Samuel Gardner (bef. 1648 - 1724)

Born before 14 May 1648 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Browne) Gardner — married 24 Apr 1673 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 24 Feb 1724 after age 75 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts

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Biography

This profile is part of the Gardner Name Study.

Capt. Samuel Gardner was born about 1647 to George Gardner and his first wife. Although a birth record does not exist for Samuel, his birth year is calculated by his age given as about 44 in a deposition he made on May 20, 1691 and that he was baptized "14-3-1648."

Samuel was one of the leading men of Salem. He is referred to in the town records as Samuel Gardner, Junior to identify him from his uncle, Samuel Gardner, Senior. Samuel was a baker, merchant and gentleman. He also held almost every office of honor and responsibility at one time or another.

Civic Duties

His first office was that of constable to which he was elected on Mar. 12, 1676-7. In 1678, he was chosen as one of the selectmen and held that office for 21 years. During this time, he also served as the town recorder from 1683-84 and 1689-92. ^[1]

Samuel was the first chosen moderator at a general town meeting held on "21, 12 mo. 1689-90." He presided over fifteen town meetings over the years until 1714. ^[2]

He was also appointed many times to survey land and was chosen to serve on committees of perambulation. For more information, see Gardner Memorial, page 51 and page 52.

Military Service

On Oct. 7, 1678, Samuel Gardner was ordered to "officiate as Ensigne for Capt. Price's company." he was called "Lieut. Sam'l Gardner" in the Town Records, Mar. 8, 1685 when he was chosen as selectman. On the 6th of the 6th mo., 1689, Lt. Samuel Gardner was appointed with others to manage and oversee the work on the repairs of the fort at Winter Island. At that time he advanced five pounds to assist in carrying on the above repairs. He was appointed one of three to take care of the wounded soldiers and seamen on Feb. 3, 1691. The earliest date he was referred to Captain was Nov. 1691 in the Probate Records book 303, leaf 72. Throughout the remainder of his life, he was referred to as Captain.^[3]

For other transactions in the town records, see the Gardner Memorial, page 54.

Property Owned

Samuel Gardner had very extensive land holdings. In addition to the house on Daniels Street he inherited from his father, he was also given the mill property upon the South River in Salem and land in the "South field." Another piece of property left to him by his father was the 400 acre farm in what is now West Peabody. He retained and added to his holdings by purchasing other property.^[4]

When Samuel died, he left two hundred acres to his grandson, John Higginson and two hundred acres to the five daughters of his deceased son, Capt. John Gardner. The remainder of the farm he left to three grandsons, John, Daniel and Samuel, sons of Capt. John.^[5]

On Jul. 7, 1676, Samuel's father-in-law, John Browne, Sen., gave him fifty acres of land which had been granted to him by the town. Samuel later sold this to James Gould on Apr. 1, 1691. In 1688, Samuel bought John Browne's house with land, wharf, warehouse, etc. which he later conveyed to his son, John on Feb. 7, 1705-6.^[6]

He either purchased or was granted many other parcels of land in the town proper, at the "Butts," Winter Island, Marblehead, Lynn, etc. For more about his land purchases and sales, see Gardner Memorial, page 57 and page 58.

Family Life

Samuel Gardner was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Grafton, widow of Joseph Grafton, Jr. She was the daughter of John Browne, Sen. as the following documents will prove: John Browne, Sen., in a deed calls Samuel Gardner his "son." In his will dated 1683, Elder John Browne appoints "my Sone in Law Samuel Gardner, Jun. to be my executor." He also leaves property to his "sone and daughter Gardner." Samuel Gardner, Jun., and widow Elizabeth Grafton were married April 24, 1673. She became the mother of all of his children and lived until after her father's death, which occurred about Nov. 24, 1685.^[7]

