Essex Institute, Historical Collections

Research continues to learn more of the origins of Thomas and Margaret. This post looks at one of these sources that dates to the middle of the 1800s.

Vol. I

So far, in terms of earlier writers, we have heard from Rev Hubbard (his manuscript is from the 1680s), Joseph B. Felt, John Farmer, James Savage, George D. Phippen (more below), Benjamin Peirce, and more. Then, later in the 1900s, we have Dr. Frank who published via Salem Press and Anderson of the Great Migration effort.

Phippen's first article appeared in Volume I of the Historical Collections of the Essex Institute. The Historical Collections published until 1993. There is an index available at Hathi Trust. One can view the full index on-line through 1922.

As we look at The Massachusetts Magazine, we will compare articles with what is in the Historical Collections. Dr. Frank had material printed there, too.

Excerpts from Phippen's talk

The first part of Phippen's article was read at the Essex Institute on March 25, 1858. There were two more sessions, all of which appeared in Volume I. The title of his talk was: The "Old Planters" of Salem, who were settled here before the arrival of Governor Endicott, in 1628. In the first part, Phippen talks about the general topic of the times, earlier plantations, and the Cape Ann effort. He mentions the great house, put up by Thomas in the first year, which was moved to Salem (my take on the story).

Then, Phippen lists the names of fifteen figures. Thomas Gardner is included (#11). Conant, Lyford, Woodbury, and Balch head the list. One wonders why Lyford is mentioned so prominently (he fled).

In the second part, Phippen writes of the planters, starting with Roger Conant. He gets through John Balch. In the third part, he does the rest. See about Thomas Gardner, on page 190. Phippen writes that the Thomas who was the son of Thomas was the husband of Margaret and Damaris. Also, he mentions that there was a George Gardner who was the brother of the older Thomas.

That last has to do with something needing a little attention. Savage wrote of six Thomas Gardners. Two families, with father, son and grandson. One was Salem, the other Roxbury. For Salem, he has the son being the father of the children that we know. For Roxbury, the elder Thomas died here in 1638.

But, Dr. Frank, in his book, said that he saw no evidence of this. However, research at Dorcester has Thomas (the elder) coming over and going back. He died in England in 1633.

So, it's curious. What we need to do is gather and organize, Then,we can try to fill in the pieces. In any case, conjectures abound.

Remarks: Modified: 04/26/2017 

04/26/2017 --

 

Review, overview

We're a little late getting to looking at the year's close (2016) due to some need to look at technology and its issues. That theme is getting more complicated than not. So, it'll be a recurrent affair.

So, with the end of a quarter in 2017, it seemed appropriate to catch up. Namely, looking to the next issue of The Gardner Annals brings up the need to get a little cohesion going. And so, the review of what is there motivates an overview. This is not an outline, rather a little patter on the matter.

Per usual, we would like to request submissions. Actually, an ahnentafel starting about 1900 would be nice if it were to be accompanied with some story. Lord knows, there are all sorts of tales that remain to be told. The only stipulation for an issue of the TGA would be having sources. But, they do not need to be included.

An example is the "Flyover country" article from last time that looked at Mayflower descendant buried in a lonely grave out in the prairies of Nebraska. We also had a post about that: Flyover country. This person was also a descendant of John Porter of Salem. Porters and Gardners intermarried, so there is a link back to Thomas, too. However, even if not, we all need to be aware of the western migration and of those who ventured away from the east coast. In short, there is a whole lot to that vast middle of the country.

The article in the TGA referenced documents without quoting them. That could come with a later article that gives the specifics. We also want to do those. For now, consider some reasonable format. Here is an example: Benjamin Brown Gardner. He is the grandfather of Dr. Frank. Benjamin's wife, Lucy, had an interesting pedigree, too (poor dears, Wardwell and Parker).

On Salem and witches. You know, I don't know if the descendants get the proper condolences what with the commercialization that has become associated with the ordeal. But, we'll tell some of the tales. BTW, two Porter men married Hathorne women. One couple is ancestor of the one of the lonely grave. The other couple is ancestor of Dr. Frank.

As a cursory look, here are some items being worked that are amenable to TGA inclusion.

We will be doing a brief look at the contents (and the ToC) of Volumes VI through XI of The Massachusetts Magazine. Not only did Dr. Frank do his military monographs (I saw one of these cited, recently), his sister, Lucie, published several genealogies of New England families.

Then, Dr. Frank and other illustrious ones started the Old Planters Society in 1899. We'll look at their corporate documents. Some of the talks to this Society were printed in the TMM.

After Dr. Frank did his 1907 book, there were meetings, for several years, of the Gardner Family Association. We'll look at that.

Too, there will be something on some of New England's early contribution to that which the Philly guys did (which is celebrated every year). As in, New England wrought this. Of course, Rev. John Wise will be mentioned. His wife was a descendant of Thomas Gardner of Roxbury. 

I'm looking for another way to say "Philly guys." Any suggestions? You see, discussions seem to start with that set of events. Too, they are associated with fireworks. So, they stick in the mind. Yet, there were all sorts of things that led to those ones and their minds.

Remarks: Modified: 06/24/2017 

04/05/2017 --