John Gardiner (1661-1738)
3rd Proprietor of Gardiner's Island, New York
He inherited Gardiner's Island from his father in 1689 at a time when it, "was infested with pirates, including Captain Kidd" who was reputed to have buried treasure there in 1699. John was described by a great-grandson as, "a hardy, active and robust man, generous and upright, rough in his manner, plain, agreeable to the manner of his time, a good farmer, made improvements on the island. He made a great deal of money although a high liver. He had much to do for the connections of his four wives. He had an expensive family of children and gave them for the time large portions". In 1695, he paid £500 for further land at East Hampton on what is now called James Lane and which was still owned by his family in the 20th century. He was married four times and had ten children, nine of whom (listed) lived to adulthood.
