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- The following is a chronology for Rev. George Gardner and his family prepared from various sources, including information from the Society of United Fishermen (SUF):
1838 April 8
George, son of James and Amelia Gardener, is baptized at Saint Mary's Church, Luton, Bedfordshire, England.
1841 June 4
According to the 1841 Census; George, son of James and Amelia Gardner, resides with his parents at Dorset Street School House, Parish of Islington, Borough of Finsbury, Middlesex, England. George is 3 years old. James is a School Master, and Amelia is a School Mistress.
1851 March 31
According to the 1851 Census; George, son of James and Amelia Gardner, resides with his parents at 18 Albert Terrace, Ecclesiastical District of Saint Paul's, Parish of Islington, Borough of Finsbury, Middlesex, England. George is 13 years old and a Scholar. He was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. James is a National Schoolmaster, and Amelia is a Milliner and Straw Bonnet Maker.
George's presence and ages in the 1841 and 1851 Census serve to prove there was only one son of James and Amelia Gardner named George.
1851 October
James, Amelia, and their 3 children (George, Emma Amelia, and James William) immigrate to Newfoundland. James and Amelia are teachers with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG). The family settles in Harbour Grace where James and Amelia teach school. George assists them at the Harbour Grace school in 1853-1854.
1855
James, Amelia, and their 4 children (John George being born in 1853 in Harbour Grace) move to St. John's. James and Amelia become master and mistress of the Central School, which was also a teacher-training institution. Their son George re-opens the infant (primary) school.
1858
James and Amelia Gardner move back to Harbour Grace because of Amelia's ill health. George remains in St. John's and studies for the Church of England Ministry at Queen's College, St. John's. George's position at the primary school is taken by Miss Marrett who becomes George's wife.
1861 November 29
George Gardner marries Frances Mary Ann Marrett (eldest daughter of D.D. Marrett) in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. George is recorded in the St. Paul's, Harbour Grace marriage record as a Bachelor of Heart's Content and a Clerk.
1861
George Gardner graduates from Queen's College, St. John's; is ordained deacon in the Church of England; and assigned as Rector of the Mission of Heart's Content , Newfoundland. This Mission includes the communities of Heart's Delight, Heart's Content, New Perlican, and Scilly Cove (later renamed Winterton).
1862 February 14
Following a meeting on this date, George Gardner forms the Heart's Content Fishermen's Society (HCFS), and is appointed President (meeting date from Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador Biography). Men could join, pay an annual fee, and in times of sickness receive financial help. In the event of death, a financial benefit was paid to the family. Men could join regardless of their religious denomination. George Gardner is the only president of the HCFS during its 11 years.
1863
George Gardner oversees construction of new church buildings at Scilly Cove (later renamed Winterton) and New Perlican.
1864
George Gardner is ordained a priest in the Church of England at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, St. John's, Newfoundland. George Gardner oversees construction of a new church building at Heart's Delight, Newfoundland.
1864 September 27
Rev. George Gardner is named one of the Road Commissioners for Trinity South, Newfoundland.
1867 October 1
George and Frances Gardner's daughter Isabell is born (likely in Heart's Content).
1873
As the HCFS has been so successful, Rev. George Gardner restructures the HCFS to form the Society of United Fishermen (SUF), and becomes Grand Master of the SUF. Rev. George Gardner is responsible for the SUF organizational structure, constitution, regalia, rituals, certificates, administration, and expansion to 33 communities. The SUF becomes involved in all aspects of the fishery, petitioning the government on both fishing issues (e.g. aquaculture, bait depots, lighthouses, reef markers, a doctor for Labrador fisherman, etc.) and social issues (e.g. roads, health care, social benefits, education, etc.). The SUF is still active today.
1876 May
Rev. George Gardner organizes the first unit of the Church of England Women's Association at Winterton, Newfoundland (according to SUF Fact Sheet).
1876
Rev. George Gardner organizes the educational system at Lake View School, Heart's Content by introducing the Nova Scotia form of curriculum, and hiring qualified teachers (according to SUF Fact Sheet).
1878 Jul 27
According to the Harbour Grace Standard and Conception Bay Advertiser, Rev. George Gardner, wife, and child depart Newfoundland for Halifax.
1880
George Gardner resides in Morris, Manitoba (according to SUF Fact Sheet). The SUF sends George Gardner a cash testimonial for his service.
1880 October 20
Rev. George Gardner begins to serve at the Parish of Colborne, County of Northumberland, Ontario in the Diocese of Toronto (according to SUF Fact Sheet).
