Joseph Hardy of Maine Notes from Sandy Delano


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Joseph Hardy (of Maine)           Residences: Westerly, Rhode Island; Connecticut (see 1800 U.S. Census Islesborough, Maine); Camden, Maine; 700 Acre Island, Maine; Islesboro, Maine; and Searsmont, Maine

Occupation: Yeoman (given in land deeds)

1740-1750 Date of birth based on Searsmont, Maine 1830 US Census as

Joseph Hardy had one male aged 80 to ninety years in residence.

1748 Feb 08 Date of birth of a Joseph Hardy son of Robert Hardy of Westerly, RI. This boy at age 5 years was bound out until age 21 to Isaac Babcock. (need proof this is same person.

1748 Abt Sarah Richards future wife of Joseph Hardy born Dover N.H. the daughter of James and Sarah (Foss) Richards.

1750 Abt Father Robert Hardy died.

1753 HARDY, JOSEPH & ROBERT; 2/26/1753 - Frances Moss overseer of Robert appeared in council to bind Joseph Hardy son of Robert Hardy as an apprentice unto Isaac Babcock to age 21, now 5 years at 8th day of this month (b-2/8/1748). Master to teach read and write. (Per Ref 3, Book 5 1745-1762 Council Records, Probate Records)       (Index 84, pg 340)

1762 HARDY, JOSEPH; 6/13/1762 - Benjamin Randall, Joshua Clark, Joseph Crandall Justice of Peace upon complaint of Steven Saunders overseer of poor made against Joseph Lewis master of apprentice boy Joseph Hardy who hasn't allowed this apprentice sufficient clothing, and lodging and several times immoderately corrected him. The council discharged Joseph from his apprenticeship. (Per Ref 3,- Book 10 1753-1763 Land Evidence)       (Index 206, pg 293)

1768 Abt Date of marriage to Sarah Richards (date and place unknown)       (Ref: Thorndike Genealogy)

1768 Abt William Pendleton of Westerly R.I. settled Islesborough, Maine.

1768 Abt James and Elizabeth Richards settled in Camden, Maine. (He a brother of Sarah (Richards) Hardy)

1770 Abt Thomas Pendleton of Westerly, RI. settled at Islesborough.

1770 Abt Shubael Williams from New London, Ct. Settled at Islesborough.

1770 Abt A voyager calls Seven Hundred Acre Island "Little Long Island" to distinguish it from Long Island proper (Ilesborough). He wrote disparagingly of both:" but a few families settled, and most of their business seems to be cutting cord-wood for Boston vessels and planting a few potatoes". British admiralty charts show two families of "potato planters" on Seven Hundred Acre Island. One at the Northern tip, the other at the southern. (Map 1776 British Neptune)       (Ref: Islands of the Mid Maine Coast Blue Hill and Penobscot Bay. Pg. 151)

1771 Elissa Hardy married Asa Hook. (Searsmont The old Township of Quantabacook PP. 109) Relationship to Joseph Hardy unknown.

1771 Elisha Hardy born. (Searsmont the old Township of Quantabacook) Relationship to Joseph Hardy unknown.

Members of Joseph Hardy family resided in Searsmont, Maine at a later date. Possibly related to Samuel Hardy of Green Plantation who married Keziah Waterhouse of Belfast.

1773 Jun 28 Meeting of Twenty Associates. Voted that Mr. Joseph Hardy be permitted to settle on lot #66, (Camden, Maine) upon the same conditions that other settlers are permitted, reserving to this proprietary all the meadows that may be in said lot for the use of settlers, but at the discretion of the proprietary, for the term of six years from this date except for 4 acres which said Hardy is to have the exclusive use of.

Nathaniel Appleton - Clerk.

Records of Twenty Associates pg. 138 - In possession of Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.

SRD NOTE: Same date William Shaw and Jacob Hassom permitted to settle. A William Shaw was married 8 April 1695 to Lydia Pearson (born in East Hampton LI, NY abt 1680) the daughter of John Pearson and Elizabeth (the daughter of Richard and Anne Husted) Hardy. The title Mr. Joseph Hardy may imply some economic or social standing although he could not write his name and signed deeds of property with his x mark.

1774 Only families at Islesborough were Thomas and William Pendleton and Shubael Williams. SRD:Note..both from Connecticut and whalers were known to use Islesborough as a refueling stop.

