Military Monday~Hardy J. Sellers

Hardy J. Sellers was born 17 September 1831 to Elijah Sellers. His mother is not known; but, some researchers say that she was Sarah Purvis. [Note: no known source document exits to prove this fact]

Hardy J. Sellers has not been found in the 1850-1880 population Census. Hardy J. was inducted into the 4th South Carolina Cavalry (Rutledge Regiment) on 22 April 1862 by J,. C. Craig for the duration of the War. ¹

His muster card for Jan-Feb 1863 showed him absent without leave since 19 Feb 1863.

In March – April 1863 he was shown as present and was last paid on 1 March 1863.

The Card for Jan-Feb. 1864 showed him Sick in quarters.

The next card which covered the dates of 29 Feb. – Aug. 31, 1864 showed that Hardy was wounded at the ”Battle Of Cold Harbor” and sent to a Hospital at Raleigh, North Carolina. Hardy received a gun shot wound in his right hand and on 7 June 1864 he was granted a 60 day furlough to go home.

The muster card for Sept.- Oct. 1864 reported that Hardy had no horse since 20 Oct 1864

Hardy survived the War and returned home marrying Elizabeth Smith. They had one daughter and one son. The daughter, Maggie May died at age 5 and their son, William A. Sellers, died in 1959.

Hardy J. Sellers died on 19 September 1910 leaving a wife, Elizabeth Smith Sellers and a son, William A. Sellers. He is buried at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. His obituary appeared in the 21 September 1910 issue of ”The State.”

The next item was provided by a very dear friend and historian – Marie Gulledge Wiggins. Her death in 2001 left a big void in many lives. The document is from the estate File (#1114) for Hardy J. Sellers. The comments are by Marie, as indicated.

State of South Carolina }²
County of Chesterfield}
EX PARTE
Elizabeth Sellers }
In Re Estate of Hardy J. Sellers }
The Petition of Elizabeth Sellers
to the Court
That Hardy J. Sellers departed this life intestate on 19 day of Sept 1910 leaving his widow, the petitioner, and his son, W. A. Sellers as his sole heirs at law and distributee's. That in order to properly wind up his Estate and administration is necessary. That the said Hardy J. Sellers left personal property amounting to about $3,000.00. Wherefore your petitioner asks that she be appointed Administrix of said Estate.
Signed:    Elizabeth Sellers

“Not mentioned in the above petition were 2 tracts of land Hardy bought. One parcel was bought 20 November 1874. It was forfeited land and sold for 1869 and 1871 taxes. It was in the Cross Roads community and had been owned by James A. Atkinson. It was bounded by the lands of Howell Atkinson and William Watson and others. Hardy had also bought two other tracts of land from Stephen D. Purvis, and that was bounded by Roland Kite, Stephen and William Purvis.” Marie Wiggins.

Find A Grave Memorial# 34308662 ³

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[1] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 18 August 2013), entry for Hardy J. SELLERS, Private; Company A, 4th South Carolina Cavalry; Confederate.
[2] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Probate Files & Loose papers, Hardy J. SELLERS; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: viewed 18 August 2013); Estate Folder #1114.
[3] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, digital image, (http://www.findagrave.com : Accessed on 18 August 2013); Headstone for Hardy J. SELLERS; (17 September 1831–19 September 1910); Records of the Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.