Barzillai Gannett Explained

Barzillai Gannett
State:Massachusetts
Term Start:March 4, 1809
Term End:1812
Preceded:John Chandler
Office2:Member of the
Massachusetts State Senate
Term Start2:1807
Term End2:1807
Office3:Member Board of Selectmen and Assessors
Gardiner Maine
Term Start3:March 21, 1803
Term End3:1804
Office4:Member Surveyors of HIghwayas
Gardiner Maine
Term Start4:March 21, 1803
Term End4:1804
Office5:Town Clerk
Pittston, Maine
Term Start5:1794
Term End5:1795
Preceded5:Seth Gay
Succeeded5:Seth Gay
Office6:Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Term6:1805-1806
Birth Date:17 June 1764
Birth Place:Bridgewater, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America
Death Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
Spouse:Elizabeth Farley
Alma Mater:Harvard University

Barzillai Gannett (June 17, 1764 – 1832) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.

Born in Bridgewater in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Gannett was graduated from Harvard University in 1785. He studied theology, but did not enter the ministry. He served as Selectman of Pittston, Maine (then a district of Massachusetts). He also served as town clerk in 1794 and town moderator 1797–1802. Gannett was Selectman and assessor of Gardiner, Maine from 1803 to 1808. He was appointed as the first postmaster of Gardiner and served from September 30, 1804, to October 1, 1809. He also served as Town Moderator. Gannett served as member of both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts State Senate.

Gannett was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Eleventh and Twelfth Congresses and served from March 4, 1809, until his resignation in 1812.

Because of an accusation regarding a breach of trust Gannett left Maine, changed his name to Benjamin Gardiner, and moved to Ohio.

During about the year 1822 Barzillai Gannett (Benjamin Gardiner) again suddenly disappeared from Ohio.

Gannett died in New York City in 1832.