Sources for Harris Family

Sources:

        1. Walter Goodwin Davis, The Ancestry of Bethia Harris, 1748-1833, wife of Dudley Wildes of Topsfield, Massachusetts (Portland, ME: The Southward Press, 1934), ; digital images, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 November 2018; p. 3-9.

        2. Simmons Family, Roy W. Simmons online [http://www.storycapsule.com/simmons/familytree/pedigree.php], accessed 29 Oct 2009.

        3. Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Vol. I-III , NEHGS online [http://www,newenglandancestors.org/database_search], accessed 23 November 2009.

        4. "The Reverend John Maverick, Sr.", database, Kristin Carole Hall, Genealogy of Kristin Carole Hall (http://kristinhall.org/fambly/Maverick/JohnMaverick.html : accessed 4 August 2011), "The Reverend John Maverick, Sr.," Maverick family; submitted 1992–2004 by Kristin Carole Hall, [contact information for private use].

        5. Elizabeth French, "Genealogical Research in England: Maverick," article, NEHGS, Americanancestors.org (http://www.americanancestors.org : accessed 5 August 2011), Elias Maverick [p. 154]; citing prior publication in NEHGS Register (April 1915).

        6. William Prescott Greenlaw, "John Maverick & Some of His Descendants," article, NEHGS, American Ancestors (http://www.americanancestors.org : accessed 5 August 2011), Elias Maverick family [p. 239-241]; citing prior publication in NEHGS Register (July 1942).

        7. "The Reverend John Maverick, Sr.," database, Genealogy of Kristin Carole Hall."

        8. A. R. Thomas M.D., Genealogical Records & Sketches of the Descendants of William Thomas of Hardwick, Mass.: Descendants of William Thomas (Philadelphia & London: F.A. Davis, 1891), 20, 21, 208; digital images, World Vital Records,  (www.worldvitalrecords.com : accessed 2 September 2014.

        9. NE Historic Genealogical Society, "Inhabitants & Estates of the Town of Boston, 1630-1822," database, NE Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org: accessed 6 September 2014), 17293; citing Anne Haven Thwing Collection.

        10. Boston, Massachusetts: 156, Peter Thomas, 6 February 1681; NEHGS Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

        11. Boston, Massachusetts: 161, Martha Thomas, 22 September 1683.

        12. Boston, Massachusetts: 164, George Thomas, 16 March 1684.

        13. Boston, Massachusetts: 176, Rebecca Thomas, 25 March 1687.

        14. Boston, Massachusetts: 182, Ann Thomas, 30 April 1688.

        15. Boston, Massachusetts, Boston, Suffolk, MA FHL film 592866: 19-20, Elizabeth Thomas, 28 July 1693; LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake  City, Utah. www.familysearch.org [database online].

        16. Boston, Massachusetts: 216, Maverick Thomas, 24 February 1694.

Thomas Harris and Elizabeth [Hills / Williams]

Third Generation

3.  Thomas Harris^1–3 (William-2, John-1) was born about 1590 in Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England.^2–3 He died before Sep 1634 at the age of 44 in Winnissimmett [Chelsea], Massachusetts Bay, British America.^1–3 Thomas Harris was the son of William Harris and Agnes Mason, born in or near Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England. He reportedly sailed to America around 1630 aboard the Lyon, but may have been with the Winthrop Fleet. Adding to the confusion is the fact that Harris also used the surname Williams. He was listed as "Williams alias Harris" in some early records; Williams in others.

There is also some disagreement over the ages of both Thomas and his wife, Elizabeth, as well as her maiden name and the date of their marriage.

The Simmons Family site has Thomas born in 1580 and Elizabeth in 1577/8 with their marriage 31 July 1600 in Bluham, Bedfordshire, England. Her maiden name is given as Hills.

Robert Charles Anderson's article in The Great Migration Begins offers an estimated birth of 1590 for Thomas and the marriage taking place by 1613. Her death date was 16 Feb 1669/70, aged 93, but Anderson believes "she was more likely a decade younger."

