Bailey Hardeman

Who was Bailey Hardeman?

Bailey Hardeman was the first Secretary of the Treasury for the Republic of Texas.

Bailey was a younger son of Thomas Hardeman and his first wife Mary Perkins. Both families were early settlers in Tidewater Virginia. Thomas Hardeman was a Revolutionary War soldier and served for years as a representative from Davidson County both when it was the Territory South of the Ohio, North Carolina and Tennessee. Bailey served as a First Lt in the War of 1812 from Tennessee, he was the first County Clerk for Hardeman County, Tennessee. Hardeman County TN was named for the brother Bailey and Thomas J. Hardeman. Both brothers were part of the first Republic of Texas Government.

On 20 Jan 1820 he married Rebecca Amanda Wilson in Williamson Co, TN. The couple had five children: Sameul Wilson Hardeman; John Hardeman; Emeline; Catherine and Thomas. Of all the children only Samuel Wilson Hardeman would live to adulthood and have children.

Bailey, like several of his brothers and brother-in-laws, had various financial interests included trade into Mexico. The interest in trade with Mexico may have prompted his move to the Tejas area in 1835.

Bailey and his small family settled in Matagorda County. It was almost natural for him to fall into a leadership roll in the local politics given his experience in Tennessee.