DIARY OF GEORGE BRYANT GARDNER

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Married a man by the name of Mosiah Pratt, where he died on April 29th, 1840. I had him brought to New Hampshire and buried him by the side of my mother in the old burying ground on what is called Germany Hill, a rough rocky place and on the West Side of the lot near a stone wall.

May 1841, my wife and I moved to Peterburrough, New Hampshire. Bought a house and some land of Mr. Peneman, a Methodist deacon, built me a good blacksmith shop and started business again. Attended meeting very regularly and was chorister, class leader and Sabbath School teacher for about six months at that place at the Methodist meeting house and in good standing with their society. One Sabbath, about the first of July 1841, while sitting and listening to our Methodist Priest, it being warm weather. All the windows were open and my ears caught the sound of some man a preaching, in the town house, just across a narrow lane which, sounded like music in my ears. On inquiry after meeting I learned it was a man by the name of Eli P. Magim a Mormon elder form Nauvoo, Illinois. I was determined to know more about him and accordingly the next time he preached I made arrangements with my Methodist brethren in regards to their singing and went to hear him preach and was satisfied that he was called of God and I should not resist.

He did not preach often but when he did I made it in my way to hear him. I concluded to be baptized accordingly, the day was set when he should visit me and attend to the ordinance. I was working in my shop when I saw him coming, I took off my blacksmith apron and laid my hammer on my anvil and went with him to the water. I left my wife a crying. Old Father Teneman a threatening to dispose me, he having a mortgage on my property. And some neighbors a prophesying that I should lose all my customers. But I burst those bands and was baptized by Elder Eli P. Magim on Monday, November 20th, 1841 in the Cantocook River. While this was going on the Methodist sisters gathered around my wife a telling her that she had got to give up her husband for he had joined a poor and deluded people and would go off and leave her. I was about the first one that was baptized in that place and after this the Church began to increase very fast and in January 1942 my wife was baptized.

After I joined the Mormons, the Methodists held council over my case and concluded to disfellowship me, saying; "I never was any benefit to them". Which made me think of the old Negro that caught a live rabbit, got him under his arm and praised him saying, "what a fine fat fellow he was to fry. Good to roast, good to bake, good to boil, good almost anyway". When suddenly the rabbit gave a spring and got away. When he cried out, go along with you, you long legged, gumboil shanked, long eared, big eyed, cotton-tailed son of a bitch, it would take more butter to cook you than you are worth.

I was ordained an Elder under the hands of John I. Page, then one of the twelve Apostles, in February 1843. I soon got the spirit of gathering and directed my course accordingly by selling my property and all that I had. Canceling all my debts, so I was beholding to no man. I preached some in the neighboring town with tolerable success and baptized a few. The Church in this place had now been organized into a branch and many of the elders from Nauvoo visited us. Erastus Snow, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Parley P. Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Brigham Young and Hyrum Smith and many others which gave us good instruction and cheered us up. I started to gather with the saints at Nauvoo, September 2, 1845 in the company with my wife, Mary V. Morse, Rebecca Chapin and Sister Pierce. Hired out passage to Corcester, Mass. and there took the railroad to Albany, New York. Then took the canal for Buffalo, where we stopped a few days and I went to see my brother Abel. It being the second time I ever saw him. He was a large fleshy man weighing some over two hundred pounds, about fifty pounds more than myself.

We went aboard a steamboat and started across the Lakes to Chicago, the distance of about eleven hundred miles. Across Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron and through the Straits of Machinaw, into Lake Michigan. We had some severe gales of wind and storms on the lakes, but arrived safe in Chicago where we took private conveyance across the state of Illinois to Fulton City, 150 miles above Nauvoo, on the Missouri River.

