Third Generation (Continued)
Robert HARDY.
Born on 26 Mar 1835 in North Carolina. Robert died in Siloam, Clay Co., MS, on 7 Apr 1894; he was 59.3 Buried in Siloam or McPherson Cemetery, Clay Co., MS.3
Listed as a farmer in 1850, 1860, and 1870 census in Clay Co., MS. Following Reconstruction, Robert was Clay County’s first Democratic sheriff (1876-1878). After that period he operated a store in Siloam, MS from ca 1880 until his death. The 1880 census shows him as a merchant and a farmer. He was the Siloam postmaster (1882-1894) and apparently kept the post office at his store.
1870 Mississippi census, Oktibbeha Co., beat 2 612/606
Hardy, Robert 35 MW farmer 1200/630 NC
Hardy, Emily 29 FW keeping house AL
Hardy, Nancy 2 FW MS
Hardy, Mary 5/12 FW MS
Williams, Martha 11 FW MS
1880 Mississippi census, Clay County, for Robert Hardy’s household
148/154
Hardy, Robert m45 merchant & farmer NC NC NC
Emily f37 wife AL
Nannie f12 daughter MS NC AL
Mary f10 daughter MS NC AL
Katie f8 daughter MS NC AL
Susie f7 daughter MS NC AL
John T. m5 son MS NC AL
Henry m4 son MS NC AL
Robert Lee m2 son MS NC AL
Obit. West Point Leader, April 13, 1894
Died at his home in Siloam, on Sunday morning, Mr. Robert Hardy. Mr. Hardy has been identified with the county of Clay ever since it was established. He was elected the first democratic sheriff.
The below is from “History of Clay County, Mississippi” published in 1988 by the Curtis Media Corporation. The article on Robert Hardy (page 828) was written by Jack Elliott, Jr., my cousin, and a distant cousin of Robert Hardy.
“Robert Hardy was born on March 26, 1835 in North Carolina. He was the oldest son of Joshua T. and Anna Hardy, who came to what is now Clay County, Mississippi in 1837. Raised for the most part on a farm in the Siloam area, he probably farmed most of his life. He is listed as being a farmer in the 1850, 1860, and 1870 census. In the first two of these he was still living with his father. By 1870 he had started his own household, although he was still apparently living at Siloam. Robert married Emily Hyche (October 16, 1842 - August 27, 1885) on january 14, 1867. They had at least nine children: (1) Nannie, born ca 1868; (2) Mary, born ca 1870; (3) Katie, born ca 1872; (4) Susie, born ca 1873; (5) John T., born ca 1875; (6) Henry, born ca 1876, (7) Robert Lee, born ca 1878; (8) Lilah T., (May 1, 1879 - March 30, 1880); (9) Lillian Florence (March 26, 1882 - September 15, 1884). Very little is known about these children. When Emily died in 1885 she was buried with her last two children in the Miller Cemetery near Siloam. On September 29, 1886, Robert remarried, this time to Helen, the daughter of J. J. and Sarah McPhersob of Siloam. They had at least two children, Helen H. (July 31, 1888 - May 7, 1889) and a daughter who was born and died on June 9, 1887. Both of these infants were buried in the McPherson Cemetery at Siloam. After Reconstruction Robert ws Clay County’s first Democratic sheriff (1876 - 1878), following which he operated a store at Siloam (from ca 1890 to his death). The 1880 census listed him as being both a merchant and a farmer. He was the Siloam postmaster (1882 - 1884) and presumably kept the post office in the store. When he first operated the store, he was only managing it for the Siloam Grange which owned the building. The organization later sold the building to him. Robert was at one time the Worthy Master of the Siloam Grange, and in 1918 (should read 1878 fide Jack Elliott) he was an incorporator of the Siloam Grange Cooperative. He also belonged to the Masonic Lodge at Palo Alto and to the Siloam Baptist Church. On April 7, 1894 he died at his Siloam home and was buried in the McPherson cemetery. His widow sold the store building to Lydwell Garner of Siloam. According to the 1900 census his three sons were all living in the same house in that year, probably in the Siloam area. Robert L. and John were listed as farmers, and Henry was listed as a carpenter. By 1903 they appear to have moved away, because there are no Hardys listed for Siloam in the Personal Property Roll of that year.”
Jack D. Elliott, Jr.
On 16 Jan 1867 when Robert was 31, he first married
Emaline “Emily” HYCHE, daughter of Henry HYCHE (1809-1869) & Nancy DOUGHTY (1814-1867), in Oktibbeha Co., MS.