1881 April 4
According to 1881 Census; George (age 40 Minister), F. Maryann (age 38), and Isabel (age 13) Gardiner reside in the Village of Colborne, District of East Northumberland, Ontario.
1881 June 27
SUF Heart's Content Lodge No. 1 receives Rev. George Gardner's thankful reply for their cash testimonial from Colborne, Ontario (according to SUF Fact Sheet).
1882 Jun 6
Excerpts from the Ontario Synod Journals list George Gardner as present on this date (according to SUF Fact Sheet).
1883
Isabell Gardner immigrates to U.S. (according to her entry in the 1900 Census). However, later Censuses have different years of immigration for Isabell and not all immigration years are readable in later Censuses.
1886 November 7
The Los Angeles Daily Herald reports the following property transfer:
George Gardner and Frances Gardner to Edmund Hartup Part of lot 47 in subdivision of Griffin tract, E L A; $150
E L A is the abbreviation for East Los Angeles (since renamed to Lincoln Heights). Dr. John S. Griffin created the first East Los Angeles "suburb" (now known as Lincoln Heights).
1888 May 22
George Gardiner (sic) receives his U.S. Certificate of Citizenship in the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles. Although the Certificate is in the name of "Gardiner", George clearly signs as "Gardner". George E. Allen swears to George Gardiner's residence in the U.S. for five years and that George Gardiner "has behaved himself as a man of good moral character". (Source: Ancestry's U.S. Naturalization Indexes, 1791-1992; indexed as George Gardiner.) In 1889 (see below), George Ellis Allen marries Isabell Gardner, daughter of George Gardner and Frances Marrett. George Gardner's testimony he resided in the U.S. for 5 years in May 1888 indicates he immigrated to the U.S. no later than May 1883.
1888 May 22
George Gardner age 48 born in England naturalized May 22 1888 registers as a voter. George Gardner's occupation is Draughtsman, and his residence is on Weil st. On this date, George E. Allen age 36 born in Massachusetts also registers as a voter. George E. Allen's occupation is a Carpenter, and his residence is on the corner of Weill and Lacy ave.
1889 June 10
Isabell Gardner marries George Ellis Allen in City of Los Angeles, California. The marriage takes place at the Church of the Unity with Eli Fay as the minister. The witnesses are Edna Stevens and Emma Hayden. By marrying a U.S. citizen, Isabell automatically becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen.
1890 March
Charles, first child of George and Isabell Allen, is born (date of birth from 1900 Census). As there were 9 months between Isabell's marriage and Charles' birth, it's unlikely that Isabell was knowingly pregnant on her marriage date.
1890 September 15
George Gardner age 50 born in England naturalized May 22 1888 registers as a voter. George Gardner's occupation is Land Attorney, and his residence is 318 Lacy ave.
1892 April 22
The Los Angeles Times reports:
The East Side - At a business meeting of the Church of the Epiphany, held on Tuesday evening, the following-named gentlemen were elected to serve as vestrymen for the ensuing year: Messrs. George Gardner, Charles R. Gilson, J. R. Scott, William Lacy, Archibald Eley and H. A. Bond. They will meet for organization the first Thursday in May.
The Church of the Epiphany is located in East Los Angeles. Although there is no proof that this is Rev. George Gardner, it seems plausible.
1892 May 10
The Los Angeles Daily Herald reports the following property transfer:
Real Estate Transfers - Frances Gardner et con to R J Hold Agent to convey lot on Lacy ave as per 117 of deeds, 610: $550
1892 August 29
George Gardner age 50 born in England naturalized May 22 1888 registers as a voter. George Gardner's occupation is Clerk, and his residence is 818 Lacy st. There is also a registration for George E. Allen of 818 Lacy st on July 30 1892. It is reasonable to conclude George Gardner and George E. Allen reside together because George Gardner is George E. Allen's father-in-law.
1894 May 4
The Los Angeles Times reports:
Judge Shaw has granted George Gardner a decree divorcing the latter from Frances Gardner.
1895 July 18
The Los Angeles Times reports:
Licence to Wed - George Gardner, aged 48, a native of England, and Helen Coffield, aged 39 a native of Iowa; both residents of Los Angeles.
1896 February 25
The Los Angeles Times reports:
Frances Gardner, a middle-aged woman, was also committed by Judge York. She was foolish, and only dangerous to be at large as any insane person might be.
1896 June 4
George Gardner age 49 born in England naturalized May 22 1888 registers as a voter. George Gardner's occupation is Attorney, and his residence is County hospital.
