Dorothy Hardeman, (not Edwards)

A Patriot of the American Revolution for VIRGINIA. DAR Ancestor # A115399

Additional Curators Notes

We have a case of dueling cousins as experts on the Hardeman family tree. On the one hand, we have Michael Farmer Hardeman (claiming descent from John and Dorothy through Thomas Hardeman and Mary Hardin Perkins), an author specializing in Georgia and Colonial American history.

On the other hand, we have Nicholas Perkins Hardeman, Ph.D. (claiming descent from Thomas Hardeman, patriarch), a professor of history at Cal State Long Beach.

M.F. Hardeman believes that most Hardeman history is based on "family lore," and not on documented fact. He does not accept family lore that the Hardemans of North Carolina and Tennessee are descended from the Hardeman-Eppes marriage of c.1685 in Virginia. He does not accept the surname of Edwards for Dorothy, wife of John Hardeman, as there are no primary sources to prove it. His views and his version of the family history can be found at http://michalfarmer.com/hardeman/page1.html.

N.P. Hardeman, on the other hand, accepts "family lore" if it makes historical sense, when no documents can be found to prove or disprove it. The early Hardeman family in Virginia is documented. The missing piece is primary source documents listing the children and grandchildren of the Hardeman-Eppes union. His version of the family history can be found in his book, "Wilderness Calling: The Hardeman Family in the American Westward Movement, 1750-1900," published by the University of Tennessee Press in 1977.

For now, until such time as any proof more solid than "family lore" can be found, as curator for this part of the Hardeman line, I will leave John Hardeman WITHOUT parents and his wife Dorothy WITHOUT a maiden name.

Maria Edmonds-Zediker, Volunteer Curator, July 17, 2013

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Dorothy Hardeman was born c.1730 and died c.1790. Her parentage is unknown, as is her place of birth. Many researchers claim that she was born in Ireland and that her maiden name was Edwards. There is no proof for this. In 1957 William K. Hall published Descendants of Nicholas Perkins of Virginia. Mr. Hall stated that John Hardeman’s wife was Dorothy Edwards. He gave no authority for this statement. Many historians have relied upon his work since publication.

Dorothy married John Hardeman c.1748. They settled first in Goochland County, Virginia. The family also spent time in Halifax, Cumberland and Pittsylvania Counties, before finally settling in Guilford County, North Carolina.

John Hardeman left all his property to "Dority," as he called her. We know that she died before November 1791, when her estate is sold and divided among her children.

Dorothy Hardeman was established as a New Ancestor for the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1982 by Michal Martin Farmer, with the DAR ancestor number A115399. She was paid for supplying 307 lbs. of beef impressed for the Continental.Line, @ 16/8, £2, 11 shillings, 2 pence, and for supplying 299 lbs. of beef @ 16/8 impressed for the Continental.Line, £2, 9 shillings,

Children of John Hardeman and wife Dorothy:

• Thomas Hardeman, born c. 1751, married Mary Perkins and had 14 children.
• Ester Hardeman, born c. 1752, married John Everett
• Elizabeth Hardeman, born c.1754, married William Stone
• Dorothy Hardeman, born c.1758
• Jane Hardeman, born c. 1760
• John Hardeman, born c.1762
• Judith Hardeman, born c.1765
• Susannah Hardeman, born c.1766
• Lydia Hardeman, born c.1769

Links to additional material:

• http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_adb/default.cfm
• http://michalfarmer.com/hardeman/page5.html