Took passage on a steam boat called the "War Eagle", proceeded down the river some fifty miles, the boat ran on a rock, and stuck fast. The current of the river carried the stern down stream and bore a hole through her keel and stuck fast on a rock. But, to our great joy, Capt. William H. Hooper came floating down the river on the steam boat called "Time", and took us to Nauvoo where we landed October 5th 1845 about 9 0'clock P.M., at the stone house kept by Brother Ludington. The first we heard spoken by the citizens was the Saints had made a treaty to leave their dear hard-earned homes the next spring. The Saints at that time were very poor without teams, wagon, clothing or provisions. After retiring to bed and having a good night's rest, we arose in the morning of the 6th of October, the first day of conference. We beheld the beautiful Temple of the Lord in all its glory. The ark of day lent its rays of light to alume the bronze work of this beautiful building. My first business was to settle and pay my tithing for which I held the receipt in full, as the following receipt will show.

"This may certify the George B. Gardner is entitled to the privilege of the baptismal font having paid his tithing in full to Oct. 12, 1845. City of Joseph. Nov. 10th 1845. William Clayton, recorder."

After paying up I had sixteen dollars left and some clothing. The saints soon organized into companies of 100, 50, and 10's. I was in Brother Erastus Snow's company to emigrate to we knew not where. I was superintendent of the wagon department and clerk of the company. We started men across the river to cut wagon timber and start a wagon shop and to season the timber the best we could. Consequently many of our wagons had to be repaired before we reached our destination. After fitting up Brother Snow's and many others and they were ready to cross the river, we broke up our shop and I received for my winters work the timber in its rough state and lumber for a wagon. Money gone for my living the while.

A brother by the name of Harmer, a wagon maker, was in the same fix as myself. After working hard all winter and not getting much for it, joined me in company and we cooperated together. He made two wagon woods and I put the iron on them, which we bought by selling a stove and some other things that we had left. Got them fitted up ready for a start, the Lord blessing us all the time, when one day while gone to dinner we both sold our wagons for $65.00 in gold cash. He then went to work and made the wood for two more and I bought the iron and put it on while he was making the wagons. I worked for John Taylor half the night and half the day ironing wagons for him for which I received one dollar a day in silver. Now we both had money we went to the country and bought oxen and we soon had a fit out. While in Nauvoo myself and wife received our endowments in the Temple of our Lord, and I was ordained a seventy in the Temple the day I got my endowments Feb. 1846.

June 16th, 1846, we crossed the river in company with Brother Leonard Hill and family, Brother John Ney and family. Came to the town of Farmington on the Desmoine river, and there we, Hill, Ney and myself took jobs of work to swell our fit out. My not being used to that climate and sultry sun. I took the ague, which prostrated me completely for fourteen months. Brother Hill and myself started from the Desmoine River in August and went as far as the Fox River, where we camped under a large oak. The whole of us was sick and unable to help ourselves. One Mr. Miller, a Universalion, (a type of religion) by profession, saw our condition and invited us to his place helping us to find our cattle. He drove us to his place where he gave us the use of his smokehouse to stop in. By making a bunk across the end of the room where we put down our beds and all crawled into it, men, women, and children. There brother Hill died and one child, I was so sick that I could not get out of bed but lay there with the dead men. After getting to Winter Quarters, Sister Hill died and their son aged 16 with the ague. I wish to remember and have my children remember the kindness of Mr. Miller. While at his place he done everything he could for our comfort without charging, urging us to stop with him all winter, but the spirit of God said to me no, we must go on. One day when he was away from home we packed up as well as we could and started out and was picked up on the road by Brother Q. M. Allen who was sent back from Winter Quarters to hunt up the needy. We arrived in Winter Quarters, now Florence, the last of November, sick and weary, destitute of shelter except our wagons and some sod houses that the saints who preceded us had constructed.

For four months I could not turn over in bed. My shoulders and hips on both sides were worn through the skin. Being destitute of the necessaries of life it took me a long time to recover, but by the blessing of God and the prayers of the saints I commenced to recover. It was a long time before I recovered sufficient to walk around any. Everything I could spare was sold for something to eat except my oxen and wagon. My wife was almost as sick as I was. We had no children at that time. We lived part of the winter in a sod house, very cold and miserable. While there, Brigham Young and Orson Pratt came and administered to me, they said I should get well and I believed it. One day William Rice looked in upon us and saw our condition, took pity on us and invited us to his log house fitted up quite comfortable. We accepted the invitation; I had to be carried on a sheet. While getting me through the door I really thought my back was broken, that night we left, the old sod house fell in. we were out in time to save being killed which would not have taken much.

