Fort Gibson-- Part 5: Named After James Gibson

Colonel Jonathan Williams, a grandnephew of Benjamin Franklin, oversaw the construction of the brick and stone fortification.  Some of the remains of the fort are still there.

During the war, British prisoners were housed on Ellis Island, but since the British never made an attempt to take New York City, it saw no action.

In 1814, the fort was named for Colonel James Gibson, a 33-year-old officer killed at the Battle of Fort Erie during the War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry