John Hardin (abt. 1710 - bef. 1789)

Born about 1710 in Northumberland, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Catherine (Marr) Hardin — married about 1730 in Fauquier County, Virginia

Descendants

Died before 13 Oct 1789 before about age 79 in Nelson, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: David Beal [send private message], Donald Hardesty [send private message], and Chris Beason [send private message]

Disputed Facts

His Find A Grave memorial lists him as the son of Mark Hardin and Mary Pogue, but there is no evidence that Mark was ever married to Mary Pogue nor is there evidence that Mary even existed. Her name is commonly, nevertheless, listed as Martin's wife.

Biography

John Hardin is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A050275.

Major John Hardin performed Patriotic Service in Virginia in the American Revolution.

John Hardin is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: 174888
Rank: Patriotic Service

Note:

John Hardin moved about 1740 to Frederick Co VA. Built the first stone courthouse in Frederick Co. He was the sheriff and a presiding Justice. Served as Capt. of Frederick Co militia in the French & Indian War. He was still in Frederick Co as late as 1763, but found on Patterson Creek in Hampshire Co 1764 and 1769. In 1769 he went as a pioneer to Georges Creek (now Fayette Co PA); Capt and Major in the border campaigns of the Revolution. John was a Justice in Monongalia Co, PA. Built boats for the Monongahela & Ohio Rivers, including military expeditions. He is found on a Nelson Co, Kentucky, tithable list in 1785.

Northern Neck Grants E, p.337 Grant to John Harding of Prince William Co in said County joining on the lines of Mark Harding and Daniel Fegin at the head of Windwrights branch of Town Run of Cedar Run of the Occoquan River. Survey by Mr. John Warner. Windwrights Run being branch of Elk Run; Fegins line. 111 acres. 16 Oct 1741.

Note: In 1723, a John Windwright was an assignee of Mark Hardin of King George Co for a tract of 295 acres on a branch of Elk Run called Muddy Hole Br, property which appeared to adjoining a 642 acre grant of Mark Hardin's.

Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys Vol. III 1710-1780

Dunmore, Shenandoah, Culpeper, Prince William, Fauquier & Stafford Counties. Peggy Shomo Joyner

Prince William County

p.124 William Reding. 18 Oct 1740 - 15 Nov 1740. 695 acres Hamilton Parish on Licking Run adj Joshua Butler, John Harding, Mark Hardin, John Holtzclaw, Sutton, Wainwright [also appears as Winwright], John Ross, Mr. Burrell. Surv: Joseph Berry

John was already paying taxes in Fauquier Co by the time this grant was received, formerly located in Prince William Co.

This property obviously adjacent to that of his father. A Northern Neck Grant to Alexander Clement on 30 Jul 1724, describes his land as being on the North side of Elk Run, line of Mark Harding, Danl. Feagins line, following the manders of the creek. There is also a Northern Neck Grant to John Windwright, dated 7 Mar 1722/23 as assignee of Mark Harding of King George Co, for 295 acres on a branch of Elk Run called Muddy Hole Branch - which was the same location as the 642 acres that Mark Hardin later divided among his sons by his will. Possibly Muddy Hole became Windwrights branch.

John may have purchased his land in Frederick Co from an individual rather than receiving it as a grant as no grant is found in the area of Frederick Co which was formed from Orange & Augusta Counties in 1738; but here's mention of his property.

Northern Neck Grants H, p.201; 10 Nov 1752. Christopher Beeler of Frederick Co, according to a survey made by Mr. George Washington. Begin near said Beelers house, in the barrens, corner to Mr. John Hardin, thence with his line. 67 acres in Frederick Co.

Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, Virginia's Colonial Soldiers, 3rd Printing (Baltimore: Genealogy Publishing Co. 1998).

p.15 County Militia Rosters. Frederick Co

9 May 1754 John Hardin, Capt of Foot in room of Thomas Rutherford.

p.165 Miscellany

3 Jun 1757 Capt. John Hardin and his company from Frederick County were in the service of the country 8 days. Due 20.8.0

Courts Martial Records Frederick Co

p.346 3 Sept 1755 Capt John Hardin present at the Court Martial held this date

p.347 28 Oct 1758 several men of the Company of Capt John Hardin were charged various fines for missing muster, etc. Robert Allen was discharged as being aged over 60 years.

COLONIAL AMERICA 1706-1789 CENSUS INDEX [CD-Rom FTM] - John Hardin listed in Rent Roll of Frederick Co in 1759 and 1764. John Hardin found in the Rent Roll, Landholders & Pattentees in 1773, Fauquier Co

In Feb of 1772, John gave to his son William Hardin of Bedford Co PA for and in consideration of natural love and affection, the tract of land he now lives on and all other estate on this side of Laurel Hill. This land was Surveyed on 22 May 1770 (Order #3084) but patented to Charles Griffen 9 May 1788.

