RECORDS Jordan Gibson arrived in Sumner, TN in the early 1780s, which places him amongst its earliest settlers. On 1 April 1783, he was a witness to a suit in Sumner County between James McKain and William Graham. He received a NC LAND GRANT on 17 April 1786 for 640 acres on the north side of Bledsoes Lick Creek.   SUMMARY on the FACTS  That is the extent of the documentation on Jordan Gibson. He lived in Sumner County for approximately the last 5 years of his life. He was already an older man when he arrived and likely in the 65+ category since he was described by neighbors to be 'about 80' in 1788. In 1788, Jordan Gibson of Sumner County had only one living son. That doesn't mean Roger was the only son he ever had; just the only one who was still alive at the time. The estimated DOB of Roger, Cynthia, Rhoda & Mariah are the early 1750s. This seems to have been determined by an examination of their children's census-estimated or established DOB.With all known children being born in the 1750s, and Jordan Gibson's estimated DOB being 1708, this means that his children were not born until he was in his 40s. This is a little unusual for the times when the average marriage age was considerably less. The estimate for his DOB and this fact suggest that Jordan might have been a little younger than 80 at the time of his death.  No matter what his actual age, Jordan Gibson spent most of his life outside of Sumner County, TN. The challenge is to locate the right Jordan Gibson in other colonial or state records.  HISTORICAL FACTS & FAMILY LEGENDS One interesting story that is attributed to a man by the name of JORDAN GIBSON, and is frequently credited to this man from Sumner County, is that he was a scout and companion of SQUIRE BOONE & later DANIEL BOONE on his hunting treks into what are now TN and KY.According to the chronology of DANIEL BOONE's life, his treks occurred primarily between 1760 when he first crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains during a winter hunt through the late 1770s when he was leading parties of family, friends and settlers through the Cumberland Gap.It is unknown exactly when JORDAN GIBSON accompanied DANIEL BOONE, or on how many of these expeditions he accompanied him.Based on the estimated dates of 1760-1779, the JORDAN GIBSON who died in Sumner, TN in 1788 at 'about 80' years of age would've been about 52-71 on the expeditions. This seems a little long in the tooth to trek across mountains and wilderness. By comparison, DANIEL BOONE was born about 1734 and was about 26-45 at the time.Chances are that BOONE's scout was not the JORDAN GIBSON of Sumner, TN, or that JORDAN was actually up to 20 years younger than estimated by his neighbors at the time of his death.Some family researchers list the possibility that BOONE's scout was actually the son of this JORDAN GIBSON, but keep in mind that ROGER GIBSON was Jordan's 'only son and heir' in 1788. If there was a JORDAN GIBSON JR he would have died before 1788. There are apparently plenty of other JORDAN GIBSONs to consider.After gathering additional information on the most likely JORDAN GIBSON to be the man who settled in Sumner, TN, a comparison should be made to the info available on DANIEL BOONE. Which Jordan Gibson would be in the most likely position to know him based upon residence, age and circumstance?   THE GIBSON DNA PROJECT  DNA projects fascinate me. The ability to prove or disprove connections to established family groups is an important tool for every genealogist, amateur or professional. Though DNA can reveal family relationships, it does not tell us everything. DNA cannot provide the names of each ancestor linking its genetic code from one generation to the next. So we must still depend on a paper trail to some extent.Naming patterns alone would appear to be a strong factor for the GIBSONs. So many of their children have the same given names. Gideon, Jordan, and Roger are three examples that pop up from one generation to the next.Documentation indicates that ROGER GIBSON of Sumner, TN was JORDAN GIBSON's 'only son and heir' (at the time of his death). It also tells us about 3 daughters. Since Y-DNA can only be obtained from male offspring, the direct male line descendants of ROGER GIBSON are the only ones who could provide a sample for participation in the GIBSON DNA PROJECT.Did ROGER GIBSON of Sumner, TN have any male descendants?There is no current participant who claims to descend from JORDAN GIBSON or ROGER GIBSON of Sumner, TN, so any connection between this family and that of GIBSON LINEAGE III can only be established by a potential paper trail. There are currently about 14 participants matching Lineage III who share a common unidentified ancestor. Lineage III includes the SC Gibson group to which this JORDAN GIBSON is said to belong.  