Alexander Gillon
| Alexander Gillon | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 5th district |
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In office March 4, 1793 – October 6, 1794 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Tudor Tucker |
| Succeeded by | Robert Goodloe Harper |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from St. Philip and St. Michael's Parish | |
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In office March 26, 1776 – October 20, 1776 |
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| Member of the South Carolina Provincial Congress from St. Philip and St. Michael's Parish | |
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In office November 8, 1775 – March 26, 1776 |
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| Preceded by | George Gabriel Powell |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1741 Rotterdam, Dutch Republic |
| Died | October 6, 1794 Orangeburg District, South Carolina |
| Resting place | Orangeburg County, South Carolina |
| Political party | Anti-Administration |
| Profession | sailor, planter |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | South Carolina Navy |
| Years of service | 1778–1782 |
| Rank | Commodore |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
Alexander Gillon (1741 – October 6, 1794) was an American merchant and seaman from Charleston, South Carolina. He represented South Carolina in the U.S. House in 1793 and 1794.
Gillon was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands of Scottish parents. He pursued an education in London and stayed there for some time. He became a sea captain and in 1765 sailed to Charleston, South Carolina in the brigantine Surprize. He returned in 1766 in the brigantine Free-Mason. While in Charleston Gillon married Mrs. Mary Cripps, a widow from Kent residing in the city. He sailed back to Britain shortly after his marriage but then returned to Charleston that same year. On 10 February 1789 he married Ann Purcell, the daughter of Reverend Henry Purcell, rector of St Michael's Church in Charleston.
In 1766 he settled in Charleston and established a large business. Some ten years later he became involved in politics. He was a delegate to the Second Provincial Congress of South Carolina in 1775 and 1776 and was a member of the first general assembly in 1776.
His men elected him captain of the German Fusiliers of Charleston in May 1775. Three years later South Carolina appointed him Commodore of the South Carolina Navy and sent him to France to procure vessels for the Navy.
In 1780 he chartered Indien from the Duke of Luxembourg on behalf of South Carolina and the South Carolina Navy, for a quarter-share of her prizes. Gillon renamed the frigate South Carolina.
In 1781 the South Carolina, manned by American officers and a group of European seamen and marines, sailed across the Atlantic toward Charleston. When she found that the British had already occupied that city she sailed to Cuba.
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