PART 1
As part of the Warner write-up, I alluded to the prominence of Col. Hardy C. Richardson (1822-1883), the son of Stephen Richardson and Betsey Morris Richardson Brassfield in Part D of Series 2.
The information both therein and herein is derived from Dr. E. Russ Williams's book "Kinsmen All Descendants of Wettenhall Warner and Related Families," an invaluable resource on the Warner family. As promised, this column pays tribute to Col. Hardy Richardson, who married Martha Warren Roberts (1830-1910), the widow of Jefferson Roberts and daughter of Daniel and Martha Warren, Sr., on December 21, 1865.
In his book, Dr. Williams credited well known historian Daunton Gibbs for the life story of Hardy Richardson, acknowledging that he compiled it. He noted that the information came from "the records of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, records of Lodge 101, Confederate War Records of the Washington Parish Library, information from A. C. Stone, information from A. C. Stone, Brother Meadie Knight, Centenary Methodist Church Centennial booklet, and the Roberts Cemetery." Accordingly, it is necessary to relay the material, which is no less than a treasure trove, verbatim from pages 148-149 of Dr. Williams's book "Kinsmen All Descendants of Wettenhall Warner and Related Families." That said, here we go:
"Col. Hardy C. Richardson, one of the great all time citizens and patriots of Washington Parish, was born in the Springhill Community on April 20, 1822.
Col. Richardson was the brother of our late brethren William Porter Richardson and Stephen D. Richardson. He was a well learned man and was interested in the welfare of his community and country at all times.
His brother Stephen D. Richardson was a charter member of Lodge 101, Franklinton, Louisiana, as was Col. Richardson himself. Brother Stephen D. Richardson died on Feb. 22, 1866.
Col. Hardy C. Richardson was one of the first Clerks of Court in Washington Parish and was for many years our state senator. His district composed all of that part of Louisiana east of the Amite River.
During his years in the state senate he helped State Representative Stephen Albritton secure for our parish the famous Five-thousand Dollar Road which was one of the first roads in the parish.
The Five-thousand Dollar Road crossed Washington Parish from East to West through Franklinton. That part of the road west of Franklinton is yet in use and is one of the most heavily used roads in the Parish. It was surveyed in the early 1850's.
He was also largely responsible for the establishment of the Deaf and Dumb Institute in Baton Rouge. It is said that his picture hung for many years in the institute and yet may be there.
Col. Hardy C. Richardson was one of the early Sunday School teachers in the Franklinton Methodist Church. This was prior to 1851 when the Methodist Church began using the first floor of the Masonic Hall. During Col. Richardson's time as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School classes were conducted in the Franklinton Academy.
The Franklinton Academy was the first school in Franklinton. It was first located in a log cabin just south of Mile Branch and in 1840 was moved to a site now crossed by the Amite Highway just after leaving Main Street. Brother Pleas Magee, noted as one of Franklinton's early day carpenters, constructed the new building in 1840. It was a square two-story frame building put together by pegs. The spring used by the school for water is yet there. The building was equipped with green shutters, which leads the writer to believe that Bro. Pleas Magee could have had a part in the construction of our first Lodge Hall, for that building also had green shutters. The first Lodge Hall stood on Main Street across from the present Court House.
After the establishment of Slocum Church, which later became Fisher Church, Col. Richardson affiliated with that church.
Col. Hardy C. Richardson became a Master Mason sometime prior to 1851. He was a member of St. James Lodge No. 47 in Baton Rouge. He demitted from that lodge to become a charter member of Lodge 101 in Franklinton. Lodge 101 was chartered on January 21, 1851.
He is listed on the records of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana as a stock raiser by profession. He was the first secretary of Lodge 101, serving in that capacity two years, 1851 and 1852. He served the Lodge as Master during the year of 1853.
It is to be regretted that Lodge 101 does not have the records of minutes of meetings held during Col. Richardson's service as Secretary, which would have been in his original handwriting. The earliest records of minutes of meetings now in possession of the Lodge date from 1857.
The Lodge does have a cash receipts ledger which Col. Richardson began while Secretary. His handwriting was excellent.
The writer also has a copy of the letter Col. Richardson wrote the Grand Lodge in connection with the filing of the returns for the year 1851.
Col. Richardson married a widow in the Roberts family and moved to the Sunnyhill community. One daughter, Mrs. J. W. Carter, survived until recently and lived in the old home. The old home is over a hundred years old. It contains Col. Richardson's old clock and a piano, both of which are over a hundred years old. The harpsichord was made in Europe and brought to the home from Covington by ox team."
•Stay tuned for next week's conclusion of Hardy Richardson's life story, as compiled by historians Daunton Gibbs and Dr. E. Russ Williams.