A site entitled The Genealogy of Kristen Carole Hall, which relies heavily on the Anderson article, suggests that the marriage took place about 1605, when Thomas was 15. Elizabeth would have been between 18 and 28 and gives her maiden name as Williams. [http://kristinhall.org/fambly/Harris/ThomasHarris.html]

Anderson gives six children for William and Elizabeth: Anna [b. c 1613], John [b. c 1616], Thomas [b. c 1618], William [b. c 1620], Anthony [b. c 1622], and Daniel [b. c 1626].

The Simmons Family site lists twelve one children with several repetitions and at least one impossibility. There are four Johns [1601, 1606, 17 May 1607, 14 Feb 1694], two Anthonys [1610, 1620], two Thomases [1608, 25 April 1618], two Wiliams [1611-17, 1626], Daniel [1615-26] and Anna [1623].

The Hall site agrees with the six children presented by Anderson, with the same birth years, but all born in Massachusetts. The family arrived in 1630 after the children were born.

The best guess is that Thomas and Elizabeth had six children with the eldest, Anna, born about 1613. That would place the marriage around 1611/12. The 1590 birth for Thomas and 1587 for Elizabeth would be plausible with a marriage around this time. [see below]

Thomas Williams alias Harris requested to be admitted as a freeman in October 1630 in Winnissimmet and admitted as a freeman on 18 May 1631 as Thomas Williams. He served on a coroner's jury 18 September 1630. Thomas ran the first ferry in the colonies, between Winnissemmet and Charlestown and from Winnissimmet to Boston. After Thomas' death, Elizabeth married Deacon William Stitson in September 1634,, who took over operation of the ferry. A nephew of Harris, Richard Iles*, wrote his will in 1639 and named his cousins, Thomas, William, Anthony, John, Anne [Maverick], and Daniel Harris.

Speculation over Thomas' surname exists. He used Williams and Williams alias Harris. Possibilities offered: His mother married a Williams after his father's death and he was known by the step-father's name or he was apprenticed to a Williams and took his master's name. It might also be that he used the patronymic form of his name with Williams representing "son of William." 



*According to research done by T.W. Harris, Richard Iles or Eles was actually
Richard Hills. He was a cooper in Charlestown, admiitted as a freeman there in 1638. Joseph Hills, also of Charlestown, was probably his elder brother. Richard died 29 October 1639. In his will he made bequests to cousins Thomas, William, Anthony, John, David and Anne [Maverick] Harris. [Notes on the Will of Richard Hills; NEHGS Register online, newenglandancestors.org; Vol. 2, April 1848, p. 218-221] If Hills was indeed a cousin of Thomas Harris, it may well have been through marriage. That would lend credence to Elizabeth being a Hills.

Thomas Harris and Elizabeth Hills \ Williams¹ were married about 1613 in England.^1–3 Elizabeth Hills \ Williams¹ was born about 1587 in England.^2–3 She died on 16 Feb 1670 at the age of 83 in Charlestown, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay, British America.^1–3

Thomas Harris and Elizabeth Hills \ Williams had the following child:

                4              i.              Anna Harris, born abt 1613, probably Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England; married Elias Maverick Sr., ca 1634, Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts; died 7 Sep 1697, Reading, Essex Co., Massachusetts

William Harris and Agnes Mason

2.  William Harris¹ (John-1) was born about 1536 in Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England.^1–2 He died on 8 Nov 1599 at the age of 63 in Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England.^1–2 William, son of John and Anne Harris, was born about 1536 in Haterup, Gloucestershire.

He married for the first time on 21 November 1568 in Cheltenham to Katherine Kiche. Katherine died before 1579. They had Anne, William, Anthony and John.

On 30 January 1579, William married for the second time to Agnes Mason. By Agnes, William fathered Thomas, Edmund, William and Robert.

