1635: Thomas Harding was born in Benningham, Gloucestershire, England.  His parents are believed to have been Thomas and Agnes North Harding, who were married 29 Apr 1629.  Thomas Senior died 29 Apr 1629; Agnes 2 Apr 1644.

c. 1639: Eleanor Bagwell was born in England, parents unknown. She was apparently described as "of All Hallows, London Wall" in Boyd's Marriage Index of Middlesex Men.[1]

26 Feb 1661: Thomas and Eleanor married in London.

26 Feb 1677: An outspoken Quaker, "Thomas Harding of London, box maker", purchased a 1/32 share in William Penn's Colony of West Jersey from Daniel Wills of Northampton.[2]   Wills had bought the share directly from William Penn on 23 Jan 1676/7.[3]

3 Mar 1677: Thomas was one of the signatories to "The Concessions and Agreements of West Jersey in America".  The document was written and signed before departing from England.[4]

1677: Thomas and Eleanor came to the Quaker Colony of West Jersey aboard the Kent with 230 other colonists, including William Penn.  The Kent arrived at Newcastle on 16 Aug 1677, only the second English emigrant ship to enter the Delaware River.  He was thus one of the founders of Burlington Township that October.  The Hardings supposedly settled on Ranocas Creek in Burlington County, which had been purchased from the Indians. It was said that the colonists spent the winter in wigwams eating venison and corn traded from the Indians.[5]  Woodward supplies a slight twist, having the Hardings arrive at Wickaco on October of 1677 and settle in the neighborhood of Burlington.

6 Aug 1678: He was one of the signatories to the first recorded marriage certificate in Burlington County, NJ.[6]

28 Sep 1680: A survey of 30 acres belonging to Thomas Harding was returned, the parcel being located on the creek "surrounding the Island" adjoining John Woolston.  When this was later resurveyed, it was described as on the creek bounded by the Island of Burlington between Lane and Woolston.[7]

1680: Thomas was listed as a juror in Burlington County.[8]

1680: The Burlington Monthly Meeting requested "witnesses" from the London Monthly Meeting.  Thomas Harding was one of the signatories to that epistle.[9]

1680:  He "eare marks of their Swyne" were recorded in Burlington.  This was done again in 1685.[10]

December 1681: Daniel Leeds returned a survey for 200 acres owned by Thomas Harding on the Rancokus River adjoining John Paine and 50 acres at the north end adjoining William Evans.[11]

12 May 1687: A deed from the "proprietors of several undivided shares of West Jersey to Thomas Budd for 15,000 acres to be bought from the Indians, under reference to proceedings of the General Assembly of May 12, 1687 concerning the public debts" included the signatures of both Thomas Harding and [son-in-law] Henry Ballenger.[12]  They were two among many.

7 Jun 1690: Thomas Harding of the Northampton River near Burlington, yeoman, sold 150 acres to John Payne, laborer.  It was part of the land bought by Harding from Daniel Wills on 26 Feb 1676/7.[13]

11 Nov 1690: He purchased 100 acres of "ye first laying in ye province of West Jersey" from William Biddle, a merchant,[14]

1691: "Thomas Harding of Philadelphia, carpenter," purchased 500 acres called the "Two Brothers" near the head of the Fenwick River.  He sold this parcel in 1700. [15]    This property was later  included in Salem County.

10 Jul 1692: Eleanor died and was buried in Burlington County on the "10th day of the 5th month", 1692.[16]  The cemetery is located on Centerton Road.   

3 May 1693: Thomas married Elizabeth Nichols, the daughter of David Nichols [or Nickolas] and Deborah Shoals.[17]

29 Sep 1700: Thomas Harding of Philadelphia, carpenter, sold 500 acres called "Two Brothers" to Samuel Hunter.  The land, "henceforth called Spring Hill" was near the head of Fenwick's River along Salem Creek.[18]  This may actually have been a mortage, but whether from Thomas or Samuel isn't clear.

16 May 1707: Elizabeth Nichols died and was buried in Burlington County on the 16th day of the 3rd month of 1707.  See Old Calendar.

8 Feb 1708: Thomas signed his will.[19]

Will of Thomas Harding

I, Thomas Harding of Wollingborough in the County of Burlington and Province of New Jersey, being weak of body but of sound and perfect memory . . . .  do make and ordain this my last will and testament thereby revoking all other wills and testaments formerly made by me.

Impris   I bequeath my soul unto almighty God my creator that gave it and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named.

2dly   My will and mind is that all the just debts by me due and owing to me be honestly paid by my Executor who I also empower to receive all such debts that are owing to me from any person or persons whatsoever.

3dly   I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary the wife of Henry Ballinger the sum of one shilling and I give and bequeath to each of my said daughter Mary's children that are now living each one shilling current money in the western division of the said province.

4thly   I give unto John Willis twenty shillings of the like current money to be laid out for fencing the burying ground in the Township of Northampton.

5thly   I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary now wife of Henry Ballinger the full and just sum of seventy-five pounds to be paid unto her or to her heirs or assigns in manner and upon the terms -- mentioned in an article of judgment made betwixt us (viz) the said Henry Ballinger and myself given under our hands and seals and dated the tenth of the eleventh month 1707 [10 Jan 1708], the penalty of the said article being one hundred and fifty pounds current money of the eastern division as by the said articles may appear.

6thly   I give and bequeath unto my two daughters Hope and Rebecca Harding all the remainder of my estate both real and personal (my debts and legacies afore mentioned being first paid) to be equally divided between them I say I give it as afore paid to them and their heirs and assigns forever.

Lastly   I ordain and appoint my trusty and well beloved friend John Wills of Northampton my sole Executor of this my last will and testament, hereby giving unto him as full & ample power and authority to sell and dispose of the plantation I now live upon lying on Northampton River as I myself now have and also to sign, seal and execute good substantial and of legal conveyances for the said land or plantation I now myself can either in law or equity to any person purchasing same plantation of my Executor.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my seal this eighth day of the twelveth month called February 1707 [8 February 1708].  

Thomas Harding

Signed, sealed & declared and published in the presence of

John Woolman

John Lambert

Thomas Eves

6 Oct 1708: Thomas' will was proved by all three witnesses.   Reeves claimed that the will was proved 6 Dec 1708, as does Jeff Fowler, no doubt the discrepancy arising from the confusion over the Julian calendar.[20]  The inventory was taken by John Wollman and Joshua Humphries, the total value being appraised at £ 162.06.10.[21]

Children of Thomas and Eleanor Bagwell Harding:

                Mary Harding (1664 - 1739; m. Henry Ballenger 4 Sep 1684)

Children of Thomas Elizabeth Nichols Harding:

Hope Harding  (11 Jun 1694 -     ; m. Joseph Shreve 3 Jul 1711)

Rebecca Harding  (26 Jun 1696 -     )

Deborah Harding  (23 Apr 1698 -     )

Thomas Harding  (16 Dec 1699 -     ; m. Mary Giles)

If you have material about any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com.  However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone. 

Nancy Denty Breidenthal