WHICH JORDAN IS THIS JORDAN? JORDAN GIBSON of Sumner, TN (c1708-1788) was potentially born up to 20 years later. Living in Sumner by 1783.A.)  Jordan Gibson, son of Gilbert Gibson (c1686 Henrico, VA). The family lived in Louisa, VA. Jordan & his brother Gideon rec'd land on the Pamunkey River at their father's death. In 1758, when Gilbert deeded son Jordan 200 acres and a slave, he was listed as being underage (<21), indicating that his DOB was likely after 1737. This man is probably a too young to be the Jordan Gibson of Sumner, TN. However, he is at an appropriate age range to be the scout/companion on Boone's Wilderness Trail treks.B.) Jordan Gibson, son of Gideon Gibson (c1695) & Mary Brown, was born around 1724. This family lived in Chowan, NC; Halifax, NC; and Prince Frederick Winyaw Parish, Pee Dee, South Carolina. This DOB estimate would make him 64 in 1788 when the Jordan of Sumner, TN died. A Jordan Gibson Jr purchased a plat of land along the Pee Dee River in Craven, SC in 1765 adjacent Jordan Gibson Sr.There may be more candidates.Others close in age, such as Jordan Gibson (c1727-1799), son of John Jordan & Hannah have established histories that preclude a match.Based upon a choice between A & B above, I would guess that B is the more likely match for the Jordan Gibson of Sumner, TN.   WHO ARE THE GIBSONS? MORE HISTORICAL FACTS & LEGENDS The Gibson family has some interesting characters who have left their mark on the pages of history. There is the Jordan Gibson who was a scout & companion to Squire Boone & later Daniel Boone on the treks along the Wilderness Trail. One Gideon Gibson was a Regulator. Another Gibson was associated with the founding of Tulane University.The earliest proven roots of this Gibson family are in Virginia.Some family researchers indicate that the immigrant ancestor was a free black who settled in Virginia. Others suggest that the Gibsons, like other families who moved with them: Gowen, Chavis, and Bunch, were descendants of freed Virginian slaves. Prior to the development of 'chattel slavery and racism' and manumission laws in the United States, these men and women were either granted or purchased their freedom. "When they arrived in Virginia, Africans joined a society which was divided between master and white servant — a society with such contempt for white servants that masters were not punished for beating them to death [McIlwaine,Minutes of the Council, 22-24]. They joined the same households with white servants — working, eating, sleeping, getting drunk, and running away together [Northampton Orders 1664-74, fol.25, p.31 - fol.31; McIlwaine, Minutes of the Council, 466-7; Hening, Statutes at Large, II:117]."    Friends, relatives and neighbors tend to emigrate in groups from one area of the country to another when new territory opens up. Court and property records of the Gibson family indicate a long association with the Gowen, Chavis and Bunch families from their time in Virginia through their moves to North and South Carolina. "Free African American immigrants were of sufficient number in 1723 that the General Assembly received complaints: of great Numbers of Free Negroes, Mulattoes, and other persons of mixt Blood, that have lately removed themselves into this Government, and that several of them have intermarried with the white Inhabitants of this Province... [Clark, State Records, XXIII:106-7]. Whilst some North Carolina residents were complaining about the immigration of free African Americans, their white neighbors in Granville, Halifax, Hertford, and Northampton Counties welcomed them. Their neighbors may have been accustomed to living among free African Americans in Virginia; they may have moved from Virginia in company with them; or perhaps they were drawn together by the adversities of the frontier. Neighbor depended heavily upon neighbor, and whites may have been more concerned with hostile Indians and harsh living conditions than they were with their neighbors' color. The slave population on the frontier was much lower than in the settled areas of Virginia, so the presence of free African Americans would not have posed a threat to most settlers. And several of these free African Americans owned slaves of their own. However, land ownership was more likely the social equalizer for them and their white neighbors."   