William's will was made 1 October 1598 and proved 8 November 1599. He directed that he be buried in the church or churchyard of Hatherup. William left legacies to sons William, Anthony and John, son-in-law John Iles and granddaughter Joan Iles. If Agnes chose to remarry, then their four youngest sons, Thomas, Edmund, William and Robert were to receive half of their father's goods. Agnes was named executrix, with Henry Maason and John Isles as overseers.

William Harris and Agnes Mason¹ were married on 30 Jan 1579 in Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England.^1–2 Agnes Mason¹, daughter of Henry Mason and Joan [Mason], was born about 1559 in Cheltonham, Gloucestershire, England.² She died after 1599 at the age of 40 in Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England.²

William Harris and Agnes Mason had the following child:

              3              i.   Thomas Harris, born abt 1590, Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England; married Elizabeth Hills \ Williams, abt 1613, England; died bef Sep 1634, Winnissimmett [Chelsea], Massachusetts Bay, British America.

Happy Thanksgiving!

John and Ann/Annis Harris

The Harris family is the next to be updated:

1.  John Harris¹ was born circa 1513 in Hstherup, Gloucestershire, England.¹ He died on 22 Oct 1553–4 Jun 1554 at the age of 40 in Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England.¹ John Harris was born as early as 1513. He married Ann or Annis _______ about 1533. Harris was a native of Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England. His will was dated 22 October 1553 and proved 4 June 1554.

The Harrises had three children: Alice, William and John.

John left the lease on his dwelling house to daughter Alice Wynchcombe. If the lease expired after her death, it went to Alice's daughter. Sons William and John were to received 72 acres of land occupied by William Carney, a sheep pasture,  plus10 sheep and a bullock apiece. The residue of the estate went to wife Anne, who was named executrix.

John Harris and Anne / Annis [Harris]¹ were married circa 1533 in Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England.¹ Anne / Annis [Harris]¹ was born circa 1513 in Gloucestershire, England.¹ She died on 17 Jun 1585–5 Feb 1585/6 at the age of 72 in Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England.¹ Anne's will, dated 17 June 1585 and proved 5 February 1585/6. She made bequests to daughter, Alice Wynchcombe, and grandchildren Anne, James, John and Thomas Wynchcombe. Grandchildren William, Anthony and John Harris were also named in the will, as were Joan Reve, Alice Kirbie, George and Marie Vincen and Elizabeth Robins. Also named was Richard Harris, probably John's son.

John Harris and Anne / Annis [Harris] had the following child:

              2              i.   William Harris, born abt 1536, Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England; married Agnes Mason, 30 Jan 1579, Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England; died 8 Nov 1599, Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England.

The Harding Family: Part III [Gen 5 & Sources]

 

Fifth Generation

 

5.  Mary Harding (Thomas-4, Thomas-3, Michael-2, William-1) was born in 1663 in England.¹³ She died in 1739 at the age of 76 in Evesham, Burlington Co., New Jersey.¹⁴ She was also known as Mary Ballinger.^15–16 The exact birthplace of Mary Harding is open to debate. Several places have been given: Warnhan, Sussex; Nailsworth, Stroud District, Gloucester; London and North Cheriton, Somerset - all in England, as well as Burlington Co., New Jersey. Burlington can quickly be eliminated, as the Hardings did not arrive there until 1677.

Mary's parents were married at All Hallows, London Wall in February 1661/2 or 1662/3. It would make sense that Mary was born in London, as mobility was neither fast nor common in the mid-17th century.

Another strong possibility for her birthplace is North Cheriton, Somerset, about 115 miles from London. There is an entry in the English Births & Christenings, 1538-1975 for a Mary Harding, parents Thomas and 'Clinor,' baptized on 23 January 1664 in  North Cheriton. Clinor is probably a transcription error for Elinor.

