Person table

Many people contribute to the progress of genealogy. For the most part, the work is voluntary; no doubt, it is more rewarding than not.

While looking at Nantucket Gardners, I was struck by the work of Eliza. She labored many years. Since running across her work (thank you, Eric Roth for pointing it out), I have used her database which is sponsored by the Nantucket Historical Association quite a lot.

Person table     

There are efforts by many others that we will document. One of these was Dr. Frank who spent his life gathering data for his books. For a list of names of people in both books, see the person table.

In the 1907 book, Dr. Frank took his line (from Samuel) down to his grandfather, for the most part. But, he did include siblings and their offspring at several generations. The 1933 book, essentially, expands the George descendant line.

We want to fill in six or seven generation for all of Thomas' children. If there are books already that do this, please let us know. For instance, there is one on the Maine Gardners. Too, we would like to fill in a matrix with other lines. Numbers, names and relationships via a simple text tree would be a good start.

Remarks: Modified: 09/07/2016

09/07/2016 --

Gardner, CO

Context: Gardners and Gardners.

Two years ago, we received a query about Gardiner, OR. The question was: for whom was the town named? While getting information about the town in Oregon, we went through a list of places in the U.S. with the Gardner (Gardiner) name.

Turned out that Henry D. Gardiner was the namesake of the Oregon town near where his ship (barque Bostonian) wrecked in 1850. This Henry was a descendant of George of Rhode Island.

Lately, I have been following trails west in terms of the long reach of New England (both north and south). Travelers going west who left from Independence all went by Gardner, KS after which the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails split (Gardner Junction).  The town was named for the Governor of Massachusetts, Henry Joseph Gardner. This Henry was a descendant of Richard of Woburn.

Today, we go to the region of the Sangre de Cristo range. This impressive range was visible to those who took the northern part of the Santa Fe Trail. Rather than cut down toward Las Vegas, NM, the travelers went west and joined up with traffic coming south from Denver and other northern points.

On their way south, the wagon went through what is now Walensburg on their way to tackle the Raton Pass. A mere 30 miles or so to the northwest of the Walensburg area, we find Gardner, CO.

The area has a long Spanish history. The Spanish Conquistadors visited. Settlement from the east began in the 1850s. The Post Office had the Gardner name in 1871. The town is named for Herbert Gardner who was the son of Governor Gardner (MA). So, Herbert was a descendant of Richard of Woburn.

The below list is of interesting reads about the area. Some have photos of the area, including a landmark named Gardner Butte.

Colorado: A Guide to the Highest State (1941 - a Works Project Administration publication)
Gardner (Huerfano County Government)
Colorado's Hispanic Towns: Real or Ghosts? (blog by CU-Denver Professor)

This site brought together two old cultures. Santa Fe, which is south of Gardner, was the mainstay of northern Mexico from the 1500s. The trails carried travelers from the east on their way west. As such, the trail travelers had covered more miles.

There are a few more Gardner locations in Northern America for us to mention.

Remarks: Modified: 12/03/2019

08/07/2016 -- Gardner, CO is at the entry of the Wet Mountain Valley. Herbert Gardner introduced agriculture into the area early.

12/03/2019 -- Updated link to image of agricultural field.

King Slayer's Court

Context: Gardners and Gardners

In this context, last time, we looked at Gardiners Island which was owned by one of the many families that came over early. Dr. Frank had Lion Gardiner on his lists. He had more families in his 1933 book than he had in 1907.

Other families have been added. The list in the "Gardners and Gardners" post (see Context) is being updated. Of late, we have been working with a member of the Gardner family of Pennsylvania to organize and publish information that ought to help throw some light on origin issues, both particular and general.

The following is a summary of what "King Slayer's Court" is all about. The recent finding of the remains of Richard III allows another look at several subjects that deal with the Gardners of London. Our interests are several. There may be a tie that is awaiting discover, even if it is further back in time. Too, history has taken a stance in this matter that may not be correct.