This is evident when looking at the records of the Gibson family."Some members of the Gibson family moved to South Carolina in 1731 where a member of the Commons House of Assembly complained that "several free colored men with their white wives had immigrated from Virginia." Governor Robert Johnson of South Carolina summoned Gideon Gibson and his family to explain their presence there and after meeting him and his family reported, I have had them before me in Council and upon Examination find that they are not Negroes nor Slaves but Free people, That the Father of them here is named Gideon Gibson and his Father was also free, I have been informed by a person who has lived in Virginia that this Gibson has lived there Several Years in good Repute and by his papers that he has produced before me that his transactions there have been very regular, That he has for several years paid Taxes for two tracts of Land and had several Negroes of his own, That he is a Carpenter by Trade and is come hither for the support of his Family [Box 2, bundle: S.C., Minutes of House of Burgesses (1730-35), 9, Parish Transcripts, N.Y. Hist. Soc. by Jordan, White over Black, 172]. Like the early settlers of the North Carolina frontier Governor Johnson was more concerned with the Gibsons' social class than their race. In mid-eighteenth century North Carolina we find wealthy mixed race families counted in some years by tax assessors as "mulatto" and in other years as white. Jeremiah and Henry Bunch, Bertie County slave owners, were taxed in Jonathan Standley's 1764 Bertie County list as "free male Molattors" in 1764, but as whites in Standley's 1765 Bertie list, and again as "free Molatoes" in 1766 [CR 10.702.1]. Michael Going/ Gowen was taxed in Granville County as white in 1754 and was called "Michael Goin, Mulattoe" in 1759 [CR 44.701.19].John Gibson, Gideon Gibson and Gibeon Chavis, all married the daughters of prosperous white farmers. Some members of the Gibson, Chavis, Bunch and Gowen families became resolutely white after several generations."    The Gideon Gibson called to testify in front of the SC House of Burgesses was the father of Jordan Gibson (B). Gideon was a wealthy land and slave owner. "One reference to America's rich racial heritage, contained in Victoria Bynum's book, states that racial sentiments in the South " evolved over a period of three centuries." She states that " by the 1840's, claims of Indian, Iberian (Spanish), or Mediterranean (Moorish) ancestry, defended one's whiteness against race-based laws and social harassment." Gideon Gibson, a " light-skinned slaveholder of partially African ancestry" and a member of South Carolina's so-called Regulator Movement, is mentioned in Bynum's publication as a person who exemplified how racial identity was often " fluid" and " even negotiable in some cases." Bynum goes on to say that " many of Gideon Gibson's descendants, migrated west in search of whiteness as well as lands." We know this is true, since some of the descendants of South Carolinians, Gideon Gibson, Jacob Gibson, and Jordan Gibson, eventually settled in the state of Mississippi prior to the Civil War. Their lives and the lives of some of their descendants have been well-documented in historical publications about several southern states, including Mississippi and Louisiana. Often, these publications mention the ethnicity of Gibson family ancestors. One thing that is known for sure is that regardless of whether a person was labeled as a Mulatto, Mestizo, Mustee, Melungeon, Creole, Cajun, Redbone, or similar names denoting something other than an " all white" ancestry, racial " mixing" has occurred throughout American history. And it has not occurred only in the South Carolina backcountry and other states commonly known as " The South." Class consciousness was widespread and very real in the 1800s; it became common for those who had migrated from the colonies, including North and South Carolina, to portray their ancestors as aristocratic patriots and slaveholders. The facts, when known, often revealed that many of these " aristocratic" ancestors were actually Regulators, itinerant preachers, and even Tories."     