d, receive, take and enjoy to his & their own proper use,” (Guilfrod Property Records). This statement in Peter’s letter of emancipation comes across as a threat. Even though the letter declared him no longer an enslaved person, he was still treated poorly.
A few years after both Peter and Dinah were freed, the two of them got married. On January 10, 1799 the two were wed in the North Guilford Congregational Church (North Guilford Congregational Church Records). This was a triumph because many enslaved people, even freed enslaved people like Peter and Dinah, were prohibited from marrying. This was one of the ways Peter was able to show agency and live freely. After their marriage, property records in 1800 showed that Peter owned land and a house which he likely shared with his wife. Owning land as a freed enslaved person was impressive but keeping the property was even harder. According to The Brief Appearance Constant Disappearance of Dinah aka Dinah Gardner, Peter’s land was near the area where Jared Scranton (Peter’s former owner) lived even though he lived separately from Jared Scranton (Culliton).
After nearly 29 years of marriage and 35 years of freedom, Peter Gardner passed away. After his death, Dinah was allowed to keep the home and some of Peter’s belongings. Peter Gardner had many possessions. Probate records show his property amounted to $238.54. He owned a variety of things such as a gun, violin, canoo, and many ordinary household items (Peter Gardner Probate Inventory 1828). The reason he owned some of these items, such as the canoo, still have not been fully explained. For a previously enslaved person, Peter had a decent amount of possessions. Despite many hardships and challenges Peter and his wife seemed to live a successful life after their emcaipations.
Peter Gardner spent part of his life enslaved and controlled by Jared Scranton. Eventually he met the requirements of Emancipation Laws and was freed. He took his freedom as an opportunity to create a desired life. He took this chance to marry Dinah and own his own property. He was able to overcome mistreatment and cruelty to live an independent and more rewarding life. Peter Gardner was able to accomplish so much in his life and deserved the utmost praise