Section II, 1919 [9i] Trans, R.S.C. 



A Radical and a Loyalist 



A Biographical Sketch of Elias Hardy, 

 Barrister-at-Law at Saint John, N.B., 1784-1799 



By W. O. Raymond, LL.D., F.R.S.C. 

 (Read May Meeting, 1919) 



In a nameless grave in the old burial ground in St. John, almost 

 under the shadow of the Court House, repose the ashes of Elias Hardy, 

 a man whose name was almost a household word in that community 

 during the fifteen years that followed the founding of the City in 1783. 

 His death at a comparatively early age, and the fact that none of his 

 descendants remain to-day in New Brunswick will suffice to account 

 for the lack of appreciation on the part of modern citizens of the 

 services rendered in the early days of St. John by one of her most 

 distinguished sons. 



Elias Hardy was the son of a non-conformist minister. He was 

 born at Farnham, in the County of Surrey, in the suburbs of London, 

 in 1744. He was educated for the bar and in 1770 was admitted 

 Attorney and Solicitor in the Courts of Chancery and King's Bench 

 at Westminster Hall. Led by the spirit of adventure, while yet in 

 early manhood, he came to Virginia with the intention of following 

 his profession. 



At this time the disputes between the Mother Country and the 

 old colonies began to wax warm. Before the passengers had landed 

 from their vessel in April, 1775, they received intelligence of the 

 fight at Lexington. The disturbances spread so rapidly that soon 

 afterwards the Courts of Justice were shut. Hardy at first sympa- 

 thized with the Whigs, saying that he disapproved of taxation without 

 representation. But on the appearance of Tom Paine's notorious 

 pamphlet, "Common Sense," he expressed strong disapproval of the 

 sentiments which it contained and declared his opposition to armed 

 rebellion, and to any attempt at the dismemberment of the empire. 

 He was so outspoken that he was seized by the mob with an intention 

 to tar and feather him, but managed to escape their hands. He was 

 obliged to flee for his life. He went to New York and tendered his 

 services to Sir William Howe, either in a military or civil capacity. 



While in New York he entered into a law-partnership with John 

 Le Chevalier Roome. 



