David Gardiner and John Lyon Gardiner account book, 1757-1804

Account book, 1757-1804, of the Gardiner family of Gardiners Island, N.Y. It was begun by David Gardiner (1738-1774), sixth Proprietor of Gardiners Island, and continued after his death by his son, John Lyon Gardiner (1770-1816), the seventh Proprietor. David Gardiner's entries date approximately 1757-1766 and primarily record sales of agricultural products including grain, cheese, hay, and wool, and transactions for various merchandise and services. John Lyon Gardiners entries date approximately 1790-1804 and consist of notes and calculations relating to cattle and their byproducts, hide and tallow. Many entries are undated or not in chronological order. Gardiners Island is the oldest family-owned estate in America, settled by Lion Gardiner in 1639, during the reign of Charles I of England; it was established by patent as an independent manor with the Gardiners as lords of the manor. The 3,000-acre island is situated at the east end of Long Island, in Gardiner's Bay to the north of the South Fork.