1897 December 10
The Los Angeles Times reports:
Knights of the Maccabees: Los Angeles Tent, No. 2
Banner Tent, No. 21 last Tuesday evening elected the following officers:
Chaplain, George Gardner ...
1899 May 12
The Los Angeles Times reports:
Maccabees Funeral Notice - Officers and members of California Banner Tent, No. 6, K. O. T. M., are requested to meet at their hall, corner First and Spring, on Saturday, at 8 o'clock a.m., the 13th of May, 1899, to attend the funeral of our late brother, Sir Knight Dr. N. Lindenfeld. Members of other tents especially invited. By order of G. L. Bennett, Com. Attest: Geo Gardner, Record-keeper
1900 June 1
According to the 1900 Census, George Gardner (born March 1848 in England, occupation U.S. Land Office Attorney) and his wife Helen C. (born May 1856 in Iowa) reside at 929 51 St. George Gardner immigrated to the U.S. in 1882 and is naturalized. George Gardner owns his own home, but it is mortgaged.
1900 June 1
According to the 1900 Census, Frances Gardner, widow and mother-in-law, is residing with George E. and Isabel Allen at 1529 Baldwin, City of Los Angeles, California. No citizenship data (i.e. immigration year, number of years in U.S., or naturalization) is recorded for Frances. George is a carpenter and no occupation is given for Isabell. There is a Baldwin Street in East Los Angeles.
1902 July 8
The Los Angeles Times reports the following property transfer:
Real Estate Transfers -
E F Kysor, Helen Coffield Gardner and George Gardner to Alice Clarinda Johnson, lot 8, block K, Central Park tract, $190.
Thomas Johnson and Alice C Johnson to Helen Gardner, lot 195, Wiesendanger South End tract, $10.
1907 December 8
The Los Angeles Daily Herald reports:
Knights of the Maccabees - Banner tent No. 6 held its election of officers on Tuesday evening. Several of the offices were hotly contested. George Gardner, who has held the office of record keeper for a number of years, was re-elected.
1908 July 5
The Los Angeles Daily Herald reports:
Knights of the Maccabees:
A Maccabee wedding will be one of the principle features of the meeting of California Banner tent No. 6 July 15 at Blanchard hall.
A public installation of officers will be held.
Past Commander George Gardner will act as installing officer.
1910 February 20
The Los Angeles Daily Herald reports:
Knights of the Maccabees - California-Banner tent, No. 6, is now located in Victoria hall, 125½ South Spring street, and in the future will hold its meetings on Tuesday evenings. George Gardner, the record keeper of the tent, has also moved his office to the above location. Last Tuesday evening the tent gave a "Dutch lunch" which was largely attended.
1910 April 10
The Los Angeles Daily Herald reports:
Asks Guardianship - Helen Gardner filed a petition with the probate clerk yesterday asking that her husband, George Gardner, aged 62, be declared incompetent by the superior court and that she be appointed his guardian. She states that her husband has considerable property in Los Angeles and that lately he has had attacks of nervousness which have left him unfit to attend to his business affairs, and fearing that he may be imposed upon in some business deal, she asks that his affairs be placed in charge of the proper authorities by the court.
1910 April 10
The Los Angeles Times reports:
Courthouse Notes. Brevities Miscellaneous. Helen Gardner desires to have her husband, George Gardner, declared incompetent. She filed a petition yesterday, asking to be appointed his guardian. The instrument states that he has long spells of sleeplessness, and that he cannot care for his own affairs.
1910 April 15
According to the 1910 Census, George Gardner (age 66 born in England with no occupation) and his wife Helen C. (age 54 born in Iowa) reside at 3708 Maple Av. Helen C. Gardner has never had children. George Gardner owns his own home, but it is mortgaged. George's widowed mother-in-law Lydia J. Coffield (age 77 born in Ohio) resides with him.
1910 April 15
According to the 1910 Census, George and Isabel Allen reside on North Broadway in City of Los Angeles, California. George's occupation is given as a Gardener. But, Frances Gardner is not recorded with them. Frances Gardner was not found in the 1910 Census.
1911 March 22
A letter presented at an SUF Meeting reports Rev. George Gardner suffered a severe stroke in 1910, and is asking for help. On Feb 24 1911, about $100 is cabled to Rev. George Gardner. A letter is subsequently received from Mrs. Gardner thanking the SUF for its generosity.