In the latter part of the summer of 1847, I commenced to get around but unable to perform any labor. It was suggested to me to go down to Missouri to haul wheat on shares. I went to Brother Samuel Mulliner, told him my plans and asked him to lend me two dollars to buy provisions for the trip, which he did. My wife Elizabeth cooked me some food and I started out. Hired another yoke of oxen and promised wheat for pay, crossed the Missouri River into Pottawatamie territory among that tribe of Indian. When the chief saw my green covered wagon he wanted to swap an old one, and gave forty dollars cash to boot. I went on, bought forty bushels for twenty dollars and had money to buy some comforts with. When I had got my wheat loaded and ready to start I was so weak I was not able to drive my team. Just at that time, Brother Henry L. Cook, the man that drove my team, at the time we were picked up on the road from Nauvoo, came to me and said he had a son 18 years old that wanted to go to Winter Quarters. He would drive my team if I would feed him on the road, which I gladly accepted. Arrived safe at home, paid Brother Mulliner his two dollars and for the use of the oxen and had money left. I acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all this.

I now began to recover very fast, commenced work one hour per day and so on until I could do a days work in a blacksmith shop for Brother William A. Beebe who then was a carrying on a shop in that place. While in this place I was called with a number more to go on a mission to the states, but it was reconsidered because my services was needed to fit out wagons, and horse shoes, etc., for the emigration to Salt Lake City. There I was serviceable again in assisting the Brethren on their journey to the far off west.

On the 12th of May 1848 I took to wife Betsy Ann Bird, daughter of Charles and Mary Ann Bird, who was born in Tompkins County, New York, Oct. 30, 1829. She had been married to a man by the name of Norman Bliss. She had one child by him, by the name of Mary Ann. To me was born, by her, Emily Amanda. Born in Pottawatamie County, Iowa, July 19, 1849, also while living with me Mary Sedella was born in Salt Lake City, 12th ward, March 1851. George Abel was born in Salt Lake City January 3, 1853. She left me on the 26th of September 1853 and married a man by the name of Kimball Hardy, and went to California. After finishing my work and assisting to get the saints of the spring of '48, I moved with my family across the Missouri to what was called the Bluffs in Pottawatamie County, took up some land and built two log cabins and blacksmith shop, corral, pens, etc. Fenced eight acres of good land and commenced to make me a home. The winter of '48 I went to Missouri to work bought me a yoke of two-year-old steers and some clothing, etc. I was prospered in everything I undertook. I got me an out-fit and then in the spring of 1850 I sold my possessions, and even the land that was all planted up, for twelve dollars. Started with my family, consisting of four now, to go to Salt Lake City. During this time there was many interesting incidents transpired that I shall not attempt to relate. Recrossed the river on June 16 arrived in Salt Lake City Oct. 14th, 1850.

While crossing the plains many incidents occurred, we traveled in Brother Wilford Woodruff's company hundred, Edson Whipple's fifty. I was the captain of the first ten in Whipple's fifty. We traveled the road on the south side of the Platte River. After being out a few days the cholera made its appearance in our train. There had been a train preceded us of gold hunters bound for California, robbed by the wolves and skeletons of the poor victims scattered on the ground. We lost by the cholera in our train 16 grown persons and one child before we got to the old Fort Kearney. Had two severe stampedes, but not much damage. The day we passed the fort one man was killed by lightning and one child died. That night while we were mourning and weeping; there was a family a little distance from our camp by the name of Graham, who were gambling, swearing, and drinking. Those that then belonged to the church and traveling with us, was turned out of the company the next morning. While in the vicinity of Ogden, three of them had been killed for cattle stealing. It seemed that all the power of hell combined to stop our progress, cholera, stampedes, thunder and lightning, storms and rain, and tempest of wind and false brethren, etc.

When lightning killed the man it came to my mind that it was the last of our troubles on our journey, while I prophesied to my friends. We had no more incidents worth naming except the herds of buffalo. One day we were surrounded by about five hundred Indians, all mounted with good arms. It looked rather scary for a time but trusting the Lord and with stout hearts the Piute captain reached out his hand for a shake and peace and friendship soon gladdened our hearts.

