Grafton Gardner (1817 - aft. 1891)

Born 11 Jun 1817 in Guilford, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Lydia Hunt — married 3 Sep 1840 in Guilford County, North Carolina

Died after 31 Jan 1891 after age 73 in Colmesneil, Tyler, Texas, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Susan Wilson [send private message]

Biography

Grafton Gardner was born on 11 June 1817 . He is the son of Thaddeus Gardner and Eunice Starbuck Gardner.^{[1] [2]}

Grafton Gardner and Lydia Hunt were united in marriage on 9 April 1840 in Guilford County, North Carolina. The certificate was signed by Grafton Gardner and Jabez Hunt. Green Morgan was witness.

Grafton Gardner died on 31 January, 1891 in Colmesneil, Tyler County, Texas, according to Find-a-Grave. So far in my research, a death certificate for Grafton has not been found. ^[3]

Will

Although Grafton had evidently died in Texas, he had a will in Kansas which was probated there.

Information from Friends Meeting Records

1 October 1840 He was disowned by Deep River Friends Meeting in the following statement: "One of the friends appointed in the case of Grafton Gardner reports that he has had an opportunity with him and that he does not appear to be disposed to make satisfaction and after a time of deliberation there(?) on this meeting disown him from being a member of our society. Abel Coffin is appointed to inform him of this meetings proceedings against him and that he can have a copy of minutes by applying to the clerk and report his case to next meeting."

3 December 1841 "The friend continued last meeting in the case of Grafton Gardner reports complied with." This came in between statements concerning education of poor Friends children. There was evidently more information on a previous page, making it difficult to know what the full story was. In any case, he obviously was not dismissed from membership the previous year.

Family

Census Records 1850-Free Inhabitants in the Southern District of Guilford County, North Carolina Children of Grafton and Lydia Hunt Gardner, according to 1850 census records and Texas death records. There are quite likely more children. All this information needs to be verified.

1. Jabez A. Gardner ~ born 1843
2. Oliver ~ born 1845
3. Junius ~ born 1847
4. Ellen ~ less than a year old, most likely born in 1849
5. Walter ~
6. Mary Melvina Pool
7. Terrell June Gardner
8. Cyrus Jefferson Gardner
9. Zemri Zenire Gardner

Other members of the household:

• Amanda Watkins ~ born 1834
• Caroline Watkins ~ less than a year old

Grafton Gardner was a slave owner, as demonstrated by the 1860 slave schedule where it is documented that he has eighteen slaves in the northern part of the county. A copy of the schedule is included for research, even though there doesn't appear to be names on the form. It is unknown whether he was still a member of The Religious Society of Friends at this time. Was he one of those Quakers who trained enslaved people so they would have a trade when circumstances freed them? He certainly had this opportunity, being the owner of a thriving business. However, he also had a working farm. I have considered the possibility that there were two different Grafton Gardners in Guilford County at that time but am unable to find evidence. We possibly will never have the answers to these questions.

1860: Household members: Grafton Gardner 44 - Lydia Gardner 44 - Jabez Gardner 18 - Oliver C Gardner 16 - Julius Gardner 14 - Ellen Gardner 11 - Mary Gardner 9 - Rufus Gardner 6 - Zenire Gardner 4 - Jabez Hunt 42 - Amanda Bass 25 - Uriah Bass 2 - Selorn Milton 14 - ^[4]

This information comes from "Network to Freedom", New Garden Friends, Guilford County, North Carolina: "There were multiple legal institutional responses among North Carolina Friends to slavery. These included petitioning the legislature, prohibiting Friends from ownership or economic gain through slavery, and purchasing those enslaved for their protection when manumission was not permitted." [1]

Provided for consideration only.

Freedman's Bureau Rations Record ^[5]

Note on the Freedmans Bureau: "The Freedmen’s Bureau, formally known as the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, was established in 1865 by Congress to help millions of former black slaves and poor whites in the South in the aftermath of the Civil War. The Freedmen’s Bureau provided food, housing and medical aid, established schools and offered legal assistance. It also attempted to settle former slaves on land confiscated or abandoned during the war. However, the bureau was prevented from fully carrying out its programs due to a shortage of funds and personnel, along with the politics of race and Reconstruction."

Jamestown Rifles~Gardner Gun Manufacturers

It is well known among descendants of the Gardner family, as well as modern day gun collectors, that many of the Gardner and associated Lamb families were involved in the business of gun manufacturing. For those interested, there is much information to be found thru an internet search.

