Hardy

Hardy & Suggs.

This April 1909 execution of a $40 judgment in Superior Court reveals the existence of an early twentieth-century African-American business — Hardy & Sugg. John Hardy was a livery man, and it is reasonable to conjecture that George W. Suggs opened a stable with him.

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On 5 February 1902, John Hardy, 22, married Florence Williams, 20, in Wilson. Zion minister C.L. Alexander performed the ceremony in the presence of Mrs. Canna Alexander, L.C. Ligon, and A.L. Darden.

Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory (1908).

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County, Wilson County: on Nash Street: barber Walter Maynor, 19, and wife Alice, 23; barber William Sutson [Sutzer], 65, barbershop proprietor; wife Mary J., 49, hotel proprietor; son Leondas Taylor, 23, pressing club laborer, and daughter-in-law Anna, 22; and boarders Lemuel Yancy, 36, drugstore clerk; Harry Carter, 35, music teacher; Ernest Allen, 30, hotel cook; and John Hardy, 30, livery stable owner; his wife Florence, 23, and daughters Lida, 7, and Estell, 5.

Wilson County, N.C., Court Dockets 1909-1910, Civil Issues Dockets, http://www.familysearch.org.

Wiley Blount is incensed.

Wilson Advance, 12 October 1883.

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  • John Hardy

Perhaps, in the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Henry Barnes, 52, works on farm; wife wife Mila, 40; son Amanuel Robins, 20, works on farm; and boarder John Hardy, 20, works on farm.

  • Wiley Blount

On 8 April 1880, Wilie Blount, 23, married Adelade Mangum, 22, in Wilson County. Minister F.R. Bird performed the ceremony in the presence of Harper Best, H. Winsted, and Richard Harper.

On Wiley Blount, 70, of Edgecombe County, married Ella Lindsey, 62, of Edgecombe County, in Tarboro, Edgecombe County.

Wiley Blount died 2 November 1924 in Township #9, Edgecombe County. Per his death certificate, he was about 80 years old; was born in Wilson County; was married to Ella Blount; and was buried near Fountain, N.C.

Pay to the order of Nina Hardy.

I’ve written several times of Nina F. Hardy, the Wayne County cousin who came to Wilson around the same time as Jesse and Sarah Henderson Jacobs. In a way, she was returning home, as her grandmother Catherine Boseman Aldridge likely was born just below Elm City in what was then Edgecombe County.

Many years ago, I connected with J.M.B., the great-grandson of Jefferson Farrior, the man for whom Aunt Nina worked for decades as a cook and nursemaid. He shared dozens of photos of Aunt Nina at work at the Farriors’ enormous house on Woodard Circle and even a crazy quilt Aunt Nina made shortly after his mother was born in 1945.

Last week, J.M.B. sent another gift — four cancelled checks made out to Nina Hardy by his grandmother Annie Blades Spitzer, who was in turn the granddaughter of Jefferson Davis Farrior and Annie Applewhite Farrior. Annie Farrior died in Wilson in 1956, and it’s likely that Nina Hardy’s employment with the family ended around that time. For several years, however, Annie Spitzer, who lived in Elizabeth City, N.C., carried on a Christmas tradition of sending Hardy a sizeable Christmas gift. The ten-dollar checks sent in 1955 and 1956 were each equivalent to about $115 in today’s dollars. The twenty-five-dollar checks sent in 1959 and 1960 were each equivalent to a little over $270. 

Per the 1930 census, Nina Hardy could neither read nor write. The 1940 census reported that she had had no schooling. The endorsements on the backs of her checks are in four different handwritings, suggesting that a trusted person signed on her behalf.

The endorsement on the back of the 21 December 1959 check is in a handwriting I readily recognize as that of my grandmother, Hattie Henderson Ricks, who was Nina’s second cousin, once removed. That check was cashed at Branch Banking & Trust, but two others went to pay down grocery and dairy bills.

1208 Washington Street.

The two hundred-second in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District (which erroneously assigns the house number 1206): “ca. 1930; 1 story; Clifton Hardy house; bungalow with gable-end form; decorative vent; hip-roofed porch; Hardy was a barber.”