I started from the Bluffs with a good fit out, but, being delayed in the mountains by snow, many got short. I divided with them, so, when I got to Salt Lake, I had not a mouthful to eat. But, by the kindness of Jonathan Pugmire, Jr. who knew what hunger was; he being in the Mormon Battalion, took us in and gave us something to eat, for which we felt very thankful. Arrived Oct. 14, 1850. After resting for a few days I went to Mill Creek Canyon to fit up and run a shingle machine for the winter of 1850 and 1851, for which I made good pay, sawed the first shingles used in the city. I stayed on Mill creek lumbering for about three years, and then I was called by President Brigham Young to come to Salt Lake City to work in the public blacksmith shop. I drew my living for about seven years from the tithing office. While working for the church Oct. 16th, 1852, I took to wife Harriet Mariah Beebe, daughter of William A. Beebe and Louise Newton, her mother's maiden name. She was born Feb. 21, 1836, Yates Co., New York. Received her endowments in the endowment house in Salt Lake City about the 22nd of Sept. l855. I was a Seventy in the 12th Quorum of Seventies, and worked for about seven years as a policeman in Salt Lake City. I worked in the public blacksmith shop about two years, when I was released. I then went to work for myself. I worked for California emigrants, made sometimes fifty dollars per week in gold clear of expenses, built me a comfortable house and barn, fenced my lot, etc. And was called to consecrate all my property as follows:

Amount of property consecrated by G.B. Gardner to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Lot in Great Salt Lake City with improvements being lot 5, block 121 First survey worth $800.00 One cow $30, one calf $8.00 38.00 One rifle $15.00, watch $15.00, sword $10.00 $40.00 Household effects $50.00 Clothing $50.00 Whole amount in G.S.L. City $978.00

In the fall of 1885 I was wanted to go to Big Cottonwood to take charge of a sawmill with two saws, upright and circular for President Brigham Young and Co. I worked there four seasons about eight months in each year. So much snow in the winter we left the mill in December for Salt Lake on Friday. The next Sunday a snow slide came down the mountain with a tremendous crash and carried away our very strong double log house and all our property we had left for the next spring, and broke in the end of the mill. Again I can see the hand of the Lord in my deliverance twice having been saved from the falling of my habitation. On June 4th, 1847, I took to wife Elizabeth Lucina Mecham, born Feb. 27, 184-? Received her endowments the same day in the endowment house, Salt Lake City. She had been previously married to Lyman Stevens. By him she had one son. While she lived with me she had three children.

In the spring of l858, in consequence of persecution from the government of the United States the Church was counseled to leave the hard earned homes in Salt Lake City and go south one and all, consequently I prepared to make a start. I had one small yoke of oxen and one old wagon to move my now large family, but with a determination to do as I was told, I made the trip to Spanish Fork in Utah County by going several times. Put in a crop, then peace was made and I was called to go back in the canyon to saw lumber again. In December 1859, I was discharged from the canyon and went to work for myself. I again, fitted up a blacksmith shop for Hugh Moon, in the First Ward in Salt Lake City. I worked about one year in the shop, then in March 1860 I was called to go to Farmington, Davis Co. to build a blacksmith shop for the estate of Dr. Willard Richards. Worked in Emigration till I was called at the semi-annual conference Oct. 6, 1862 to go on a mission to the Cotton Country in Dixie, Kane County southern Utah. When I was called to go to Dixie I was carrying on a big business blacksmithing in company with a brother by the name of Hamachus Rodgers. I was without a team or wagon, debts and dues all over Davis County. I went to work with all my might and in a few weeks I was on the road with my family, except my first wife, who stayed behind till the next August. I landed in Virgin City, Kane county, southern Utah, December 6, 1862, bought a lot for a yoke of oxen of James A. Bay, fixed up a shop and went to work. That winter, it rained almost incessantly for four months.

