Re: Stephen Harding / Hardings in NC
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In reply to:
Stephen Harding / Hardings in NC
9/29/99
Hello Edward;et al,
My distant relative several generations forward of Steven has done great work proving my line(and hers) back to Steven's son Benjamin (m.Sarah Worsley).
I also want to connect back to NE Hardings and have not had success as yet.
The NC Steven is too late to be the Providence Steven and it seems that there must be someone in between.There is a Thomas in Beaufort/Washington area with references from 1705-1726 in various capacities.However Providence Steven's son Thomas is placed later and in Conn.
I had a reference without any follow-up of a Thomas,son of Jos. and Bethia Cook in Eastham, Ma. on the cape but there are date problems there also.I have not connected with the historical society there but plan to. Joseph, like Steven is decended from the Hardings at Weymouth (or Wessagussett.
Abner Morse, venerated as he is, has some questionable aspects to his work as well I am told.For example, he ties Abraham Harding of Medfield, Ma. to the Wessagussett gang.One of A's descendants refutes this as there seems to be no record of an Abraham coming in with the Gorgas'(Mary Harding m. Gorgas, Gov. of Maine, arrived Wessagussett 1623). This is too bad because there are Thomas' here also but not heading to Beaufort.I believe there must be a connection also as the names are very similar and Hardings are swirling about everywhere.Complicating this are unrelated Virginia Hardings (Harden, Hardin)etc.and there is a Thomas there also. Again timing issues.
So I'm thinking that the route to success lies in connecting Steven back to Thomas in NC and Thomas back to NE either through Steven or Joseph.I'll be pleased to share whatever I find with anyone and appreciate reciprocity.There are more folks out there looking at these guys than I thought.