1775 Abt John Gilkey settled at Islesborough.

SRD NOTE: Only children named in records are Joseph, Zachariah and Lydia. (24 Dec. 1792 Camden Selectmens Minutes)

1775 Sep 25 Son Joseph Hardy born. Recorded at Searsmont, Maine. (Searsmont The old Township of Quantabacook 1764-1976 Pg. 109.)

1778 Abt Daughter Lydia Hardy born. (Hardy Family Records)

1779 Mar 12 Son Zachariah Hardy born. (Hardy Family Records)

1779 Jun British took Castine, Maine.

1780 Abt Searsmont, Maine first settled.

1780 British Commander at Castine, Maine issued proclamation that all male inhabitants on Penobscot & East rivers above 14 years old to appear at Ft. Georges (Castine) by July 20, 1780 to take oath of allegiance to King.

1783 Abt SRD Note: several settlers from RI/CT arrived at Islesborough. They are listed below. No relationship with Joseph Hardy is known, other than he also came from CT.

1783 Abt Benjamin Marshall of Block Island, RI settled at Islesborough.

1784 Abt Simon Dodge of Block Island, RI settled at Islesborough.

1785 Abt Henry Hancock Rose of Block Island, RI settled at Islesborough.

1785 Abt Valentine Sherman of Connecticut settled at Islesborough.

1785 Joseph Hardy at 700 Acre Island when surveyed by Jonathan Stone. He had been there since before the revolution (1775) (Maine archives: plan book 8, PP.44).

1785 Apr 02 Joseph Hardy of Camden sold 100 acres in Camden. (Vol. 20 PP. 10 Lincoln County Registry of Deeds)

Know all men by these presents that I Joseph Hardy of Camden in the county of Lincoln in the Massachusetts State for and in consideration of the sum of twelve pounds lawful money of the state aforesaid to me in hand paid by Isaac Harrington of Weston in the county of Middlesex the receipt of which or security for the same I do hereby acknowledge and do by these presents grant bargain sell .... convey and forever quitclaim all my rights and title unto him the said Isaac Harrington his heirs and assigns forever one hundred acres of land lying and being in Camden aforesaid bounding on the town line and on the mill privelege being 100 rods wide and half a mile in length being the lot that I formerly lived on. To have and to Hold the aforesaid granted premises with all the priveleges and appurtenances thereunto belonging to the true possession the performance of which I the said Joseph Hardy do hereby bind myself and my heirs and assigns unto him the said Isaac Harrington his heirs and assigns. In witness I have here unto set my hand and seal this the 2 day of April Anno Domini 1785. Joseph his X mark Hardy and a seal. Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of William Gregory Jun'r. Samuel Tolman, Lincoln... Thomaston April 14, 1785 Then the above named Joseph Hardy personally appeared and owned the above instrument to be his free act and deed before me, Mason Wheaton Justice of Peace. Rec'd. August 30, 1786 and accordingly entered and examined. by Tho'. Rice Regr.

1787 Abt William Grinnell of Block Island, RI settled at Islesborough.

1787 Aug 15 Joseph Hardy of 700 Acre Island sold 100 acres on the Island to William Philbrook Jr. for L30. From westerly side of island southerly to land of William Griffith and Northerly to land of Joseph Hardy and across Island easterly to Long Island Harbor. (so called marsh lot).       (Lincoln County Reg. of deeds. Book PP.?)

SRD Note: It is unclear how Joseph Hardy had come into possession of the property on 700 Acre Island but, he had supposedly been in residence there since before the revolution (1775). Pure conjecture on my part but, he possibly came with the Pendletons the first settlers of Islesborough as Samuel Pendleton of Westerly had a daughter Mary Hardy. Joseph then married the sister of Camdens first settler James Richards and was conditionally granted land in Camden in 1773.

1788 Abt Date of birth (estimated) of Martha Hardy who later married Stephen Veazie of Islesborough and removed to Corinth, Maine. (History of Islesborough - Farrow PP. 291)

SRD Note: Had similar note with date of birth 1769.

1790 Sep 08 Will of Samuel Pendleton of Westerly, RI mentions a daughter; Mary Hardy who was married to William Henry Hardy supposedly a brother to Joseph Hardy.

