James Gardner

Born: about 1790, possibly in Maryland to unknown parents

Died: froze to death in a snowstorm during the winter of 1831/32

Married: 25 June 1817 in St. Patrick's Church, probably in Armstrong Co.

Spouse: Martha "Molly" McANALLEN,

Born: abt 1801 to Patrick and Mariah McANALLEN

Died: 16 Dec 1843. Buried in St. Alphonsus Cemetery

Children: Samuel b. 1816, Bernard 1819, Elizabeth abt 1821, John 1823, James 1825, Joseph 1827, Patrick abt 1829 and William M GARDNER 7 May 1831.

Notes:  Family stories tell us that our Gardners came from Northern Ireland through Maryland to Western Pennsylvania. James was in Butler Co. by 1815, "about age 25",  when he was baptized by the Catholic Church.

In 1820 the family lived in Venango Twp. and thereafter in Mercer Twp. on the land of Patrick McAnallen. However, James owned 300 acres in Washington Twp., though no deed for the purchase of this land has been found. These 300 acres were originally the Major Thomas Church warrant and lot #15 in the Second Donation District. In 1820 James purchased 84.5 acres in Parker Twp. from Jacob Hilliard. It being in the SW corner of Second Donation District lot #21.

In 1839 Jacob McAnallen, brother of Molly, petition the Court to sell 100 acres of the 300 acres in "Slipperyrock Township" to support the widow and 8 children. (Slippery Rock encompassed the area that later became Parker and Washington townships from 1800-1804 and when the area was still Allegheny Co.) No deed for such a sale has been found. This petition also stated that James died owing the heirs of Samuel CAMPBELL $31 on a land purchase. No deed showing a purchase from Samuel Campbell has been found.  However, there is an 1842 sheriff's deed showing that Dunlap McLAUGHLIN bought 300 acres in Parker Twp that sold formerly in the name of James Gardner.

By the 1880s there are court records showing lawsuits of grandchildren against James and Molly's children for parts of the original 300 acres. Today, the land is part of State Game Lands #95.

Although what happened to the land between 1842 and the 1880s is still not known, my brick wall is James Gardner:  Where was he born and who were his parents? How did he obtain the 300 acres of land? If you can help with this mystery, please contact Bea at blfmans@yahoo.com.  Thank you.