Alpheus Harding

M, (3 May 1809 - 18 December 1898)
Father-Biological*Captain Oliver Harding b. 3 Jun 1774, d. 22 Oct 1843
Mother-Biological*Elizabeth Browning b. 6 May 1777, d. 16 Feb 1845
Family Lines
Roy Line
Last Edited=11 Nov 2022
Gravestone of Alpheus and Catherine Harding and their son Oliver
     Alpheus Harding was born on 3 May 1809 at Rutland, Massachusetts.1,2,3 He was the son of Captain Oliver Harding and Elizabeth Browning. Alpheus Harding was christened on 24 June 1810 at Rutland, Massachusetts.2

Alpheus Harding, age 27, married Catharine Muzzy Wheeler, age 18 , daughter of Captain Rowland Wheeler and Lydia Gates, on 9 March 1837 at Rutland, Massachusetts.2,4 Alpheus, appeared on the US Census of 1840 at Barre, Massachusetts. The enumeration reads:

1 - Free White Persons - Males - Under 5
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39
1 - Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19
1 - Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29
3 - Persons Employed in Agriculture
4 - Free White Persons - Under 20
2 - Free White Persons - 20 thru 49
6 - Total Free White Persons
6 - Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves.5


He took over the management of his father's farm upon his death, 1843, and ran it until 1870 when he sold it to lumbering interests. He, age 40 years, appeared as head of household on the census of 1850 at Barre, Massachusetts.6 According to the Federal Census in 1850, Alpheus was a farmer.6 In 1854, he was elected a Selectman for Barre. He served as Selectman again in 1868.7 He, 45 years, appeared as Head of Household on the Massachusetts State Census of 1855.8 He, age 50 years, appeared as head of household on the census of 1860 at Barre, Massachusetts.9 Alpheus was a farmer in 1860.9 Alpheus, age 55 years, and Catharine, age 46 years , appeared on the Massachusetts State Census of 1865.10 Alpheus Harding, age 60 years, appeared as head of household on the census of 1870 at Barre, Massachusetts.11 According to the Federal Census in 1870, Alpheus was a farmer.11 Alpheus moved to a farm near the town center of Barre and lived there until Catharine's death in 1872. He then lived with his sister, Mrs. Nancy Jenkins.

Alpheus Harding, age 65, married Lucy Henry Clark, age 48 , daughter of Asa Clark and Patience Dennis, on 24 June 1874 at Barre, Massachusetts.12,13 Alpheus wrote his will on 20 March 1897 at Athol, Massachusetts.14 He died on 18 December 1898 at Barre, Massachusetts, at age 89 from general debility.1,3,15 He was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Barre, Massachusetts. Alpheus's epitaph reads:

Alpheus Harding
May 30, 1809
Dec 18, 1898
-
Catharine M.
June 26, 1818
Aug 13, 1872
-
Oliver ther Son
April 1, 1845 - Oct 3, 1845.3,16


His will was proved on 12 November 1903 at Suffolk County, Massachusetts.14

Compeller's Notes:
Middle Name: The Find-a-Grave record shows Stephen as his middle name. I have found this nowhere else.

Birth: The birth date on his gravestone is 30 May 1809. Possibly this is an engraving error.3

Children of Alpheus Harding and Catharine Muzzy Wheeler

Citations

  1. Roper, Kenneth L. The Ropers A Biographical Record from Circa 1300 to 1982. Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1982.
  2. Systematic History Fund. Vital Records of Rutland, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849. Worcester, Massachusetts: Franklin P. Rice, 1905.
  3. Find-a-Grave. Online https://www.findagrave.com/
  4. Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1633-1850. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2005.
  5. Census Bureau. 1840 U.S. Federal Census. Provoi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2010.
  6. Census Bureau. 1850 U.S. Federal Census. Provoi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2009.
  7. Thompson, James W. A Memorial of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Barre. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Press of John Wilson and Son, 1875.
  8. New England Historic Genealogical Society. Massachusetts, U.S., State Census, 1855. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2014.
  9. Census Bureau. 1860 U.S. Federal Census. Provoi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2009.
  10. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts. 1865 Massachusetts,, U.S., State Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2014.
  11. Census Bureau. 1870 U.S. Federal Census. Provoi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2009.
  12. Holbrook Research Institute. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2011.
  13. Paige, Lucius R. History of Hardwick, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical Register. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1883.
  14. Massachusetts. Probate Courts. Massachusetts, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2015.
  15. New England Historic Genealogical Society. Massachusetts, U.S., Death Records, 1841-1915. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2013.
  16. Roy, Robert A.. Gravestone Inscriptions at Riverside Cemetery in Barre, Massachusetts. Lexington Park, Maryland: manuscript, 1983.