Daniel Gardner, I

Biography

Daniel Gardner was born on Dec. 16, 1709 in Salem, Massachusetts to Capt. John Gardner and Elizabeth Weld.[1]

Called "gentleman" in the records, Daniel lived most of his life on the George Gardner farm in West Peabody, which he had inherited from his grandfather, Capt. Samuel Gardner, son of George Gardner, the first Gardner owner and the original grantee.[2] Civic Duties

On Feb. 5, 1727/8, Daniel helped to repair the highway in the Middle Precinct. Between this date and 1752, his teams were frequently employed in this work for the town. In 1732, he was chosen fence-viewer. He served the town as surveyor of highways for many years and frequently actued upon committees of perambulation for the Lynn "upper line," and Middleton. He also held the town offices of Hog-reeve in 1739, constable in 1742 and "Overseer of ye Poor" in 1749 and 1750.[3]

Daniel first served on the jury in 1731 when he was a member of the "Jury of Tryals." In 1737, he served on the "Petty Jury at the Inferior Court."[4]

Daniel Gardner represented Salem in the General Court in 1750.[5] From Salem to Danvers

When the new town of Danvers was formed, Daniel was one of the prime movers in the matter and his name appears upon the first call for a town meeting, dated Danvers, Feb. 18, 1752.[6] The following month, he was chosen as a selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor. He held these offices several times during the few remaining years of his life.[7] Property Owned

On Jan. 9, 1733, Daniel received as his share of the estate of his grandfather, Samuel Gardner, 200 acres of land in that part of Danvers now known as West Peabody. It was a part of the original farm of Samuel's father, George, and received the name "Walden Farm," from one of the leasees. It was bounded on one side by land of his sister, Bethiah Gardner. He sold twenty-three acres in this locality to Joseph Pople on Sept. 8, 1735 for 230 pounds. Two years later, he sold four acres and thirty-two poles to Benjamin Pope, receiving 63 pounds for it. Daniel evidently acquired more property adjacent to this farm, for in the inventory it is described as containing two hundred and twenty acres and valued at 1760 pounds. After his death, his executors sold about twenty-five acres. He had a few small holdings in other parts of the town, but had disposed of them before his death.[8] Family and Death

Daniel married Anna Putnam on Dec. 23, 1734 in Salem.[9] She was the daughter of Thomas Putnam and Elizabeth Whipple. The intention of marriage was published on Oct. 4, 1734.

For a list of Daniel Gardner and Anna Putnam's children, see the Gardner history; page 171 and page 172.

After the death of her husband, Anna Putnam Gardner married Andrew Conant, son of Lot Conant and Martha Cleaves, on Jul. 19, 1764 in Danvers, Massachusetts.[10]

Daniel died on Sep. 15, 1759. In his will dated July 26, 1759, he made the following bequests:

   To his sons Samuel and John, he gave the whole of his estate, to be equally divided between them. The estate was to remain in the hands of the executors for ten years after his decease, excepting the legacies ordered to be paid sooner.

   To his wife Anna Gardner, 10 pounds a year to be paid to her by his sons Samuel and John during her life.

   To his sons Daniel, George, Benjamin and Ebenezer, he left 106 pounds, 13 shillings and 4 pence each, these amounts to be paid by his son Samuel or John as specified.

   To his daughter, Anna Brewer, he gave 6 pounds, 13 shillings, 4 pence besides what he gave her at her marriage.

   To his remaining daughters; Ruth, Lydia, Elizabeth, Sarah and Esther, were each to receive 53 pounds, 6 shillings 8 pence, one half to be paid to them upon reaching the age of 21 years, or upon their marriage, and the remaining half ten years later.[11] 

The will was probated on Oct. 1, 1759. In the inventory dated Jan. 2, 1760, it also mentions 220 Acres of Upland and Meadow with the buildings standing on the same situate in Danvers at 8 pounds pr., valued at 1760 pounds and also two Acrews salt marsh in Salem, valued at 10 pounds pr. for 20 pounds.[12]