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Hardy Clifton (c; Della) barber h 1208 Washington. Also: Hardy Caroline (c) h 1208 Washington

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: 1208 Washington, barber Clifton Hardy, 36; wife Bella [sic], 33, cook; and mother Caroline, 65.

Caroline Hardy died 6 October 1938 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 56 years old; was born in Greene County, N.C., to Jacob Best and Lucy Sheppard; and was buried in Wilson. Clifton Hardy was informant.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: 1208 Washington, barber Clifton Hardy, 54; wife Della, 54, house cleaner; and lodger Lucille Joyner, 24, teacher-grammar department.

Clifton Hardy died 1 January 1968 in Durham, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 February 1893 in Greene County, N.C., to Bill Hardy and Carolina Hardy; was married to Della Hardy; worked as a barber; lived at 1208 Washington Street; and was buried in Masonic Cemetery.

Row Q.

Apropos of Nina Hardy’s crazy quilt, ten year-old posts from my genealogy blog, http://www.scuffalong.com:

29 October 2014

Less than an hour after we got from the WCGS meeting last night, I received an email from president Joan Howell. I’d mentioned to her that I was trying to locate an unmarked grave at Rest Haven, she’d offered to check her records, and there it was: Nina F. Hardy, Section 3, Lot 20, Q in the street, Space 4.

This is how the morning went:

  • My father and I drove over to Rest Haven, but quickly realized that there was no way to determine where A’nt Nina’s grave was just by looking.
  • We got back in the car and crossed town to Maplewood Cemetery, where the City of Wilson Cemetery Commission is headquartered. The manager provided a chart and a print-out and a good suggestion. “Walk about halfway up Q,” she said. “Then call me and tell me what headstones you see.” [Sidenote: Q was once a track running through Sections 3 and 4 of the cemetery, like P and R to either side of it. Years ago, Q and the other odd-lettered rows were closed off and converted to burial space. The designation “Q in the street” means that A’nt Nina’s grave lies under what was once a pathway.]
  • Back to Rest Haven. A few minutes and a call later, we had the general location of A’nt Nina’s grave between those of Rev. Calvin Harris Boykin and Annie Thompson. I snapped a shot or two, though there is nothing much to see. [Cemetery employees can pinpoint graves, but none were available at the time.]
  • No time like the present, so we headed to our cousin L.H.’s house. His family owns a vault business that does a sideline in gravestones. I ordered a simple flat granite marker to be inscribed with A’nt Nina’s name, birth and death dates; my dad wrote a check (I’d left mine in Georgia, and L.H. doesn’t truck with credit cards); and it was done. I kissed L.H.’s new grandson, and he promised to send me a photo when the marker is installed. [L.H. remembers A’nt Nina. I don’t know why that surprised me. When they arrived in Wilson from Wayne County, L.H.’s grandfather, Jesse “Jack” Henderson, and Nina both lived with Jesse and Sarah Henderson Jacobs on Elba Street.]

My father standing at the approximate location of Nina Hardy’s grave this morning. Rest Haven cemetery, Wilson, North Carolina.

13 November 2014

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about looking for my cousin Nina Frances Faison Hardy‘s unmarked grave and wanting to honor her by placing a stone. Today, I got a text from my cousin and an email from my mother with photos. My cousins’ business, Eastern Carolina Vault Company, installed the marker today and, after 45 years, A’nt Nina’s final resting place is no longer lost.

Nina Hardy’s crazy quilt.

I’ve written several times of Nina F. Hardy, the Wayne County cousin who came to Wilson around the same time as Jesse and Sarah Henderson Jacobs. In a way, she was returning home, as her grandmother Catherine Boseman Aldridge likely was born just below Elm City in what was then Edgecombe County.

Many years ago, I connected with J.M.B., the great-grandson of Jefferson Farrior, the man for whom Aunt Nina worked for decades as a cook and nursemaid. He shared dozens of photos of her at work at the Farriors’ enormous house on Woodard Circle. Last week, he sent another rare treasure — a crazy quilt Aunt Nina made shortly after his mother was born in 1945. Pieced from bright bits of synthetic fabric in florals and geometric patterns, it features intricate contrasting stitching in bold threads.

