Hardy, Samuel, 1758-1785

HARDY, Samuel, a Delegate from Virginia; born in Isle of Wight County, Va., about 1758; completed preparatory studies, and was graduated from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., in 1781; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law; member of the State house of delegates in 1778 and 1780-1782; appointed a member of the executive council in June 1781; Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from May 29 to October 11, 1782; Member of the Continental Congress 1783-1785; died while attending Congress in New York, N.Y., on October 17, 1785.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1784 VA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1783 VA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1782 VA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>

<p>Samuel Hardy (June 10, 1758 – October 17, 1785) was an American lawyer, planter and politician, who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and in the Virginia House of Delegates representing Isle of Wight County, as well as briefly on Virginia's Executive Council and as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.</p>

<p>Born in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, to planter Richard Hardy (who served two terms in the House of Burgesses) and his wife, Samuel received a private education suitable to his class, including studies at Virginia's College of William and Mary to the extent it was open during the American Revolutionary War 1776-1781 time period and he was not serving in the legislature. His grandfather, George Hardy (or Harddie) had emigrated from England, established the family's plantations and represented Isle of Wight county several times in the decade beginning in 1642. Samuel married and was survived by his widow and at least sons Thomas and William who served as his executors.</p>

<p>Following admission to the Virginia bar on October 1, 1778, Hardy began a law practice. Two days later, voters in Isle of Wight county first chose him to represent them to complete the term of Major Josiah Parker, who was leading Virginia troops with the Continental Army and had been disqualified by the Virginia House of Delegates in the term's first session, but who subsequently won re-election to serve alongside John Scarsbrook Wills, as did Hardy for three consecutive one-year terms (1780-1782). In June 1781 Hardy began his brief service on Virginia's Executive Council, and from May 29 to October 11, 1782 served as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.</p>