I’ve heard stories about William Gardiner and the King since I was a child, I’ve been researching and reading about the subject ever since. These stories were passed by my family, descendants of English traders.. Many stories, music and traditions of early families passed generation to generation, made their way down the trail with the westward expansion of North America. The Welsh Tract of West Jersey. This area is now known as the city of Philadelphia. My ancestors English traders arrived in 1682. They were masonic masons, traders and merchants..

In the early days of the web, back in the 1990’s, I approached the subject of William Gardiner on Netscape and AOL. The “King Richard” protectors screamed preposterous all the way to Bosworth Market.

However, let’s look back in retrospect over the last 30 years and see how this story has progressed. My query has gone from completely preposterous to right on target. According to studies done when Richard III’s remains were found, in 2012, the last English King to be killed in battle fell by a blow to the head delivered by Wyllyam Gardynyr, a common skinner, with a poleaxe. “Hog Wash” of 30 years ago was confirmed to be true.

I find it interesting that the stories that families have passed generation to generation on the Welsh Tract of Pennsylvania (the tales of Lords, Ladies, Kings, Great Battles and better times in England) have ultimately stood the test of time. As we enter the digital age and the information of past generations is uploaded, it seems to be painting a picture that has been left unfinished for many generations.

We live in exciting times, my friends. Even a single forgotten document, just one seemingly unimportant piece of information now scanned to the internet~? Can (should) cause us to examine everything we think we thought we knew about our history. This is the story of King Slayer’s Court. I intend to publish what I have heard; then, we will go back and provided references so as to establish the proper story.

This following lists a few facts about William and Richard Gardner that we will address further.


• William Gardiner was indeed Knighted
  
• William Gardiner was married to Ellen Tudor
  
• William Gardiner was the brother of Alderman Richard Gardiner
  
• William Gardiner was the Father of the Thomas Gardiner "King's chaplain, son and heir, born in London say 1479”
  
• Richard Gardiner was controlling  what’s now considered one of the most lucrative trade syndicates on Earth.
  
• Richard Gardiner was in possession of RIII debt, Holding Crown Jewels as collateral.
  
• Richard Gardiner was official representative of City of London to greet Henry VII
  
• The Gardiner family has a long, yet still undocumented relationship with the Royal Family.
  
• Lord John Gardiner, Baron of Kimble is current Vice Chamberlain and Captain of Yeomen of the guard.

Several items of interest come from this overview that we can pursue. An example would be the differences between views: Wikipedia (Gardiner not mentioned) vs King's Slayer Court. History is more than what is written. Too, some viewpoints never get expressed.

Remarks: Modified: 05/10/2025

12/18/2016 -- Article about the subject published in The Gardner Annals, Vol. III, No. 1.

06/20/2018 -- This will publish with a new article soon. The book will include The Gardner Annals, Volumes III and IV plus Gardner's Beach, Volumes IV through VII.

10/10/2018 -- We just printed TGA Vols III and IV (available for purchase) which contains David T. Gardner's articles about the Gardners, Bosworth, and Tudors. As well, historical author, Douglas Richardson, has William Gardner in his books (Plantagenet Ancestry, Magna Carta Ancestry and Royal Ancestry) with his marriage to Helen Tudor (see Our Royal, Titled, Noble, and Commoner Ancestors & Cousins site).

05/10/2025 --  See King Slayer's Court, redux for recent information on activity. 

Gardiners Island

Context: Gardners and Gardners

One result of doing Gardner Research is that we find Gardner influences everywhere. For instance, in the times of the westward movement, a trail fork called Gardner Junction was seen by everyone heading to Santa Fe or to Oregon and other points west. That is, if the travelers took the route out of Independence, Mo, then they saw Gardner Junction. There were other trails to the north and south. Along the west coast, there is Gardiner, OR. It obtained its name from the owner (H.D. Gardiner) of the ship (barque Bostonian) that wrecked in that area.

So, one then starts to think about all things Gardner. In terms of direct Thomas of Salem descendants, we will be taking a wide-spread view, especially in relation to the expansion of the United States.

