|
Essex County, Massachusetts
Biographies
THOMAS GARDNER
Submitted by Kimberly Clifton Jones, who adds:
"My
mother in law was a Gardner and a direct descendent of Thomas. Her line
eventually moved to Pittsylvania County, Virginia. "
Thomas Gardner is historically credited as being the first "Governor
of the area".
Thomas Gardner, "The Planter" is remembered as the
primary leader of the Cape Ann Colony. He held this title for a year,
followed by Roger Conant.
Thomas Gardner II was born in England
between 1590/91. He founded the English Fishing station at Glouchester
in 1623, he died December 29, 1674. In his will he named his wife
Damarias as well as his sons, two surviving daughters and two
granddaughters. He is said to have sailed on the Charity to the colonies
then later followed by his family. Thomas was made the overseer of the
fishing and planting. The ground was too rocky and planting difficult.
Roger Conant then settled the area of Salem with the survivors
of Cape Ann including the Gardners. Thomas became a selectman and was on
the general court. He received several tracts of land in the Salem area;
one was a 100 acre plot in the area now called Peabody. In 1637, Thomas
became a representative to the General Court. In 1639, he and his wife
Margaret joined Salem Church.
Thomas II was married to a
Margaret Fryer/Friar. They had nine children:
1. Richard Born 1620 D:
1688 Was a Chief Magistrate in Salem
2. John : Born 16114/24
3.
Thomas III: Born 1618 D: 1684
4. George 1617-1689
5. Samuel
1627-79..He moved to Hartford Ct.
6. Captain Joseph Gardner: 1629.
Was killed in King Phillip's war December 1675
7. Sarah Born
1630
8. Ruth
9. Miriam
There is a street in Salem called
Gardner Street, Also there is an old house called the Gardner
Pingrill(?) Home.
Thomas had a second wife by the name of
Damarius Shattuck. This was her married name as she was a widow. She was
reportedly interested in the Quaker Movement and was fined for not
attending services.
There is more on the Gardner family and the
Shattucks in Salem's history.
More information can be found in
New England's Historic and Genealogical register.Pages199
A
Genealogical Dictionary of New England by James Savage Pgs
228-230
More information can be found in New England's Historic
and Genealogical register.Pages199
A Genealogical Dictionary of New
England by James Savage Pgs 228-230
All data on this website
is © Copyright 2010 by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for
original
submitters. |