Any sewing or quilting or fabric experts out there? I am correct that these are synthetic fabrics? From the 1930s and ’40s? And the neat embroidery stitches were hand-sewn?

I appreciate J.M.B.’s return of Nina Hardy’s handiwork to her family. He has been a generous source of information about our beloved cousin.

Military headstone applications for the Masonic Cemetery.
  • Columbus Stewart

Columbus Stewart registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County in 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 25 December 1895 in Fuquay Springs, N.C.; lived in Wilson; was a convict in Wilson County; and was married.

Stewart was inducted on 30 March 1918 and sent to Camp Grant, Illinois, for training.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: blacksmith Lewis Striver [sic], 73; wife Ellen, 43; children Columbia, 23, Albert, 21, Mary L., 16, Lizzie, 15, Burnice M., 12, Lewis Jr., 9, and Boss, 8; and grandchildren James, 7, and Paulian Harper, 6.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 604 Spruce Street, rented for $10/month, retail grocery salesman Columbus Stewart, 47; wife Pearl, 29; daughter Eva, 5; nieces Mary E., 14, and Rita G. Wright, 12; and nephew Jessie Matthews, 27.

In 1940, Jesse Lee Matthews registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 16 September 1922 in Harnett County, N.C.; lived at 602 West Spruce Street, Wilson; his contact was father Columbus Stewart; and he worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, South Tarboro Street, Wilson.

In 1942, Samuel Hyman registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 December 1901 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; lived at 610 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was Columbus Stewart, 600 block of Spruce Street; and he worked for Fred Flowers, 310 Sunset Drive, Wilson.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 211 Stantonsburg Street, manager/owner of grocery store Columbus Stewart, 54; wife Pearl, 39, grocery saleslady; daughter Eva E., 14; and niece Barbara Simmons, 8.

Columbus Stewart died 6 June 1961 in Durham, N.C., at the Veterans Administration hospital. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 September 1891 in Wake County, N.C., to Lewis Stewart and Ellen McCoy; was married to Pearl Stewart; was a retired grocer/merchant; and was buried in Rest Haven [sic] cemetery.

  • Clifton Hardy

In the 1900 census of Bull Head township, Greene County, N.C.: farmer William Hardie, 36; wife Carolin, 40; and children Devrow, 15, Bill, 11, Louisa, 9, Ardelia S., 7, Lee C., 6, Fenel F., 4, and James C., 3.

In the 1910 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County, N.C.: farmer William Hardy, 51; wife Caroline, 49; Arrobella, 18, Cliff, 16, Finner, 14, James, 12, Carrie, 9, and Daniel, 8.

In 1917, Clifton Hardy registered for the World War I draft in Greene County. Per his registration card, he was born February 1893 in Greene County; lived in Walstonburg, Greene County; and worked as a tenant farmer for William Hardy.

In the 1920 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County: W.M. Hardy, 59; wife Carolina, 59; and children Arbear, 26, Clifton, 26, Finnel, 24, James, 22, Daniel, 18, Hurman, 13, and Fannie May, 11.

On 14 March 1928, Clifton Hardy, 33, of New Bern, N.C., married Della Griswold, 32, of Wilson, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister A.H. George performed the ceremony in the presence of Jas. T. Parker, Mrs. Ashley Hines, and M.B. George.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: owned and valued at $2000, barber Clifton Hardy, 36; wife Della, 33, private cook; and Caroline Hardy, 65, widow.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: barber Clifton Hardy, 54; wife Della, 54, house cleaner; and Lucille Joyner, 24, teacher, grammar department, rural schools.

Clifton Hardy died 1 January 1968 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Durham, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 February 1893 in Greene County, N.C., to Bill Hardy and Carolina Hardy; worked as a barber; and was buried in the Masonic cemetery.

U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970, http://www.ancestry.com.

Three year-old struck by taxi and slightly injured.

Wilson Daily Times, 4 March 1949.