Note 1: It is believed Grafton, as well as others, were members of the Society of Friends when they began making guns. Most Quakers in the area were farmers, and also hunted for meat. In time, Grafton had a contract with the Confederacy. Whether or not he was a member of the Society of Friends at that time is unknown.

Note 2: The William Gardner mentioned in the above account was Grafton's brother. Their father was also named William. I cannot verify one William Gardner or the other as being the William who was a part of this enterprise.

Information from US Federal Census Records

1850: In the 1850 census we learn that 33 year old Grafton is a merchant (presumably of guns) with real property valued at 1000. His wife Lydia is 34. They have the following children at this time: Jabez A. Gardner ~ born 1843,

Oliver ~ born 1845, Junius ~ born 1847, Ellen ~ less than a year old, most likely born in 1849, Walter ~ Mary Melvina Pool, Terrell June Gardner, Cyrus Jefferson Gardner, Zemri Zenire Gardner

Also in the home are:

Amanda Watkins, born 1836

Caroline Watkins, less than a year old

Note: Amanda is B, "black" and Carolina is "M", mulatto

1860: Grafton is a farmer with $10000. in real estate and $14000 in his personal estate. eighteen year old Jabez Gardner is a laborer. Forty two year old Jabez Hunt is in the home, and is also a loborer, but with $3300 in personal property. Aside from the children, the following are household members: 25 year old Amanda Bass, Mulatto; 2 year old Uriah Bass, Mulatto; and 14 year old Selorn Milton, Mulatto.

In 1880 Grafton and Lydia are in Lexington, Johnson, Kansas along with their children Mary, Zemri and Jefferson. Zemri and Jefferson are farm hands, while Grafton is a grain merchant.

Note on census record: the record states that his parents were born in Mississippi, but the actual record states they were born in North Carolina, while actually they were born in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Grafton's will was probated on 1 December 1891 in Kansas. According to the filing, at the time of his death he had only $60 in property, which was in North Carolina. ^[6]

Children of Grafton and Lydia Hunt taken from US Census records:

Jabez, born 1843

Oliver, born 1845

Junius, born 1847

Ellen, born 1849

Mary, born 1851

Rufus, born 1854

Zenire (Zemri) born 1856

Sources

1. ↑ #FindAGrave, #Friends
2. ↑ Source Citation Guilford College; Greensboro, North Carolina; Women's Minutes, 1843-1892; Collection: North Carolina Yearly Meeting Minutes Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Swarthmore, Quaker Meeting Records. Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. North Carolina Yearly Meeting Minutes. Hege Friends Historical Library, Guilford College, Greensboro, North Carolina. Indiana Yearly Meeting Minutes. Earlham College Friends Collection & College Archives, Richmond, Indiana. Haverford, Quaker Meeting Records. Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania.
3. ↑ #FindAGrave
4. ↑ Source Citation Year: 1860; Census Place: North Division, Guilford, North Carolina; Page: 183; Family History Library Film: 803900 Source Information Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
5. ↑ Image of Grafton Gardner, United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records,1865-1872 View the original document. The original may contain more information than was indexed. Record Collection: United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records,1865-1872 Document Information: Affiliate Publication Number M1909 Affiliate Publication Title Records of the field offices for the state of North Carolina, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned lands, 1865-1872 Affiliate Film Number 20 GS Film Number 002427025 Digital Folder Number 007497929 Image Number 00659 Citing this Record "United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records,1865-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QL-JSSS : 16 March 2018), Grafton Gardner, 07 Apr 1866; citing Residence, Greensboro, Guilford, North Carolina, United States, NARA microfilm publications M1909. Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1861 - 1880, RG 105. (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1969-1980); roll 20; FHL microfilm 2,427,025.
6. ↑ ource Citation: Probate Packets (Case Files), 1857-1917; Author: Kansas. Probate Court (Johnson County); Probate Place: Johnson, Kansas Source Information: Ancestry.com. Kansas, Wills and Probate Records, 1803-1987 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original Data: Kansas, County, District and Probate Courts

• Find A Grave: Memorial #45627626
• Deep River Friends Meeting records for Grafton Gardner:

Birth: Name: Grafton Gardner, Birth Date: 11 Jun 1817, Birth Date on Image: 11 Sixth 1817, Birth Place: Guilford, North Carolina, Father: Thaddeus Gardner, Mother: Eunice Gardner Event Type: Birth, Monthly Meeting: Deep River Monthly Meeting Historical Meeting Data: Search for this monthly meeting in the 'Quaker Monthly Meetings Index' Yearly Meeting: North Carolina Yearly Meeting Meeting State: North Carolina Meeting County: Guilford