Stayed in Virgin City, Kane County, Utah on the Rio Virgin river for about seventeen years, or until the year 1877, made good improvements in orchards and vineyards, and went through many privations too numerous to mention in that hard country with my family. Was called in the spring of 1877 to go to Arizona, which I accordingly performed in the fall of the same year. Here I am in Woodruff, Arizona, battling with hard time, have helped to put in this noted dam five times. It has kept my nose to the grindstone, but thanks to the good Lord, family and myself have enjoyed good health. I consider myself on a mission for the last thirty years, striving against the hardships of frontier life. Have been a teacher of singing and leader of choir where ever I have lived, having a good choir in the place.

Receiving my second anointing in St. George Temple Oct. 1879. Was at the laying of the corner stone in Salt Lake City of the Temple on the 6th of April, 1853, and was at the dedication of the same in 1893, forty years later. Many, yea, many scenes have I lived through in the last 52 years which I cannot mention in this sketch.

Family Records

George married Elizabeth Dyer RYAN on 3 Nov 1836 in NH.
Elizabeth Dyer Ryan was born on 28 Feb 1814 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

George also married Elizabeth Ann (Betsy) Bird on 12 May 1848 in Winter Quarters, Douglas, NE.
Elizabeth Ann (Betsy) Bird was born on 30 Oct 1829 in North Burdette, Tompkins, NY, died on 15 Dec 1885 in Los Angeles, California and was buried on 18 Dec 1885 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Children
Emily Amanda Gardner - Born: 19 Jul 1849 in Pottawattomie, I A Mary Sedella Gardner - Born: 4 Mar 1851 in Salt Lake City,Salt Lake, Utah George Abel Gardner - Born: 3 Jan 1853 in Salt Lake City,Salt Lake, Utah


Harriet Mariah Beebe

George also married Harriet Mariah Beebe, daughter of William Albert Beebe and Louisa Newton, on 16 Oct 1852 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.

Harriet Mariah Beebe was born on 21 Feb 1836 in Milo, Yates, New York, died on 11 Aug 1913 in Woodruff, Navajo, AZ and was buried on 12 Aug 1913 in Woodruff, Navajo, AZ.)

Children
William Bryant Gardner - Born: 25 November 1853 in Mill Creek,Salt Lake,UT
Georgianna Gardner - Born: 8 September 1855 in Salt Lake,Salt Lake,UT
Charles Fredrick Gardner - Born: 15 April 1858 in Lehi,Utah,UT
George Bela Gardner - Born: 14 March 1860 in Salt Lake City,Salt Lake,UT
Harriet Loraine Gardner - Born: 8 January 1862 in Virgin City,Washington,UT
Lemon Emmery Gardner - Born: 4 August 1865 in Virgin City,Washington,UT
Horace Eugene Gardner - Born: 11 June 1867 in Virgin City,Washington,UT
Quince Rogers Gardner - Born: 28 March 1868 in Virgin City,Kane,UT
Leroy Winslow Gardner - Born: 2 September 1871 in Mountain Dell,Kane,UT
Mary Elizabeth Gardner - Born: 19 July 1873 in Mountain Dell,Kane,UT
Ruth Jane Gardner - Born: 13 April 1874 in Virgin City,Washington,UT
Fay Ivan Gardner - Born:: 9 March 1876 in Virgin City,Washington,UT
Guy French Gardner - Born: 24 April 1879 in Tuba City,Coconino,AZ


George also married Elizabeth Lucina Mecham on 4 Jun 1857 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT.
Elizabeth Lucina Mecham was born on 27 Feb 1836 in Deleware, Mercer, PA, died on 17 Nov 1903 in Grantsville, Tooele, Utah and was buried in Grantsville, Tooele, Utah.
Children
Albert Clifton Gardner - Born: 29 OCT 1860 in Farmington,Davis,Utah.