4 Born on 16 Oct 1842 in Tuscaloosa Co., AL.5 Emaline “Emily” died in Siloam, Clay County, MS, on 27 Aug 1885; she was 42.3 Buried in Peterson Cemetery, Siloam, Clay Co., MS.
When Emily died in 1885 she was buried with her last two children in the McPherson Cemetery (sometimes called Miller Cemetery) near Siloam, Clay Co., MS6,3
They had the following children:
On 29 Sep 1886 when Robert was 51, he second married
Helen Argyle McPHERSON7, daughter of James Joshua McPHERSON (1815-1878) & Sarah Ann WILKINS, in Clay Co., MS.
Note from Jack Elliott:
“Robert Hardy and his second wife Helen McPherson Hardy were buried in the McPherson cemetery at Siloam, Clay Co., MS which we visited. Helen's family home--the J.J. McPherson home-- was located a short distance to the east. There's a WPA account based on the testimony of Helen's sister, Jimmie McPherson, that Nathan Bedford Forrest stayed in the McPherson home the night before the battle of West Point (aka the battle of Ellis Bridge). This was the night of 20 February 1864.”
They had the following children:
Martha Ann “Patsy” HARDY.
Born on 8 Apr 1837 in Greene Co., NC. Martha Ann “Patsy” died in Siloam, Oktibbeha Co., (now Clay Co.), MS, on 20 Nov 1858; she was 21. Religion: Baptist, joined the Siloam Babtist Church in 1854.
Martha was engaged to William Ball, but when Martha died Mr. Ball became engaged to Unity Elizabeth Hardy, her sister.
Obit. Unknown newspaper clipping, undated:
Martha Ann Hardy.
Departed this life on the 20th nlt., in the vicinity of Siloam, Oktibbeha County, Miss., Miss Martha Ann Hardy, aged 21 years, 7 months and 12 days. She was born in Greene County, North Carolina, and while an infant, her father, Joshua T. Hardy, moved to this county where he has resided ever since. He was one of the first Baptists in this portion of the State, and has ever been distinguished for his “godly walk and Christian conversion.” He is truly a pious man. She joined the Baptist Church at Siloam, in 1854, and continued in full fellowship, an ornament to the church and beacon-light to the world, until it pleased God, in his infinite wisdom, to summon her into his holy presence. In good and, apparently perfect health, within a few moments of the time the fell destroyer, death, laid his icy fingers upon her mortal body, and ushered her never-dying soul into the presence of her Maker, her prospects for a long life of usefullness in this world seemed as flattering as that of any of her gay and mirthful companions, who ever found pleasure in the genial sunshine of her influence. With scarce time to bid a sweet, yet sad “good-bye” to her loving brothers and sisters, and to her devoted father, she was suddenly hurled into the august presence of the Great I am, there to join a fond mother and affectionate sister, in chanting the praises around the eternal throne of God. Her mother and sister died about a year ago. She possessed a quick and well-balanced mind; a kind and benevolent disposition. All the finer feelings of our nature were prominently developed in her character. She was devoted in her attachments; kind and affectionate toward her brothers and sisters, to whom she acted both the part of a mother and sister, since the death of her mother; obedient and respectful to her deal old father; and most zealous in the cause of Christ. Her benevolence was unbounded - her devotion sublime. But this tenement of clay of hers has returned to its mother dust; the gaping grave has swallowed up her mortal remains; and her beautiful form once strong and active in life, now lies cold and lifeless beneath the molding sod. Her spirit is in heaven; entwined in that of her mother’s, they float through the celestial halls on golden pinions. But she still lives on earth - lives embalmed in memory sweet of those who knew and loved her. Kind friends and mourning relatives cease your mourning, dry up those bitter tears - she awaits you upon the threashhold of heaven. -- Frederick Beall.
Martha’s grave is carved: “Weep not, O weep not, Kindred Dear, for whose last remains lie here; for Jesus, she on earth did love and now she dwells with him above.” I have photos of her grave.
Unity Elizabeth HARDY.
Born on 25 Jun 1838. Unity Elizabeth died on 12 Jan 1859; she was 20.
William Ball was engaged to Unity’s sister Martha, but when Martha died he was engaged to Unity, and apparently the couple married since a 1950 reading of the Hardy Cemetery in Clay Co., Mississippi records her grave marker as reading "Unity Elizabeth Ball, consort of William F. Ball". After Unity died William Ball next married “Nannie”, Unity’s sister, Nancy Jane Hardy.
