Charles Seton Henry Hardee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Seton Henry Hardee
|
|
|---|---|
Hardee in the early 20th century
|
|
| Born | August 9, 1830 Rural Felicity Plantation, Camden County, Georgia, U.S.
|
| Died | August 22, 1927 (aged 97) Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
|
| Resting place | Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Franklin College of Arts and Sciences (1848) |
| Occupation | Historian |
|
Notable work
|
Reminiscences of Charles Seton Henry Hardee Charles Seton Henry Hardee's Recollections of old Savannah |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Jane Gaudet (c. 1850–1900; her death) |
Charles Seton Henry Hardee (born August 9, 1830 – died August 22, 1927) was an American historian. He lived in Savannah, Georgia, USA. He is famous for his books about Savannah's early history. He wrote these books, called Reminiscences of Charles Seton Henry Hardee and Charles Seton Henry Hardee's Recollections of old Savannah, when he was over 90 years old.
His granddaughter published his writings after he passed away. His work was very accurate. He always checked facts he wasn't sure about. Charles Hardee died at his desk in 1927 while writing the second volume of his memoirs.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Charles Hardee was born on August 9, 1830. His birthplace was the Rural Felicity Plantation in Camden County, Georgia. His parents were John Hais Hardee, a doctor, and Isabella Seton Henry. Charles was one of five sons.
His father died in 1835 when Charles was only four years old. He was buried at the family cemetery on the plantation. Charles was given his full name, Charles Seton Henry Hardee, at his baptism. This name honored his uncle, who was a lawyer.
Moving to Savannah
After her husband died, Charles's mother moved to Savannah, Georgia. Her brother and two sisters, Charlotte and Fanny, already lived there. The family traveled to Savannah by boat. They arrived at the Lower Rice Mill wharf.
They walked a short distance from the wharf. They climbed stone steps from Factors Walk to Emmet Park. Then they walked along Bay Street. They turned onto Jefferson Street. Their new home was on Bryan Street.
At that time, Bryan Street was a respected residential area. A French doctor and his family were their neighbors. The Hardee family lived on Bryan Street for about a year. Then they moved to a better location on Broughton Street. Their new home was a brick building between Bull and Whitaker streets.
School Days
In 1835, Charles Hardee started attending Chatham Academy in Savannah.
In the fall of 1838, Charles and his brother, John, visited their grandparents. They went to Rural Felicity Plantation. Their grandfather, Major John Hais Hardee Jr., became sick during a trip to Brunswick, Georgia. He died on November 1, aged 69. Their grandmother died ten years later.
College Years
Charles Hardee began studying at Franklin College of Arts and Sciences in Athens, Georgia, in 1844. He traveled about 250 miles to get there. First, he took a steamboat called Chatham along the Savannah River to Augusta, Georgia. From Augusta, he rode the Georgia Railroad to Union Point, Georgia. Finally, he took another train to Athens.
After graduating in 1848, he returned to Savannah. His uncle, Noble Hardee, hired him. Charles became a tutor for his uncle's two oldest children.
Family Life
Around 1850, Charles Hardee married Martha Jane Gallaudet. They had ten children together. Their daughters were Alice, Isabella, Margaret, Meta, Martha, Harriet, and Frances. Their sons were Charles, James, and Robert.
During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Charles Hardee served as a second lieutenant. He worked in the adjutant general's department. He helped Colonel John Dunwody manage a camp in Calhoun, Georgia. Later, he became a major and assistant adjutant general. He was in charge of Camp No. 2 in Decatur, Georgia.
After about a year, another officer took his place. Hardee felt this was unfair, so he resigned. He returned to Savannah. There, he was appointed as an Agent of the War Department. His job was to receive cotton for the Confederate government. He also helped send it through the blockade when possible. He had to leave Savannah for four months during the war.
Later, he became Deputy Collector of the Port and Assistant Depositary in the Savannah Treasury Department. He took over this role after John Boston died.
Later Years and Legacy
In his later life, Charles Hardee was the oldest living graduate of Franklin College. His father's side of the family had no surviving members. This meant that his mother's descendants would continue the Henry-Seton family line.
His mother died in 1890 at age 83. She was buried in Savannah's Laurel Grove Cemetery. His daughter, Martha, also died that same year, at age 26. Charles Hardee became a widower on March 17, 1900. His wife, Martha, died at age 67. She was buried in Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery.
Death and Historical Impact
Charles Hardee died in Savannah on August 22, 1927. He was 97 years old. He passed away at his desk while writing Charles Seton Henry Hardee's Recollections of old Savannah. This was the second volume of his important memoirs.
His granddaughter, Martha Gallaudet Waring, wrote about his death. She said, "His pencil did not drop from his weary fingers. His notebook lay on his table ready for further recollections of the development of his beloved city." She made sure his writings were published. Charles Hardee was buried next to his wife at Bonaventure Cemetery. Martha Gallaudet Waring died in 1943 and was also buried there.