1914 May 12
George Gardner dies at his home at 3708 Maple Ave. His wife, Helen, is the informant for his Death Certificate. George's parents are recorded as James Gardner and Amelia Pavat, both born in England. George's date of birth is recorded as March 10 1846, and his occupation as "Clerical". The doctor certifies he attended George from March 28 1910 until May 12 1914. His Cause of Death is recorded as "Softening of the brain" and a Contributory factor was "Overwork". George is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, City of Los Angeles on May 14, 1914.
1926 October 4
Helen C. Gardner, second wife of George Gardner, dies and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, City of Los Angeles.
1935 August 24
Isabell (Gardner) Allen dies at Pahl Hospital in City of Los Angeles, and is entombed at Angeles Abbey Mausoleum. Her residence is given as 952 W. 61st Street. The informant is Edna Kirk (Isabell's daughter).
From the Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador Biography:
Gardner, George: (1837? - ?) b. England
ordained Church of England priest 1862; founded Heart's Content Fishermen's Society 1862, Society of United Fishermen (SUF) 1872
After attending Queen's College, Gardner was assigned to the mission at Heart's Content near the end of 1861. To improve the situation in the fishery he convened a meeting on 14 Feb 1862 which resulted in the formation of a Heart's Content Fishermen's Society, with Gardner as Grand Master.
The fraternal and benevolent organization flourished and when requests to join came from nearby communities Gardner reconstituted the organization as the SUF. He held the office of Grand Master 1873-77, then left Newfoundland for an assignment at Colbourne, Ontario.
Source:
Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador Biography
Managing Editor: Robert H. Cuff
Harry Cuff Publications
St. John's Newfoundland
1990
As per The Gardner Family document provided by Bill Gardner October 12, 2007:
George came to St. John's and Harbour Grace with the family.
In 1861, although apparently only a Deacon at the time, he went to Heart's Content as Rector of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, succeeding the Rev. H. Petley. In May 1864, he was raised to the Priesthood at the Cathedral in St. John's by Bishop Feild, assisted by Archdeacon Edward Botwood, then of the Mission of Forteau, Labrador.
On Sept. 27, 1864 the Reverend Mr. Gardner was named one of the Road Commissioners for Trinity South.
During his Rectorate at Heart's Content, Rev. George was responsible for the erection of four new churches, all within ten years - at New Perlican in 1863, Scilly Cove (now Winterton) in 1863, Heart's Delight in 1864, and Heart's Content in 1871.
Rev. George is also famous for his founding in 1867 of the Church of England Women's Associations (CEWA) which covered the Island and Labrador.
The big historic event of Reverend George's rectorate at Heart's Content was, of course, the landing by the "Great Eastern" of the Trans-Atlantic Cable on July 27, 1866. He organized the Thanksgiving Service to commemorate the receipt of the first transmitted message.There were a great many people there from all over the island, even from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. His sister Emma played the Harmonium - organ which is now in the Newfoundland Museum. His text at the following service in Church was "There shall be no Sea".
Reverend George's best known community feat is the founding of The Society of United Fishermen (SUF). Not long after arriving in Heart's Content, Gardner realized there was a real need for an organization for local fishermen to serve as a means for making financial support and other forms of assistance to its members in times of sickness or need. Consequently, on Feb. 14, 1862, he invited community fishermen to gather in the Colonial and Continental Church Society schoolroom to discuss the advantages of forming a mutual benefit association. That very night the Heart's Content Fishermen's Society came into existence. Members paid an annual fee of five shillings and there was an additional fee of one shilling, known as a mortality tax, which each member paid upon the death of a member or his wife. These accumulated dues were distributed to members in time of need.
Rev. George was committed to help improve the lives of those making a living from the sea. Before long members were joining from other communities all up and down the coast. Within a few years the society's membership numbered 250. It was soon evident there was a need for a dedicated meeting place, and in 1868 a piece of land was acquired in Heart's Content for its construction. Designed by Gardner, it served as a meeting place and venue for other social functions in the community.
Gardner served as president of the Heart's Content Fishermen's Society for the full 11 years of its existence. Its demise was brought about by him to ensure its continued survival. With a downturn in the fishery and an increasing number of members requiring long-term assistance, they faced the very real possibility the society would run out of money. In the fall of 1872 Gardner proposed a major re-organization, to be accompanied by a concerted effort to establish branches in other communities. The membership agreed with his suggestion. The Heart's Content Fishermen's Society was reconstituted as The Society of United Fishermen. Rev. George was not only the founding father of the "Fishermen" but for fifteen years he was its guiding spirit, and held the office of Grand-Master throughout, until he left Newfoundland in 1877.
Rev. George was a most proper gentleman of the old Victorian school. He was never seen in public - even in his garden - without his silk hat, frock-coat, and gloves.
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