John Gardner first saw the light of day in Charlis, Lankshire, England. He was the son of Robert Gardner. He grew up as a boy in this little town but later with his parents moved to Preston, Lankshire, England and there through an apprenticeship he learned the art of weaving. John Gardner put the very woof and web of his life into the fabrics produced by his loom and was mentioned for his skill and ability.
Trustworthy and faithful to every charge reposed in him; obliging and kind to his neighbors, faithful to himself, he reached the stage of manhood, and at this point gave his heart and hand in marriage to Martha Dunlap, queenly, young woman of Preston, England, who proved to be a true helpmate, a devoted mother, and a neighbor full of grace and charm. To this union there were born the following children: William, Nephi, Margaret, Sarah, Elizabeth, John Henry, Martha and Maria. Nine times this beautiful mother passed through the valley of the shadow of death that the sons of men might be. She gave to her posterity the nobility of character, the sincereness of purpose, the honest integrity and the neighborly love which their parents, John and Martha Gardner so richly possessed.
The Savior has said “My sheep heareth my voice and follow me”, so too John and Martha, when the first notes of the Gospel was sounded in England by Parley Pratt and Wilford Woodruff, the echoes of the Master’s voice reverberated in the hearts of these good souls and from that moment until the day of their death they were true to their testimony that the Lord lives and had spoken from the heavens. Being frugal by nature and saving habit, they soon acquired means with which to emigrate to Utah where they might join with the Saints in the Valley of the Mountains. Accordingly they set sail April 30, 1866 in the ship, the John Bright, bound for America and the land of promise.
Six long, weary weeks were consumed in crossing the unknown depths, but at last their hopes were rewarded and their anticipations materialized. They saw America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. The long trek across the plains ended Sept. 2, 1866 under the leadership of Captain Wright.
John and Martha possessed the pioneer spirit which characterized the brave in all dispensations and in not being able to subdue it longer, John Gardner and daughter Maria set forth to explore newer regions. Their weary footsteps brought them to Cache Valley. They spent the first night in Smithfield under the roof of John Thornley and were administered to in their frugal physical wants that first evening by Betsy Anne Harper, who later became Betsy Anne Hill.
Through their association that night a strong friendship sprang up between the members of John Thornley’s family, Betsy Anne Hill, and John and Martha Gardner and family, which friendship endured while life lasted and I am sure the bonds will never be broken. John Gardner died Sept. 21, 1885 and Martha, his wife, died April 14, 1877, the remains of both lie peacefully sleeping in the cemetery at Smithfield. And may we this day, as we gather together to pay tribute to the memories of these noble ancestors, resolve deeply in our hearts to emulate their example and follow in their wake. May we, as they, give to the world the best we have and the best will come back to us.
John and Martha Gardner are my great grandparents, being the parents of my maternal grandmother Maria Gardner Palmer. The Betsy Anne Harper Hill referred to is the mother of my uncle by marriage – Richard N. Hill and the mother-in-law of my aunt, my mother’s sister, Martha Eleanor Palmer Hill.
Vera Jones Vaughan