The Name "Hardshell" II

In the "Primitive Baptist" periodical of July 13, 1839 we read these words:

"Dear Brethren Editors: I have taken the present opportunity to let you all know, how matters of religion are going on in our part of the country. There are various sorts of religion in our country, and I do not wonder at any and every person getting religion, for they can have any sort they choose, as brother Thomas Trice said in the Primitive, No. 7, vol. 4th p, page 109, from the real old hard shell down to no shell at all."

Thus, this is more evidence that the oldest Hardshells did not think that referring to themselves as "Hardshells" was any kind of defamatory speech.