James Gibbons was a republican, and an enthusiastic advocate of American liberty.  Being a man of commanding presence, and great energy and determination, efforts were made during the Revolution to induce him to enlist as a cavalry soldier.  He was prevented from so doing by the entreaties of his wife, and his own conscientious scruples as a Friend.  About the time of the Revolution, or immediately after, he removed to the borough of Wilmington, Delaware, where, being surrounded by slavery, he became more than ever alive to its iniquities.  He was interested during his whole life in getting slaves off.  And being elected second burgess of Wilmington during his residence there, his official position gave him great opportunities to assist in this noble work.  It is related that during his magistracy a slave-holder brought a colored man before him, whom he claimed as his slave.  There being no evidence of the alleged ownership, the colored man was set at liberty.  The pretended owner was inclined to be impudent; but James Gibbons told him promptly that nothing but silence and good behaviour on his part would prevent his commitment for contempt of court.

About the year 1790, James Gibbons came back to Lancaster county, where he spent twenty years in the practice of those deeds which will remain “in everlasting remembrance;” dying, full of years and honors, in 1810.

Born in the first year of the revolution and growing up surrounded by such influences, Daniel Gibbons could not have been other than he was, the friend of the down-trodden and oppressed of every nationality and color.  In 1789 his father took him to see General Washington, then passing through Wilmington.  To the end of his life he retained a vivid recollection of this visit, and would recount its incidents to his family and friends.  During his father’s residence in Wilmington, he spent his summers with kinsmen in Lancaster county, learning to be a farmer, and his winters in Wilmington going to school.

At the age of fourteen years he was bound an apprentice, as was the good custom of the day, to a Friend in Lancaster county to learn the tanning business.  At this he served about six years, or until his master ceased to follow the business.  During this apprenticeship he became accustomed to severe labor, so severe indeed that he never recovered from the effects thereof, having a difficulty in walking during the remainder of his life, which prevented him from taking the active part in Underground Rail Road business which he otherwise would have done.  His father’s estate being involved in litigation caused him to be put to this trade, farming being his favorite employment, and one which he followed during his whole life.

In 1805 he took a pedestrian tour, by way of New York, Albany, and Niagara Falls to the State of Ohio, then the far West, coming home by way of Pittsburg, and walking altogether one thousand three hundred and fifty miles.  In this trip he increased the injury to his feet, so as to render himself virtually a cripple.  Upon the death of his father, he settled upon the farm, on which he died.