Aaron Gillett was born in about 1730. A resident of Stono, South Carolina by 1771, he had an established medical practice. During the American Revolution he served as a surgeon in the Continental Army with his son Elijah assisting him. After the fall of Charleston, South Carolina in May 1780, he and his son followed the army into North Carolina and tended to wounded men after several battles including the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. They returned to South Carolina after the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September 1781. He died in Orangeburg, South Carolina in 1788.