Wesley Hardin was a small boy in 1799 when he emigrated from Virginia to Fayette County, Kentucky with his father.  He grew up in the central Bluegrass on the
Leestown Pike near the Scott County line.  As a young man he came to Frankfort and on October 18, 1808 he married Frances Bartlett, daughter of Henry Bartlett,
who had been Sheriff of Franklin County.

Charles Hardin in the settlement of his estate in 1810, gave Wesley certain slaves, and other properties.  Using his inheritance, Wesley purchased a tract of land
containing 104 acres from George Mason.  This land was situated on the hills a short distance northwest of the South Fork of Benson Creek.  In 1813 he erected a
two story double cabin, which included a tavern.  In 1816 he enlarged it with a rear three-story stone addition. The tavern was located on high ground facing north on
the "Big Road" west of Abraham Bailey's tavern.

Wesley obtained a reputation of a fine man of sensible reasoning and responsibilities, particularly as a civic leader.  He operated a first class road side hotel.  He
renewed his tavern license with the Franklin County Court annually until 1818.  The new Turnpike Road was imminent and Wesley sold his property and founded the
new village of Hardinsville, now Grafenburg on the west side of Big Benson in Shelby County.  Wesley soon erected a new road-side tavern.  He sold lots and overly
invested in the Turnpike Company stock.  He returned to his old neighborhood of South Benson, financially depressed.  And in 1821 he died in obscurity.

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