The origins of Rachael Hardy, my GreatGreat Grand mother are not known. Other than Rachael's first appearance in the 1870 Southampton County Census with her husband William Hamel Hardy and family, at this writing, no earlier records are available.

Southampton County, Virginia Deed Book 34,285 September 22,1879

Rachael purchases Land:

This Deed of Bargain and Sale made this 22nd day of Sept. A.D. 1879 between Benjamin E. Worrell of the one part and Rachael Hardy of the other part all of the County of Southampton and State of Virgina, Witnesseth, That for and in consideraton of the Sum of Thirty dollars in hand paid. the receipt For which is hereby acknowledged do grant , bargain, Sell and Convey unto the Said Rachael Hardy a certain piece of Land lying in Flaggy Run, in the County of Southampton and State aforesaid and bounded by the Lands of Jos B. Prince, Benj. E. Worrell and Jenking(?) Commencing at a pine tree in Jas B. Princes line on the road leading from Jerusalem to Franklin,thence a line along Said road to @ Gum tree in @ Northerly direction to @ South @ corner in Mt. Olive Church property thence Westerely along the line of the Said Church property to J.B. Prince's line, thence in @ Southerly direction along J.B.Prince's line to the beginning and Suppose to contain Three acres, by the Laws to Miss in lep (not clear) to his? and hers? heirs forever. The right and title to said Land, I warrent generally. In witness whereof I have hereunto Sat my hand and affix my Seal , this 22nd day of September 1879.

Benj E.Worrell

Southampton Co to Wit;

I J.B. Prince, a Notary Public for The County aforesaid in the State of Virginia, do certify that B.E.Worrell whose name is Signed on the Writing above, dated September 22nd, 1879, has acknowledged the Same before me, in my County aforesaid. Given under my Seal September 26th 1879.

Southampton County, In the Clerk Office September 26th 1879 This Deed of Bargain of Sale from B.E.Worrell to Rachael Hardy was received and together with the Certificate, thereto amended, admitted to record.

Teste. L. R. Edwards CC

Southampton County Deed Book 34,285

Note: William Hardy died before 1880 perhaps before 22 September 1879 since his name is not included in Rachael's land purchase.

Jerusalem District: Southampton County, Virginia Census

On June 19, 1880, in the Jerusalem District, of Southampton County, Virginia, Rachael Hardy was the head of her household. William Hardy was deceased at this time because the Widowed/Divorce block is checked for Rachael. Rachael was residing near family relatives. William's brother Booker, lived 4 stops down and Booker's daughter Emily lived at the third stop from Rachael's home.

Rachael was keeping house and could not read or write. She was born in Virginia as were her father and mother. Rachael's youngest son, George T., is 6 years old. George's birth limits his father, William Hardy's death to between 1874 and before 22 September 1879. The 1880 Census is as follows:

Visit 357 House 357

Hardy, Rachael B F 42 /(Widowed/Divorced) Keeping House

Mary Ann B F 12 daughter /(single) Laborer Had attended school within Census year

Lou B F 9 daughter/(single) Had attended school

George T. B M 6 son /(single)

Hattie B F 5 Granddaughter /(single)

Southampton County, Virginia Deed Book 38,375 21 April 1885

Rachael sets apart a Homestead.

Whereas the legislation of VA. did by an act approved the 27 of January 1870 proscribing in what reasons(not clear) and on what conditions a householder and head of a family shall set apart and hold a homestead and personal property for the benefit of himself and family exempt from sale an debt direct that in order to be inhabited to the full benefit of a homestead exempt from being seized upon,garnisheiring, or sale the said householder or head of a family shall disclose the source of the property so set aside by deed duly records. Now therefore this deed witnesseth that I Rachael Hardy of Southampton County a householder and head of a family do set apart as a homestead the following property to wit one tract of land containing :

Two acres more or less valued at about $50.00

One bed worth $15.00

One cow and calf worth $20.00

One sewing machine worth $25.00

Hogs and other chabbett property worth about $25.00

The value of all other property that's set aside by me as a homestead exemption the alian's scribed act is about $135.00. The tract of land on the Jerusalem and Franklin road and about one and a half miles east of Jerusalem Va.

As to likeness my hand and Seal this 21st day of April 1885

her

Rachael x Hardy seal

mark

Southampton County In the Clerk's Office April 21, 1885 the foregoing Deed of Homestead was this day returned and recorded according to Law.

Teste: J.B. Prince

In margin: Deliv' to Rachael Hardy

Sept 24/85

The Homestead Act of 1862 passed by Congress.

On January 1, 1863, an Act, which became law, allowed anyone to file for a quarter section of free land (160 acres). The land was yours at the end of five years if you had built a house on it, dug a well, broken(plowed) 10 acres, fenced a specified amount

and actually lived there.