• Guilford College; Greensboro, North Carolina; Women's Minutes, 1843-1892; Collection: North Carolina Yearly Meeting Minutes

Disownment: Name: Grafton Gardner

Residence Date: 1 Oct 1840 Residence Date on Image: 01 Tenth 1840 Residence Place: Guilford, North Carolina Event Type: Admittance Monthly Meeting: Deep River Monthly Meeting Historical Meeting Data: Search for this monthly meeting in the 'Quaker Monthly Meetings Index' Yearly Meeting: North Carolina Yearly Meeting Meeting State: North Carolina Meeting County: Guilford Source Citation Guilford College; Greensboro, North Carolina; Men's Minutes, 1837-1871; Collection: North Carolina Yearly Meeting Minutes

• Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: Swarthmore, Quaker Meeting Records. Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. North Carolina Yearly Meeting Minutes. Hege Friends Historical Library, Guilford College, Greensboro, North Carolina. Indiana Yearly Meeting Minutes. Earlham College Friends Collection & College Archives, Richmond, Indiana. Haverford, Quaker Meeting Records. Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania. Description

• Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: Swarthmore, Quaker Meeting Records. Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. North Carolina Yearly Meeting Minutes. Hege Friends Historical Library, Guilford College, Greensboro, North Carolina. Indiana Yearly Meeting Minutes. Earlham College Friends Collection & College Archives, Richmond, Indiana.

Meeting records from 3 December 1841

Name: Grafton Gardner Residence Date: 3 Dec 1841 Residence Date on Image: 03 Twelfth 1841 Residence Place: Guilford, North Carolina Event Type: Miscellaneous Monthly Meeting: Deep River Monthly Meeting Historical Meeting Data: Search for this monthly meeting in the 'Quaker Monthly Meetings Index' Yearly Meeting: North Carolina Yearly Meeting Meeting State: North Carolina Meeting County: Guilford Source Citation Guilford College; Greensboro, North Carolina; Men's Minutes, 1837-1871; Collection: North Carolina Yearly Meeting MinutesSource Information Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Marriage to Lydia Hunt: Source Information

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.Original data: North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.

Quaker marriage records:

U.S., Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol I–VI, 1607-1943

Name: Grafton Gardner Marriage Date on Image: 03 Ninth 1840 Translated Marriage Date: 3 Sep 1840 Marriage Place: North Carolina Monthly Meeting: Deep River Monthly Meeting Volume: Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy Vol. I Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S., Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol I–VI, 1607-1943 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original Data: Hinshaw, William Wade, et al., compilers. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. 6 vols. 1936–1950. Reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1991–1994. Hinshaw, William Wade. Marshall, Thomas Worth, comp. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. Supplement to Volume 1. Washington, D.C.: n.p. 1948.

"Deep River Friends: a valiant people" by Cecil Haworth

Link

1850 census:

Source Citation

Year: 1850; Census Place: Southern Division, Guilford, North Carolina; Roll: M432_632; Page: 274A; Image: 128

Source Information

Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Original data: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.]

1860 Census:

Source Citation

Year: 1860; Census Place: North Division, Guilford, North Carolina; Roll: M653_900; Page: 183; Family History Library Film: 803900

Source Information

Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Original data: 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

1860 Slave Schedule: Ancestry.com. 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

Original Data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.

1880 US Federal Census Record: Source Citation

Year: 1880; Census Place: Lexington, Johnson, Kansas; Roll: 384; Page: 38A; Enumeration District: 095

Source Information Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site.

Will probate in Johnson, Kansas, 1 December 1891. Letters Testamentary and Bonds With Record of Letters and Bonds, Vol 4, 1878-1893:

Source Citation

Probate Court Records, 1857-1927; Author: Kansas. Probate Court (Johnson County); Probate Place: Johnson, Kansas

Source Information Ancestry.com. Kansas, Wills and Probate Records, 1803-1987 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Kansas, County, District and Probate Courts.

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to Katie Boosted for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Katie and others.

Father's name added by Katie Boosted. * Entered by Katie Boosted, May 17, 2013

Do you have information about Grafton Gardner? Please contribute to his biography. Everything on WikiTree is a collaborative work-in-progress. No sources. The events of Grafton's life were either witnessed by Katie Boosted or Katie plans to add sources here later.