Born in Bridgewater in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Gannett was graduated from Harvard University in 1785.
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.
[1] During about the year 1822 Barzillai Gannett (Benjamin Gardiner) again suddenly disappeared from Ohio.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress