Biography of Thomas Harding

Born around 1817 in Otterton, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, Thomas lived with his parents John & Mary Harding. In the 1841 census he's recorded as an agricultural labourer, age 22, living at Trow, Salcombe Regis, Devon, with John (24) & Elizabeth (25) Bastone, their daughters Amelia (3) & Mary (3 months old), and Mary Mapledurram (22, a seamstress).

The 1841 census shows several Bastone families living adjecent to each other at Trow, Salcombe Regis, Devon, including Thomas' wife-to-be, Sarah Bastone (age 20, a lacemaker). Thomas married Sarah on 8 July 1841. In the 1851 census Thomas (33) & Sarah (32) are living at Otterton, Devon with their sons John (8), Richard (5) & William (1), daughter Mary Ann (7), and a lodger William Hill (28). Sarah died in 1852; after her death her children went to live with other families in Ottery St Mary.

On 21 September 1858 Thomas married Mary Clarke (nee Kimber), also a widow (her previous husband George Clarke died in 1852). Thomas & Mary had 4 children, but two (Herman & James) died when about 4 years old. In the 1861 census Thomas (41) & Mary (35) are living at Village Street, Henstridge, Devon, with sons Herman (2) and James (6 months).

By 1871 census Thomas (51) & Mary (43) have moved to Mount Pleasant, Faringdon, Lechlade, Gloucestershire, with their son Gilbert (8) and daughter Martha (3).

No matching census records have been found (yet) for 1881/1891, although his wife Mary & daughter Martha Ann Harding are found living alone together at 1 North Street, Lingfield, Surrey in the 1881 census.

It seems Thomas died on 7 March 1900 near his birthplace: Ottery St Mary, Devon.