Letters From Home

The above photograph of Charles Hardy is believed to have been taken in San Francisco in 1855. At that time Charles was age 23.

This blog is about a series of letters sent to Charles over the period from 1859 until 1867 from his family at home in Ely. One of these letters is addressed to Charles' wife Alice.

These letters are voices from the past. They help us better understand what was happening in the everyday lives of the Hardy family in the 1850s and 1860s. Copies of these letters were amongst the collection of family history items gathered by Dulcie McClure. My thanks go to her son Don McClure for sharing these with me. Unfortunately we do not know who had the originals of these letters.

My thanks also go to my cousins John Hardy and Peter Hardy for additional family history information that has assisted me in the writing of this blog.

I will start with the letter that has the oldest date. This is from George Hardy to his son Charles and is dated 22 November 1859. At this time Charles is in California living at the Rancho Jurupa with Don Louis Robidoux . According to a letter that Charles wrote many years later to Don Louis' grandson, he had lived with Don Louis on and off from 1856 to 1862. During this time he was teacher to Don Louis' children. He also assisted Don Louis with some of his business affairs.

George is age 68 and is retired from the family fellmonger and wool broking business which is now being run by his son John.

Here is a copy of the letter. George's writing is very good but the copies are difficult to read. This is not surprising given the age of the letter. A transcript is provided below to assist with reading the letter.

George Hardy

Transcript of the above letter

Ely Nov 22. 1859

My Dear Charles,

We received yours on Saturday and are very grieved to hear of your misfortunes. It is a heavy loss for you and the loss of the books I fear you will not be able to replace. I would send you some but the distance is too great. If our lives are spared until Spring, I will send you our likenesses. I cannot give you any advice whether to sell your land or not. I hope your conveyance of the land is not burnt, if it is how will you give a title to it?Have you no Insurance Company? If you were not living in the house how was it you did not take your Box away? We do not understand the relative value of your money with ours. Say in your next what your dollars are worth.

Your Sister Harriett is now living at Stafford. I am sorry to say Chat does not continue long in a Place. She has been very ill sometime but is now improving. Elizabeth went down to see her about 2 months since. She brought the Eldest little Girl home with her. She has been staying with us since she came. We shall keep her until her Father comes over. Mr Matthew Scott died last Aug 1st. His Son has been some time in New Zealand and was expected home but a Person of the same name was lost in the Wreck of the Royal Charter. It is feared it is him.

Our friend Mr Prigg died Oct 2 after being confined to his bed 6 months. He had lost his reason some time. We received a letter from George about 5 weeks since dated Aug 17th. They were then all well. The same Post brought Mrs Green a letter that her son Ingle Garner was dead. He was married and left one child. Mr and Mrs Carter Son in law & daughter left England beginning of Oct for Melbourne by ship Lightning. We sent George a Parcel by then which I hope he will receive safe, but since then we have had some terrible high winds and a very great many ships have been lost. A very great sacrifice of Life and Property. The Great Eastern was fitted out for America but before they got out to Sea a Boiler burst. It blew the saloon to pieces and by the preserving hand of God but few were killed. Just at that juncture the First Class Passengers were all gone on Deck or there would have been a great Sacrifice of Life.

Ebenezer is in a Situation at Salisbury and is very comfortable. We expect to see him for a few days at Xmas. We are getting on in business much as usual. John is very Steady, Persevering and industrious. I am thankful to say Mother and myself enjoy our health pretty well for our age. Eliz and her family are well. You may expect to hear from your Sisters shortly. Accept our united warmest love.

Your Affectionate

Father

With this I send you a paper.

The following is some additional information about the matters mentioned in Georges letter:

The fire and Charles' loss of books and land title.

Charles lost some books and a land title in a fire. The fire was mentioned in the letter sent by Charles to his father that had arrived on the previous Saturday. The records we hold that cover Charles' time in San Bernadino do not include any mention of a fire.

