South Carolina naval officer and merchant.

Commissioned by South Carolina to go to Europe to obtain three warships (1778). Procured the Dutch-built ship L’Indien, which he renamed South Carolina.

Several prominent Americans, including Franklin and John Paul Jones, disliked and were suspicious of Gillon.

Born in Rotterdam. Married in 1766 to Mary Cripps; in 1789 to Ann Purcell.