1790 U.S. Census Camden, Maine PP. 29, Col. 2
Joseph Hardy head of Household
Males > 16 - 1 (Joseph I)
Males < 16 - 2 (Joseph II, Zachariah)
Females 3 (Sarah, Lydia, wife Sarah Richards)

1791 Apr 22 Know all men by these presents, that I Joseph Hardy of Camden in the county of Lincoln, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman, for and in consideration of the sum of forty five pounds lawful money to me in hand paid by Noah Dodge of Islesborough in the county of Hancock and Commonwealth aforesaid yeoman, The receipt wherof I do hereby acknowledge, that I have granted, bargained, sold, and conveyed, and by these presents, do grant, bargain, sell, and convey and forever quitclaim unto him the sd. Noah Dodge, a certain lott of land in sd. Islesborough, on Seven Hundred Acre Island (so called) bounded as followeth viz't beginning at the westerly corner of David Thomas Junr. lott of land at a stake and stone standing by the water, from thence running along the sd. line a southeasterly course, one hundred seventy five rods to the water, from thence a south westerly course along the said water one hundred rods or thereabouts, to a lott of land possessed by Wm. Philbrooks, from thence a north westerly course across the sd. Island to the water side, thence a north easterly course along the sd water to the first mentioned bounds, so as to contain one hundred acres of land with all the priveledges thereon--together with all the estate, right, title thereunto belonging -- to have and to hold all the aforegranted and bargained premisess, with all the appurtances to him the sd. Noah Dodge his heirs and assigns forever, and that I will warrant secure and defend the sd. premises to the sd. Noah Dodge and to his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons, claiming right thereto, from by or under me. In witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of April in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety one.
Signed Sealed and delivered his in the presence of Joseph X Hardy
J. McGuire mark
George Halliburton
Hancock ss. 22d April 1793

Then personally appeared the aboove named Joseph Hardy and acknowledged the above instrument by him subscribed to by his free act and deed--before me Oliver Parker Justice of the peace. received and entered April 24th 1793. Att't William Webber registrar

1791 Dec 01 Joseph Hardy of Islesborough purchased 100 acres in Camden, Maine from Michael Shays for L30. Starting at SW corner of James Richards Jr's. land then NW by N half N along the said James Richards Jr.'s line 160 rods. From thence SW and west half west 100 rods thence SE and by five halfs 100 rods. From thence SE by South 1160 rods, from thence northwesterly 100 rods to place of beginning. (Lincoln County Registry of deeds Book 30 PP.67)

1792 Dec 24 Camden selectmen gave notice to Joseph Hardy, Joseph Hardy Jr., Zachariah Hardy, Lydia Hardy, and Sary Hardy to leave limits of town of Camden within 15 days with their children and those under their care. (Camden town records) SD: is Sarah wife or daughter ?

1793 Dec 09 Joseph Hardy sold to William Gregory Jr. lot #71 containing 100 acres in Camden, Maine. bounded as follows: SE on lot # 77 and # 78, Southwest on lot # 70, Northwest on land of Nathan Barrett and Northeast on lot # 72 now occupied by James Richards Jr. Seal and Mark. (Lincoln County Registry of deeds Book 31, PP. 118)

1797 Mar 20 Grandson Zachariah Hardy born (son of Joseph Hardy Jr.)       (Searsmont The old Township of Quantabook PP.109)

1798 Jul 22 Son Joseph Hardy Jr. Married Elizabeth Thorndike of Camden. She the daughter of Robert and Deborah (Wallis) Thorndike.

1798 Direct Massachusetts Tax (Islesborough)
Joseph Hardy
House Value 40
100 Acres Value 110

1800 U.S. Census Lincoln County, (Camden, Maine)
Joseph Hardy head of household
Males < 10 1 (Zachariah)
Males 26-45 1 (Joseph II)
Females 26-45 1 (Elizabeth Thorndike)

1800 Census Hancock County, (Islesboro, Maine)
Joseph Hardy head of household
Where did you come from? Answer: Ct.
Males > 45 1 (Joseph I born before 1755)
Females 26-45 2 (Sarah, Lydia)
Females >45 1 (Sarah Richards)
SRD Note: Settlers of Islesboro were from: 4 from Bristol, 3 from Stonington, 2 from Ct, 2 from Block Island, 2 from marshfield, and 9 from other

1801 Sep 15 Grandaughter Mehitable Hardy born (son Joseph)

1803 Oct 17 Grandson Lewis Hardy born (son Joseph)

1805 Apr 14 Grandaughter Eliza Hardy born (son Joseph)

1808 Apr 27 Grandson Joseph Hardy born (son Joseph)

1810 Oct 17 Grandaughter Lucy Hardy born (son Joseph)

1810 Abt William Hook born son of Asa and Elissa (Hardy) Hook. (Searsmont The Old Township of Quantabacook PP 109)

1810 U.S. Census 1810 Camden Maine
Joseph Hardy
Joseph Hardy Jr.

1812 Oct 27 Grandaughter Mary Hardy born (son Joseph)

1812 Mary Jane Hook born daughter of Asa Hook and Elissa (Hardy) Hook. (Searsmont the Old township of Quantabacook PP 109)

