Gideon Gardner

Gideon Gardner (May 30, 1759 – March 22, 1832) was an American merchant and politician who served one term as a U.S. representative from Massachusetts from 1809 to 1811.

Biography Born in Nantucket in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Gardner received a limited schooling.

Early career Gardner was a successful ship master, and later became a shipowner. Gardner also engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was reportedly owner of the Ganges (1809 whaler) when "Gardner's Island" was discovered.

Congress Gardner was elected as a Democratic-Republican Party to the Eleventh Congress (March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1811).

Later career He resumed his former business pursuits. He was the bearer of a petition from the citizens of Nantucket to Congress for tax relief in 1813.

Death and burial He died in Nantucket, Massachusetts, March 22, 1832. He was interred in Friends Burying Ground.

Gardner was a direct descendant of Thomas Gardner (planter).