Margaret Jane Buchanan Gardner1

b. 16 May 1829, d. 1905
FatherJeremiah Caleb Gardner2 b. 1 Nov 1799, d. abt 1872
MotherMargaret Montgomery Edmiston2 b. 7 Mar 1804, d. abt 1866
Birth16 May 1829 Margaret Jane Buchanan Gardner was born on 16 May 1829 in Washington County, Virginia.1 
Childhood  Margaret probably grew up on her parent's land in Washington County. She was the third child, and second daughter, in a family that included at least 9 children. Records created early in her life use her first name (Margaret) but later records seem to use her middle name (Jane). In 1850 the family was enumerated in neighboring Smyth County.3,4 
Marriagecirca 1852 She married William T. Blessing, son of Abram Blessing and Martha Thomas, circa 1852.1 
Cens-18608 Aug 1860  Margaret and William made their home in Smyth County, although by 1860 Margaret's parents and younger siblings had all migrated to Texas. The 1860 census listed William as a 33 year old farmer who owned personal property valued at $4,000.5 
Cens-187030 Aug 1870  Ten years later they were again recorded in Smyth County; by then the family included 5 children.6 
Widowed  William died between the 1870 and 1880 census enumerations. 
Cens-1880Jun 1880  "Jane" was recorded as the head of the household in 1880. All 5 of her children were enumerated with her.7 
  Jane's youngest daughter, Willie, married in 1884 but was herself widowed in 1895.  
Cens-190011 Jun 1900  By 1900 the two women lived together in the community of Marion in Smyth County. Willie was employed as a teacher. Jane's older daughter, Mary, who was single, also shared the home. There were no children present, but Jane reported that all 5 of her children were still living.8 
Death1905 Jane died in 1905 in Smyth County, Virginia.9 
Burial She was buried at Round Hill Cemetery in Smyth County, Virginia.9 

Family

William T. Blessing b. 1827, d. bet 1870 - 1880
Children
ChartsDescendants of Jeremiah Gardner and Margaret Edmiston
Last Edited7 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S2981] Ellen Eliza (Lansdown) and Thomas Edmondson Gardner Family Bible, The New Testament (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1859); held in 2012 by the Smyth-Bland Regional Library, Marion, VA. The Bible included a list of children (all in the same script and apparently copied from an earlier record) for Jeremiah Caleb Gardner and Margaret Montgomery Edmondson which contained this entry: Margaret Jane Buchanan Gardner was born 16 May 1829, married Wm T. Blessing.
  2. [S2981] Ellen Eliza (Lansdown) and Thomas Edmondson Gardner Family Bible, The New Testament (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1859); held in 2012 by the Smyth-Bland Regional Library, Marion, VA. Birth data for Caleb Boudish Gardner and Elizabeth Graham, as well as for Jeremiah Caleb Gardner and Margaret Montgomery Edmondson was recorded in the 1859 Lansdown-Gardner Bible. A list of children followed under the title: "Children and grandchildren of the above". The list included (surname Gardner): Mary Elizabeth Graham, Thomas Edmondson, Margaret Jane Buchanan, Sallie Lizalier Lucinda Beach, Susan Wells Sanders, Caleb Graham, India Campbell, Hattie Virginia Montgomery and Jeremiah Walter Clark.
  3. [S679] Jeremiah C. Gardner household, 1840 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 17 (original scipt) followed by p. 215 stamped, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2007, image 33 of 115. Household includes: 1 male under 5; 1 male 10-14; 1 male 20-29; 1 male 40-49; 1 female under 5; 2 females 5-9; 2 females 10-15; 1 female 20-29; 1 female slave 10-24.
  4. [S465] Jeremiah C. Gardner household, 1850 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., VA, pop. sched., District 60, p. 199 stamped (following), dwelling 573, family 580, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 88 of 169. Enumeration reads: Jeremiah C. Gardner, 50, b. NY, farmer; Margaret, 42; Mary E., 24; Thomas E. 22; Margaret J., 20; Sallie L., 18; Susan W., 16; Caleb G., 14; India C., 11; Virginia, 9; Jeremiah W., 4; all b. VA.
  5. [S576] William Blessing household, 1860 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., 7 Mile Ford post office, p. 110 (original numbering in script), dwelling 714, family 716, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 112 of 191.
  6. [S1006] William Blessing household, 1870 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., St. Clair township, p. 99 stamped (page after), dwelling 66, family 64, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 10 of 39. Enumeration includes: William Blessing, 42, farmer; Margaret J., 41; Mary E., 18; Gardner A., 15; John W., 13; Charlie T., 11; Willie Jane (f), 8; all b. VA; also Susan Elliott, servant [and family].
  7. [S521] Jane Blessing household, 1880 U.S. cens., Smyth Co., Virginia, pop sched., Marion district, ED 81, page 23B (stamped), dwelling 17, family 17, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 44 of 54. Enumeration includes: Jane Blessing, 51, keeping house; Mary E., 24, dau; Gardner A., 22, son; John W., 20, son; Charles T., 18, son; Willie J., 16, dau; all b. VA; all parents b. VA; sons all "work on farm."
  8. [S682] Willie Anderson household, 1900 U.S. cens., Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Marion, ED 82, sheet 16A 9p. 77 stamped), dwelling 281, family 297, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 31 of 32. Enumeration includes: Willie Anderson, 68 ("6" was written over another number and is not correct), b. June 1831, wid, teacher; Jane Blessing, mother, 71, b. May 1829, wid, mother 5 children, all living; Mary, sister, 47, sgl, b. May 1853; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  9. [S1777] Find A Grave Website (http://www.findagrave.com/index.html : accessed May 2012). Jane Gardner Blessing entry, Round Hill Cemetery, Marion, Smyth Co., VA (entry includes photo of stone: "Jane Gardner Blessing, 1829-1905").
  10. [S2945] Robert Gardner research, 2881 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara, California, 95051, email to: e-mail address.