Wife of Zachariah Hardy who died in Nauvoo, Ill.

Many stories have been told of the great sacrifices and faith of the early Mormon Pioneers, following their expulsion from comfort able homes in Nauvoo, and the hardships they endured while crossing the plains. One of the most courageous histories was that of Zachariah and Eliza Philbrook, Hardy of Searsmont, Waldo Co., Maine. They were taught the Gospel by Elder William Hyde and baptized in 1840. Zachariah had been a sea Catain and ship builder. One year later the family joined other converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and journeyed to Nauvoo , Illinois , arriving at their destination in May of 1841. Besides the parents were the following children: Eliza Jane, Lucy Elvada, William Reed, Sophronia, Elisha Philbrrok and Caroline Elvira, two daughters, Syrene and Elmira , had died earlier.

The Hardys were soon involved in church and Civil affairs in Nauvoo. Zachariah served as a bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith until his martyrdom. When Church members began leaving Nauvoo in January of 1846, Zachariah was assigned to help ferry families and their wagons across the Mississippi River. He became ill from exposure to the cold and damp, and died 13 February 1846, just five days after the birth of Mary Ann, the seventh living child. The Hardy family was among the first to cross the mighty river into Iowa. Kind friends and Church members returned to Nauvoo under cover of darkness and buried Zachariah in the Nauvoo Cemetery.

Eliza and the children spent the remaining frigid winter months in a canvas covered wagon box set on the ground. When the weather moderated Eliza moved to Winter Quarters where they prepared for the journey across the plains. The Hardy family stated for the Great Salt Lake Valley on 10 May 1851, with all their wordly goods piled into a light wagon. William drove the team with Caroline and the baby riding. Eliza and the other children walked, pulling a hand cart.

On 17 September the Hardys arrived at their destination and four days later were sent to East Weber, Utah , arriving there 21 September 1851. In 1853, 16 year old Elisha left for the California where he worked for seven years, sending his mother all the earnings he could spare. Eliza earned money as a midwife. In 1859 or 1860 Eliza moved her family to Mountain Green where they lived for two years, going from there to Morgan. Eliza took her other children to Grantsville for a short time, then moved to Hooper where her son, William, built a home. Eliza lived with his family the remainder of her life.

Children
Elmira Hardy 1824 – 1825
Eliza Jane Hardy 1827 – 1881
Lucy Elzada Hardy 1828 – 1913
Serena N Hardy 1831 – 1834
William Reed Hardy 1833 – 1916
Sophrona D Hardy 1836 – 1843
Elisha Philbrook Hardy 1837 – 1920
Caroline Alvira Hardy 1840 – 1930
Alfred D Hardy 1842 – 1843
Nephi Preston Hardy 1844 – 26 Mar. 1920
Mary Ann Hardy 1846 – 1937

MORMON PIONEER OVERLAND TRAIL. Eliza Ann Beal, 44; William Beal, 41; William Reed Hardy, 18; Lyman Franklin Beal, 16; Elisha Philbrook Hardy, 14; Harriett Sylvania Beal, 14; Emily Almina Beal, 13; Caroline Alvira Hardy, 12; Eunice Amy Beal, 9; Nephi Preston Hardy, 8; Mary Ann Hardy, 6; and William Francis Beal, 1, were part of the Utah Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel migration between 1847-1868.

They were among the 141 individuals and 45 wagons in the Benjamin Gardner Company when it began its journey on June 2-10, 1852 from the outfitting post at Kanesville (present day Council Bluffs), Iowa. This church wagon train under the direction of Captain Benjamin Gardner arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on September 24, 27, 1852.

Tragedy struck the party when William Francis Beal because ill, died and was buried on the Mormon Trail.