The Hazard Family, Part 1

Emma Miller Hazard (1881-1941)

This week and next, we honor a family whose members have graced our church through five generations.  Join us in this celebration of their lives and their example.

The First Generation:
​William and Emma Hazard
In 1921, William Thomas Hazard, his wife, Emma Miller Hazard, and their two children moved to Orange County from Kentucky. They bought a small farm in eastern Orange County.
 
“At the close of the regular quarterly communion services held this morning, the session met and received by letter from the Loveland Memorial Presbyterian Church at Quicksand, Ky, the following members:  Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Hazard, Mr. Chester Hazard and Miss Emma Frances Hazard.”
                          Mr. Lewis Holladay, Clerk of Session
                        July 2, 1922 Session Notes

The Hazards quickly became deeply involved in the life of this congregation.  

Mr. Hazard served as Elder and Mrs. Hazard was a mainstay of the Sunday School, teaching Christian faith to young people for many, many years.  In 1984, Mary L. Sanford, who was oldest member of OPC at the time, mentioned in her recollections that “Mrs. Hazard became a pillar in the church in our Sunday School.”

“On November 23, 1924, W. T. Hazard was elected to the Eldership of the Orange Presbyterian Church.  In this capacity, he served the church and her Lord faithfully until visited by the Angel of Death August 25, 1932.  Intelligent and quick, upright and godly, he won the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.”
                        Quote from Resolution of Respect,
                                            Lewis Holladay
                                            William L. Lord
                                            Marshall James  

"In 1941, under Rev. William B. Ward, a Mission Sunday School was established on Church Street in Orange for disadvantaged youth. In 1943, the Sunday School was dedicated and named 'The Emma Hazard Memorial Sunday School.' Many members of this congregation worked with the Sunday School."
       From the 100th Anniversary History by Rev. Ward

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Emma Frances Hazard Bartley (1913-2000)

​The Second Generation:
Emma Bartley and Chester Hazard
William and Emma’s children, Emma Francis and Chester, grew up in this church and were a central part of its life.

Emma Francis Bartley married Horace W. Bartley. They had four children, all who were raised in OPC, though Horace retained his membership in the Orange Baptist Church. 
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Emma Francis taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and played the piano and the organ. She also grew beautiful flowers and created floral arrangements for Sunday worship, served twice as president of the Women of the Church, and was Circle Chairman for many years.

Emma led numerous bible studies, was Treasurer of the Morning Circle for 16 years, and taught in the Emma Hazard Memorial Sunday School. She participated in white cross work for Church World Service, was chairman of countless luncheons, suppers, receptions and other functions. In general, whenever capable leadership was needed, Emma Bartley was there.  (Two of their children, Marjorie Clements and Peggy Fitch, are still active today in the OPC.  More on them next week.)

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Mary Young Hazard (1909-1997) and Chester C. Hazard (1906-1998)

Chester Hazard served for many terms as a Deacon and an Elder and was the Treasurer of the church for 25 years. He was also a member of the Orange County School Board for 32 years and was its chairman for 29 years.

He served as president of the James Madison Museum in Orange and was a Mason and a member of the American Legion. He was Secretary/Business manager for Montpelier from 1928 until its sale to the National Historic Trust. Mr. Hazard was also a World War II Navy Veteran. 

His wife, Mary Hazard, taught young people in the Sunday School, sang in the choir, created flower arrangements for the sanctuary and served as President of the Women of the Church and as a Circle Chairman. 

​Chester and Mary had two daughters, Mary Chester and Carolyn, both of whom were baptized and married in this church. Chester and Mary’s combined contributions to this church is a bridge from the past to the future. It was built by constant and loyal service to this congregation.

Please join us again next week as we continue to share the influence this family has had on our church.  

 - Jennie Hill Robinson
OPC History Team

Portions of the writings above are taken from notes written by Robert G. Jones for our 150th anniversary in 1995.  Robert is married to Carolyn Hazard.

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