Background
William Gibbons was born on April 8, 1726, at Bear Bluff, South Carolina.
William Gibbons was born on April 8, 1726, at Bear Bluff, South Carolina.
After having studied law in Charleston, Gibbons removed to Georgia, was admitted to the bar, and opened an office in Savannah.
After removing to Georgia, Gibbons was admitted to the bar, and opened an office in Savannah. Early espousing the Revolutionary cause, he became a leader in fomenting opposition to the Crown. When the news of the battle of Lexington reached Georgia, Gibbons was one of a group of six men who broke into the King's powder magazine in Savannah (May 1775), thus definitely committing themselves to rebellion. He was a member of the Provincial Congress in July 1775, was a member of the Committee of Safety in December of that year, and, in 1777-1781, a member of the executive Council created by the Provincial Congress. He took no part in the actual fighting of the Revolution, being fifty years of age when the war began, but was active in the political and administrative aspects of the struggle. In 1783 he was a member of the state House of Representatives and was elected speaker. After peace was made he was named as a delegate to the Continental Congress and served two years (1784-1786). On the expiration of his term he returned to Georgia and resumed the practice of law, serving in the state House during 1785-1789 and 1791-1793, and being speaker during the sessions of 1786 and 1787. His other public services were as associate justice of the court of Chatham County and as president of the state constitutional convention of 1789. He was regarded by his contemporaries as a great lawyer. The large income received from his practice was judiciously invested in rice plantations and he became one of the leading planters of his region. Gibbons died on September 27, 1800 in Savannah, Georgia, interment probably in Colonial Park, formerly called the Old Cemetery, or Christ Church Cemetery.
In 1783, Gibbons was a member of the state House of Representatives and was elected speaker. He was a member of the Provincial Congress in July 1775, was a member of the Committee of Safety in December of that year, and, in 1777-81, a member of the executive Council created by the Provincial Congress.