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  • Ralph Woodard, son of Herbert and Georgia Battle Woodard
  • Roy Hardy — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Walter Hardy, 67; daughter Mary E., 25, practical nurse; son Roy L., 24, taxi operator; and grandchildren Yvonne, 8, Janet, 6, Walter E., 4, and Carolyn, 2.

Historic Black Business Series, no. 4: Hardy and Holland’s livery stable.

The 500 block of East Nash Street is justly remembered as the 20th century epicenter of Wilson’s African-American-owned businesses. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Black entrepreneurs and tradespeople also operated across the tracks. As Wilson’s downtown experiences a resurgence, let’s rediscover and celebrate these pioneering men and women.

Check in each Sunday for the latest in the Historic Black Business Series!

Hardy & Holland’s livery stable was wedged, improbably, between a wholesale grocery and a garage with a second floor print shop.

1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., City Directory.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: livery stable laborer Jim Hardy, 32; wife Lizzie, 31; sons James, 8, and Lovelace, 6; and boarders Lincoln Sellers, 29, widower and brick yard laborer, and [blank] Batts, 37, water works laborer.

Wilson Daily Times, 13 May 1910.

Per the Wilson, North Carolina, Industrial & Commercial Directory, published in 1912, “JAMES HARDY, SUCCESSOR TO HARDY BROS. — Feed and Livery Stables. This business is located on South Goldsboro street between Nash and Barnes streets and the business has been established for the last four years. The proprietor has succeeded in building up a good patronage. He is very prompt in answering calls and his prices for Livery are very reasonable. Telephone Number 9. Hack and Dray work solicited. The proprietor wants your patronage and guarantees the right sort of treatment. He is a colored man and has the good wishes of all.” 

Hardy’s business partner was Thomas Holland, a Wake County, North Carolina, native. The brother with whom James Hardy did business earlier may have been John Hardy, who is listed in the 1908 city directory as a livery worker and was a witness to Jim Hardy’s 1901 marriage to Lizzie McCullen in Wilson.

Thomas Holland died 4 January 1914 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 November 1882 in Wake County to Benjamin Holland and Charity Jones; lived on Goldsboro Street, Wilson; was single; and worked as a livery stable day laborer. Charity Parker was informant, and he was buried in Wilson [likely, Oakdale, Rountree, Odd Fellows or Vick Cemetery.

James P. Hardy died 20 April 1914 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 27 April 1879 in Greene County to Petter Hardy and Jane Foreman; was married; lived at 508 Vance Street; and was a livery stable employer. Lizzie Hardy was informant. 

Both Holland and Hardy died of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Today, the site of Hardy & Holland has been transformed into Bankers Plaza.

The obituary of Carrie Hardy Cox.

Wilson Daily Times, 18 February 1942.

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On 1 January 1925, Jacob Hargrove, 20, of Wilson, son of Duncan and Vinnie Hargrove, married Carrie Mae Hardy, 20, of Wilson, daughter of W.H. Hardy, at the bride’s residence in Wilson. Duncan J. Hargrove applied for the license, and Free Will Baptist minister E.S. Hargrove performed the ceremony in the presence of John Hargrove, Roser Hargrove, and D.J. Hargrove.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Hargrove Jacob (c; Carrie) lab h 1108 Carolina

On 3 November 1938, Eddie H. Cox, 46, of Wilson, son of Washington and Julia Ann Cox, married Carrie H. Hardy, 33, of Wilson, daughter of Will and Nancy Hardy of Wilson. C.L. Darden applied for the license, and Rev. S. Wilson of Ayden, N.C., performed the ceremony in Wilson in the presence of Richard A.G. Foster and W.H. Phillips of Wilson and H.R. Reaves of Ayden.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 625 Green Street, owned and  valued at $2300, Rev. Eddie H. Cox, 49, minister, and wife Carrie H., 32, registered nurse.

Carrie Hardy Cox died 17 February 1942 at her home at 625 East Green Street. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 May 1907 in Lenoir County, N.C., to Willie Hardy and Nancy Locas; was married to Eddie H. Cox; worked as a nurse; and was buried at Rest Haven Cemetery.

Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.