Thomas Gibbs

Who was Thomas Gibbs?

Thomas Fortson Gibbs was the fifth Mayor of Atlanta, serving from 1852 to 1853. He left Atlanta fairly soon after finishing his term.

In John H. James' remembrances of this time, he describes the mayor as "Dr. Gibbs" but doesn't explain what sort of doctor. He represented Elbert County, Georgia in the state house in 1837 and came to Atlanta after 1850. He ran and won as the city's fifth mayor for 1852 and ran for a second term January 17, 1853 but was defeated by John Mims. Shortly after this, he left town, possibly to Memphis, Tennessee. He was married to Caroline Rebecca Harris and they had eight children before his death.