During King George's War (1744–1748), William Shirley, the Governor of Massachusetts, debated whether to siege and capture the French fortress of Louisburg on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
According to Gibson's journal, he convinced Governor Shirley that the siege would be successful and used his personal wealth to provide 300 soldiers for the campaign.
[2] His father was a mariner and purchased a tavern called "Marlborough Arms" in 1711, located at the corner of Kilby and State streets adjacent to Bunch-of-Grapes.
[10] There was a lucrative triangular trade between New England, the West Indies and Africa, and Boston's Long Wharf was known to be the busiest port in Colonial America.
In 1722, his mother deeded one-third of the Marlborough Arms tavern to him, which was located just a few blocks from Long Wharf on State Street.
In 1735, younger brother John deeded his interest in the tavern to James, provided that their mother Mary receive rent for six years.
[12] Several of his descendants who published biographies on him were active Methodists and chose not to speculate whether Gibson's trading included either slaves or rum.
'"[14] Gibson offered his signature to a new petition, along with the promise to hire and lead three hundred soldiers and provide transport with his own expense.
The American colonists were successful in capturing the fortress, although it would be given back to France as part of the treaty negotiations to end the war.
[16] His widow Thomazin died in Boston weeks after having been informed of his death, on 13 November 1752, leaving their fifteen-year-old daughter Mary an orphan.