The Hardy/Hardee families of South Alabama settled first in Monroe County, Ala., when they arrived circa the winter of 1817. Some years later when land in Coosa County was opened up, most of the family moved there, but some members then returned to Monroe. Later generations spread to adjoining counties such as Conecuh and Covington, and others migrated to Louisiana and others to Texas, which is typical of folks during that period of time.

While it is not known if he is a descendant of this family, Dr. Phillip Hardee, an orthodontist, had a practice in Andalusia, Ala., for many years. He was the only one at the time, so many families availed themselves of his services, and he became quite popular in the area. He is retired now, and makes his home in the Beatrice community of Monroe County.

The name Hardy has been spelled many different ways: Hardy, Hardee, Hardie and Hardey. Most members of this line used the Hardy or Hardee spelling with Hardy being the earlier choice. It has been suggested that the name means “fearless and daring,” which corresponds with the definition of one being hale and hardy. The early ancestors came from England and Wales and landed in Virginia where they settled before moving on to North Carolina.

The earliest ancestor identified by this writer is Anthony Hardy of Pembroke, Wales. Anthony was born in 1605 and lived until 1665. He had a son named John Noble Hardy who was born in 1638 in Pembroke and who later moved to Dorchestershire, England. Years later, John Noble had four sons who immigrated to America circa 1695: John, b. 1665, m. Charity, a widow, in England; Thomas; Joseph; and Anthony, b. 1667, d. 1742, m. Evelyn Dulverton, daughter of Henry James Dulverton. The John Noble Hardy family resided in Chowan, N.C., until after his death which occurred before 1719.

The oldest son, John Hardy, and Charity were the parents of five children: William, Thomas, Mary, Jacob and John Jr. No additional information nor any descendants are known for sons, Thomas and Joseph. The youngest son, Anthony Hardy, were the parents of John Worthington Hardy who was born in 1689 and lived until 1783. This son appears to be the one who began to use the Hardee form of the family name. In 1739, he was married to Mary Emily Parker, a native of Virginia and daughter of Col. John H. Parker who immigrated from England in 1700 and settled along the James River. John Worthington Hardy became quite prominent and was well regarded as a deputy surveyor and Colonial trustee. He died in 1783 near Wilmington, N.C.

John Worthington and Mary Emily Hardee became the parents of the following sons: Joseph, b. 1705, d. 1784; John H., b. 1707, d. 1784, m. Susannah Tyson; Thomas, b. 1709, d. 1767; Richard, b. 1709, d. ca 1753; and Robert, b. 1710, d. 1790.

The second son, John H. Hardee, became one of the founders of Pitt County, N.C., and the first county court hearings were held in his house. Also, the first court house and other structures were built on his property. He was regarded as one of the most prominent men of the Hardee family during the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. He served as a Captain in the Colonial Militia, and when his company was divided, he achieved the rank of Colonel. This was near the end of his life, but he continued to exert tremendous influence during the war effort.

In 1728, John H. Hardee was married to Susannah Tyson, daughter of Samuel and Margrita Tyson. They resided in Pitt County, N.C., where their children were born. They were the parents of as many as 18 children; however, the last three or so listed in some trees appear to be too late in their marriage. Those usually listed include the following: Susannah, b. 1729, d. 1820; Joseph, b. 1730, d. 1800; Jemima, b. 1731, d. 1824; Andrew, b. 1731, d. 1818; Isaac, b. 1734, d. 1760; Samuel, b. 1735, d. 1803; Elizabeth, b. 1738, d. 1805; Col. John II, b. 1742, d. 1803, m. (1) 1763 Caroline Aldrich (2) Elizabeth Burney; Mary, b. 1743; Winifred, b. 1745; William, b. 1747, d. 1850; Benjamin, b. 1749; Joseph, b. 1750, d. 1818; and Winifred, b. 1777 but she is questionable based on the date of birth and the use of a sister’s name.

The son, John Hardee, who also became a colonel in the Revolutionary War, was born in 1842 in Pitt County. He died in 1793 in Hazzards Neck, of Pitt County. He was first married to Caroline T. Aldrich, and it appears they had one daughter, Sarah. He was next married to Elizabeth Burney (1742-1815) with whom he had the following children: John, b. 1770, d. 1853, m. (1) Jane E. Cone (2) Sarah Ellis; Charity, b. 1771; Penelope, b. 1772, d. 1798; Jane, b. 1773, d. 1820; William Sr., b. 1775, d. 1850; Robert, b. 1778, d. 1850; Abraham, b. 1778, d. 1813; and Isaac, b. 1779, d. ?.

The oldest son, John Hardee, was born in 1769 or 1770 and lived until 1838. He was first married to Jane E. Cone (1772-1797), and they were the parents of one son, John Ziba, b. 1794, d. 1872. He was next married to Sarah Ellis with whom he had the following children: Thomas Ellis, b. 1798, d. 1839; Sarah, b. 1800, d. 1803; John Hays, b. 1803, d. 1835; Noble Andrew, b. 1804, d. 1867; Caroline, b. 1808; George Washington, b. 1812; and William Joseph, b. 1815, d. 1873.

This John Hardee’s oldest son, John Ziba Hardee, was born in 1782 or 1794 in North Carolina. He was first married in Georgia circa 1813 to Margaret “Peggy” Mitchell. They were the parents of two sons and possibly a daughter: Joel, b. 1814, d. 1897, m. (1) 1835 Isabella Elizabeth Coker (2) Elizabeth ?; and John, b. ca 1815, m. Suffetha ?. The name of the daughter suggested in one tree was Ellaphare Susan Hardee Fore. It is believed the young family moved to Alabama during the Winter of 1817 and settled in Monroe County. Some years later they moved north into Coosa County when land was made available. The two sons, Joel and John later returned to Monroe County. In later years John Ziba and most of his family moved on to Van Zandt County, Tex., where he lived out his life, and most of the family made the area their permanent home.

After his first wife’s death, John Ziba Hardee was married second circa 1825 to Tabbitha Brooks. They were the parents of the following nine children: James E., Ellen, William, Samuel, Bryant Stidwell, Thomas, Caroline, Julia and Pinkney.

There is considerably more genealogy available on the Hardy/Hardee family. Many members of several generations are provided in a publication entitled The Known Descendants of John Ziba Hardee (1782-1862) and Nathan Sirmon (1786-1850) of Conecuh County Alabama and Monroe County, Alabama. That book along with Ancestry.com for the earliest generations were the sources for today’s family story.

This writer requests that anyone who might discover an error in the above contact him at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; 334-804-1442; or Email: cthomasson@centurytel.net. He would also appreciate hearing from anyone who might have additional history on this family, especially any members who may have resided in Covington County, Ala.