HARDING, Major Henry Patrick^[1]

1836 - 1912  (75 years)

• Name	HARDING, Henry Patrick
  Prefix	Major
  Birth	8 May 1836	Chocowinity, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Residence	10 Jul 1860	Chocowinity, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States   [2]
  	Teacher
  Death	23 Apr 1912	Greenville, Pitt, North Carolina, United States   [1]
  	"There fell peacefully on sleep Tuesday afternoon as true a patriot and gallant, a soldier as ever wore the gray. In the death of Major Harding a just man passed to his eternal reward, to receive from the Master he served the welcome plauded "well done good and faithful servant." His life was the soul of honor his dealings with his fellow man just and upright, his loyalty to his country true, his devotion to his family and friends perfect. His service to Christ steadfast his benevolence to the needy often handed generous. He was indeed the truest type of man in God's own image. To him death had no fears, but only an entering into perfect rest after a long and well spent life. His end came peacefully. Only a few moments before the end he was sitting in an armchair on his front porch. Growing suddenly worse he was assisted to his bed and in a few minutes passed away. Major Harding was 76 years of age and a native of Beaufort County where he spent his early years and was educated at Trinity School at Chocowinity. When the Civil War broke out he organized the "Beaufort Plow Boys" and went to the front as captain of that company. His gallantry as a soldier brought him steady promotion until he became Major of the 61st NC Regiment. Through the war he was in the thickest at Charleston and also in several of the hottest battles in the vicinity of Petersburg. Only once was he wounded and then slightly in the shoulder but he was twice taken prisoner each time being exchanged for a Federal prisoner, held on the Confederate side. When the war ended he returned to his native county and was elected as it's representative in the first legislature that followed. In after years he also served the county on the Board of Commissioners. In February 1867 he married Miss Susan E, Sugg, the widow and six children surviving him. They are Messrs. F.C. Harding, Greenville; W.F. Harding, and ???Harding of Charlotte; J.B. Harding of Mexico; Miss Beattie Harding of Greenville; and Mrs. H.T. Latham of Washington. He also leaves one brother Rev Nathaniel Harding of Washington. Major Harding moved to Greenville in 1865 and spent his remaining years here, where he was a most useful and honored citizen. He served As superintendent of public instruction of Pitt County for one term, was register of deeds for two years and for many years a justice of the peace. He delighted in reviving the memory of the Confederacy and for the last several years was commander of the Bryan Grimes Camp of Confederate Veterans, always taking active part in the annual reunions on the 10th of May. Major Harding was an active Mason, devoted to the principles of that ancient fraternity, was several times Worshipful Master of the Greenville Lodge and when Sharon Lodge was revived became the first Master of the lodge and held that position at the time of his death. He was also Senior Warden of the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and a lay rector of the church. He leaves his family and friends the priceless heritage of an honored name. His remains were interred in Cherry Hill cemetery this afternoon with Masonic Honors --Greenville Reflector.
  Burial	Greenville, Pitt, North Carolina, United States   [1]
  	Address: Cherry Hill Cemetery
  Person ID	I12655	Pickel_Bartlett
  Last Modified	3 Aug 2018

  
  

  Father	HARDING, Nathaniel,   b. Abt 1789, North Carolina, United States d. Yes, date unknown
  Mother	PATRICK, Elizabeth,   b. Abt 1803, North Carolina, United States d. Yes, date unknown
  Residence	10 Jul 1860	Chocowinity, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States   [2]
  	Planter
  	Listed as Na and Elizabeth Harding
  Family ID	F3813	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	SUGG, Susan Elizabeth,   b. 3 Mar 1841, North Carolina, United States d. 21 Feb 1925, North Carolina, United States (Age 83 years)
  Marriage	Abt 1866	North Carolina, United States
  	Estimated
  Residence	5 Jun 1880	Aurora, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States   [3]
  	Listed as Henry and Susan E. Harding. Their family included: William F. age 13 Fordyer C. age 11 Harry E. age 5 Mary E. age 3, Benjamin J. age 1
  Family ID	F3803	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	16 May 2022

  
  

• Sources

  [S109] Find-a-Grave website, MEMORIAL ID 13707790. [S316] 1860 Federal Census, Chocowinity, Beaufort, North Carolina, Page 73, Dwelling 527. [S70] 1880 Federal Census, Aurora, Beaufort, North Carolina, ED 5, Page 5, Dwelling 7.