The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: VA
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service
William Hardy was born about 1720 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The Hardy’s of Isle of Wight was quite large, and they tended to recycle the same names in subsequent generations. This makes it challenging to assign events to the correct person.
At the time of his death, he was married to Mary [surname unknown]. His Will lists several children, but it is unclear if any of them can be attributed to his wife, Mary. The lack of proof of another wife can allow us to infer she is the mother.
Covington was born in October 1744 and married Catherine Buford.
Thomas was born about 1748 and married Mary [surname unknown].
Mary was born about 1753 and married Lyddall Bacon.
John was born on 2 June 1761 and married Lucinda Sears.
Stith [birth date unknown] married Catherine Goodwin.
Samuel [birth date unknown].
During the American Revolution, William received pay for aid he rendered to support the war. It is doubtful that he is the same William Hardy who served as a Private in the 15th Virginia Regiment. A successful planter in his late 50s would, if he participated, be in an official role. The work of an enlisted man would be attributed to a much younger man. As stated earlier in this document, the extended family tended to recycle names, including that of the name William.
William made his Last Will and Testament at Lunenburg County, Virginia, on 21 October 1790. In the Will, he names his wife Mary and his children Samuel, Thomas, Mary, Lovington, Stith, and John. He also lists the first names of several enslaved people. The Will was proven in court on 13 January 1791.
The Patriot died sometime after he made his Will and before it was proven in court. His burial place was likely at his plantation, but no proof supports that.
Sources:
Virginia, Lunenburg County Probate Court, Book 3, page 333, 339.
Abercrombie, Janice L. and Slatten, Richard, Virginia Revolutionary "Publick" Claims, Georgia. Athens: Iberian Pub. Co., 1992, Vol 2, page 647.
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