The Red Clay

By Eleanor Hardy Webb

Family is the glue that holds us together. We have to keep the stories of the past fresh in our minds. I am the oldest to tell about the 20’s and 30’s. I have nobody to talk to about the old days.
This book was written for my family and friends to have something to refer back to. I want them to understand what life was like and how tough life was during my childhood, to tell the hardships and examples of how life was and how far we’ve come. Things are different now and we are still living strong. The Lord kept me safe all these years to share my journey with the young and to appreciate the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781728348100

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2020 Eleanor H. Webb. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/18/2020

ISBN: 978-1-7283-4809-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-4810-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Bible scriptures taken from (KJV) King James Version is public domain

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Introduction

Memoirs of Eleanor Hardy Webb

The Old Sam Hardy Place

Sam and Sarah’s Children

Cornelius Hardy

Pinkie Hardy

Bessie Hardy

Willis Jefferson (a.k.a. Jeff) Hardy

Making Mattresses

Sorghum and Sugar Cane

Springhill Rosenwald School

A New Home

Percy Hardy

Minnie Hardy

Leslie Hardy

Vanderbilt (Vandy) Hardy

Effie Hardy Kirks

Lowell John Hardy

Birdie Hardy Jordan

Johnny Lee Hardy

Sam and Sarah’s Grandchildren

Rosie Lee Hardy Nixon

Willie Pearl Hardy Harris

Frenchie Lee Harris Hardy

Mary Helen Harris Coleman

Bennie Harris Jr.

Juanita Harris Rambo

Mary Harris-Robinson

Thomas Harris

Leona Harris Blount

Willie Harris

The Riots in Eutaw

Emma D. Sanders

Lucille Hardy Lockett Hutson Prewitt

Eleanor Hardy Webb

Mattie Lillian Webb Crouse

Minnie Lee Webb Smith

Betty Joyce Webb

Valencia Lynell Webb-Hollins

A Voice from the Past

Josevell Hardy

Brady Hardy

Odell (a.k.a Sis) Hardy Spencer

Andrea Diane Spencer

Alfred Spencer

June Elaine Spencer Fowler-Scivally

Eric Ferdinand Spencer

Carrie Hardy Stallworth

Ethel Mae Hardy Thomas

Sandra Ann Thomas Harris

Sharon Thomas Smothers,

Rhonda Thomas Cameron,

Felicia Thomas Robinson,

Madylen Thomas

Johnnie Thomas Jr.,

Grandma, Ida Knox Smith

1950 – Eutaw

Martin Luther King

A New Start

A change in Eutaw

A Bad Contractor

Good Summers

God Blessings

Houses to Sell

What Memories

Are Conditions slow to Change?

President Obama

A Mothers Betrayal

The Hurt

Generations Later

God keeps me going

Hopewell Church

A Life Change

Learning to live, Living to Learn

Gods Blessings

Let us Pray for God’s Grace

Dedication

I dedicate this book first to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank God for his blessings, insight, wisdom, and grace. I could not have written this book without it.

I have been blessed with four wonderful children-Mattie, Minnie, Betty, Valencia and four grandchildren, Jacqueline, Christopher, Forrest and Yazmily. Thank God for my talented great-grandchildren, Justin, Jayden, Samirah, Ducane, Myles, Jada, Jana and Jordan.

I thank my Dad Jeff (10/18/1892 – 6/20/1992), Mom Adell (2/11/1898 – 11/4/1976) for their guidance and spiritual upbringing and to have loved all six sisters and two brothers as a youth in a loving home.

Bless my three sisters-Odell, Carrie, Ethel (Johnnie) and their children.

Acknowledgement

Faith, fellowship, family and friendship are important elements of my life. I attribute my longevity to faith and trust in God and affirms, If it weren’t for Him, I wouldn’t have made it.

I ask God for so many things. I am blessed and must acknowledge him first and foremost, because if not for him where would I be. Thank You God, for supplying me with the strength and my years of knowledge to begin and finish this book.

My life would not be complete without the wonderful life I had with my husband Eddie. The consistent encouragement from my four daughters kept me going. The shining star in my life is my son-in-law Joe, who keeps me laughing. My great-grandchildren are interested in genealogy and ready for the next book.

Family is the glue that holds us together. We have to keep the stories of the past fresh in our minds. I am the oldest to tell about the 20’s and 30’s. I have nobody to talk to about the old days.

This book was written for my family and friends to have something to refer back to. I want them to understand what life was like and how tough life was during childhood, to tell the hardships and examples of how life was and how far we’ve come. Things are different now and we are still living strong. The Lord kept me safe all these years to share my journey with the young and to appreciate the past.

GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME!

