GARDNER-Thomas P. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Thomas P. GARDNER, farmer, Hillsboro, son of Aaron and Rachel Sutton Gardner, was born Feb 25, 1804 in Fleming County, Kentucky. His mother died of cholera in 1833 and father died about 1844. Mr. Gardner left his native state in 1834 and halting 3 months in Rush County arrived in Fountain the following year. He entered 160 acres of timber land on Sec 31, Twp 20, Rg 7 the farm on which he has ever since lived; of this 120 acres are now cleared. It is not too much to say tha this life has been one of sturdy toil and voluntary hardship That the first settlers should invariable select land on which they must wear out their lives in exacting and rigorous labor to render it fit for profitable cultivation was a subject of curious speculation until it was discovered to be a law of social economy that th epoorest lands are first appropriated. Hew as married Dec 17, 1829 to Jane M. Crystal. Their children were 12 in number: Marquis de laFayette born Sept 28, 1830; Lusetta Ann Oct 31, 1831 died April 25, 1833; Martin PM Sept 7, 1833 died Oct 10, 1872; Polly Ann Oct 17, 1835; John M Aug 15, 1837; William CS June 12, 1839 died Oct 18, 1877; Aaron P June 16, 1841; James R July 3, 1842; Nancy E, Sept 5, 1844; Francis A, April 5, 1847; Joseph G. March 11, 1849; Rachel Ann Nov 21, 1854 died Sept 14, 1855. Aaron and James were each in the army 5 months just before the close of the war. Mr. Gardner was constable of Richland Twp a number of years ago. He has been a member of the Methdost Church 40 years. The first 8 or 10 years of his religious life in Ky he was a member of the Baptist church but when he came here there was no society of that denomination near and he united with the church to which his wife belonged. She was in communion with the church 55 years and died May 22, 1880 aged 71. Mr. Gardner was once a Whig he is now a Republican.