Contrary to the 'free black' origin story, some sources describe that the Gibson family's racial history was actually Melungeon. The somewhat mysterious history of the Melungeons is believed to originate with a group descended from Portuguese sailors who intermixed with native Americans in the North Carolinas. These descendants were reported to live in the Pee Dee area of South Carolina during the timeframe that the Gibson family lived there. And their name has been associated with that group. It may be that early historians were using the terms Melungeon and Mulatto interchangeably.  There are other versions of the GIBSON's mixed racial heritage. Other sources suggest that the Gibson's non-white origin is that of the Catawba Tribe of indians, a loose confederation of tribes in the MD, VA, Carolina area who spoke the 'Siouan' language. "Possibly because of the inability to posses communal lands, or most likely because of acculturation, it is apparent that the eastern Siouan remnants began to live as individual landowners during the 1730 to 1740 period. It is also during this period that land deeds begin appearing under the names of such "Other Free Persons" surnames as Scott, Chavis, Goings, Bunch, Collins, and Gibson. With each new land patents by a concentration of these families, a report of eastern Siouan people would be generated. For example, after William Chavis, Thomas Parker, Gideon Gibson, and Henry Bunch recorded their land grants on the Eno River in Orange County, North Carolina adjoining the lands of William Eaton, a report from the Colonial Records of NC identifies a group of 30 to 40 Saponi had settled on the lands of William Eaton."   So it seems that there are a number of possible origins for the Gibson family, but is there any evidence that this applies to JORDAN GIBSON? Yes. In spite of the minimal amount of documentation on Jordan Gibson of Sumner County, here is a firsthand account by a neighbor:  A narrative by General Hall, a neighbor of Jordan Gibson, written in 1852 for the South-Western Monthly includes information on the Indian raids of the time and the settlement at Bledsoe's Lick.  "After my father returned from Nashville, three families of us residing out from the fort, held a council as to whether we would spend the summer at the farms, or go to the fort at Bledsoe's Lick. Our two neighbors were Messrs. Gibson and Harrison; and the former having no white family, it was agreed that the three should combine and hire each two young men to guard the farms through the season." Since we know that Jordan Gibson did indeed have family living in Sumner County at the time, this may be a reference to the fact that Jordan's racial heritage was in some way mixed.     BOONE'S SCOUT  Children of Perdition: Melungeons  THE REGULATOR   Check out the following: Unification of a Slave State: The Rise of the Planter Class in South Carolina, by Rachel N. Klein Detailed information on Gideon Gibson, The Regulator. OTHER FINDINGS ON JORDAN GIBSON and the GIBSON FAMILY  Abstracts from GIBSON FAMILY OF PEE DEE, (CRAVEN → LIBERTY → MARION CO.) SC By: Valentine Van Zee  If indeed legends are true, then it appears that this is the mostly likely Jordan who reportedly went west as a companion of Daniel Boone. [Gregg, History of Old Cheraws, p. 73] However, there should be some doubt as to whether or not this legend is in fact true or is the name of the right man correctly identified. Boone (1737-1820) would have been about 30 years his junior. Squire Boone settled his family the Yadkin Valley region of what was then part of Rowan Co., NC, that area which today would fall where Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin Counties meet when Daniel was about 15 years of age. As Boone grew to manhood he explore his new valley homeland and surrounding areas, becoming an experienced hunter, trapper and explorer. In 1767 Daniel made his first trip to the edge of Kentucky. In 1769 he and a man named Finley and 4 others set out again. They passed through the Cumberland Gap where they set up camp. Reportedly a man named Alexander Neely joined them at the camp. It was nearly 2 years before they returned home. Daniel and his family lived at Fort Blackmore in present-day Scott