Notes: (01/17/2026)
I finally had some time to look at the issue of
the children. As well, I ventured down some of the
paths of discussion. But, something that ought to
have been noted before came clear, though I
thought of it three years ago. There are
about 2 1/2 years between the births of John
(Dec 1624) and Samuel (Jul 1627) which is
ample time. If Thomas had made
arrangement for the 1624 voyage, he would have
left in the spring. We can discuss the logistics.
But, let's take the approach of assuming that
Margaret was in circumstances when he left. They
would not have known. John was born when Thomas
was away. Now, when did he return? Conant came to
the area in 1625. The move to Naumkeag was a year
later. In any case, Thomas would have been back by
Fall of 1626. Okay? As we have done before, we
will redo the Origins and the FAQ with the new
information. Also, anyone interested can write to
us. A final reminder? This post is from 2012. The
Paine
sisters noted that they had some information
about Thomas going back to England when the
movement was made to Naumkeag. We will look
further into that.
Quoting the Paine sisters:
There is much probability that he
returned to England upon Conant's appointment
and then came again after the Salem plantation
had been actually established on a firm basis.
Notes: (12/28/2025)
-- This update is general as we touch upon lots of
subjects in our research. Technology has already
introduced its finger into the mix. Wannabe
approaches followed, like the horde after an
advancing party of raiders. First, this
page is referenced by the WikiTree
page on Thomas Gardner who died in Salem.
There is another Thomas Gardner who was involved
with the Dorchester Company's effort. WikiTree's
team favors two gentlemen. We like to keep an open
mind on that. Why, there was a Rev Hubbard who
talked to Thomas and Roger and many more. We have
not plumbed yet that topic to the depths required.
Second, our activities are varied which
pertain to many simultaneous projects. Our What's
New page is regularly updated and can be
considered up to date as many entries point to
posts in the blog that has been active since
September of 2010. Third, as mentioned
last year, LLMs have been a topic for many
activities. We expect to frame an overview of our
position on the matter in 2026. For starters, read
what we started with a Bespoke
software discussion. Fourth, as an
aside, when we started we followed the adage of
paying attention to this side of the waters and
leaving the overseas stuff to those over there.
That changed three years ago, with the onset of
the LLM in the mix. However, if we're to open that
door, then there is a lot more to research in
terms of extended family. Example? Sir
Christopher Gardner and the work of David T.
Gardner. Fifth, ..., stayed tuned.
Notes (02/29/2024)
-- We have been updating
status with regard to news from overseas.
Too, like everyone else, our attention was drawn
to generative
means, not formerly seen. So, we'll have a
multi-pronged set of tasks this year and going
forward. Restructuring
is on the task list.
Notes (03/20/2023)
-- Not at "Square
one" by any means. We will be adjusting the
"What we know?" and the FAQ posts as we go
along.
Notes (03/13/2023)
-- Finally got back to WikiTree. Here is a
summary: New
not old planter. Need to assimilate this
before determining how to adjust our research
goals.
-- Split out material related to Thomas Gardner
and Margaret Fryer
and their sons who were born in Sherbourne,
Dorset, UK.
Note (11/02/2020) -- Added baptism of son, Richard
1622). Grace mentioned in Walter's Will. Added
baptism of son, John (Dec 1624) - need to study
this as the family was supposedly in New England.
Note (10/24/2020) -- The year of Covid19 has been
the reality since March of this year, brought to
full attention due to shutdowns though coverage of
the pandemic started in January. We'll a Gardner's
Beacon issue soon and will continue this theme in our
work.
Note (10/21/2019) -- The Thomas
Gardner Profile on WikiTree will be updated
with respect to origins and departures. This does
not mean that the research need has gone or that
the subject has been closed. We will continue our
work in this and other related areas.
Note (09/25/2018) -- Added in images for the
marriage of Walter Friar and Grace Mullins who are
the parents of Margaret. Too, an image from the
will of Walter Friar shows that he mentions
Margaret, however it was in 1610 which was before
her marriage to Thomas Gardner.
Note (08/01/2018) -- This topic will be studied
further via an effort using WikiTree. See Thomas
Gardner (abt. 1591-1674). The study is under
the auspices of the Puritan Great Migration
project (original
comment).
--- original content from 2014 ----
Early on, during the time of Gov. Lovelace (later
part of the 1600s), Richard and John Gardner went
to see the Gov. in New York (NY). At the time,
Nantucket was under NY rule. The two Gardners
brought back instructions for Nantucket: Richard
was to be in charge; the (main) town was to be
called Sherborne.1
Later, Nantucket removed itself from NY control
and took Massachusetts as its overlord. The
Sherborne town had that name until sometime in the
early-1800s.
In the late 1890s, Hinchman's book about Nantucket
and its people mentioned that there was a strong
tradition on the island about the origins of the
Gardner family.2
In the book, too, there was a listing of the many
stories that have been told about the Gardner
origins. There have been many authors who
mentioned that John had commented about Sherborne
being the place whence came his parents. John and
his brother convinced Gov Lovelace of such.1
In his 1907 book, Dr.
Frank mentions the Sherborne tradition in
his writeup about one son, Richard.3
In 1933, Dr. Frank did not add to the information
but neither did he retract it. What did he know?
One has to ask, why was this issue not resolved?
The Great Migration team postulated in a manner
that has arguable
points.
---
In 2014, Chimper Cook found records posted on-line
from
Sherborne, Dorset. In these, there are
baptismal records, marriage records, Wills and
more.
Briefly, a marriage record for Thomas Gardner and
Margaret Frier is at Sherborne. Too, baptismal
records for boys with the right names are found.
The records for baptisms for the family stop which
could indicate that the family moved.
The passenger listing for the Zouche
Phoenix said that Thomas and his family
(wife, George, Richard, Joseph) may have been from
Martock, Somerset which is a stone's throw from
Sherborne, Dorset.
---
We now have an active project looking at this
subject. We will start with Sherborne records and
branch to other areas, as necessary. Too, we will
collect the sum total of the tales presented over
the years; along with this survey will be taking
notice of the plethora of sites that deal with
this family.
The below table shows snapshots from related books
and from the Sherborne records, in chronological
order. |