We know from the accounts published on the history of Riverside City and in particular the Jurupa Ranch and Don Louis Robidoux, that Charles was teaching at a small adobe schoolhouse that had been built on the Jurupa Ranch in 1856. Charles was the first teacher at this school.He was also providing private tutoring to Don Louis Robidoux's children. His own letter about this period written many years later says he lived with Don Louis "off and on from 1856 to 1862". Perhaps the fire was in the school house and the lost books were class room books. This is purely a guess on my part.

The matter of the land most likely relates to the 37 acres it is said Charles owned close to the city of San Bernadino. He is also said to have lost money in gold mining at Bear Lake valley. Don Louis is described as being a pioneer of the subdivision of land in Southern California. The Mormon church had also bought significant amounts of land in the San Bernadino area. Charles might well have made the purchase from either Don Louis or the Mormons.

Charles' letter about his time with Don Louis includes mention that he had assisted Don Louis with a transaction in regard to the Rancho San Jacinto. He was therefore doing more than just teaching. He was assisting Don Louis with his business affairs. This is consistent with much of what is apparent about Charles throughout his life. He seemed to like doing deals and in particular deals to buy and sell land.

Charles' brothers and sisters

Charles had 7 sisters and 3 brothers. George refers firstly to sister Harriett in his letter. Harriett was born in 1830, two years before Charles. She married Charles Keen a Baptist Minister. He is the "Chas" referred to by George. Apparently they moved around a lot in connection with Charles' duties as a Minister. They had 10 children all born in different locations.

Elizabeth is also mentioned. She was born in 1821. She married William Neale and had a daughter named Harriett.

There is reference to a letter from George. This is Charles' brother George who left England in February 1850 on the Countess of Zarborough bound for Australia. He lived in Australia for the rest of his life. He died in Melbourne. It is interesting that there were two George Hardys who went to Australia. Charles son George decided also to move from New Zealand to Australia.

Charles brother Robert Ebenezer (also know as "Ebbie") is mentioned as being in a Situation at Salisbury and being very comfortable. Robert had a this time moved to Salisbury to work for a Pharmaceutical Dispenser in the Salisbury Provident Dispensary. He set up his own chemists business in Salisbury 3 years later. Following Charles' return to England which we think is around 1863/64 he went to work with Robert in his business before leaving for New Zealand in 1865 with his wife Alice, whom he married in that same year.

The very "steady, persevering and industrious" brother John is also mentioned. He worked in the Hardy family tannery business in Ely for many years and inherited the business on his father's death.

Letters from Charles' sisters

The next letter in date order is from Charles' sister Mary dated 29th September 1862. Mary was born in 1824 and was therefore age 38 at this time. She had three children. Sadly she was widowed at only age 37. It is apparent from this letter that she was a very devout christian.

At the date of this letter Charles is still in the United States but must be close to the date of his return to England. The letter contains reference to a deferred return. The US Civil War was raging and may have caused the deferral. Charles wrote a lengthy letter on the matter of the war to the editor of the Los Angeles Star that was published on 1 March 1862. This is a typical Charles Hardy letter. Brilliant writing. I will include it later in this blog.

Unfortunately the photocopies of the remaining family letters include pages that have been written one on top of another. In the case of this letter it is the last two pages. This makes them almost impossible to read. Fortunately someone spent time making the transcripts which I have reproduced below.

Transcript of the above letter

My dearest Charles,

I wrote a short time since to you but the letters seem to have been lost as you did not receive them. I should be so glad to have the verses you mentioned. I suppose you forgot to enclose them. We were lamenting your deferred return. Had we known the cause our hearts would, as they now do, have flowed with gratitude and thankfulness to our heavenly Father for frustrating your intentions. Most likely you felt vexed and much disappointed at the time. Not knowing it was for your preservation ah how prone we are to think things are against us, when they are really working for our good. May he who has thus mercifully preserved you still keep you "as under the apple of his eye" and permit us to meet again on this earth. But if His all wise Providence decrees otherwise we can rejoice in the hope of meeting in a higher and nobler world, where nothing can dim our eyes from beholding Him as he is- and being made like unto Him. We have need of trials to prepare us for such blessedness and the daily prayer that they make work in us "the peaceable fruits of righteousness." I trust dearest Brother you will have left before War is declared- pray don't engage in it. How every event around us seems to speak of the Coming of Christ- Let it make us active Christians - knowing that God is well pleased with the smallest service we can render towards Him if done with an eye to His Glory. My home is now about 3 minutes walk from where we lived when you last came to Norwich. It is very pleasant but I sometimes feel very lonely. It is only those who have known such companionship that can enter into the loss- and yet I would not recall them back if I could. They are gone first to welcome me Home and my 2 precious children I trust. How many there are dear to you that you will not know when you see them. You will be pleased with all your grown up nephews and nieces. We often talk of Uncle Charles. The Children send their love with mine. To His precious care I commit you. Pray much for your bereaved and loving Sister Mary.

