Private George Gibson

Quick Facts

Significance:

Private on the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Place of Birth:

Pennsylvania

Date of Birth:

Unknown

Place of Death:

St. Louis

Date of Death:

Between 14th January - 10th July 1809

Known as one of the "young men from Kentucky," George Gibson was valuable as a hunter, boatman, and interpreter. He knew some sign language which allowed him to assist with the language barrier present between the Corps and Native American nations across the continent.

Gibson in the Journals

Throughout the journals of the expedition Gibson was included time after time as killing plenty of elk and deer. Atop this his skills were trusted by the Captains enough to send him on many small scouting missions with Lewis and other similar sized parties.

"the party in high Spirits fiddleing & danceing" - Ordway, August 16th, 1804

Although he is often not listed by name, Gibson was known to be one of the two fiddle players of the expedition. Both were named by Clark on October 19th, 1805, when he wrote "...Party Peter Crusat & Gibson played on the violin which delighted them greatly" in reference to a gathering held by Walula people in celebration of the Expedition.

"... Gibson who is so much reduced that he cannot stand alone..." - Lewis, February 15, 1806

Gibson was often unlucky with falling to illness throughout the journey. During their time at Fort Clatsop the wet and wintery weather would cause his name to be a common sight for the purpose of sickness. On February 15th, 1806, he experiences his worst day where it was written that he could not stand alone and had to be lifted and carried from the Salt Works back to Fort Clatsop. Luckily he made a swift recovery after being treated with, as Clark would write, "...double doses of diluted niter and made him drink plentifully of Sage tea, had his feat bathed in worm water and at 9 P. M. gave him 35 drops of laudanum."

Other times the illness was from an accident. On July 18th, 1806, he was reported falling from his horse onto a snag that impaled two inches deep into his thigh.

Named Locations

In honor of his service the Captains would name a creek in Montana "Gibson's Creek." Today this creek is now Sutherland Creek found in Valley County, Montana.

After the Expedition

After returning to St. Louis little is recorded about his life. He was paid $178.50 for his services to the expedition. However it was known that he had married a Maria Reagan in 1808 and likely was involved with the return of Sheheke alongside George Shannon and Sergeant Nathaniel Pryor where he may have been injured.

He would pass away of illness between January 14th, 1809, and July 10th, 1809 in St. Louis.
 

Resources:

Morris, Larry E. The Fate of the Corps. Yale University Press, 2004. Print.

Moulton, Gary. The Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: August 30, 1803 - August 2, 1804 . University of Nebraska Press, 1986. Print.

Moulton, Gary. Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. University of Nebraska Press. Web.

Further Reading:

Learn more about George Gibson at Lewis-Clark.org