In the time of Dr. Frank, his book had a list of different families. The 1933 publication had a longer list than he provided in 1907. Too, we have added to the list for those families who, seemingly, came later in, or after, the colonial period. This will all be written up in several places. Here, we will have a category related to Gardner families (our second most-read post is Gardners and Gardners).

Also, DNA and related studies will be adding to the mix: DNA and Genealogy.

--- The Subject ---

Lion Gardiner
(source?)

While researching the provenance of a portrait (image), I ran across this story about the last Gardiner of the island.

   New York Times: Gardiner, 93, Lord of His Own Island, Dies

Gardiners Island was "reportedly" purchased by Lion Gardiner from the Montaukett tribe (their History Overview).

It has remained in the family from the colonial times until now when the sole owner is Robert's niece.

Remarks: Modified: 10/30/2018

07/16/2016 -- Added links to H.D. Gardiner and the Bostonian. We are working with David T. Gardner on the Gardiners of London. From there, we will explore threads to now plus look at origins, in general. In the U.S., we tend to not pay real attention to what was going on when the colonials came over, except, seemingly, superficially. With the upcoming 400ths, we need to correct that oversight. Too, the 200ths of the expansion will come to the forefront.

10/30/2018 -- 2nd printing of The Gardner Annals, in which are 'All things Gardner' articles. We will rewrite the article on the barque Bostonian.

04/05/2019 -- Relation of the Pequot Wars (1660) - a copy is browse-able or can be downloaded, an eye-witness account by Lion Gardiner of the Pequot Wars. Having added more text from our annals collection, we are looking at the early references to New England and the Cape Ann crew.

Gardner's Beacon, Vol. VI, No. 1

The current issue of Gardner's Beacon starts to look at upcoming 200th anniversaries. More people went out west through the various trails (Westward Ho) than arrived both in northern New England and its southern counterpart. In those early days, there was motivation to go west. For one, claiming land would keep out settlers from other countries. In that case, there were conflict with the American Indian population and with other countries.

By the time of the end of the long American Revolution, people were ready to go west. Lewis and Clark helped capture the imagination. Families took the long trek to Oregon and California. During the gold rush, many 49ers went out by the trails.

An older trail, to Santa Fe, provided the starting point. But, as more people gathered, there were issues, such as a cholera outbreak, that establish another starting point, present-day St. Joseph, MO. Too, the 49ers were in a hurry and wanted to take some days off the trip.

The story would not be interesting without the people. That launching point for western expansion turned out to be where early conflicts started between pro- and anti-slavery proponents. "Bleeding Kansas" was more than a name.

And, New Englanders were heavily invested in the area, in terms of money and blood and sweat.

Of late, DNA has been put on the plate and will be getting more attention. Lots to discuss.

Charles Sanders Peirce (his father, Benjamin) did some marvelous work without much attention. He died destitute. He was the first to look at abductive approaches (see DNA above). Also, he was probably the best mind of that generation, though Eliot of Harvard did not think much of him.

---

See Vol. VI, No. 1 of Gardner's Beacon for a review of research to date. Sources: Oregon-California Trails Association (Trails, again).

Remarks: Modified: 04/23/2021

06/19/2016 -- Switched to larger font, two pages, and introduction to Charles Sanders Peirce.

06/29/2016 -- Good Ol’ George Starbuck Strikes a Blow Against Racism by James Mace.  

Trails again

These are links to material about the settlement of the colonies and the later western movement that the U.S. saw after the conclusion of the American Revolution and after the jaunt of Lewis and Clark under the auspices of President Jefferson. Lewis and Clark told the people about the large bit of land out west.

One theme of the upcoming issue of Gardner's Beacon deals with the west. The long arm of New England reached across the country.

Many more people went across these trails than came over by boat in the early days. The trip was arduous. Present day cities exist along the trails. Modern roads parallel their ways.

In Kansas and immediate territories, the issues that lead to the U.S.Civil war were being played out as abolitionists left New England and helped found the free state.