Sept 29th/62

The next letter is dated 18 February 1866 and is from Elize (Elizabeth) Hardy to her sister-in-law Alice Hardy. By this time Charles has returned to England, worked with Robert in the chemist business in Salisbury for a time, met Alice and married her and then migrated to New Zealand. At the date of this letter Alice is pregnant with Charles Lingham Hardy who was born on 12 March 1866 at Freemans Bay, Auckland.

Transcript of the above letter

The mail closes tonight so

excuse haste Ely

Feby 18/66

My dear Alice,

I was much pleased to hear from you again. I thought I should not from Charles.

I shall think of you the middle of March. I must tell you now of dear Mother's illness again she has been oblidge to have Doctor Patchet again. She is now, I hope, going on well. Mrs Pigg let her house and came to Ely. She still remains here. Headly goes to school out of town. Frank Neale is out of a situation. He is staying at Mrs Laythem and the two little ones. She is expecting to have a little one in May, Mrs Keene this month, Mrs Elb end of March, Mrs John Hardy first week in April. Mrs Eavins about the same time. Mrs Rae in June. My dear little boy grows so strong and well. His Uncle would like to see him. I will next March send his little likeness. I like my new home very much. All has been to see me but Mrs Neale. I must tell you Elb's chimney fell down last Sunday the front bedroom. I have told you all the news I can think of. I must now conclude with my fondest love to you and dear Charles and My best wishes. I remain

Yours ever

Elize Hardy

The final letter is another from sister Mary and is dated September 18th 1867. At this time Charles and Alice may have still been living in Freemans Bay, Auckland or may have moved to Dairy Flat the location of their Land Grant. The exact date of their move to Dairy Flat is not clear but we know that second son George Harry Hardy was born at the Wade (this is near Dairy Flat) on 17 October 1868. The transaction for their Land Grant at Dairy Flat was dated 27th September 1869.

The reference by Mary in her letter to Charles perhaps not having been to town, could mean she knew from a past letter to her that he was in fact living out of Auckland at Dairy Flat.

Transcript of the letter

Ely Sept 18th/67

Dearest Charles,

We have received a Paper and a book from George to Fannie this mail, nothing

from you, but suppose you have not been to Town. I shall be glad to get the Promissory Note from you to make me secure. We have been out for 10 weeks- 9 days at Bridgeworthy- the rest at lodgings in Derby- I went to consult a Medical Galviniser Namish. Both Fannie and I were under treatment for 2 months and received very much benefit. I felt quite a difference being there the last 3 weeks, so enjoyed life as I was so well. Ely does not suit either of us- its too flat, and so dull. I mean to fix up my residence in Derbyshire when I am not required here. Father is so wonderfully quiet- never cares to talk. I think it must be the harbinger of breaking up- but he does not seem to show it in other respect- works well or is always about, eats well, and sleeps well. We are very pleased and thankful to hear of your good prospects- may much happiness still be yours. It is a most happy state to be blest with a kind energetic wife. I should like to see your little Pet. Who does he most resemble? Chas Saunders is also blest with a very Amiable pious wife. They have got a very nice house in Hackney nicely furnished or I might say beautifully. Mr Latham is very prosperous. Mr Hall the butcher is building a House as large as the large one adjoining. Mr Blakeman is building a good large House also - so the Hills is quite improved. Mary Freeman is married at last to Mr Myrton. The Family received them on friendly terms.