County, Virginia from October of 1773 until March of 1775 and was in command of Fort Blackmore and other forts along the Clinch River. In 1773/4 he followed the Kentucky River and built a cabin at Harrodsburg. In 1775 he began clearing the Wilderness Road which eventually lead from Watauga, North Carolina through what was then Washington Co., North Carolina then crossing the Cumberland Gap and north to what became Boonesboro, Kentucky where he and 30 others settled. Outside the name Finley, and possibly Alexander Neely, nothing is known of Boone’s companions, and with so little known about Jordan it is impossible to place these men in the same area at the same time. However, the person who can be identified as being in the right place at the right time was John Gibson (c1744-1791), husband of Agnes Adair. He was taxed in 1775 in Surry County, that part which later became Wilkes County. Jordan Gibson does not begin to appear in the records of Craven County until considerable later than his brother, Gideon, and George Sa(u)nders, Hannah’s first husband. This appears to be he first recorded document mentioning him, though he may have been in South Carolina a number of years prior to this: PETITION: 1 Sep 1752 Jordan Gibson had a Warrant for 300ac N side of PeeDee River and opposite to Marrs Bluff but on executing the survey it was found to brake into the fount, or part of land belonging to the Hon’ble Edward Atkin, Esqr, your Pet’r therefore prays to add to the sd Warrant the following words viz or on the Waters of Pedee. Gideon Jordan (sic) for Jordan Gibson. Prayer granted. [Pg 356: Petitions for Land from SC Council Journals, Vol. III 1752-1753, Holcomb, p 65] [Note VVZ: As the name “Gideon Jordan” does not appear elsewhere in any records in Craven Co., it is presumed that “Gideon Gibson” requested the change of wording and that this Jordan Gibson is probably Gideon’s brother.]  The above petitioner appears to be an older man. A petition for 300 acres would indicate a household of 6 people, possibly himself, a wife, and 2 to 4 children and/or perhaps servants, so presumable this is Jordan, who is now confirmed as having been born about 1708. And who is known to have had at least 4 children with an unknown wife or wives:      i.     a dau, prob Mariah, b say 1745/50; m Mr. Black      ii.    Cynthia, b say 1750/3; d bef 1830 Sumner Co., TN; mc 1770/1 James Harrison      iii.   Rhoda, b say 1755; d 2 Dec 1817 Sumner Co., mc 1777 James Odom   iv.   Roger, bc 1767 SC; d aft 1850 then of Henderson Co., TN; m1) c1788 Fannie            Abernault/Arbuthnot; m2) c1816 unk; m3) c1835 Elizabeth Ray; It’s possible that Jordan also had a son Jordan, Jr. as the following records seem to identify: PETITION: 21 Oct 1755 Jordan Gibson requesting 50ac on Pedee for himself [SC Council Journal, Vol. IV: 1754-1756]; PLAT: (land not granted): 14 Nov 1757 Jordan Gibson, Jr, 50ac Little Pee Dee River, Little Pee Dee Swamp, Craven Co, surveyed by Robert Edwards [SC Archives: S213197, Vol. 2, p. 446]  This Jordan, Jr. must have been born before 1737, if he was at least 18 years age when he made his petition. If this is indeed Jordan’s (b1708) son he probably died not long after, but certainly before his father, as Roger is called his “only son and heir” in papers dealing with the elder man’s estate in 1788. Just as in the case of all the documents for Gideon Gibson, the many remaining records in the Pee Dee area give no clear clues as to which Jordan Gibson they might be referring to. From available records it is impossible to tell if this was the Jordan who was later associated with/in Anson County, NC. So far, the records remain unclear as to just which Jordan this may have been, but who ever he was, it is clear that he had a connection to the Pee Dee clan: 20 Sep 1759: John Brown, of Anson, to Jordan Gibson, of same, for £50, 300ac N side of Hitchcock's Cr. adj. John Crawford, James Halls, inc. Abraham Sellers improvement, gr. 6 Mch. 1759. M. Brown, James Brown. Rcd’s Anson Co, NC Deeds, p 164 [Anson County, NC Abstracts of Early Record, by May Wilson McBee: Vol. 1, at Armstrong Library, Natchez, MS: pg. 52: (foot note 2.)]  15 Nov 1768. Jordan Gibson, of Craven Co., SC to Benj. Dees, of Anson, for 100, 200ac NE of Little River, gr. to Jordan Gibson 1 July 1758. Wit: Gideon Gibson. Benj. Terry. Ack. July court 1769. pg. 33. Rcd’d Anson Co., NC, p 224 [Anson County, NC Abstracts of Early Record, by May Wilson McBee: Vol. 1, at Armstrong Library, Natchez, MS: pg. 52: (foot note 2.)]  