Hiram Harden (abt. 1800 - 1864)

Born about 1800 in North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 4 Apr 1864 at about age 64 in Navarro Co. TX

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Biography

Hiram Harden was born about 1797 in North Carolina and died 4 April 1864 in Navarro County, Texas. In 1818 his father deeded him^[1] a grist mill, livestock, and personal property as a gift. He married first an unknown wife about 1826 in Giles County, Tennessee. No record survives of her identity. He married second Cynthia Estill on 29 October 1838 in Shelby County, Tennessee. She was born about 1806 and died 11 February 1843 in Bowie County, Texas. He married the widow Frances Smith on 3 March 1849 in Navarro County, Texas. She was born in 1806 in Illinois, married first a Mr. Smith, and died 3 March 1859 in Pursley, Navarro County, Texas.

Hiram Harden's Parentage

Hiram for many years has been placed as a son of Moses Harden and Orpha Hassell of Lincoln County, Tennessee (next to Giles County on the Alabama border. However, there are many reasons Hiram cannot be a son or Moses and Orpha. First, Moses Harding left a will naming all of this children. Hiram Harden is not in that will. Second, Moses Harden and Orpha Hassell were married in 1802, after Hiram Harden's birth. Third In 1810 Census of Lincoln County, Tennessee Moses Harden had no children listed over 10 years of age.

Hiram Harden connects with the family in several ways. Thomas Harden and Elizabeth Powell had a son Joshua Harden. When Hiram Harden went to Shelby County, Tennessee, he was accompanied by his brothers Joshua Harden and William Harden and their mother Elizabeth Harden. All three are together in tax lists and census records in Shelby County, Tennessee. Further proofs of the relationship will be posted here.

The deed presented below is proof of the relationship Thomas Harden is well documented. His son Joshua was the subject of a lawsuit for collection of a legacy from Thomas Harden's' uncle Peter Harden of Rockingham County, North Carolina. The suit documents Thomas Harden's relationships and his arrival in Tennessee. It proves that the same Thomas Harding who went to Giles County and deeded a mill to his son Hiram was the man who had a son Joshua Harden.

Giles County, Tennessee Records:

1818 27 Aug: Book C Page 378 Deed of gift Thomas Harden (abt.1762-abt.1819) to Hiram Hardin Registered 30 Jan 1819. “To all whom these presents may come I Thomas Harden (abt.1762-abt.1819) do send greeting Know ye that I the said Thomas Harden (abt.1762-abt.1819) of the County of Giles and State of Tennessee for and in consideration of the love good will and affections which I have and do bear towards my son Hiram Hardin of the County and State aforesaid have given and granted and by these presents, do freely give and grant, unto the said Hiram Hardin and his heirs executors administrators Viz all and singular my claim interest in and to the following species of property, viz Two improvements on the Congressional reservation in the County and State aforesaid including one Grist mill and the presents crops now growing on said improvements five head horse beasts six head of Cattle, fifty head of hogs one sett blacksmith tools together with all my household and Kitchen furniture including Beds. now in possession of me the said Thomas Hardin also all plantation utensils all of which before the signing of these presents I have delivered to him the said Hiram Hardin an Inventory signed with my hand, and bearing even date to have and to hold all the before recited property to him the said Hiram Hardin his heirs executors from henceforth as his and their property absolutely without any manner of condition. In witness Whereof I have herewith put my hand and seal this 27th day of August in the year of our lord One thousand eight hundred and eighteen.” Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of John Wright. Thomas Harden (abt.1762-abt.1819) State of Tennessee Giles Circuit Court September Term 1818 I Henry Hazen Clerk of said court do hereby Certify that the within Deed of Gift from Thomas Harden (abt.1762-abt.1819) to Hiram Hardin was produced in Court and proven to be the act and deed of the said Thomas Harden (abt.1762-abt.1819) by the oath of John Wright the subscribing Witness thereto and ordered to be certified for registration. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal there being no seal of office this 19th day of January 1819.H Hazen Clerk^[2]

1843 10 Apr 1843 Giles Co., TN Grant made to D.A. Alexander, assignee of Hiram Harden.^[3]

Shelby County, Tennessee Records

1837: Shelby Co., TN Hiram Harden, William Harden and Joshua Harden on Personal Property Tax List

1838: Shelby Co., TN Hiram Harden, William Harden, and Joshua Harden on Personal Property Tax List

1840: Federal Census Shelby County, Tennessee Page 39. Josh Hardin is enumerated with one male between 20 and 30 and one female aged 70-80. On the next line is Hiram Harden age 40 to 50 female aged 30 to 40 and several children.

By 1850, Hiram had moved to Texas. However Joshua Harden still lived in Shelby County, Tennessee, age 38 with Elizabeth Harden, his mother, age 82, and his wife Lucy Harden. Joshua is also enumerated in the 1860 and 1870 Census records.

Sources

1. ↑ Giles County, Tennessee Deed Book C Page 378
2. ↑ Giles County, Tennessee Deed Book C Page 378
3. ↑ Giles County, Tennessee Land Grants

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