Harry Wilson is being queer again with St Vitus Dance. Mrs Winkley left 9 months ago to be married to a widower with 6 children and poor. She heard of him thro an advertisement and she was to be married in haste- however we have heard nothing since- although she left a huge box at Mrs Neales. Eliza is staying at Haddenham for a few days- They expect to add to their number at Xmas. The Children grow nicely.

They were all here during our absence- but glad to get their Cottage again. Mrs Neale reckons on getting Harriette well married- hope she will not be disappointed. She has been to a very aristocratic College the last 12 months so Ely won't be the place for her now. We are all well, and send kindest love to you both, and kisses for your precious one ever dearest Chas

Your loving Sister Mary.

Comments and additional information

The medical galvaniser referred to by Mary would have applied low voltage electrical current as a form of treatment. It is said to improve tissue metabolism and blood circulation.

I am not sure about the identity of Fannie. It could be her daughter named Frances who was also called Francine.

Mary married Horace Samuel Pigg a Woollen Draper. They had two children, Hedley and Frances/Francine

Mary was widowed in 1862. She subsequently ran a private school in Bedford and was assisted in this by her daughter Francine. In 1873 Mary changed her surname and adopted the name Mary Hardy Theobald. Mary lived until age 83.

George Hardy's Will

During my research for this blog I looked at the copy we have of George's Will. This raised some interesting questions about the decisions made by George in the distribution of his estate. His wife Susan predeceased George on 21 March 1866. He died on 21 September 1869.

George made his final Will and Testament on 20 August 1867. He appointed his son John Hardy, son-in-law William Neale ( Elizabeth's husband) and friend George Scott Claxton as Executors of his estate. According to a Directory of Ely listing local identities of that time, George Claxton was a clerk to The Guardian of Ely Union, an estate agent and an agent for the Royal & British Empire Insurance company.

The main beneficiary of George's estate was John Hardy. He inherited the business including all of its buildings, pits, vats and implements of trade including George's horse, cart, van and harness and the goodwill of the business. He was allowed to buy at cost price all of the hides and skins and to buy the stock of leather at 10 pounds per cent off the selling price. The selling price of the leather was to be determined as at the time of George's death by some respectable Fellmonger or Fellmongers. John was given 12 months from the date of George's death to pay the agreed selling price.

Two cottages or tenements with the yards, gardens and appurtenances situated on Back Hill in Ely and now in the occupation of Widow Royston and Charles Royston were given to George's daughter Ann Wilson. Back Hill is a road that is not far from Broad St in Ely.

George's daughter Harriett and her husband Charles Thomas Keen were left the premises at Victoria St in Ely currently in the occupation of John Hardy. Victoria St runs from Broad St down towards the Great Ouse River. It is very close to where George's business was situated. This was for the length of their joint lives and for as long as one of them survived.

Harriett and her husband and their children were also given all of George's household furniture effects and the proceeds of some life insurance policies. After provision for the costs associated with George's death including his funeral costs any remaining funds were to be invested and any interest or dividends to be paid to Harriett during her lifetime. Following her death such monies were payable to her husband so long as he is alive and in the event of his death to Harriett's children. Any monies payable to the children were to be held in trust until age 20 in the case of a son and in the case of a daughter the earlier of getting married or turning age 20.

From the above it is clear that George had determined that John would naturally continue to run the family business and would move into what was the main family home on Broad St.

Daughter Ann was provided for with the two cottages. I assume these were investment properties that might well have continued as such for the benefit of Ann.

Harriett is the other main beneficiary. It is interesting that she was to take over a house occupied by John which was in fact owned by George.

Questions remain regarding why the other sons and daughters of George and Susan were not included in the Will at all.

Starting with Robert and Charles it is probably reasonable to assume that as George had arranged for each of them to be trained as chemists and no doubt paid all costs involved, he might have considered they had been sufficiently rewarded by him and had no need of further assistance.

Sarah Hardy the first born child had married a chemist Joseph Sturton. It is thought that the prosperous Mr Sturton was the reason George encouraged Charles and Robert to train as chemists. Sturton was asked for advice regarding Robert's business and he helped as an investor in the business. George may have considered that in view of the success of Mr Sturton's own business he did not need to assist Sarah any further.