That this is the man who died near Bledsoe's Lick in Tennessee in 1788 is now undisputable. In a letter dated Cros-Mills, 2 April (1788) from Messers. Harrison and Purdy send to a gentleman in Baltimore the following incidents are reported (in part): “We are in a perfect state of warfare, which you will see by the following account of unprovoked hostilities, committed by the southern tribes of Indians since my last arrival here. The 17th of January, Messrs. Jordan Gibson and Charles Morgan, were shot and scalped in the road between the Locust Land and Bledsoe’s Lick, the former was a native of South-Carolina, and about 80 years of age, the latter was late of Virginia, a young man, he lived 13 days and died of his wounds. …” [Independent Gazetteer, PA 5 July 1788, compliments of Joanne Pezzullo]   Early History of Middle Tennessee By Edward Albright, 1909  During the winter of this year Charles MORGAN, who a few months before was wounded while defending the family of his father-in-law, Major HALL, together with Jordan GIBSON, was mortally wounded and scalped a few hundred yards from the HALL residence while they were on their way to Greenfield Station. MORGAN lived for several days, and before he died stated to the attendants that the Indian who scalped him had a harelip. It is believe this was a celebrated chief called "Moon", who was killed on Caney Fork two years later by Capt. James MCCANN. The latter was at the time a member of an expedition led into the upper country by Gen. James WINCHESTER. The Indian killed by MCCANN was harelipped and was said to have been at that time the only member of his race among the southern tribes who bore such a mark.    There are 3 references indicating that Jordan Gibson may or may not have been a man of color. CHILDREN OF PERDITION: MELUNGEONS AND THE STRUGGLE OF MIXED AMERICA Although Daniel Boone found no Melungeons living on the Clinch in the 1760s, he definitely knew Melungeons. He knew them back east in North Carolina. One was his friend Jordan Gibson. However, Gibson was no mysterious Pre-Columbian "lost colonist". In 1770, Gibson was a duly recorded British subject and Carolina farmer who accompanied Daniel and his brother Squire Boone on several Appalachian expeditions. In fact, Gibson's son, Jim, later lived in Daniel Boone's home in Kentucky and Missouri. [Note: The last tidbit about a son named Jim might suggest that this is not the right Jordan Gibson. There is no Jim mentioned amongst Jordan's children.]  GIBSON FAMILY OF PEE DEE, (CRAVEN → LIBERTY → MARION CO.) SC By: Valentine Van Zee  "What is particularly interesting about this family is that one Gibson presumed to have been born in the late 1690s was identified as a man so dark in color that his neighbors thought him a Negro in 1731. While his son has been found described with “more red and white in his face” than could be seen in many of the faces in the South Carolina state Assembly. And his great grandson, Tobias Gibson, the young Methodist minister, born in 1771, is described – in an eye witness account – with a fair complexion."  CLARK BIOGRAPHIES. PERSONAL RESEARCH. By Douglas C. Tucker My reason for suggesting that John Clark’s second wife may have been Mary Gibson also is based on largely circumstanial evidence, e.g. John naming his youngest son Gibson and the fact that members of the Gibson family were close Clark neighbors in Edgecombe and Anson Cos. as well as in South Carolina. The Gibsons were an unusual colonial family. Gideon Gibson, who I suggest may have been Mary’s father, was a well-known Cherokee and Chickasaw Indian trader who settled at Occoneechee Neck along the Roanoke River in the early 1720’s. A free black, Gideon married a white planter’s daughter (Mary Brown) and all of his children followed suit and married whites. (The Louise Hayes biography of Elijah Clark comments on the General’s unusual dark complexion and rugged handsomness, a description that gives some credence to Mary Gibson’s parentage.) If skin color and occupation were not enough to distinguish Gideon Gibson, his younger brother, Jordan Gibson, became a famous scout and close companion of both Squire Boone and son Daniel Boone. Jordan Gibson’s son Jim lived with the Boones in Kentucky and later in Missouri.
