Submitted by Nancy M. Hunt
©2000

Hardy Murfree Cryer, son of James Cryer (1764-1816) and Mary "Polly" Cotton (1770-1846), was born 1 Nov 1792 in Hertford Co., NC and died 2 Feb 1846, Franklin, TN.

Hardy Murfree Cryer was very interested in thoroughbred horses and at one time he and Andrew Jackson were partners in breeding horses.

The Cumberland Valley bluegrass farms of Sumner County continued to be the center of thoroughbred horse-breeding and racing for Tennessee and for much of the nation during the era of Presidents Jackson and Polk. In 1830, Jackson, who had sold off most of his racing stable before his first campaign for the presidency, began to re-establish his position as a prime patron of the turf in partnership with Hardy M. Cryer of Sumner. ¹

While Jackson was president, he corresponded with Hardy many times - always asking about his horses, and telling Hardy about the woes and troubles he had to contend with as President. ²

Hardy Cryer was a local Methodist preacher, who used his sense of humor to bridge the hazardous gap between his roles of churchman and turfman. It seems that it was acceptable for a preacher to own horses and to engage in the breeding and sale of thoroughbreds, but it was not deemed proper for a preacher to race his animals. His congregation, ever alert to the temptations that beset their preacher, brought Cryer to trial on a charge of horseracing, but the proof was inconclusive. It had been shown, however, that a horse had been raced in Colonel Elliotts name and that Cryer had a one-half interest in the animal. Local tradition is that after the evidence had been taken, the presiding officer asked Cryer if he had anything to say in his own defense. The response, with a twinkle in his eye, was drawled out: Nothing except I would like for you to let me know how I can arrange it for my half of the horse to stay in the stable while Colonel Elliotts half is racing. The horse belongs to us jointly. He has the same right to control him that I have, and he will race him and I cannot keep him from it. Cryer was acquitted! ³

Hardy's first wife was Elizabeth RICE. Their children were Kate, Thomas, James, and Rachel Jackson Cryer.

On 21 Mar 1834 in Russellville, KY, Hardy married Susan Ann DUVAL (16 Aug 1802 - Nov 1845). Susan was the daughter of Major Clairborne Duval (1760-1824) and Elizabeth Pope (1760-1815). Their children were: Elizabeth C. "Betty" who married Daniel Anthony; Elmora married Joseph Anthony; Johnny; Mary C.; Thomas (d. 1861); Martha Ann DuVal (1836-1917); and Edward Reed (1837-1862 in Civil War).