Mary Harding and Henry Ballinger Sr. were married on 4 Nov 1684 in Burlington MM, Burlington Co., New Jersey.^15–16 Henry Ballinger Sr.^7,16–17 was born about 1660 in possibly Gloucestershire, England.^17–19 [NEED TO DEFINE SENTENCE:Fact 1]²⁰ [NEED TO DEFINE SENTENCE:Fact 2]²⁰ He signed a will on 6 Mar 1727 in Burlington Co., New Jersey.¹⁵ He had his estate probated on 10 Apr 1733 in Evesham, Burlington Co., New Jersey.¹⁵ Henry died about Apr 1733 at the age of 73 in Evesham, Burlington Co., New Jersey.²¹ The following information is from "Three Centuries of Ballingers": According to George Decou, in "Moorestown and Her Neighbors" [p. 120], Henry Ballinger was of French Huguenot descent. He was one of five brothers living in France. One brother was burned at the stake and another was hanged. The three surviving brothers made their way to America.

Evi, or Ive, Belangee arrived at Egg Harbor, NJ in 1675. He settled on a farm which bordered Belangee's [Evi's] Creek and became the founder of the Pennsylvania branch of the family. Andrew settled in Virginia, arriving with the second German colony in 1717. Henry, the third brother, settled in New Jersey.

Lanson B. Harvey, in his pamphlet, "The Ballinger Family - 1600-1900", states that, according to London genealogist Joseph English, Henry Ballinger was born in Benninghamshire*, England about 1660. The Ballingers moved to Nailsworth in Gloucestershire. The village is located in the Cotswold Hills, west of Gloucester and south of Stroud, on the road from Cheltenham to Bath. At a Nailsworth Quaker meeting Henry Ballinger made known his intention to wed Mary Harding.

Mary Harding was the daughter of Thomas and Eleanor Harding. The Hardings were part of the 1677 Quaker migration to West Jersey. On the return voyage of "The Kent" in 1678, Henry Ballinger secured passage to America. On 4 September 1684, Henry and Mary were married at the Burlington Meeting.

Henry earned a reputation for industry and integrity. He was elected to the Assembly in 1697 and was appointed soecial [sic] tax collector for his hometown of Evesham in May 1701.

Supporting information for a Huguenot origin of the Ballinger comes from "Huguenot Refugees in the Settling of Colonial America", 1993, ed. by Peter Steven Gannon: [Unable to find any mention of Andrew Ballanger.] [p. 309 & 364] Ballanger, Ives [Bellangee, Belangee]: Poitu [Fr.]; England; VA [before 1690]; Little Egg Harbor, NJ; d. 1720, NJ. [p. 364] Ballangee, Henri [Ballinger, Bellinger]: Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, England; Evensham Twp., Burlington Co., NJ [c. 1690]; d. 1733.

Henry Ballinger may have had Huguenot ancestry, if so, the family settled in England in the early 1600s or before. His parentage and place of birth are unknown. There is no shire [county] of Bennington or Benningham. This was perhaps the name of his hometown or parish. Gloucester is the home to Barrington, Bleddington and Boddington. Could one of these have been incorrectly transcribed as Bennington? A town of Bennington is located in Lincolnshire. There was also a Bedlington that was part of the historic enclave of County Durham called Bedlinghamshire.

His birth year of 1660 is agreed upon by most sources. Henry did reside in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, England, where he witnessed marriages during the 1670s. His arrival in America would therefore have been during the early 1680s. His marriage to Mary Harding on 4 November 1684 at the Burlington MM. Henry and Mary [Harding] Ballinger lived out the rest of their lives in Burlington County, New Jersey. Henry died in 1733 and Mary

Whatever the case, Henry Ballinger left England for America sometime before 1684 and established himself in Burlington Co., New Jersey. here he joined the Burlington Monthly Meeting and married Mary Harding. Their children were born in Burlington and the couple died there. Two of their sons, Henry and Josiah ventured out to the Quaker settlements of Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas.