Finally, from the genealogical side of history, people populated those cities and places in-between as they dropped off the traversing of the trail to settle down to roost. Many stories abound.

Trails (a mere sampling):

Oregon-California Trails Assoc

Flying the Oregon Trail 1 (2006)
Flying the Oregon Trail 2 (2006)

On St. Joseph (early 1900s)

Johnson County, KS
Start in St. Joe (2010)

Missouri/Kansas (2013)

Summer journey (2010)

Mormon Traal (LDS)
Mormon Trail (Wiki)
Mormon Trail (National Park Service)

Earlier history (southern New England):

British colonies prior to 1700

Delaware River settlements

This effort is part of our bibliographical effort.

Remarks: Modified: 03/01/2019

07/16/2016 -- Gardner's Beacon, Vol. VI, No. 1

11/01/2016 -- On foot traverse.

03/01/2019 -- Added image. We're building an index by images for the portal to truth.

Blogging and such

The availability of blogging has encouraged genealogists (2013 list) and others. We find blogs on all subjects. I like to find blog-like entries from the past.

Gardner Junction and its role has motivated a closer look at the westward movement. This junction was on the southern route west. Of course, Santa Fe was southwest of Kansas City. But, Oregon was west. The early travelers took this southern route until they split and headed back northwest. Later, the greedy call of gold helped develop other ways to go west. St. Joseph had been a terminal for the Pony Express. So, too, it was a starting point for a trail that met up with that taken by the southern route.

Aside: There were more bodies that headed west over the migration period than arrived in New England, and the middle states in the early years of the colonies. Too, these folks came from the whole range of the east coast. Hence, our interest. Prior to this time, there had been movement to the middle portion, say Ohio on south. Some stayed there. Many moved, again, once the U.S. got its western expansion thanks to Jefferson.

Also, the Mormons had been forced west and came to these parts out of Illinois through Iowa. There were many families related to Gardner on that trek. One thing of the Mormon migration was that they used hand carts to bring along their goods.

---

Now, to the theme of the post. Some of those who made the trek kept journals. Many entries are blog-like. This little bit from a traveler discussed the origin of the name of Lawrence, KS. One can just see the writer condensing some conversation with a local. We will be looking for more of these.

Written by Albert D. Richardson, 1867: ... first town in Kansas.... Pleased with the name, they gave it to their nascent city. Their first Herald of Freedom - for a newspaper is mothers milk to an infant town - bears the date Wakarusa, Kansas Territory, October 21, 1854. But the settlers soon learned this romantic legend of the origin and significance of the name: Many moons ago, before white men ever saw these prairies, there was a great freshet. While the waters were rising, an Indian girl on horseback came to the stream and began fording it. Her steed went in deeper and deeper, until as she sat upon him she was half immersed. Surprised and affrighted she ejaculated Way-ka-ru-sa!(hip deep). ... On reflection, the settlers decided not to perpetuate the story, and changed the name of their town to Lawrence, in honor of one of its most generous patrons, Amos Lawrence of Boston. 

This entry comes from a collection of traveler notes plus other material at oregonpioneers.com (OregonPioneers).

Amos Lawrence was of an old New England family. His family tree is full of collateral families that are interest to us.

The northeastern part of the Kansas Territory (KT) was settled by folks from New England, including many abolitionists. KT and Nebraska had been carved out of the Missouri Territory. By 1867, the turmoils of the Civil War had come and gone, except the whole issue of carpet baggers. Prior to then, though, the KT area was site of lots of armed conflict that we will look into. For the most part, New Englanders were involved. These events represent a crucial period of the U.S. history.

Remarks: Modified: 02/09/2020

11/22/2016 -- Final migration, flyover country.

06/17/2016 -- More on trails.

08/13/2017 -- Posts on Lawrence (and surrounds): Trails West, Westward Ho, Blogging and such, Final Migration, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Kansas and Lawrence.

02/09/2020 --  A couple more names: Gardner, IL; Gardiner, MT.