Person:Benoni Gardiner (1)

G. Andrews Moriarty in an article in The American Genealogist, Vol XXI, No. 3, pp 191-200, January, 1945, discussed at length the issues with respect to the parentage of Benoni Gardiner. The article is entitled, "The Parentage of George Gardiner of Newport, RI." Moriarty's conclusion was that George Gardiner, father of Benoni, was born in England between 1608 and 1615; and died in Newport about 1677. Moriarty thought that the George Gardiner was more likely to have been born closer to 1615 rather than earlier. This was based on the birth of George Gardiner's youngest son, Peregrine Gardiner in 1674. The George Gardiner, bapt 15 Feb 1599/1600 at Great Greenford, co. Middlesex, son of Rev. Michael Gardiner. This George Gardiner is said to have married 29 Mar 1630 at St. James Parish Church, Clerkenwell, London, England, Sarah Slaughter, and would have been 74 years old when Peregrine Gardiner was born. Further, George Gardiner in Newport had five children born to his last wife, Lydia Ballou, between 1667 and 1674.

There is nothing to tie the George Gardiner, bapt 1599/1600, married 1630 Sarah Slaughter, with the George Gardiner who in 1638 was admitted an inhabitant of the island of Aquidneck, except the similarity of names.

There is no record, as far as is known, of the age of George Gardiner of Newport. Moriarty wrote, "his approximate age can only be known by inference from a full and careful study of his career in New England."

Benoni Gardiner testified in 1727 that he was "aged 90 years and upwards." This would place his birth in or shortly before 1637. But Moriarty points out that in the testimonies of elderly people at this time, "the ages given are usually some years off the true age." The relationship of Benoni and the other children of George and Herodias Gardiner with Herodias subsequent to George and Herodias' separation and Herodias' subsequent marriage to John Porter was such as to indicate that Benoni was Herodias' son. Moriarty concludes that Benoni was probably born 1643-45.

I have summarized a detailed, ten-page account by Moriarty in a few short sentences. I find his arguments cogent and to the point. Anyone wanting to maintain that Benoni was the son of George Gardiner and Sarah Slaughter needs to review Moriarty's article and provide satisfactory counter-arguments.--Bill Wright 10:46, 30 August 2010 (EDT)

1.   William E. Wright, in Wright, William E. Ancestors and descendants of William Browning Greene and Mary Hoxsie Lewis: with allied families. (Baltimore [Maryland]: Gateway Press, c1993)
   pp 110-111, 1993.
2. ↑ -8 Jul 1727 Deposition of Benony Gardner of South Kingstown, sojourner in the town of Portsmouth being about 90 years old testifieth ... to his knowledge that the highway leading from Sawcatuket in Kingstown up to the ceder swamp was laid out upon a straight line ... himself being then present and ... Also the land formerly belonging to William Howland within the said purchase which is now near 70 years ago & the lying out of the same. ... [South Kingstown Land p. 191]