Henry and Josiah Ballinger from near Salem, West Jersey settled in the upper parts of Prince George's County, Maryland, near Monoquesey [Monocacy] Creek in 1725. James Wright, William Beals, and others from Nottingham followed shortly  thereafter. The settlers applied to New Garden Monthly Meeting "for liberty to hold a meeting for worship on first days, which was granted, and held at the house of Josiah Ballinger, and others till the year 1736" when they purchased land and built a meeting-house, which was called Cold-Spring meeting-house. The name was later changed Monoquesy Meeting House.[Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy: Virginia - Loudon County]

Henry Ballinger and Mary Harding had the following children:

              6              i.   Thomas Ballinger, born 13 Jun 1685, Evesham, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Elizabeth Elkington, 28 Mar 1712/3, Northampton Twp., Burlington Co., New Jersey; died 14 May 1739, Burlington Co., New Jersey?.

              7             ii.   Elizabeth Ballinger, born Mar 1687/8, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Henry Willard, 1724, Burlington Co., New Jersey.

              8            iii.   Mary Ballinger, born abt 1689, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married John Rathmell, 24 Apr 1723, Evesham MM, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Thomas Garwood, 4 Nov 1733, Haddonfield MM, Camden Co., New Jersey.

              9            iv.   Amariah Ballinger, born 1 May 1691, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Elizabeth Garwood, 8 Nov 1725, New Jersey; died 12 Feb 1746/7, Gloucester Co., New Jersey.

           10             v.   Joseph Ballinger, born abt 1693, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Charity Wade, abt 1726, Goochland Co., Virginia; died 19 Feb 1744/5, Goochland Co., Virginia.

           11            vi.   Henry Ballinger Jr., born 24 Aug 1695, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Hannah Wright, 18 Aug 1726, East Nottingham Twp., Chester Co., Pennsylvania; died 4 May 1774, New Garden, Guilford Co., North Carolina.

           12           vii.   Rebecca Ballinger, born abt 1696, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Nathan Haines, 5 Feb 1725, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Francis Harding, 9 Apr 1715, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania.

           13          viii.   Josiah Ballinger Sr., born abt 1697, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Mary Wright, 31 Aug 1727, Monocacy Valley, Frederick Co., Maryland; died abt 7 Dec 1748, Frederick Co., Virginia.

           14            ix.   Esther Ballinger, born abt 1700, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married John Butterworth, abt 1720, Burlington Co., New Jersey.

                             x.   Hannah Ballinger was born about 1701 in Burlington Co., New Jersey.¹⁵ She died on 10 Feb 1783 at the age of 82 in Burlington Co., New Jersey.^13,15

                            xi.   Ruth Ballinger was born about 1703 in Burlington Co., New Jersey.¹³

           15           xii.   John Ballinger, born abt 1705, Burlington Co., New Jersey; married Mary Ridgeway, 10 Jan 1718, Haddonfield MM, Camden Co., New Jersey; died 1721, Burlington Co., New Jersey.

 

Sources:

        1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [LDS], "Pedigree Resource File," database, Cornwell - Wincek Family (www.familysearch.org : accessed 2018), Harding family; submitted by Sandra Wincek; 2013.

        2. Nancy Denty Briedenthal, author, Nancy's Dead Relatives (http://www.nancysdeadrelatives.com/Harding/BagwellHarding.htm : accessed 4 December 2014), Harding parents.

        3. "Thomas Harding, Jr.", database, FamilySearch, FamilySearch Family Tree (www.familysearch.org : accessed 29 October 2018), "Thomas Harding, Jr. [L2L1-WV4]"; submitted 30 September 2018 by various researchers, [contact information for private use].

        4. Briedenthal, Nancy's Dead Relatives, Harding/Bagwell.

        5. Compiler: unknown, LDS Ancestral File Family Group Record for Thomas Harding [AFN:4X46-RW], Version: 4.19 (17 March 2001).

        6. Ancestry.com, "England Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com: accessed 27 October 2018), Thomas Harding baptism.

        7. Emma Barrett Reeves, Three Centuries of Ballingers in America (Emma Barrett Reeves, Nacogdoches, Texas, c 1977).

        8. IGI: Thomas Harding - Eleanor Bagwell Marriage, Subject: Thomas Harding - Eleanor Bagwell marriage (26 February 1662).