Unity Elizabeth married William F. BALL. Born ca 1838.
William Ball was engaged to Martha Ann Hardy, but when Martha died he became engaged to Unity, and apparently the couple married since a 1950 reading of the Hardy Cemetery in Clay Co., Mississippi records her grave marker as reading "Unity Elizabeth Ball, consort of William F. Ball". After Unity died William Ball next married “Nannie”, Unity’s sister, Nancy Jane Hardy. Nancy married Wes Harvey after William Ball died “during the war” fide a letter from Kate Hardy to Sallie Ila Hardy in 1947.
Mary Mewborn HARDY.
Born on 27 Oct 1840. Mary Mewborn died on 26 Aug 1857; she was 16.
Nancy Jane “Nannie” HARDY.
Born on 11 Nov 1842. Nancy Jane “Nannie” died on 29 Aug 1884; she was 41.
William Ball was engaged to Nancy’s sister Martha, but when Martha died he was engaged to another sister Unity, and apparently the couple was married since a 1950 reading of the Hardy Cemetery in Clay Co., Mississippi records her grave marker as reading "Unity Elizabeth Ball, consort of William F. Ball". After Unity died William Ball next married “Nannie”, Unity’s sister, Nancy Jane Hardy. She married Wes Harvey after William Ball died “during the war” fide a letter from Kate Hardy to Sallie Ila Hardy in 1947.
Nancy Jane “Nannie” first married William F. BALL. Born ca 1838.
William Ball was engaged to Martha Ann Hardy, but when Martha died he became engaged to Unity, and apparently the couple married since a 1950 reading of the Hardy Cemetery in Clay Co., Mississippi records her grave marker as reading "Unity Elizabeth Ball, consort of William F. Ball". After Unity died William Ball next married “Nannie”, Unity’s sister, Nancy Jane Hardy. Nancy married Wes Harvey after William Ball died “during the war” fide a letter from Kate Hardy to Sallie Ila Hardy in 1947.
On 23 Jan 1873 when Nancy Jane “Nannie” was 30, she second married
J. W. “Wes” HARVEY in Clay Co., MS.
8
John HARDY.
Born in May 1844. John died on 18 Oct 1864; he was 20.
In a 1947 letter from Kate Hardy to Sallie Ila Hardy, she mentions that Uncle John Hardy was killed during the war.
Susan Elizabeth HARDY.
Born on 11 Aug 1846 in MS.
On 24 Nov 1870 when Susan Elizabeth was 24, she married Joseph T. DOUGHTY.
William HARDY.
Born on 9 Feb 1848 in Siloam, Clay County, MS. William died in West Point, Clay Co., MS, on 12 Apr 1918; he was 70. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, West Point, Clay County, MS. Occupation: farmer & carpenter.
William Hardy
A Short Biography
by Greg W. Lasley & Jack D. Elliott, Jr.
William Hardy was born February 9, 1848, probably on his family's farm near Siloam, (present-day) Clay Co., Mississippi. He was the son of Joshua T. and Anna Hardy. This land had only recently been ceded by the Chickasaw Indians to the United States in 1832, so the Hardys had only been living on the farm for a few years when William was born. He presumably grew like many farm boys working at farm chores, in which his father, like most others in the area was engaged in the production of cotton, corn, and garden crops and livestock.
William was only thirteen when the Civil War began in April, 1861, and was too young to fight. However, within three years he did enlist in March, 1864--at the ripe old age of sixteen--in Company I of the 16th Confederate Cavalry, also known as the 12th Mississippi Cavalry, where he served under Captain J. D. Lynch. Lynch, a resident of West Point, would later gain some fame by virtue of being named the poet laureate of the 1893 Columbian Exposition which was held in Chicago. William's company fought at Pine Barren, Eight-Mile Creek (also known as Whistler's Bridge) and Blakeley, all in Alabama. He was captured by Union soldiers in May, 1865 and briefly imprisoned at Gainesville, Alabama, but paroled later that month.