Anecdote		JORDAN GIBSON(b. c 1730), son of GIDEON GIBSON, of the Pee Dee area made at least one trek west with Daniel Boone, probably prior to the Revolutionary War and returned to SC; was in the war at the fall of Charleston. After the War, JORDAN GIBSON, received a land grant of 640 acres in the Cumberland Country, now Sumner County, Tennessee. JORDAN GIBSON was killed by Indians in Sumner Co, TN, 7 Jan 1788. After JORDAN GIBSON's death, it was requested that his personal estate be divided into 4 equal parts and assign each claimant his part. Only 3 of the heirs are named: ROGER GIBSON (b. c. 1765 SC) was the only son as court records reveal. JAMES ODOM, husband of RHODA GIBSON, (dau. b. 1763 SC) JAMES HARRISON, husband of CYNTHIA GIBSON, (dau. b. 1764 SC) ___________ Un-named claimant. SPECULATION BASED ON CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE: Could the 4th un-named claimant be a widowed female since the husbands of the daughters represented them in the court minutes? WIDOW BLACK (given name unknown) came to Sumner County at the same time as ROGER GIBSON, JAMES ODOM, and JAMES HARRISON. Family tradition suspects that MR. BLACK died enroute to TN from SC. (no proof). WIDOW BLACK came to Sumner Co, TN with 3 children: GEORGE GABRIEL BLACK (b. c. 1769 SC) was prob. named for GEORGE GABRIEL POWELL abt the close of the Regulator period. (My BLACK'S are known to name their children for celebrities and famous people.) JOHN BLACK (b. c. 1773 SC) received a NC Land Grant for 640 acres in Sumner Co, TN for 48 mos military service. SUSAN BLACK, (b. 1775 SC) m. GENERAL JAMES WINCHESTER, Sumner Co, TN. All of the above named people lived together as neighbors, interacted on legal documents etc. One other close neighbor from SC was JOHN CARR and his father WILLIAM CARR. JOHN CARR, a minister, wrote an interesting account of the Cumberland settlement "Early Times in Middle Tennessee." I have much information on all of the above and will be happy to discuss and exchange. MY PROBLEM is connecting WIDOW BLACK to a family. Any information or clues will be very much appreciated. Thanks. Lona Black Koltick
Birth	circa 1724	He was born circa 1724 in Peedee, South Carolina, United StatesBG.1
Marriage	1750	He and Mary Middleton were married in 1750 in SCBGO.2
Marriage	circa 1760	He and Susannah ("Susan") Black were married circa 1760.
Anecdote	about 1784	Jordan Gibson had come to Sumner Co. in 1783 or 85.  He was granted 640 acres by the state of NC on 17 Apr 1786, on the north side of Bledsoes Lick Creek.  He was scalped by Indians and consequently died in 1787.  Jordan left no will, but Roger Gison, James Odom, and James Harrison requested the court divide Jordan’s estate four ways.  George Winchester was appointed one of the commissioners to divide the estate.  Three of those four parts went to Roger Gibson, James Odom who had married Rhoda Gibson, and James Harrison who had married Cynthia Gibson.  It is unknown who the fourth part was intended for…
Census	1786	He appeared in the census in 1786 in Sumner, Tennessee, United StatesBGO.
