Courtesy of the MacKay Family
Mary Stoneman
1883–1887
Significant Facts
Born: July 28, 1836(?) in Baltimore, Maryland
Died: March 1915 in Brookline, Massachusetts
Married: George Stoneman on November 22, 1871 in Baltimore, MD
Maiden Name: Hardisty
Family
Father: Henry Hardisty, Jr.
Mother: Elisa McLean
Husband: George Stoneman
Children: Cornelius, George, Jr., Katherine, and Adele
Find out more about the time period and interests of Mary Stoneman
Did You Know?
- One of Mary's nicknames for her husband was "Stony"
Biography
Mary Hardisty grew up in a socially prominent family, although established in Baltimore, considered themselves Southerners. She married George Stoneman, an officer in the Union Army on November 22, 1861. In 1871, the family settled on a four-hundred acre estate called Los Robles in the San Gabriel Valley. As First Lady, Mary became socially active in both Sacramento and San Francisco society. She was known for speaking her mind and for being a good dancer. In 1885, while George was Governor, the Stoneman’s ranch house burned down and all their family possessions were destroyed. Unknown to Mary, George had not insured the ranch house, thus, leaving the family financially unable to rebuild their home. The couple eventually separated and Mary moved to Massachusetts to live with one of the Stoneman’s daughters. Mary Stoneman died in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1915.
Bibliography
Books and Articles
- Cook and LaDue, The First Ladies of California, Xlibris Corporation, 2007
- Fordney, George Stoneman: A Biography of the Union General, McFarland & Co., 2008