        9. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [LDS], "International Genealogical Index," database, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 4 December 2014), British Isles, E. Bagwell's birth; citing FHL microfilm .

        10. IGI: Eleanor [Bagwell] Harding Death Record, Subject: Eleanor [Bagwell] Harding Death Record (10 July 1692).

        11. Bill Shaw, Compiler: Bill Shaw, Ancestry.com: Haven Branches - Shaylor-Dart, Location: Ancestry.com, Url: http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=AHN&db=wmshaw99&id=1107 (29 January 2002).

        12. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [LDS], "International Genealogical Index," database, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 4 December 2014), North America, E. Nichols' birth; citing FHL microfilm .

        13. Sarah Downham, Ballinger Mailing List, Subject: Ballingers-Hardings, Listserve: Rootsweb (18 March 2001, Original Date, 23 February 2000).

        14. Compiler: unknown, LDS Ancestral File Family Group Record for Henry Ballinger [AFN:4X46-K7] & Mary Harding [AFN: 4X46-LD], Version: 4.19 (17 March 2001).

        15. Emma Barrett Reeves, Three Centuries of Ballingers in America, p. 1.

        16. Family History: Pennsylvania Genealogies #1: Genealogies of Pennsylvania Families II, Hi-So, The Family of Thomas Olive of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire and of Burlington County, New Jersey [p. 534], Url: Genealogy.com.

        17. Dave Hyatt, Ballinger-L@rootsweb.com, Subject: Henry Ballinger, Listserve: Rootsweb (3 August 2001, Original Date, 29 April 1998).

        18. Emma Barrett Reeves, Three Centuries of Ballingers in America, p. 1 [Gives birthplace as Benninghamshire].

        19. Sarah Downham, Ballinger Mailing List, Subject: Ballingers-Hardings, Listserve: Rootsweb, Gives Charleton Kings as possible birthplace.

        20. Emma Barrett Reeves, Three Centuries of Ballingers in America, p. xxi.

        21. Emma Barrett Reeves, Three Centuries of Ballingers in America, 1, will proved: 10 April 1733.

The Harding Family: Part II [Gen. 3 & 4]

Third Generation

3.  Thomas Harding^2–3 (Michael-2, William-1) was born in Sep 1608 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.^1,3 Alternate: 1603-4 Whitechapel, London He was baptized on 30 Sep 1608 in St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ He died circa 14 Aug 1666 at the age of 57 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.^1,3 Alternate: 1664-6 London, England Thomas was buried on 15 Aug 1666 in St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ Thomas Harding Sr. is shown on at least FamilySearch family tree as Thomas George Harding Sr.

Thomas was born to Michael Harding and Alice Hobbes in 1608. He married Agnes North in Hitchin, Hertfordshire in 1629. The couple had six children: Thomas - bap. 21May 1631, Michael - bap. 30 Jan 1632/3 - died young, Ann - bap. 5 Dec 1637, Sarah - bap. 15 Aug 1639, Mayell - 1641-1643, and William - 7 Sep 1643. Agnes died in Hitchin in 1644, a few months after the birth of son William. It would seem that the elder Harding and his four surviving children moved to London by the 1660s, since son, Thomas was married there in 1662/3.

Thomas Harding died in Hitchin and was buried at St. Mary's Church on 15 August 1666. His wife preceded him in death and was buried 2 April 1644.

Alternate birth and death entries are given for him:
(1) 1603-4 at Whitechapel, London, England.
(2) 1664 at St. Olave, Bermondsey, Southwark Burough, London, England.
(3) 27 May 1666, Whitechapel or St. Lawrence, Pountney, London, England

Thomas Harding and Agnes North^1,3 were married on 29 Apr 1629 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.^1–3 Agnes North^1–2 was born circa 12 Nov 1609 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.^1,3 She died circa 1 Apr 1644 at the age of 34 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.^1,3 She was buried on 2 Apr 1644 in St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.^1,3 Agnes was the daughter of William North and Ann Denby.