Residence	18 October 1787	He lived in Captain Morgans District, Sumner, Tennessee, United StatesBGO, on 18 October 1787. and his Taxable Property included 320 Acres of land
Will	before 7 January 1788	He signed a will before 7 January 1788 in Sumner, Tennessee, United StatesBGO. JORDAN GIBSON'S FAMILY Jordan Gibson of Sumner, TN died intestate leaving no will naming his children or distributing his estate. Sumner Lawsuit #591 indicates that ROGER GIBSON was Jordan's 'only living son and heir'. Roger Gibson, James Harrison and James Odom requested the division of the estate into 4 parts. A: Roger Gibson, son of Jordan Gibson B: James Harrison, husband of Cynthia Gibson who was Jordan's daughter C: James Odom, husband of Rhoda Gibson who was Jordan's daughter D: Unidentified Daughter, the Widow Black, whom researchers believe was named Mariah.
Death	7 January 1788	He died on 7 January 1788 at age ~64 in Sumner, Tennessee, United StatesBGO. Scalped by Indians1,3
Anecdote	5 July 1788	Date: July 05, 1788 Location: Pennsylvania Paper: Independent Gazetteer   American Intelligence  Extract of a letter, dated Croft-Mills, April 2,to a gentleman in Baltimore  "We are in a perfect state of warfare, which you will see by the following account of unprovoked hostilities, committed by the southern tribes of Indians since my last arrival her.  The 17th of January, Messrs Jordon Gibson and Charles Morgan, were shot and scalped in the road between the Locust Land and Bledsoe's Lick, the former was a native of South- Carolina, and about 80 years of age, the latter was late of Virginia, a young man, he lived 13 days and died of his wounds.  The 20th of February a Mr. Martin, and a gentleman from Maryland, whose name I have forgot, was killed and scalped.  The 12th of March, Col. James Robertson's son, a young land, was killed as sugar camp, within a few hundred yards of his father's station; his head was cut off, carried away, and another lad that was with him taken prisoner.  The 20th ult. a party of Indians attacked Col. Isaac Bledsoe's dwelling house, about 10 o'clock at night, with guns, war clubs, tomahawks and stones; they continued the attack about ten minutes, and then made their escape by moon light, taking with them two horses that were in the stable, and killed several cows on their retreat - one man only was wounded in the chin.  The night following, they visited the Croft, and with malice prepence, being instigated by the devil, did then and there feloniously take away all our cavalry, except one little horse that they could not catch, notwithstanding we had put them into an enclosure, adjoining Fort Tuckahoe.  About the same time Curtis Williams was killed and scalped, on Mill Creek.  - the 26th, Mr. William Montgomery at Drakes-Creek, had 3 sons (small lads) killed and scalped in the field, where they were at work in  sight of the house, and their poor mother stood and beheld the tragical scene.-- It is my opinion if those cruelties were perpetrated in any other country but this, it would rouse the resentment of a whole nation to chastise such barbarous banditties of inhuman savages.  But this mischief is done at present in an obscure corner of America, on the west side of the mountains, and far from government-- by the time such news travels 1000 or 1500 miles, and reaches Baltimore or Philadelphia, it will give less emotion and excite less pity than the mere rehearsal of a tragedy that has perhaps been wrote 1000 years ago.  However, I think that affairs between those hostile tribes of Indians and us are verging fast to a crisis -- we must attempt to extirpate them shortly -- if we succeed, we shall be peaceable and happy; if not, we must give up this country to them, and such of us as may survive, must seek an assylum elsewhere.  Messrs.  Harrisson & Purdy

Citations

1. [S25] Stephenson Family Tree, online Ancestry.Com. Hereinafter cited as Stephenson Family Tree.
2. [S1939] Neal Family Tree, Mary Gibson
3. [S233] Jay G. Cisco, Historic Sumner County, Tennessee (N.p.: Genealogical Publishing Co, n.d.), p. 283