There is no information on record regarding Susan Hardy other than that she was born on 5 March 1817 and died 8 May 1851.

Ann was provided for by George with the two cottages. Ann was born 18 February 1819 and died 20 September 1903.

Elizabeth is known to have married Frank Neale and had a daughter named Harriett. We do not know any more about Elize but we do have her above letter to Charles.

We know about Mary and have her letters to Charles and the information that appears earlier in this blog. She appears to have managed quite well given she owned and ran a private school.

A daughter Hannah was born in 1826 and sadly died only 8 months later.

John Hardy

On his death on 7th September 1928 a tribute was published in a local newspaper as below. Unfortunately the copy I have is hard to read. The first few paragraphs state as follows:

By the death of Mr John Hardy of 33 Market Street Ely has lost its oldest and one of its most respected inhabitants. Ninety four years of age, the late Mr Hardy was extremely well known in the City.

Deceased was the 10th child of the late Mr George Hardy, who was born in 1791. Mr Hardy was born in a house in Broad St which had then been in the possession of his family for two generations. In 1861 the late Mr Hardy married Eliza, daughter of the late Mr Thornhill of Southary. There were 10 children - seven sons and three daughters - the first four of whom died in infancy. There are now three sons and one daughter surviving. He was predeceased by his wife in 1884, and in 1886 married Susan Claxton, daughter of the late Mr W Claxton, a well known solicitor. His second wife died in 1918.

A fellmonger and wool merchant by trade, the late Mr Hardy retired from business in 1918, since when he had resided with his daughter, Mrs F.C. Palmer in Market St. He was a regular attendant at the Wesleyan Chapel until the last two years of his life, and a staunch Liberal in politics. He enjoyed the best of health until after last Christmas, but during January and February he had a severe illness and had been in failing health ever since that time. For a week he was seriously ill and passed peacefully away on Friday morning. Despite his advanced age and recent illnesses he retained all his faculties right up to the end.

The funeral took place at Ely Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, the Rev G.J. Chamberlain, the new Wesleyan minister officiating.

The principal mourners were: Mr C. H. Hardy and Mrs F. C. Hardy, son and daughter; Messers A.E. Hardy and H.T.Hardy, sons; Messers J.W. and G.R. Hardy grandsons; Miss Hardy-Theobald, niece; Mrs Wilkinson, Mrs C.E. Palmer, Mr Pate, Mr E.J. Cross and Messers G and N. Dellar (St Ives) friends.

Charles Hardy's letter to the editor of the Los Angeles Star 1 March 1862

Throughout his life Charles was a prolific writer of letters to the editors of relevant newspapers. I consider this letter to the Los Angeles Star to be one of the best examples of his great authorship.

Los Angeles Star, Volume XI, Number 43, 1 March 1862

CORRESPONDENCE.

Editor Los Angeles Star :

SIR—It is with feelings of no common emotion, that I, in common with my countrymen, regard the hostilities now raging in these United States. It has been charged, sir, by those who ought to have known better, that the British Government and people would glory in the disruption and final disintegration of the United States. I pronounce the assertion a foul slander, and a reproach to those who have uttered it. Severing the ties of a common ancestry—of, previous to the Revolution, a common glorious history, of a common language, of a common religion, of common law, of common moral and social habits —severing the ties which bind so many thousands in Britain to their sons and daughters, their brothers and sisters in America. There are yet two words which would startle the eye and heart of Britannia, in prospect of a storm so furious and deathly as now threatens this fair land of her children's children. Those words are CORN and COTTON. Close up the great granary of the West, and in a few months how many will sigh in Manchester, in Glasgow, in every city of Britain, for that cause. Close up the trade of the great "King Cotton.” and, sir, although England may maintain the “infernal fires" of a dozen Sebastopol, her mines yield iron to vomit upon and batter down the strongest walls, the flower and the strength of her army may fall before the strongholds of the enemy, and the ploughboys and the sons of her nobles rush side by side to sustain her French eagles look toward " la belle France' before the British lion leaves the bear to his wounds, and her navy dare defy the fleets of the world ; — yet, there is one thought can bring palor to her face, and sorrow to her heart. That thought is— the silence of her factories. A death of cotton, and in a few short months millions of her children are crying for bread. Then, who shall say that England desires —that England has an interest in, the discord of the United States? It behoves statesmen and people to look at things as they are. To political diseases, to apply the remedies of wisdom and prudence, and not the mandates of brawling politicians, and greedy office-hunters. We find, with sorrow and dismay, that nearly one third of those bright stars which were once the hope of the world, and the honest pride of the whole Anglo-Saxon race, have rent themselves asunder from the firmament of the great commonwealth. What shall be done to stop the terrible conflagration of the liberties of the people? What to stay the fearful blight which threatens this great branch of the foremost race? What to cure this awful disease, where the whole head is sick and the whole heart faint? Shall it be by the shock of war and the clash of arms? If so, then well may the American people exclaim, " woe is me! for I am utterly undone?"