Thomas Harding and Agnes North had the following child:

              4              i.   Thomas Harding, born May 1631, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England; married Eleanor Bagwell, 26 Feb 1662/3, All Hallows, London Wall, London, England; married Elizabeth Nickolas\Nichols, 3 May 1693, Burlington Co., New Jersey; died bef 6 Oct 1708, Burlington Co., New Jersey, British America.

Fourth Generation

4.  Thomas Harding⁴ (Thomas-3, Michael-2, William-1) was born in May 1631 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.^4–6 He was baptized on 23 May 1631 at St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.⁶ He died before 6 Oct 1708 at the age of 77 in Burlington Co., New Jersey, British America.^4,7 Thomas Harding, according to many sources, was born about 1635 in Bennington, Gloucestershire. More recent searches of English parish registers have turned up a baptismal date of 23 May 1631 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. His parents, Thomas Sr. and Angnes North, were married at Hitchin two years earlier. By the early 1660s, he was residing in London following the box making trade.

There Harding married Eleanor Bagwell on 26 February 1662/3 at the Church of England,  All Hallows, London Wall..

Although raised in the Church of England, Thomas became a devout and outspoken Quaker. On 26 February 1677 he purchased a 1/32 share in William Penn's West Jersey Colony from Daniel Wills of Northampton. He was one of the signers of "The Concessions and Agreements of West Jersey in America." [The document was written and signed before the colonists left England.] Later that year, on 16 August, the Hardings were among about 230 colonists who arrived at Newcastle aboard the Kent. William Penn and Henry Ballinger were also passengers.

In October, Harding became one of the founders of Burlington Township. One story has the Hardings and others settling along Rancocas Creek on land purchased from local Indians. The settlers spent the winter in wigwams and subsisted on venison and corn traded from the Indians. Another version has them settling at Wickaco in the neighborhood of Burlington.

In December of 1681,  Thomas had two tracts surveyed, one for 200 acres on the Ranocas River, the other for 50 acres adjoining the land of William Evans. [He sold 150 acres of the survey to John Payne on 7 June 1690.]

Harding acquired 100 acres in West Jersey from William Biddle on 11 November 1690 and a 500 acre tract called "Two Brothers" near the head of the Fenwick River in 1691. He was recorded as being a carpenter of Philadelphia in the latter.

Thomas' will was dated 8 February 1707/8 and was inventoried on 6 October 1708. Named in the will were daughters, Mary [from his first marriage], Hope and Rebecca [from his second].

Thomas Harding was twice widowed. Eleanor died in 1692 and his second wife, Elizabeth Nichols, died in 1707.

Thomas wrote his will on 8 February 1708. His estate was probated on 6 October 1708.

Thomas Harding and his first wife, Eleanor, were interred in the Rancocas Quaker Burying in Burlington Co., New Jesey. 

Thomas Harding and Eleanor Bagwell were married on 26 Feb 1662/3 in All Hallows, London Wall, London, England.^3–4,8 Eleanor Bagwell³ was born about 1639 in England.^3,9 She died on 10 Jul 1692 at the age of 53 in Burlington Co., New Jersey.^3–4,10 She was buried in Friends Burial Ground, Burlington Co., New Jersey.^3,10 Eleanor was also known as Eleanor Harding.⁸ Eleanor was listed as Ellin in the London, All Hallows parish marriage records. She was the daughter of Thomas Bagwell.

Thomas Harding and Eleanor Bagwell had the following child:

              5              i.   Mary Harding, born 1663, England; married Henry Ballinger Sr., 4 Nov 1684, Burlington MM, Burlington Co., New Jersey; died 1739, Evesham, Burlington Co., New Jersey.

