George Glegg Gardner (1844 - 1885)

Born 24 Sep 1844 in Deal, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Margaret (McKinlay) Gardner — married 15 Mar 1866 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 5 Feb 1885 at age 40 in Cust, Waimakariri, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Biography

George was born in 1845

England and Wales Census, 1851 - Deal, Kent, England:

Thomas N Gardner, Head, M, 50, Deal, Kent. Cingue Port Pilot

Eliza P Gardner, Wife, F, 40, Deal, Kent

Thomas R Gardner, Son, M, 7, Deal, Kent. Scholar

George G Gardner, Son, 6, Deal, Kent, England. Scholar^[1]

George was third officer on the "Sebastopol" when he met his future wife, Margaret McKinlay, on the voyage to New Zealand on 17 Jan 1863. Upon arriving in Lyttelton they separated as George reluctantly continued with his ship on the return voyage to England.

He returned to New Zealand on 24 Mar 1864 and this time he deserted so that he could be near Margaret. They married on 15 Mar 1866.^[2]

He accidentally shot himself on 4 Feb 1885 and died the next day leaving nine children and a pregnant wife to manage a farm and a mill.^[3]

He is buried in the Cust Cemetery[1]

Probate record[2]

Research Notes

PRESS, VOLUME XLI, ISSUE 6050, 5 FEBRUARY 1885, PAGE 2 Accident.—On Wednesday Mr W. Gardner was wounded by a shot gun, the contents of which lodged in his stomach. He was attended by Dr. Gordon, of Rangiora, and was in a somewhat critical state from the nature of the wounds. The particulars to hand do not say how the accident happened.[3]

PRESS, VOLUME XLI, ISSUE 6051, 6 FEBRUARY 1885, PAGE 1 THE Friends of the late Mr George Gardiner are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, to leave his late residence, Cust, on Sunday, 8th instant, at 3 p.m.[4]

PRESS, VOLUME XLI, ISSUE 6052, 7 FEBRUARY 1885, PAGE 2 Inquest—At an inquiry held yesterday at Cust, before Mr C. Whitefoord, coroner, relating to the death, caused by a gunshot wound, of George Gardiner, the verdict returned was that, the deceased had accidentally shot himself.[5]

INQUEST. LYTTELTON TIMES, VOLUME LXIII, ISSUE 7470, 9 FEBRUARY 1885, PAGE 3
An enquiry as to the manner in which the late George Glegg Gardiner met with his death took place at the Cust on Friday at 2.30 p.m., before C. Whitefoord, Esq., Coroner, and a jury of twelve, of whom Mr Scott was chosen foreman. Sergeant Scott was in attendance on behalf of the police. The Coroner said he had received a telegram from Dr Gordon regretting his inability to be present. The jury could adopt one of two courses, either to view the body and then adjourn, in order to get the medical officer present, or they could go on with the evidence, and at the close determine whether it was necessary to adjourn for the doctor to be present. The latter, course having been adopted, the jury viewed the body. Margaret Gardiner stated that she was the wife of the deceased. Had been married 19 years. Her husband was in his usual health and spirits on Tuesday evening last. Mr Orme, a neighbour, was at the house, and left about 10 o’clock. They went to bed about 12 o’clock. She intended going to Christchurch by the first train on Wednesday morning, and deceased was to drive her over to West Eyreton to catch the train. On Wednesday morning was woke up by the discharge of a gun. Called out for her son George and ran down stairs, and, on looking about, saw her husband lying down shot outside the door of an old house, about 20 yards from where they lived. Assisted him inside the cottage, and told her son to go for Mr Ruddenklau. Deceased appeared in great agony. When, witness asked him did he do it purposely, he gave no reply but he shook his head, in the negative. Gave no account of how it happened. Had always lived happily together. Was not in pecuniary difficulties. Eleven years ago he had insured his life in the Government Office, the premiums of which had always been paid. John Ruddenklau, farmer, stated that he had known deceased for about 20 years. Was rather of an excitable temperament. Had frequently seen him of late, and he appeared to be in his usual health. Was awoke on Wednesday morning, about 5 o’clock, by the son of deceased, who said that an accident had occurred, and his father had been shot. Immediately going to his house, found the deceased sitting on some sacks, supported by Mrs Gardiner. Said “Oh, dear, what has happened?” Deceased said he had been shot. Supported him into his house, and suggested that a bed should be made downstairs, but the deceased, with assistance, walked upstairs, and was put to bed. Both barrels of the gun were discharged. The wound, which was on the left side, was between the region of the heart and the hip-bone. His right arm was very much bruised. He gave no explanation of how it had occurred. Was in an excited state when I first saw him in the cottage. In answer to the doctor, deceased said he was sorry, but it could not be helped. He talked in an incoherent manner, and witness could not understand what he said. George Glegg Gardiner, son of the deceased, aged 16, said he was woke by his mother calling him on Wednesday morning. Ran down stairs, and found his father in his mother’s arms. Went for Mr Ruddenklau, and afterwards for the doctor. Had loaded the gun about a week before, but had not discharged it. Took the gun from inside the house where it was usually kept, and left it in the old cottage. Was afraid to bring it in, lest his father should see him, as he had forbade him to use it. There were no other gun caps in the house. Witness described the positions in which his father and the gun had been found. Alexander Orme deposed that he lived near Mr Gardiner’s. Was there on Tuesday evening. The deceased appeared to be in his usual health. Heard the report of the gun on Wednesday morning, and went with Mr Ruddenklau. Assisted the deceased into the house. Did not, in the presence of witness, say how it had happened. The Coroner, in summing up, said no doubt the affair was surrounded in mystery. He did not consider it advisable to adjourn, as the medical evidence would not throw much light on the matter. The verdict of the jury was to the effect that the deceased met with his death from the result of a gun shot wound, and that the evidence adduced goes in the direction that it was the result of an accident.[6]

GARDINER.— Feb. 4, at his residence, Cust, George Gleg Gardiner ; aged 41.[7]

Sources

1. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGLC-62X : 9 November 2019), George G Gardner in household of Thomas N Gardner, Deal, Kent, England; citing Deal, Kent, England, p. 8, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
2. ↑ 1866/7354 Margaret McKinlay George Sliy Gardiner
3. ↑ 1885/1550 Gardner George Slegg 41Y

• https://www.freebmd.org.uk FreeBMD, Birth: Dec 1844.
• Book: Pioneer Families by Angela Caughey.
• https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/