Elizabeth Lucina MECHAM was born on 27 February 1836 in Delaware, Mercer, Pennsylvania. She died on 17 November 1903 in Grantsville, Tooele, Utah. She was buried in Grantsville, Tooele, Utah. BIOGRAPHY: Elizabeth Lucina Mecham was the third child and first daughter of Joshua Mecham and Lucina Harmon. She was born at Delaware, Mercer, PA. Her brothers were Daniel Mecham and Lorenzo Dow Mecham. The brothers were born at Springfield, Erie, PA. There may have been other children whose names are not known at this time. Joshua and Lucina Mecham followed the Latter-day Saints from Springfield to Kirtland, OH in the early 1830s. They probably left Kirtland with the group called Kirtland Camp about 1838 and stayed over at Springfield, Illinois with the sick and inform. Joshua's parents (the Mechams) and several of Lucina's brothers (the Harmons) also stopped at Springfield, Illinois to recover from illness and find work in order to earn money to join the Saints at a later date. Joshua was one of those who were sick and he passed away on 8 Mar 1840. Elizabeth Lucina was just four years old when her father died. The Harmon family was a very close-knit family as were the Mechams. They saw to it that Lucina and her children were able to travel to Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois with them. They were there by 1842. In 1844, Elizabeth Lucina's mother married her father's brother, Joseph Mecham. However, on 5 Oct 1845, Lucina died leaving her little daughter an orphan at the age of 9 years. Also in 1845, Joseph Mecham passed away. It is unknown who cared for this motherless little girl.

MARRIAGE: Live was difficult for Elizabeth Lucina Mecham, as she was orphaned at the age of nine. She was married in polygamy at the age of 17--to a man nearly twice her age; and this marriage lasted less than two years. Her second marriage was also into a polygamous family at the age of 18 and this second husband was 24 years older than Elizabeth. Again, she was unhappy in this situation and divorced her husband. He took their child, a son, and moved to Ferron, UT. Elizabeth married a third time--again in polygamy.to a man 23 years her senior. Together they had four children--at a time when there was incredible persecution of the polygamous families. Probably to escape some of the persecution and to keep as much of his family together as possible, George moved to Arizona. Elizabeth divorced him and remained in Utah with relatives helping her with her young family. When she married again, it was to a younger man. There is much discrepancy as to the age of Levi Bectel. Some records say he was born in 1856, but census records show that it was between 1847 and 1836. So, he was either about 10 years younger or just a year younger than Elizabeth. Together, they had four children. About 12 years after Elizabeth and Levi's youngest child was born, Levi married Elizabeth's daughter, Hannah Gardner! Hannah was about 15 or 16 years old at the time of this marriage. This did not cause a rift in the family as Elizabeth continued living with them and is listed on the census records as Levi's "mother-in-law."

Records of Cheryl Harmon Bills Parents: Joshua MECHAM and Elizabeth Lucina HARMON.

Spouse: William FORD. Elizabeth Lucina MECHAM and William FORD were married on 20 March 1853. They were divorced.

Spouse: Lyman STEVENS. Elizabeth Lucina MECHAM and Lyman STEVENS were married on 21 January 1855 in Salt Lake City, Salt lake, Utah. They were divorced. Children were: Nathan Henry STEVENS.

Spouse: George Bryant GARDNER. Elizabeth Lucina MECHAM and George Bryant GARDNER were married on 4 June 1857 in Salt Lake City, Salt lake, Utah. They were divorced. Children were: John Erastus GARDNER, Albert Clifton GARDNER, Almeda Georgette GARDNER, Hannah Rosetta GARDNER.

Spouse: Levi BECTELL. Children were: Malinda Merriah BECTELL, Elizabeth Lucina BECTELL, Levi "Dick" BECTELL Jr., Nancy Jane BECTELL.

In 1991, while visiting the Museum of Church History and Art of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, I noticed a number of copies of Emma Smith’s 1835 hymnal in various displays. Realizing that they looked too new to be originals, I inquired as to their origin. I was told that Heritage Press, owned by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (now known as the Community of Christ Church), was reprinting them and that they were available for purchase from that press. I was then shown a paperback reproduction of the Little and Gardner hymnal that was printed from a copy in the Vermont State Library in 1990 by the Mason County [Illinois] History Project, and was informed that they were available for purchase at the museum gift shop. After purchasing a copy, I was surprised and delighted to recognize my great-great-grandfather George Bryant Gardner as one of the compilers. In 1994, I took a leave of absence from my position as a music teacher to pursue a master’s degree in library science from the University of Arizona. When the time came to choose a thesis topic, the Little and Gardner hymnal came to mind. It was a book and it was about music, a perfect fit. G. B. Gardner gave his posterity a love and appreciation for music. Among his descendants are vocalists, instrumentalists, composers, arrangers, and performers, even down into the sixth and seventh generations as of this writing.