1815 Apr 03 Islesboro town meeting voted Mr. Hardy and wife to Joshua Dodge at public vendue for $4.75/month. (History of Islesborough - Farrow PP 46)

1815 Grandson Robert Hardy born (son Joseph) Ref: Searsmont the old Township of Quantabacook PP 109)

1816 Mar 16 Islesboro town meeting voted Mrs. Hardy to remain as last year. (Ref: History of Islesborough - Farrow PP46)

1816 Apr Same as above (Arlene Heaton notes as follows) There was a town expense in Camden in Camden this year for Mrs. Hardy. Leon Crockett told Arlene that Mrs. Hardy was Separated from her husband and had been brought to Camden to stay with a daughter, probably Lydia Hasson.

1817 Mar 21 Islesborough town meeting voted to repair Mr. Hardy & wife to be at the direction of the selectmen for the present.

1818 Apr 06 Islesborough town meeting voted Mr. Hardy & wife to remain as before.

1818 Apr 05 Islesborough town meeting voted Mr. Hardy & wife to remain as before.

1819 Apr Islesborough town meeting voted Mr Hardy to remain as before.

1820 Apr 10 Article three at Isleborough town meeting to see what method the town will take to support Joseph Hardy & wife the ensuing winter. Voted the selectmen if they think proper take advice of an attorney about Mr. Hardy & wife & to leave them in their hands.

1820 U.S. Census Camden, Maine
Joseph Hardy head of household (Jr.)      (Joseph Hardy Sr. no longer listed as head of household)

1820 Rathburn Dodge was paid $1.28/week by town of Islesborough to board and clothe Joseph and Sarah Hardy. (Ref: ?)

1821 Apr 07 Islesborough town meeting voted the selectmen should bring Joseph Hardy to this town and leave his woman that he lives with at Camden. Samuel Pendleton Jr. takes Joseph Hardy for a year and given $.25/week

1821 Apr 02 Islesboro town meeting voted Samuel Pendleton to take Joseph Hardy for a year and give twenty five cents per week. (History of Islesborough - Farrow PP.48)

1822 Mar 25 Islesborough town meeting voted Mr Hardy and wife to be in care of selectmen.

1823 Islesborough town meeting voted Mr Hardy and wife to be in the care of selectmen.

1824 Apr 05 Islesborough town meeting voted Mr. Hardy and wife left with selectmen as before.

1825 Apr 04 Poor of town to be disposed of by selectmen.

1826 Apr 30 Islesborough town meeting voted to see what the town will allow Joseph Hardy Jr. for support and maintenance of his father. Allowed to pay Josiah Farrow for one year $30.16 (acct.of J Hardy) Voted to allow Joseph Hardy of Searsmont $5.00 for assistance in maintenance of his father.

1827 Apr 02 Voted that Mr. Hardy can be kept where he is now at $15 a year to keep him there, otherwise to be left with the Islesborough selectmen.

1828 Jan 15 Sarah (Richards) Hardy wife of Joseph died Camden, Maine. (Family Records)

1828 Mar 02 Islesborough agreed to pay $15. to Joseph Hardy Jr. towards the care of his father. (Arline Heaton notes)

1829 Mar 27 Islesborough town meeting article to see what method the town will take to support Joseph Hardy a pauper of this town now living in Searsmont.

1829 Sep 08 Islesborough voted that Joseph Hardy should be left in hands of selectmen.

1830 Apr 13 Islesborough town meeting voted to allow Joseph Hardy Jr.$30/year for to keep his father Joseph Hardy and to clear this town of expense.

1830 U.S. Census Searsmont Maine
Joseph Hardy Jr.
Males 80-90 - 1

1834 Sep 09 Islesborough town meeting article; first to see what method the town will take to support Joseph Hardy, a town pauper. Voted that Joseph Hardy should remain with his son Joseph Hardy Jr. for $45/year.

1840 Mar 02 Islesborough town meeting voted to leave Joseph Hardy in care of the agent.

1841 Feb 09 Islesborough town meeting voted to support Joseph Hardy in the town where he now is. (Last date of entry in Islesborough town records concerning Joseph Hardy).

1841 Abt Date of death age 90+ years.

1842 Son Joseph Hardy Jr. and his adult children with their families left Maine for Illinois with the LDS.


























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