John Gardner (1731-1805)

He was a former ship's captain who'd engaged with the West India trade before retiring with his family first to Salem before moving to Wenham in about 1775 where he purchased a large farm. He was the brother-in-law of U.S. Secretary of State, Timothy Pickering. He is the ancestor of the well-known Brahmin family of Gardners at Boston who through his son made a fortune principally in shipping.