Saturday, April 21, 2012

Who was Ardrey? South Charlotte

Ever wonder why there are all those Subdivisions called Ardrey in the South Charlotte / Ballantyne area? On last count there are 7 subdivisions; The beautiful Ardery, Ardery Acres, Ardery Chase, Ardery Commons, Ardery Crest, Ardery Place and Ardery Woods! The roads; there are about 10 with Ardrey in the name! Being in Real Estate I get this question from Ballantyne and South Charlotte buyers enough that I wanted to know more about Mr. Ardery "The farmer".
Thanks to a web page called John White Audrey, (see link at the end) "Men of Mark in South Carolina" By James Calvin Hemphill Published 1907; I was able to find the article below.
Note the name spelling. Having done research on my own family I know that rosters and census takers have misspelled first and last names due to pronunciation and penmanship. Could be the case here too.

Did you know that South Charlotte was called Lower Providence. See Lower Providence Community House for a bit more info on that. http://www.lowerprovidencelogcabin.org/ note Mrs. J. A. Blakeney.

John White Ardrey
Born in Mecklenburg County - Lived in York County
continue reading for links where these articles originated and military records.

Birth: Nov. 30, 1845
Providence (Mecklenburg County)
Mecklenburg County
North Carolina, USA
Death: Jun. 29, 1918
Fort Mill
York County
South Carolina, USA

CAPT. J. W. ARDREY - FORT MILL
-----
Well Known York County Citizen Succumbs After Illness of Several Months.

Special to The State.

Fort Mill, June 29.--Capt. John White Ardrey, one of the most widely respected citizens of York County, died at his home in Fort Mill at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon after an illness of several months. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock at the residence by Rev. R. K. Timmons, pastor of the Fort Mill Presbyterian Church, and the interment will follow in the New Unity Cemetery.

In the death of Captain Ardrey Fort Mill has lost one of her most foremost citizens whose influence for the past 50 years and more has been felt in its material growth, prosperity and development. Coming here shortly after the War Between the Sections he had been identified with almost every movement for the betterment of the community and had been a leader in its political, social and religious life.

Captain Ardrey was born in the Providence section of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, in 1845, and hence was in his 73rd year. He spent the early years of his life on the farm and at 16 years of age entered the war with the first regiment of volunteers that was formed in North Carolina. This regiment was enlisted only for six months, however, and returned home in November, 1861. His father dying about that time and his brothers having reenlisted, he was prevented from returning immediately to the army, but after arranging the affairs of his father's estate again volunteered in the spring of 1863 and served until the close of the war in the First North Carolina Cavalry.

In 1866 Captain Ardrey was married to Miss Mary Harper Massey, who survives him with five of seven children as follows: Mrs. W. A. Watson and Mrs. J. M. Oldham of Charlotte, N. C., and Mrs. George Stewart, W. B. Ardery and F. E. Ardrey of Fort Mill. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Samuel Elliott of Harrison, N. C.

He was identified with the organization of the Luna Cotton Mills, of which he was president at one time, and with the Savings Bank of Fort Mill. His early life in Fort Mill was spent in the mercantile business and he was always greatly interested in farming. He was so successful in his business dealings that at the time of his death he was a large landholder, owning much valuable real estate in Fort Mill, together with numerous business houses.

He was always greatly interested in the political welfare of the town, State and nation and was honored by his home people as intendant of the town for five terms: York County honored him by electing him as Representative in the general assembly and his actions in his sseverak oikutucak capacities were always energetic, forceful and conservative.

Captain Ardrey was prominent since 1874 in Masonic circles, having been initiated into the order in June of that year. His interest and influence are shown in the fact that he was master of Catawba Lodge, No. 56, in Fort Mill for 17 years. He served the grand lodge of South Carolina as district deputy grand master of the Twelfth Masonic district for several terms and was also the grand representative of the grand lodge of Minnesota to the grand lodge of South Carolina.

He was a faithful and loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and served efficiently as a deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school at various times throughout his life.

Several years ago he sustained an injury from a fall which necessitated his giving up to a large extent active participation in his affairs and was forced to use crutches and later a rolling chair until his last illness.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=45421731

military records: scroll to find J. W. Ardrey (Audrey)
http://members.tripod.com/~records_searcher/index-13.html

Anyone know why Ardrey is spelled Audrey and then changes in mid article
http://genealogytrails.com/scar/york/john_audrey_bio.htm
articles on Ballantyne and Olde Providence becoming a town or township will follow.

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