Jonathan Catlett GIBSON V

     Jonathan Catlett GIBSON V, son of Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON and Mary Williams SHACKELFORD, was born on 28 July 1833 in Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia.^1,2

Jonathan Catlett GIBSON V appeared on a census, enumerated 30 July 1850, in the household of his mother Mary Williams GIBSON in Culpeper County, Virginia. He was listed as a 17 year old student.³ He was an attorney in Culpeper County, Virginia. His father owned property in Culpeper and nearby Spotsylvania and Rappahannock counties. By 1860, Gibson had settled slightly to the north in nearby Fauquier County, Virginia and farmed. He was a graduate of the University of Virgiinia in 1851 and was an attorney in New York City and Culpeper before the war. He represented Culpeper County in the Virginia General Assembly 1879-1880, 1883-1884, and 1889-1894. He also served as a U. S. Attorney.⁴

Jonathan saw military service between 1861 and 1865 in Culpeper County, Virginia, beginning as a private in the "Culpeper Minute Men", a company in the 3rd Virginia Infantry. In June 1861 he organized as captain his own company, the "Sperryville Sharpshooters", which fought with the 7th Virginia Regiment at First Manassas in July. His brother, Eustace, was quartermaster. In August the company was permanently assigned as Company K to the 49th Virginia Infantry of the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment served in Ewell's Division, Jubal Early's Brigade of Stonewall Jackson's Corps. On 1 May 1862 he was elected Lt. Colonel. He was wounded in action at Seven Pines, Seven Days, 2nd Manassas, Antieham and Fredericksburg. On 31 Jan 1863, just before the battle of Antietam, he was elected colonel of the regiment, succeeding Col. William "Extra Billy" Smith, who became their brigadier general. He was wounded in the battle and eleven times during the war. He commanded the regiment at Gettysburg and during the Wilderness Campaign. He was finally wounded in action and disabled at Bethesda Church. Prior to the start of the war he was part of the guard that escorted John Brown to the gallows on 2 Dec 1859.

John S. Robson in his 1876 History of the 52nd Virginia Regiment records that "Col. J.C. Gibson, now a prominent lawyer in Culpeper, bears on his person the marks and scars of wounds, some of the most serious character, to a number almost incredible to believe that one person could receive so many and still be as active as the Colonel is." He was totally blind in his last years.^1,5,6,2

Following the war, Gibson returned to farming and the law, though his brothers Eustace and Ned moved to mountainous Giles County, Virginia and Eustace would later move to Huntington, West Virginia and serve in the West Virginia House of Delegates as well as the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jonathan married first Mary George Shackelford, daughter of Henry Shackelford and Elizabeth E. (?), on 4 January 1870 in Judge Shackleford's residence, Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia. The ceremony was preformed by Rev. George W. Peterkin. It was in her home, known as "Shackelford House" on the main street in Culpeper, that the celebrated gallant Maj. John Pelham died during the war.⁷

Jonathan Catlett GIBSON V and Mary George Shackelford appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 27 July 1870 in Catalpa township, Culpeper Courthouse, Culpeper County, Virginia. The household was listed as Jonathan C. Gibson, a 34-year-old lawyer and Georgia, his 36-year-old wife. Catalpa is located about a half mile north of Culpeper Courthouse.⁸

Jonathan Catlett GIBSON V and Mary George Shackelford appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 9 June 1880 in Culpeper County, Virginia. The household was listed as J. Catlett Gibson, a 44-year-old attorney and his 41-year-old wife, Mary G. Gibson. They had two childen: Edwin age 9 and Felix age 4. Lewis Jane was their 22-year-old cook and servant. They lived at 197 Coleman Street.⁹

Jonathan Catlett GIBSON V and Mary George Shackelford appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 14 June 1900 in Catalpa township, Culpeper Courthouse, Culpeper County, Virginia. The household was listed as J. C. Gibson, a 64-year-old lawyer and M. G. Gibson his 65-year-old wife. They had been married 30 years and had two children, one still living. Living with them were his sister-in-law, Kate Jameson, a 50-year-old widow. They had three black servants: James and Eliza Fields and Mary Green.¹⁰

Jonathan married second Florence Eastham Daniel on 30 October 1901 in Rappahannock County, Virginia. She was single and 23-years-old, the daughter of Alpheus Richards Daniel. Jonathan was a 67-year-old widower. The minister was F. G. Ribble.¹¹

Jonathan Catlett GIBSON V died on 29 January 1907 in Culpeper, Virginia, at age 73.² He was buried in Fairview Cemetery.