On December 20, 1871, William Hardy married Priscilla Florence Exum at the Clay Co. home of her parents--Benjamin and Sarah Exum. The couple had three children; John Edward Hardy (1876-1877), Sallie Ila Hardy (1878-1962), and Piercis Blanche Hardy (1880-ca 1960). In 1880 William and his family were apparently living in the Siloam community where he was listed as being a farmer. He also, like his father, did carpentry work and was said to have constructed a new church building for the Siloam Baptist Church at about this time. His wife, Priscilla, died in 1882 (at the age of 29) and was buried in the Exum lot in Greenwood Cemetery in West Point. His two daughters were then taken to West Point, Mississippi, where they were kept in the home of his brother-in-law, Titus Carr Exum, until William remarried on December 10, 1885. His second wife was Emma Virginia Ramey (1854-1936). It was recalled that during the 1880s and 1890s that William resided in the Henryville and Mhoon Valley communities and that he belonged to the Hebron Baptist Church at Henryville during this time. However, the family also apparently resided for a time in Webster County, adjacent to the western edge of Clay County, for this is where William and Emma's one child, William Henry Hardy (1891-1974) was born. Henry Hardy or "Lou" as he was nicknamed was a veteran of Pershing's incursion into Mexico in 1916-1917 and was the chief of the West Point Fire Department for many years.
On December 31, 1899 the William Hardys moved into West Point where they initially resided on the south side of town in the old brick Mhoon house. William later purchased a lot on the northwest corner Stonewall and Cul-de-Sac Streets and built a two-story frame house there. He eventually helped his daughter Sallie Ila and her husband Jim Lasley to build a house on the corner lot immediately behind his lot.
To our knowledge there is but a single photo of William Hardy which was taken ca 1910. In the photo a deep scar on William’s forehead is clearly visible. Family oral history tells us that this scar was caused during the Civil War while William was in the process of firing a weapon. The breech of the firearm exploded in his face causing a nasty wound.
William Hardy died on April 12, 1918. The April 15, 1918 account in the West Point Leader newspaper read "Long Illness fatal to William Hardy. A Confederate Veteran and Worthy Citizen has gone from Among us. Another 'boy of the sixties' answered the last roll-call Friday evening when William Hardy passed away at his home in this city after a long and painful illness. Mr. Hardy was seventy years of age and had spent his long life in service to his God, his country, and his fellow man. Of friends he possessed a host, of enemies none but that could say, "he is a man." Surviving him are his wife and three children, Henry Hardy and Mmes. James Lasley and Roy Snider all of this city, besides a number of relatives. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. E. J. Caswell, were held Sunday morning from the First Baptist Church, following interment in Greenwood Cemetery. A delegation from a local camp of United Confederate Veterans of which he was a member, acted as pallbearers." His simple gravestone reads only “William Hardy, 12th Miss. Cav., Co. I., C.S.A.” See:
http://tommcknight.com/civilwar/ArmisteadsCalvary/ArmisteadCalvaryHomePage.htm
or:
http://www.16thconfederatecavalry.com/companiesal/companiesghi.html
for more information about the 12th Mississippi Cavalry (AKA 16th Confederate Cavalry).
His widow continued to live in the Hardy house with her son Henry until her 1936 death when she was buried in the Hebron Baptist Church cemetery, presumably because of family associations. Her grave is unmarked except by an uninscribed rock.
3
On 20 Dec 1871 when William was 23, he first married Priscilla Florence EXUM, daughter of Benjamin Henry EXUM (1811-1892) & Sarah Ann “Sallie” WESTBROOK (ca1822-1890), in Oktibbeha Co., now Clay Co., MS. Born on 18 Aug 1852 in Mississippi. Priscilla Florence died in Clay Co., MS, on 15 Mar 1882; she was 29. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, West Point, Clay Co., MS.
Obit. West Point Leader, 16 Mar 1882. Mrs. P. E. Hardy, wife of William Hardy, died yesterday at her home 1 mile north of town. She is the daughter of B. H. Exum.
They had the following children:
On 10 Dec 1885 when William was 37, he second married
Emma Virginia RAMEY, daughter of Daniel F. RAMEY (ca1815-ca1880) & Amanda Malvina (1818-1913), in Henryville, MS.
9 Born on 1 Nov 1854. Emma Virginia died in West Point, Clay Co., MS, on 24 Aug 1936; she was 81. Buried in Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Clay Co., MS.3 Religion: member of West Point Baptist Church.
Sarah Edith HARDY.
Born on 11 Aug 1850.
Charles Henry HARDY.
Born on 17 Oct 1854. Charles Henry died on 8 Oct 1855; he was <1. Buried in Joshua Hardy Cemetery, Clay Co., MS.
Lemuel Sutton HARDY.
Born on 26 Jan 1857 in Clay Co., MS. Lemuel Sutton died in Clay Co., MS, on 18 Aug 1857; he was <1. Buried in Hardy Cemetery, Siloam, Clay Co., MS.
Buried with his mother, Anna Hardy, who died one day after the infant Lemuel.