families; they were poor (with few exceptions) and lived in small ordinary houses; like new settlers hr other places, they were obliged to labor hard to subdue the land and bring it into a state of cultivation. There were but few mechanics in town at this time;—three blacksmiths, four carpenters, and three shoe-makers.
Situation and Extent.
Gardner is situated fifty-eight miles north-west from Boston, and twenty-five miles north from Worcester. It is 42½° north latitude, and contains about nineteen square miles, or 14,000 acres.
Its surface is uneven; there are no mountains in the place, though the traveler, in passing through the town, would think it pretty well dotted with hills.
There is a very pleasant one east of the common, familiarly known by the name of Esq'r Glazier's hill, now owned by Capt. Joel Cowee. About one-half mile west of the common, is another, owned by Dea. S. W. Bancroft. Southwest of the common is one owned by William Lynde. In a south-east direction is one belonging to Dr. Parker, formerly known by the name of Capt. Bickford's hill.