Introduction

This story is told from my perspective dating back to 1927. I vividly remember my childhood experiences as it relates to the Hardy family. I am elaborating on the lives of Sam and Sarah Burton Hardy and their endeavor to raise children and how they made a living during the end of slavery.

The Hardy’s big L-shaped white house sat like a castle rising from the hills of red clay in Mantua, Alabama. Its big windows and slightly rusty tin roof naturally worn from years of hot summer suns and cold winter rains gave it character.

Beyond the house stood a forest of tall green black walnut, oak, and longleaf pine trees rustling in the breeze. The family enjoyed the slight breeze during the hot summer nights as they sat on the front porch listening to stories from the day. Sam, Sarah, and the children would laugh about all the mishaps that happened.

All of Sam and Sarah’s twelve children were born in Mantua and grew up on the land. Sam and Sarah’s teachings were reverent in the lives of their offspring’s.

As Sam and Sarah aged, they were able to enjoy the lives of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lived on the Hardy’s farm. The children were taught to respect their parents, work hard, be considerate of others and live life with the grace of God.

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Memoirs of Eleanor Hardy Webb

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1867: Sam Hardy and Sarah Jane Burton Hardy

Sam Hardy’s parents moved from North Carolina to Alabama. This was during the Cotton Rush when families moved south for a better way of life. Sam was born in January 1867 in Mantua, Alabama. He was of mixed race considering his father was a white man.

Sarah Jane was born August 1865 in Union, Alabama. She was named after her mother, Sarah Williamson Burton. Sarah’s father was Dave Burton.

Sam Hardy and Sarah Jane Burton were married on December 30, 1886 one year after slavery ended.

People who knew Sam Hardy said he was a wealthy man by African American standards. They were hard working, saved their money and spent it wisely, however, poor compared to most Caucasians in the area. Sam and Sarah taught their children the value of money and hard work.

Sam and Sarah were very proud of the 140 acres of land they owned and worked hard to keep it. He farmed most of it and rented out portions to neighbors.

In order for farmers to survive many of them had large families. During this time, having large numbers of children was the key to running a successful farm. The children were taught all aspects of farming, planting, harvesting, raising animals constructing chicken coops, sheds, and along with making repairs on farm equipment.

Sam’s first Cousin Burton Hardy had eight children, Kirk, Frank, Arthur, James, Matthew, Pithen, Damon and a girl Laura Hardy Gordon. All of his children were born in the 1800’s. Burton and his family would visit often.

Sam and Sarah were blessed with seven boys and five girls. (UNK=unknown) Cornelius Hardy (10/1887 – UNK), Pinkie Hardy (5/15/1887-3/23/1943), Bessie Hardy (12/1890-UNK), Willis Jefferson Hardy (10/18/1892-6/20/1992), Percy Hardy (3/1895-UNK), Minnie Hardy (2/1897-UNK), Leslie (a.k.a. Les) Hardy (1899-UNK), Vanderbilt (a.k.a. Vandy) Hardy (1904-UNK), Effie Hardy (1906-UNK), Lowell John Hardy (1909-UNK), Birdie Hardy (UNK), Johnny L. Hardy (9/9/1929-8/14/1962)

The Old Sam Hardy Place

The Old Sam Hardy Place, as it was known in the late 1800’s, was very beautiful. The L-shaped house was envied by all around as it sat high on the hill of red clay from the road below.

To the right, a short distance below the front of the house, stood the smaller barn where Sam stored wagons and farm equipment. Approximately one hundred yards from the equipment barn stood the large barn. The lower level of the large barn had six stalls for horses and two rooms at each end. The upper level was storage for hay.

The blacksmith shop was located at the left rear of the house. Learning to work in the blacksmith shop was hard work for the young boys. Their first job was to keep everything organized and as they grew older, they earned more responsibilities. They had to keep all the tools sharp which kept them busy. There was always someone working in the shop.

When the children were tall enough to carry a tool, they worked in the fields. Along with the fieldwork the children also had to tend the animals. The girls were happy to do housework and the boys worked in the shop to give them a little time of their own. Working in the cotton fields under the hot sun wasn’t their most favorable thing to do.

When their duties weren’t so demanding the children enjoyed fishing. It was something they all liked to do, and it was another way of putting food on the table.

There was always competition among them as to who caught the most or the largest fish, even though there was a lot of laughing and teasing about the fish. This was how they showed the love they had for each other. The fish the children caught was for dinner that day. They would say the fish they caught tasted the best. Sarah would laugh and say, how do you know whose fish you are eating?

The boys field duties along with keeping the farm equipment in top shape wasn’t easy. Sam taught his sons all aspect of farming. Sam owned sheep, two mules, four horses, cows, hogs, ducks, turkeys, and chickens. He grew about 15 to 20 acres each of corn and tobacco. The largest crop planted was cotton over 40 acres. The vegetable garden was huge because of the different variety they grew. The garden