George Bryant Gardner Born in New Ipswich, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, on April 4, 1813, George Bryant Gardner was the youngest child of Abel Gardner and Lusannah Bryant. The Gardner family included thirteen children that all lived to adulthood. They were poor and subsisted on what was produced on their small, rocky farm in southern New Hampshire. There is no record as to how Gardner received his musical training, but knowing the harsh realities of his childhood, one can surmise that he had no formal training. However, journal entries by family members indicate that there was much music in the Gardner home, and that it was a happy household despite many hardships. Gardner was known to have taught in “singing schools” into the 1890s. He established himself as a teacher of singing and dancing wherever he went. Perhaps the only musical training he received in his youth was by participating in such music societies and by enjoying a variety of social opportunities in addition to being reared in a musical environment.

George Bryant Gardner married Elizabeth Dyer Ryan, daughter of Rogers Ryan and Mary Harris Dyer on November 3, 1836. He was a blacksmith by trade as well as a church musician and regular attendee of the Methodist Church. The Gardners moved to Peterborough in May of 1841, bought a house and some land from Adam Penniman, Deacon in the Methodist Church, and set up a blacksmith shop. Gardner tells the charming (and musically significant) story of their conversion to the LDS Church:

[I] attended meeting very regularly, and was chorister, class leader and Sabbath school teacher for about six months . . . at the Methodist meeting house and in good standing with that society. One Sabbath about the first of July 1841 while sitting and listening to our Methodist Priest, it being warm weather and all the windows opened, my ears caught the sound of some man a preaching in the Town House, just across a narrow lane which sounded like music in my ears. On inquiry after meeting I learned it was a man by the name of Eli P. Magim [Maginn] a Mormon elder from Nauvoo, Illinois.

Eli P. Maginn was said to be a very capable and spirited preacher with a strong, powerful voice. As he drew such large crowds, he would at times sit in the windowsill of the hall so those unable to get inside could still hear him. Gardner was determined to know more about him, and accordingly the next time he preached I made arrangements with my Methodist brethren in regards to their singing and went to hear him preach, and was satisfied that he was called of God and I should not resist. He did not preach often but when he did I made it in my way to hear him. I concluded to be baptized, accordingly the day was set when he should visit me and attend to the ordinance. I was working in my shop when I saw him coming. I took off my blacksmith apron and laid my hammer on my anvil and went with him to the water, left my wife a crying Old Father Peneman a threatening to dispose me, he having a mortgage on my property. And some neighbors a prophesying that I should lose all my customers. But I burst those bands and was baptized by Elder Eli P. Magim, on Monday, November 20th, 1841, in the Cantocook River, while this was going on the Methodist sisters gathered around my wife a telling her that she had got to give up her husband for he had joined a poor deluded people and would go off and leave her. I was about the first one that was baptized in that place, but after this the Church began to increase very fast, and in January 1842, my wife was baptized. At one time, during the early 1840s, the Peterborough Branch of the Church exceeded one hundred adults.

Gardner and his wife determined to gather with the Saints, and after arriving in Nauvoo, Illinois, in the fall of 1845, immediately began preparing for the exodus west. Rather than depart with the vanguard company, Gardner was asked to stay and help make wagons for those needing more time. He finally crossed the Mississippi River in June 1846, and almost immediately he and his wife contracted malaria. After joining the “Poor Camp” at Garden Grove, Iowa, they eventually arrived in Winter Quarters. It took them over a year to recover. When Gardner arrived in Salt Lake City in 1850, he worked for ten years in various enterprises and public works projects and devoted a considerable amount of time to building the temple. In 1860, he was called to go to Dixie (southern Utah) and help establish that area. He lived there for seventeen years. At the time of the dedication of the St. George Temple, he was called to northern Arizona to establish settlements there. George Bryant Gardner died in Woodruff, Arizona, on March 13, 1898, at the age of eighty-five.