( GreatGrandfather)
Written By ~ Jack R. Mays, Charlton County Historian
A chrub-faced Hardy Crews first got the "political itch" himself in 1910. He chose to challenge a firmly entrenched Joe C. Allen for the tax collector's job in an election held May 4, 1910. The veteran Allen won handily over Crews, 301 to 151. Undaunted, four years later Hardy Crews set his sights on the tax receiver's job, a position held by another popular incumbent, J.D. Hatcher. The election four years earlier had helped Hardy to become well known and well liked in the county.
1900 was the year that Hardy 22, Martha 18, and their two young children chose to move to Charlton Co. Georgia following his father Hamp, who had moved to Charlton county a year earlier. This was to be and eventful year in the history of Charlton County. Folkston, then a town of 179 people was to become the county seat, wresting the distinction from Traders Hill in a hotly contested election. Traders Hill had been the seat of county government since the county was created in February 1854.
Hardy, a personable young man, enjoyed the political excitement generated by discussions of the county seat election.
Hardy, who had settled on a small farm northwest of Folkston, set about making a living for his expanding family. In addition to farming, he did hauling for the public with his wagon and a team of mules, often moving cotton into the Folkston cotton gin from nearby cotton fields.
After moving to Charlton County, Hardy and Martha added another thirteen children to their family, including a son who died in infancy in 1904 and an infant son who died in 1911.
The sons of Martha and Hardy who survived were George, Elbert, Marshall, Raleigh, Jeff, Fred and Horace. The daughters were Nora, Cora Bell, Goldie Mae ( never married-- mentally challenged) Maude, Celia.and Susie.
Hardy regularly attended services at Sardis Primitive Baptist Church and led the congretational singing at the always well-attended meetings. In his later years as a tax receiver, he retired his horse and wagon for a Model T Ford. The team of mules and wagon he used for hauling was traded for an open cab Ford truck.
On October 26,1953, death called Hardy Crews from the office to which he was elected. He was 75. His widow, Martha Thomas Crews lived on until May 1, 1974. She died at 92.
Few holders of political office were held in the high esteem in which the people of Charlton County held Hardy H. Crews. Unanimously, those who knew him and worked with him recall his unquestioned honesty, integrity and devotion to duty. They remember the love he had for his family, and the rapport he enjoyed with his grandchildren whom he loved so deeply. Hardy and Martha Crews left a legacy of love and honesty, and of devotion to job and family.
Hardy H. Crews, Tax Receiver 1915-1953, earned an important chapter in the history of Charlton County Georgia.
In 1907 the Hardy Crews family moved onto what became known as the "Hardy Crews homeplace" a moderate sized farm with 14 acres of cotton, very close to their first farm in the county..
( GreatGrandfather)
Written By ~ Judy Griffin
Charlie B. was a strong willed old man. He was a very strict father. Some called him hard hearted but seems his grandchildren loved him dearly.It was told that he had an infected thumb and decided the best way to solve the problem was to cut it off so with axe in one hand he put his thumb on a log and chopped off his thumb.
The Children of Charlie B. and Julia were Monnie (died at the young age of 32 from peritonitis, resulting from an operation), Eddie (died at the young age of 33 ruptured appendix), Mabel,Mertie, Beulah, Emmie, Goldie, Gussie, Addie, Lorene, Dan (died at 1 week old from hives) , Lottie(died at almost 2 years old,cause unknown by me), Hazel, Fred and Gene.
Charlie B. was killed when he was walking across a road in Ware County Georgia and was hit by an oncoming bus.
(I would love to have a picture of Charlie B.)