Thomas Harding and Elizabeth Nickolas\Nichols were married on 3 May 1693 in Burlington Co., New Jersey.^4,11 Elizabeth Nickolas\Nichols was born about 1664 in probably New Jersey.¹² She died on 16 May 1707 at the age of 43 in Burlington Co., New Jersey, British America.⁴

Thomas Harding and Elizabeth Nickolas\Nichols had the following children:

                              i.   Hope Harding was born on 11 Jun 1694.¹¹

                             ii.   Rebecca Harding was born on 26 Jun 1696.¹¹

                            iii.   Deborah Harding was born on 23 Apr 1698.¹¹

                            iv.   Thomas Harding was born on 16 Dec 1699.¹¹

2.  Michael Harding¹ (William-1) was born on 22 Feb 1578 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ Michael and Alice [Hobbes] Harding were the parents of ten children: Anne [1606-1641], Thomas [1608-1666], Joane [1610-1610], Elizabeth [1611-1645],
Willi

The Harding Family: Part I

 At long last, I have updated my Harding file. Here are the results of generations I & II:

First Generation

 

1.  William Harding¹ died circa 4 May 1623 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ He was buried on 5 May 1623 in St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ William Harding and Agnes Horie had four childrn, all baptized at Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The couple was married in Stevenage, about six miles southeast of Hitchin. Whether both were from Stevenage, or it was Angnes' home, is not yet known. The Hardings were in Hitchin by the time their eldest child was born in 1576.

Children: Mary [1576-1576], Michael [1578], Elizabeth [1582-1670] and Mary [1586-1645].

The Pedigree Resource File cited as the main source for the Hardinge / Harding family cited several records from Hertsdirect.com. Marriage and probate records are cataloged on the site. Marriages for Michael and Alice, Thomas and Agnes were located in the catalog. Also found was a listing for the inventory of William Hardinge, victualler of Hitchin in 1623. Ancestry.com shows a 24 January 1548 baptism in Anstey, Hertfordshire in the Englan, Select Births & Christenings daatabase. The PRF appears to be well documented and fairly reliable. The inventory fits the year of William Harding's death. The baptism could be his as well.

William Harding and Agnes Horie¹ were married on 4 Feb 1573 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England.¹ Agnes Horie died circa 8 Nov 1632 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ She was buried on 9 Nov 1632 in St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹

William Harding and Agnes Horie had the following child:

              2              i.   Michael Harding, born 22 Feb 1578, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.

Second Generation

 

2.  Michael Harding¹ (William-1) was born on 22 Feb 1578 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ Michael and Alice [Hobbes] Harding were the parents of ten children: Anne [1606-1641], Thomas [1608-1666], Joane [1610-1610], Elizabeth [1611-1645],
William [1613], Mychell [1614], Marie [1616], Joane [1619], Sarah and Lawrence [1620].

Alice Hobbes¹ was born circa 24 Mar 1582 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ She was baptized on 25 Mar 1582 in St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ She died circa 7 Jun 1640 at the age of 58 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ Alice was buried on 7 Jun 1640 in St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.¹ Alice was the daughter of Richard Hobbes and Bettrice Woodcock.

Michael Harding and Alice Hobbes had the following child:

              3              i.   Thomas Harding, born Sep 1608, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England; married Agnes North, 29 Apr 1629, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England; died ca 14 Aug 1666, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.

Yes, I'm still here!

I thought I was ready to hit the blogging trail again on a regular basis, but other events have gotten in the way again. Hopefully, I can get some posts put together and scheduled over the next few days.

I finally decided to give online trees a shot. American Ancestors [New England Historic Genealogical Society site] has opted for a family tree service called "ANCESTREES." I uploaded a gedcom today. The format is fairly easy to follow. I'll need to do some exploring, but I think it will do nicely. This will also serve a a backup to my RootsMagic program.

Harding family

Nope, no full update yet. Investigating the family has turned up more questions than answers.

The Harding hometown has been located in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.

A few additional records have popped up as well.

The exact birthplace of Thonas and Ellin's daughter, Mary is up in the air.

We may have another 2-3 generations back in Hitchin.

A few more details on the Hardings in Burlington Co., NJ have been located.

Too much misinformation is available.

Access to copies of original records is lacking.

Progress, slow, but steady.