A revolution of the Anglo-Saxon race is a thing far different from a " grand revolution" of Messrs. les Francaise. The latter is the conflagration of a huge pile of fagots—short, brilliant, fitful—and over. The former is the burning of a magnificent primeval forest—slow, sublime, glaring through the heavens—the fall of monarchs—the crash of nature. When, for the color of a rose, the fields of England were reddened with blood, what could  have stopped the strife but the blending of the two houses? What could have bended the English will at Runnymede? What have slackened victory has been the watchword in England? What else will ever be the watchery in America? The bird of Jove from his lofty flight screams not in fear, but he shrieks in sorrow and dismay. Brothers! friends! shall it be? Shall these fair prairies and these bold forests resound with the clang and clash of fratricidal arms? Shall these bright skies be clouded with the smoke of suicidal battles, and this sweet atmosphere smell of your wrathful blood? God forefend ! Angels weep! Bow, stubborn knees! Volunteer of north or south, stay thy uplifted arm ! Mothers! wives! sisters! lament, ere it be too late. A truce! a truce to hostilities! Let it ring through the heavens and resound throughout the land ! When a man's house is on fire, what more common than for him to call upon his neighbors to extinguish it? England—l appeal to the good sense of America—is her friend; why will she cavil at the word? Why dispute the fact? Is England jealous because with her iron fleet she is afraid of the pine ships of America? Does she desire the annihilation of North and South that she may enjoy the undisputed possession of the magnificent island of San Juan? Is she revengeful because she gave a tremendous impetus to American agriculture in the institution of free trade? or because she opened her coasting trade to American vessels, whilst the American coasting trade is closed to British vessels? Or because the Queen lends her portrait to decorate the American festive hall in London, on the fourth of July? Or is she affectionate because in the Crimean war America threw her sympathies into the scale of the Bear? and, forsooth, for why ? Was it because she preferred the knout to the constitution of England? or because the institutions of England and America are the nearest alike, and those of America and Russia are the most dissimilar ? Is America angry with England because the "Great Eastern" floats the admiration of the world? or because that little sauce-box Tom Sayres dared to combat the great giant monarch of the American forest, and never surrendered the belt ? Is it because England spends more than America to repress the African slave trade? because the great exhibition will be opened this year ? or because the British lion roared before the American eagle was fledged ? I For what is Yankee Doodle fretting and pouting about his venerable old sire like a spoiled child? Is it for any or all of these reasons or because— his shirt collar has too much starch in it?  Before we build a house it is better to count the cost. Before North and South surrender themselves to a death struggle, which pushed to extremity, could only lead as did the memorable combat between the two Kilkenny cats, of whom nothing was left but their tails. Let them pause for a moment, and if they cannot settle the paltry differences between them, let them leave their paltry disputes to the arbitration of some neutral I and enlightened power. Whatever was the decision, in a few months, when the fever excitement had cooled down. North and South would mutually rejoice at it when looking at the abyss from whence they had escaped. Jonathan would be pleased to serenade John Bull with his favorite tune, and acknowledge that if he could have settled his own differences without the interference of monarchieal governments (of which however monarchy is but the balance wheel and not the motive power) that still friendly international arbitration had been better than deadly internecine strife.

CHARLES HARDY.

San Antonio de Santa Anna, Feb. 15th,1862.