Henry Hardesty, Sr.
(1765-1857)

Henry Hardesty, Sr. was my maternal g-g-g-g- grandfather.  He was born 
January 16, 1765, near Hagerstown, Maryland, probably the only child born 
in the Colony of Maryland, His wife, Sara Dykes, was born in Virginia in 1784.

Henry was a French Huguenot, and Sarah was Dutch.  As late as 1850, some 
members of the Hardesty family were using the spelling "Hardister".  Henry's
parents, Elizabeth and Benjamin, used this spelling throughout their lives.

Henry Hardister came to Kentucky when fourteen years of age, settling in Bourbon 
County near the Fayette County Line.  With other brave pioneers of this savage 
wilderness, he tilled the soil in momentary expectation of the twang of an
Indian arrow. Henry was a messenger and scout at Bryant's Station.  After the
defeat of the Indians at Bryant's Station, he followed them to Blue Licks and 
took an active part in the fight there without receiving a wound.

He served as a volunteer under General Wayne, in various battles and at the
Battle of Blue Licks, shared many dangers and vicissitudes, incident to the
early history of Kentucky.

Throughout life, he was a patriotic and conscientious democrat, warmly attached
to his country and it s institutions.  Though a quiet and unaspiring citizen, 
he was always posted on political affairs.

Henry Hardesty died in Fayette County in 1857 at the age of ninety-two years. 
He was universally respected as an honest man and the kindest of neighbors, and
though he lived to a greater age than men can generally hope to attain, his
death spread a gloom over his entire neighborhood.

His will, filed in the Fayette County Courthouse, lists his surviving wife,
Sarah, and his children, Nancy, Robert, Henry, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Lucy, Sarah,
Judith, Eliza Jane, and Frances.

(The only member of the Jacob Flournoy Chapter, DAR, who is descended from Henry 
Hardesty, Sr. is Aurelia Adams (Mrs. R. Andrew) Batts, 1805 GreenBriar Rd.,
Murray, KY 42071)