Cudgegong Valley History Project

MRS. HARDING. The following are further particulars (supplied by a correspondent) of the death of Mrs. Harding, reported at the time of its occurrence in the "Guardian" : - An octogenarian in the person of Mrs. Harding passed quietly away at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Edward Briggs, on Tuesday, July 17. The old lady had been living with her children for many years, she having been widowed in 1888, but the major part had been spent with the above-named daughter, who resides near Ilford. The 88th anniversary of her birthday occurred the day previous to her demise. The weather at that time was exceptionally boisterous, with cold wind and driving showers, but, nevertheless, the funeral was well attended. She was interred in the Church of England portion of the Cudgegong Cemetery, the Rev. Mr. Penty, Rylstone, officiating at the grave. The old lady had retained her faculties in a remarkable degree till the past three years when her sight failed, and she was debarred her erstwhile principal pastime of reading, and her memory for recent events became deficient. She suffered no regular illness, but became weak, and on the day of her death she undressed and retired to bed. A few minutes before 6 a.m. she called out, and on her daughter proceeding to her room she announced herself as dying, and expired immediately. She is buried alongside her husband and her deceased sons, James and George Harding. She leaves a numerous family of descendents to mourn their loss. Mrs. Harding comes of a good old English stock. She emigrated to Australia with a sister, Louisa Strains, which latter was her maiden name. They arrived safely in port in Sydney, but while about to disembark her sister met with a terrible death. She unaccountably became entangled in the revolving paddle wheels of the steamer, and was mutilated. Her body was never recovered, Mrs. Harding, or, as she was then, Miss Strains, was but 20 then. She lived first at Hartley, where she married. She left Hartley in 1875 for Tabrabucca, after 26 years' residence, having arrived in the colony in 1849. Her husband died here in 1888, and the balance of her life, except for visits to relatives, was spent in this vicinity. The marriage had issue four sons, George (deceased), James (deceased), Jesse (Tabrabucca), and James (a lately retired teacher, now residing at Rylstone), four daughters, Elizabeth Cummins, Charlotte Ambrose, Mary Pike (Sydney) and Louisa Briggs (Ilford), the two former being long dead. There are 31 grandchildren - Cummins 8, Ambrose 7, Jesse Harding 7, while the families of Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. Pike and Joseph Harding consist of 3 each. There are also 39 great-grandchildren - 25 through the Cummin's branch, 11 from the Ambrose's family, 1 from Pike's and 2 from the Brigg's family. The 3 great-great-grandchildren descend through the Cummin's branch. The following grandsons are at the war :- Victor and Bert Harding, sons of Mr. Joseph Harding, Riverstone; Allan and Chris Cummins and Alfred Ambrose, and likewise one great-grandson, in the person of Norman Jacobs, son of Mr. Jacob Jacobs (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 16 August 1917, page 8).

MRS. RUTH HARDING Residents of Cudgegong and the surrounding area were shocked this week to hear of the passing of Mrs. Ruth Harding, who died in the Mudgee District Hospital on December 31 at the advanced age of 82 years. The late Mrs. Harding was known and respected throughout Mudgee and district and her death has left a gap they will be unable to fill in the lives of her many friends. She is survived by a family of seven sons, viz., George, Frederick, Hector, Reginald, Allan, Walter and Noel. The funeral took place to the Church of England cemetery at Cudgegong on Monday. Our sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones. Messrs. Eastaugh and Carroll were in charge of the arrangements for both funerals. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 4 January 1951, p. 3. Ruth Harding Obituary

Mrs. Maba Margaret Harding, wife of Mr. Hector Harding, of Cudgegong, died suddenly at her home at Cudgegong on Thursday last, aged 38 years. Deceased, who was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Mills, of Lawson's Creek, was born in the district, and lived here all her life. A lovable character, she was devoted to her husband and family, and her unexpected passing will be a terrible blow to them. Her large circle of near friends will also mourn her death very severely. In addition to a sorrowing husband she is survived by three children, viz: Judith, Denise and Phillip, and to the bereaved ones the deepest sympathy of the whole community is extended. The funeral, which was largely attended by mourners from all over the district, took place to the Church of England portion of the Mudgee cemetery, Rev. Canon Powell officiating. Messrs. Eastaugh and Carroll were in charge of the arrangements (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Monday 8 March 1954, page 2).

OBITUARY: FREDERICK JOSEPH HARDING The death occurred in Parkes on July 30 of Frederick Joseph Harding at the age of 75 years. Mr Harding is survived by his wife, one son and six daughters. He spent the first 30 years of his life in the Cudgegong area on a farm. Mr. Harding then moved to a property in the Condobolin district, which he ran with no small measure of success. He took a great interest in public affairs and was an alderman of he Condobolin town council for many years and was mayor for 19 years. In addition he served many years on the Electricity Commission and was chairman of the western zone. (Mudgee Guardian Friday 13 August 1976 page 2.)

DEATHS HARDING, Noel McElne. August 2, 1976, at hospital, of Benalong Street, St Marys, dearly loved husband of Clarice, loved father and father-in-law of John and Ellen Barry, and Beverly, Robyn and Phillip Hughes, dear grandpop and bear of David, Brent and Belinda, Darren and Glenn. Aged 64 years (Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 3 August 1976, p. 24).

OBITUARY: NOEL McElnee HARDING The death has occurred of Noel McElnee Harding, aged 64 years. Mr. Harding is survived by his wife, two sons and one daughter who all live in the Penrith area. Mr. Harding was the seventh son of the late Jesse and Ruth Harding of Tabrabucca, Cudgegong. His surviving bers are George, Hector, Allan and Walter. In 1935, Mr. Harding moved from Tabrabucca to a property at Upper Botobolar. Later he was seriously injured when his bolting horse slipped on the road and fell. Mr. Harding was result of the accident. He partially paralysed, as a result sold his property and moved to Mudgee. Later Mr. Harding went to live at St. Mary's. (Mudgee Guardian Friday 13 August 1976 page 2.)

DEATHS HARDING, Walter Sharpe. June 12, 1983, at hospital, late of 'Tabrabucca', Ilford, loved ber of George, Fred (deceased), Hector, Reg (deceased), Allan and Noel (deceased), aged 73 years (Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 15 June 1983, p. 25).

DEATHS HARDING, George Benjamin. January 22, 1985, at hospital, late of Earlwood, formerly of Cudgegong, dearly loved husband of Lucy (deceased), dearly loved father and father-in-law of Dick and Phyl, Ted and Gloria, Norma and John (deceased), Col and Marion, devoted pop of all their families (Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 23 January 1985, p. 17).