Samuel Hardy
| Samuel Hardy | |
 | |
| Member of the State House of Delegates (VA) | |
| In office | |
| 1778, 1780-1782 | |
| Member of the Executive Council | |
| In office | |
| June 1781 | |
| Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | |
| In office | |
| May 29, 1782-October 11, 1782 | |
| Member of the Continental Congress | |
| In office | |
| 1783-1785 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | ca. 1758 |
| Isle of Wight County, Virginia | |
| Died | October 17, 1785 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |
| Resting place | Christ Church Burial Ground, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Education | College of William & Mary |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician (congressman) |
Samuel Hardy was born around the year 1758 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. According to Appleton's Encyclopedia, published ca. 1888, Samuel was the son of Richard Hardy and a descendant of George Hardy, a representative of Virginia in the house of burgesses from 1642-1652. [1]
Upon completion of his preparatory studies, Hardy attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. While in Williamsburg, Hardy studied law under George Wythe. [2] During his time as a student, Hardy actually served as a member of the State House of Delegates (1778, 1780-1782). [3]
After completing his studies and gaining admittance to the bar, Hardy commenced his legal practice and became a well-known and respected lawyer. [4] While practicing law, Hardy also continued his service as a Delegate for the state of Virginia. In June of 1781, Hardy was appointed to the executive council. From May to October of 1782, he served as the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Around the age of 25, Hardy won election to the Continental Congress, where he served from 1783 to 1785. However, Hardy suffered from failing health and ultimately died before reaching his thirtieth birthday while attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was interred in Philadelphia in Christ Church Cemetery. [5]
Shortly after Hardy's death, the General Assembly named a county in his honor (the county of Hardy is now located in West Virginia). According to Appletons Encyclopedia, Alexander Hamilton was a good friend of Samuel Hardy and wrote "a poetical tribute to his memory." [6] However, the authorship of this "Elegy on the Death of the Honorable Samuel Hardy," ca. 1785, has been a subject of much debate. [7]
See also
References
- ↑ Edited Appletons Encyclopedia, s.v. (Virtualology: 2001) accessed August 26, 2015.
- ↑ Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress: 1774-Present, s.v. "Hardy, Samuel, (ca. 1758-1785)," accessed August 31, 2015; Mark T. Flahive, "The Origins of the American Law School," American Bar Association Journal, Vol. 64 (1978), pp. 1868-1872, 1869, accessed August 31, 2015.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Flahive, "The Origins of the American Law School."
- ↑ Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress: 1774-Present, "Hardy, Samuel, (ca. 1758-1785);" Robert M. Hughes, "Thomas Jefferson and the College of William and Mary," The Phi Beta Kappa Key, Vol. 6, No. 10 (January, 1928), pp. 635-644.
- ↑ Edited Appletons Encyclopedia.
- ↑ R. A. Brock, ed., Proceedings of the Virginia Historical Society At The Annual Meeting Held December 21-22, 1891, With Historical Papers Read on the Occasion, and Others (Richmond, VA: The Virginia Historical Society, 1892), 151-153.
