Thomas Hardy wrote his last will and testament in the summer of August 1811 and by the next spring (May 1812), it was probated in court:
To his wife, Mary, he lent “four feather beds and furniture, and all my household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils, &c.” He also lent “one bay mare called Lady, one bay gelding called Bluford, and one sorrel cold that came out of the sorrel mare that I have given my daughter Nancy Burks”. He also lent her “three cows and calves with their increase; also stock of hogs (except the reserve for selling off to pay debts) to be for her use and disposal for life.”
At her decease, the property let to his wife was to be divided between his two sons: George and Jeduthun Hardy.
He mentioned that he had previously given to his other children: viz. Rhoda Trump, Thomas Hardy, Isham Hardy, Moses Hardy, Nancy Burks, their full portion.
The will was witnessed by his wife Polley (Mary) Hardy, and his children Isham Hardy and Nancy Burks.
Land Transactions
In 1811, Thomas Hardy recorded four land transactions in Barren County, Kentucky, where he transferred 714 acres of land to four of his children near Big Blue Spring:
- Geo Hardy, 200 acres (B:394)
- Isham Hardy, 114 acres (B:395)
- Nancy (Hardy) & Thomas Burks, 200 acres (B:420)
- Jeduthun Hardy, 200 acres (B:421)
The lands were adjacent to each other as evidenced by the descriptions in the land records. From Geo Hardy’s Deed: “part of Marshall Cowen survey of the Big Blue Spring beginning at a sugartree Isham Hardy’s corner thence…to Nancy Burks thence…to Jeduthun Hardy thence….” (B:394)
Each of the tracts for 200 acres cost each child ten dollars and for the “love and regard” he had for the child named in the deed. Isham’s smaller 114 acres cost him two hundred dollars and no comment was made about love or esteem for him. Gifts for the other children named in the will (Rhoda Trump, Moses Hardy, Thomas Hardy) have not been located.
Three years prior, Thomas Hardy “of Barren County” purchased 1,000 acres from James Hughes “of Fayette County” for seven hundred pounds (C:15). The land was described as part of the “Marshall Cowen” survey and at the Blue Spring Grove in Barren County. The sale in 1811 left 286 acres in Thomas Hardy’s possession.
Barren County was named for the “Barrens” , a large tract of land “barren of timber”. John Filson written on his 1782 Map of Kentucky: “Here is an extensive Tract, call’d Green River Plains, which produces no timber, and but little water; mostly Fertile, and covered with excellent Grass and Herbage.” Carey’s 1795 map of Kentucky shows the Barrens and Blue Spring, where there was a grove of trees. This part of Kentucky had been held in reserve for Virginians who had access to military warrants. As Hardy purchased his land from Hughes, it is likely to be Hughes who had the military service.
Taxes
In 1809, Thomas Hardy is taxed for 700 acres, while his sons Jeduthun and George are listed near him. Isham is not listed.
In 1810, Isham is listed with 500+ acres of land, while Thomas is listed with 800+, and three adult males in his household, suggesting he collapsed his sons (George and Jeduthun) into his household.
They were not listed in the 1808 tax lists, suggesting that Thomas purchased land very soon after their arrival in Barren County.
Finding the Yellow Bricks 