Captain Gardner Wilder

     Captain Gardner Wilder was born on 9 June 1748 at Leominster, Massachusetts.^1,2,3 He was the son of Deacon Gardner Wilder and Mary Phelps.² Gardnermoved to Buckland, Massachusetts, in 1771 being one of the first settlers of the new town.¹ He and Thankful Carter filed marriage intentions on 24 May 1773 at Leominster, Massachusetts.⁴

Captain Gardner Wilder, age 26, married Thankful Carter, age 22 , daughter of Nathaniel Carter and Thankful Sawyer, on 24 May 1775 at Leominster, Massachusetts.^1,5,4 From 10 July 1777 to 12 August 1777 he served in Col Porter's Regiment during the Revolutionary War. This including travel (100 miles) home; company marched from Charlemont July 10, 1777 to reinforce Northern Army after the evacuation of Fort Ticonderoga.^5,3,1 He was one of the signers of the 11 December 1778 petition to incorporate the Town of Buckland, Massachusetts.¹ In 1781 he was the Buckland Town Treasurer.¹ Gardner, age 41 years, appeared on the US Census of 1790 at Buckland, Massachusetts. 2 - Free White Persons - Males - Under 16
2 - Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over
5 - Free White Persons - Females
9 - Number of Household Members.⁶

Gardner married second on 5 October 1802 at Leominster, Massachusetts, Molly White, the daughter of Nathanial White. She had previously been married to ______ Steans.¹ He died in 1807 at Buckland, Massachusetts.^2,3 He was buried at Old Cemetery #01, Buckland, Massachusetts.³