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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Ebenezer Gardner of Maine

At the Micmac farm site, the history page states that the Gardner house in Machiasport, ME was built in 1776. Ebenezer, the builder, was a descendant of Thomas and Margaret through Samuel, and his son Abel.

Ebenezer had settled in Nova Scotia, but, in 1776, loyalists claimed the area forcing Ebenezer and his family south.

Ebenezer is #123 (pg 191) in Dr. Frank's book. His father died early, so Ebenezer was raised by his uncle Jonathan who was a forebear of the John Lowell Gardners. Ebenezer died at 97 which is remarkable given what he endured (descendants, St Croix).

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The Micmac website also has notes about the Gardner family and its Maine extension. Ebenezer's grandson, John (see Bryant tree), married Rachel Berry (see James tree) who was the granddaughter of John Berry. John was involved with the first naval skirmish of the Revolutionary war (British frigate Magaretta - ought John have his own page?). Some of John's ancestors were early entrants into Maine.

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The Hereditary Society Community (HSC) is a collection of genealogical and historical societies who work to preserve our history and heritage. The HSC sponsors meetings of most of the group, yearly in the spring, in Washington, D.C. One member group is the Order of the First Families of Maine whose site lists the early Maine entrants.

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Maine has an interesting history. A group came very early, into Popham, established a colony, and built a boat (Virginia) that was seaworthy sufficiently to cross the Atlantic several times.

Remarks:

02/27/2022 -- Belatedly, added Ebenezer Gardner to the list of Descendants of Samuel. Also, Ebenezer mentioned in a new study on the York Factory Express of Hudson's Bay Company. 

10/25/2018 -- We will use Samuel to get three generations, at first (two generations start).

06/08/2018 -- Interesting set of family overviews: Genealogical and Family History (Bowdoin College). The Gardner page is of Ebenezer (#123) son of Thomas (#76) son of Abel (#59) son of Samuel (#6).

10/26/2017 -- Gardner Family of Machias (Maine)

01/19/2015 -- Maine History Online: Popham and Gorges.

01/01/2013 -- Id at rootsweb changed; did a refresh.

11/30/2011 -- Good description of the early voyages, including Popham's.

04/06/2011 -- Stanley Israel Gardner published 'The Gardner Family of Maine' in 1986. Amazon.com reports that it is out of print. Here are a couple related links: Julie Etta Patterson and genforum.genealogy.com. At the Essex Institute, I saw a book written about son John's family. Hopefully, we will be able to get a bibliography filled in at some point to include all of these types of books.

Modified: 02/27/2022

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nathaniel Bowditch

The wiki page's descendants list has three categories: Patriot, Business, Academic/Scientist/Artist. Perhaps, there could be more lists. It might be interesting to pull together something like this page (we'll do it here, first, and then port to wiki).

On what subject? Well, I would argue for identifying those for whom the results of their effectiveness is of the type that persists (see Academic/Scientist/Artist). Nathaniel (see below) emerged early in the search for descendants, which was cursory. To date, we've been looking at the early times; a focus like this might help bridge the gaps and provide a thread coming forward.

Aside: Ever notice how mathematics builds incrementally (with the occasional big leap, of course)? That is, there may be current hot shots, but no theorem is ever repackaged such that the original thinkers are not given a nod for their work. As well, there is no leap except from a basis (to wit, Isaac's recognition of his predecessors).

Nathaniel (parents: Habakkuk, Mary - he descends from sons Thomas and George) is interesting, in this respect, for several reasons; one of these is his stature as an autodidact.

Aside: Another thing about mathematics is that one does not need a lab. Yet, there are more barriers to entry now than before. The whole of the jargon has expanded. Some think that Henri was the last of the polymaths.

As we can see, Nathaniel had the aptitude to learn without tutorage. Too, he was able to find an application that was, and continues to be, of usefulness. Then, he had the fortune to have access to the material (Richard_Kirwan's library). Of course, that he mastered Latin and French on his own ought to be noted.

Aside: There are several motivations for this tact which will be discussed further. But, as a preview, consider how computational mathematics can lead to a dampening of our soul's glory, if we are not careful. Too, the times of the mass influx, and the thinkings of those periods, are pertinent to understanding some of today's problems.

Remarks:

03/12/2022 -- Stolen Library that launched America's 1st Math Genius, Nathaniel Bowditch. 

07/22/2021 -- His attention got the Quaker grave desecration noticed by the public, which we must do for the similar events with regard to the gravee of Thomas Gardner and others. 

12/23/2018 -- Added Nathaniel's image from Wikipedia. For our main portal (TGSoc.org).

08/16/2011 -- The autodidact pages on wiki changed.

Modified: 03/12/2022