Nearly 96 years after my great grandmother, Ilda (Hilda) Hardy, purchased a parcel of land consisting of one acre, with two lots, the vacant property valued at $8,000.00 was sold in 1986. According to Wesley F. Willis, I.C.A. , Realtor Appraiser, of Franklin, Virginia, the property that had remained in the family for almost a century, would cost approximately $4,200.00 to remove "all of the bad tall undergrowth and trees from the lot ". It was December 1890, in a Southampton County, Virginia Court, when Ilda Hardy, wife of Walter Hardy, first purchased the land that now had little or no value.

Southampton County, Virginia, Deed Book 42, 229

This Deed made this day of December 1890 between Jno Jas Kindred, M.E. Kindred and W.J. Sebrell and Nettie K. Sebrell his wife of the first part and Lewis W. Hardy Trustee of the second part, and ILda Hardy, wife of Walter Hardy of the third part, Witnesseth: that for and in consideration of the sum of $45.00 to the parties of the first part in hand paid, ak(acknowledged) and before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the said parties of the first part do grant and convey unto the said Trustee that certain lot of land lying near the corporate limits of the town of Courtland Va. containing 1/2 acre and bounded and described as follows to wit: beginning at a point on the East side of an extension of High Street, directly opposite to the Eastern corner of the lot formally sold by J.J. Kindred & C to Cutchin, and since sold by said Cutchin to B.F.McLemore, thence running 35 yds in a North westerly direction down said extension of High Street to another point; thence running said 70 yds in a line at right angles to said extension of High Street to another point, thence 35 yards in a line parallel to said extension of High Street; thence 70 yard to point of beginning. To have and to hold the said lot unto the said trustee upon trust that he, the said trustee, shall permit the said Ilda Hardy to occupy, possess and enjoy the said lot and the rents, issues and profits thereof, to take for and during her life for the support of herself and her children which she now has and may have by her said husband, free and clear of all manner of charge and encumbrance of her said husband, or any husband she may hereafter take: and upon this further trust that upon the expiration of the time aforesaid, the said trustee shall hold the said lot for all and every the children of the said Ilda Hardy by her said husband , until the youngest of said children shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, and then the said property shall be divided between them in equal shares and proportions.

Witness the following signatures and seals

Jns. Jas. Kindred Seal

M.E. Kindred Seal

W.J. Sebrell Seal

Nettie K. Sebrell Seal

Witness to J.J. Kindred signature & acknowledgement

J.Emmet Sebrell

Jas L. Mclemore

Virginia

Nansemond County, to wit;

I Merritt Briggs, a Notary Public in the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do certify that M.E.Kindred whose name is signed to the writing hereto annexed, bearing date the day of December 1890 has acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid, given under my hand this 27 day of November 1891

Merritt Briggs

Notary Public

Southampton County in the Clerk's Office Dec 23 " 1891 The foregoing Deed from J.J. Kindred, et.als to Ilda Hardy Trustee was this day received and with certificate annexed an to M.E. Kindred, reproved by the oath of J.Emmet Sebrell and J.L. Mclemore an to Jns. Jos Kindred, Acknowledges in the Office by W.J. Sebrell and Nettie K. Sebrell and admitted to second.

Testee: B.F. Mclemore C.C.