His second wife was widow Susanna Daniel, widow of Stephen Daniel. She was born Sep. 1646, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Baxter. She married first, Jul. 12, 1665, Isaac Hyde, son of Richard Hide or Hyde. She had four children by him. She married secondly Capt. Stephen Daniel, who died Feb. 14, 1686-7. She was married to Samuel Gardner prior to Mar. 25, 1690 as an agreement regarding the division of the property of her first husband, bearing that date is on file at the court hosue. By this agreement she was to have two hundred and fifty-nine pounds, fourteen shillings and bring up her youngest child Susanna Daniel, being then about three years old. the remaining two hundred pounds was to be divided between the children of her first husband; Stephen, Mary, Susanna and Daniel. Samuel's wife, Susanna, died before he did as no mention is made of her in his will.^[8]

Samuel died on Feb. 24, 1724. For a transcription of his will and Inventory, see the Gardner Memorial, page 59, page 60, page 61 and page 62.

Sources

1. ↑ Gardner, Frank A.. Gardner memorial : a biographical and genealogical record of the descendants of Thomas Gardner, planter, Cape Ann, 1624, Salem (Naumkeag), 1626-1674, through his son Lieut. George Gardner / compiled and arranged by Frank Augustine Gardner.. Salem, Mass.: unknown, 1933; page 50
2. ↑ Gardner, Frank A. Gardner memorial : a biographical and genealogical record of the descendants of Thomas Gardner, planter, Cape Ann, 1624, Salem (Naumkeag), 1626-1674, through his son Lieut. George Gardner / compiled and arranged by Frank Augustine Gardner.. Salem, Mass.: unknown, 1933; page 50
3. ↑ Gardner, Frank A. Gardner memorial : a biographical and genealogical record of the descendants of Thomas Gardner, planter, Cape Ann, 1624, Salem (Naumkeag), 1626-1674, through his son Lieut. George Gardner / compiled and arranged by Frank Augustine Gardner.. Salem, Mass.: unknown, 1933; page 53
4. ↑ Gardner, Frank A. Gardner memorial : a biographical and genealogical record of the descendants of Thomas Gardner, planter, Cape Ann, 1624, Salem (Naumkeag), 1626-1674, through his son Lieut. George Gardner / compiled and arranged by Frank Augustine Gardner.. Salem, Mass.: unknown, 1933; page 55
5. ↑ Gardner, Frank A. Gardner memorial : a biographical and genealogical record of the descendants of Thomas Gardner, planter, Cape Ann, 1624, Salem (Naumkeag), 1626-1674, through his son Lieut. George Gardner / compiled and arranged by Frank Augustine Gardner.. Salem, Mass.: unknown, 1933; page 56
6. ↑ Gardner, Frank A. Gardner memorial : a biographical and genealogical record of the descendants of Thomas Gardner, planter, Cape Ann, 1624, Salem (Naumkeag), 1626-1674, through his son Lieut. George Gardner / compiled and arranged by Frank Augustine Gardner.. Salem, Mass.: unknown, 1933; page 57
7. ↑ Gardner, Frank A. Gardner memorial : a biographical and genealogical record of the descendants of Thomas Gardner, planter, Cape Ann, 1624, Salem (Naumkeag), 1626-1674, through his son Lieut. George Gardner / compiled and arranged by Frank Augustine Gardner.. Salem, Mass.: unknown, 1933; page 57
8. ↑ Gardner, Frank A. Gardner memorial : a biographical and genealogical record of the descendants of Thomas Gardner, planter, Cape Ann, 1624, Salem (Naumkeag), 1626-1674, through his son Lieut. George Gardner / compiled and arranged by Frank Augustine Gardner.. Salem, Mass.: unknown, 1933; page 58

See also:

• Gardner, Frank Augustine. Thomas Gardner, Planter (Cape Ann, 1623-1626; Salem, 1626-1674) and Some of Descendants: Salem, Massachusetts, Essex Institute, 1907
• Essex Institute Historical Collections (Salem, Massachusetts, 1862) Vol. 4, Page 188: Note 12.