Vachel and Mary Harding

Maryland – W 1601

The above named soldier applied for a pension in Jefferson County, Kentucky, on April 4, 1834, and made declaration that he is 76 years of age.  That he was born in 1762.  That he resided in Montgomery County, Maryland, at the time he enlisted in March 1778 as a volunteer under Captain John H. Nicholas, with whom he served as a sergeant for the full term of his enlistment and was honorably discharged.  His company was stationed at Georgetown under the command of Colonel John Mordock and Major William Bailey.  He was never in any engagement.

William Merriweather and Amos Goodwin, pensioners and citizens of said county, made certifications of being well acquainted with the above named soldier, Vachel  Harding, and to their belief in his statements.

Giles Easton, aged 22 years, of Montgomery County, Maryland, made certification of being well acquainted with the applicant and to their belief in his statements – that he served as he stated in the Maryland Regiment.

These affidavits were made before Henry Harding, Justice of the Peace.

James Day of Montgomery County, Maryland, made certification that he is about 71 years of age.  That he was acquainted with the applicant and believed his statements.  He served with Vachel Harding in the Revolutionary War for nine months in the year 1778.

Mary Elizabeth Harding, resident of Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, made application for a pension on July 9, 1850.  She made declaration that she is 68 years of age, that she is the widow of Vachel Harding, who was a pensioner on the roll of Kentucky, for having served in the Revolutionary War.  They were married in 1798.  Her husband died May 11, 1837.

William R. Vance made affidavit by letter from Louisville, on September 7, 1850, to J. L. Edwards, stating that she is the widow of Vachel Harding and that he has known her for several years.  Several of her children are older than this deponent and that he is 44 years of age.

There is on file a record of the marriage license issued to wed Vachel Harding and Mary Parker.  It was issued on July 12, 1850, and attested by M. B. Tyler, clerk of Frederick County Court, in Frederick, Maryland.

Sarah Hurley made affidavit of acquaintance in Jefferson County, Kentucky, on July 20, 1850, and further stated that she is 64 years of age and well acquainted with Vachel Harding during his lifetime.  She has also known the widow for more than fifty years and was present at the wedding in Frederick County, Maryland.  They were married by a Presbyterian clergyman.

Thomas A. Hurley appeared in court in Jefferson County, Kentucky, and made declaration that he was acquainted with Vachel Harding during his lifetime and is also acquainted with the widow.  He has heard his mother, Sarah Hurley, speak of being present at their marriage.

In Jefferson County, Kentucky, on July 24, 1850, before a Justice of the Peace, Jones S. Speed, who was a Marshall in Kentucky, appeared in court and made declaration that he was well acquainted with Vachel Harding and his widow, Mary Elizabeth Harding.  He has known them since about the year 1820, that Vachel Harding died in Louisville.

Vachel Harding of Jefferson County, Kentucky, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Nicholas of the regiment commanded by Colonel Mordock of the Maryland line for nine months, was inscribed on the pension roll of the Kentucky agency to commence on March 4, 1831.  Certificate of the pension was issued June 12, 1832, and sent to Henry Northing, Esquire.

The widow, Mary Elizabeth Harding, was inscribed on the pension roll of the Kentucky agency to commence on March 4, 1848.  Certificate of the pension was issued on September 14, 1850.