James Gordon (October 31, 1739 – January 17, 1810) was an Irish-born American merchant, soldier, and politician.
He was born in Killead, County Antrim, Ireland, and left in 1758, settling in Schenectady, New York.
From that base and from Detroit, Michigan, he traded with various Native American tribes.
[1] He served as militia lieutenant colonel in the American Revolution.
In the 1780 British raid, known as "The Burning of the Valleys", he was captured and taken to Quebec, where he was held until he managed to escape in 1783.