[I have been unable to find the above patent to Charles Griffen - not in the Virginia patents]

It is somewhat difficult to tell just which John Hardin was the recipient of a number of patents. This John was present in the general area, as was his son John, who was the miller, b. 1733. John, the miller, was apparently the only one of the Johns who never went to Kentucky. John, the miller had two sons named John - one was illegitimate, called "Jack", born 1752; the other son John born ten years later. Then Major John's brother Martin also had a son John, born 1753 - who was the John slaughtered by the Indians in 1792.

Three of John's sons served together in Dunmore's War in 1774:

Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, Virginia's Colonial Soldiers, 3rd Printing (Baltimore: Genealogy Publishing Co. 1998).

p.144 Dunmore's War 1774. Payrolls at Pittsburgh

Listed with Capt. Zachquil Morgan: John Hardin, Mark Hardin, Benjamin Hardin

There was a patent issued in the year 1773 and two in 1778 on Patterson's Creek to John Hardin, Sr. They can only be this John since he gave the first two of these tracts to a grandson in his will.

19 Feb 1773. John Hardin Senr of the Province of Pennsylvania, 100 acres in Hampshire Co VA [now WV] on Mackrackens Still Run, a drain of Patterson Crk. [Patterson drains into the North Branch of the Potomac River] Surveyed 12 May 1763. Northern Neck Grant Book P, p.194

7 Jan 1778. John Hardin Senr of Monongalia Co [probably now living in the area of what would be Fayette Co PA]. 44 acres in Hampshire Co on the East side of Patterson's Creek, Bryan Bruins Corner, Benjamin Rutherford. Surveyed by John Moffett. Northern Neck Grant Book Q, p.253

24 Aug 1778. John Hardin Senr of Monogalia Co. 211 acres in Hampshire Co on the headwaters of Bird's Run a drain of the North branch of the Potomack River, Aaron McCarty's line, Bird's corner. John Moffett also surveyed this land. Northern Neck Grant Book Q, p.329

Hampshire County is the oldest county of West Virginia. It was formed in 1753 from parts of Frederick and Augusta and was part of Virginia until the Civil War.

That Maj. John was indeed located in Monogalia near his son, Miller John and Hardin's cove, waters of the Tyger Valley River is reinforced by the following.

It's possible that a Settlement Warrant issued to Martin Hardin as assignee of John Harden, on 6 Sep 1787, had been signed over before Maj. John left the area for Kentucky - it's described as being 341 acres, Monongalia, on the dividing ridge between Raccoon & Sandy Crk, both sides of the road that leads to the Tyger Valley River, to include his settlement of 1771. The date of 1771, is the same time that John Hardin Jr. [Miller John] was receiving warrants in Hardin's Cove for his settlements so it could be either.

The following also much refer to the father, not the son.

Grant Book 19, p.397 Granted to William A. [Augustine] Smith on 28 Apr 1789, in Monongalia Co, Sandy Crk waters of Tyger Valley R adj lands of Maj. John Harden and Thomas Powell

The first grant that I believe to be John Hardin's in Kentucky was for Warrant No. 1026, taken out on the 15th of Oct 1779, the same day his son William took out several grants. These were at that time Virginia land grants, as Kentucky was a county of Virginia. John's land was surveyed 2 Dec 1782. It was 400 acres it what was then Jefferson Co and on a branch of the south fork of Hardin's Creek, below Hardin's Station on the West side of the branch. [Hardin's Station is now Hardinsburg, Breckinridge Co KY - laid out as the town of Hardinsburg in 1800.]

The patent is dated 2 Dec 1785, Book Z, p.469, and is also recorded in the Kentucky Grants, Book 4, p.563.

Major John Hardin is on the DAR honor roll both as a soldier and as civilian patriot in that he rendered valuable service.

Major Hardin had boat yards at the south of Georges Creek (Monogahela) and at Redstone. This is indicated by the quoted references below:

1. Major John Hardin to Col Davies from"Redstone" May 20, 1782, in regard to boats for transportation of troops and provisions when wagons should arrive from the east. Va. Cal. St. Papers, Vol III, pg 169

2. Martin Carney to William Davies, Redstone Old Port, July 5, 1782, refers to a flat built by Major John Hardin and says that but for Major Hardin furnishing him with provisions he could not well have subsisted. Va. Cal. St. Papers, Vol. III, pg 206 -III. Hist. Col. Vol XIX, Geo. Rog. Clark Papers, pg 69.

3. Major John Hardin to Col. William Davies- Monongahelis, July 28, 1782. Reporting the news brought to Fort Pitt by a runner who has escaped that Col. Crawford, stake in the Sandusky Expedition. Va. Cal. St. Papers, Vol III, pg 235

4. Georges Creek, April 12, 1782. Major John Hardin to Col. Davies about building boats for Gen. George Rogers Clark. Va. Cal. St Papers, Vol III, pg 128

5. Col. Davies to Gov. of Virginia, same subject, and Governor's reply. Official letters of Governors of Virginia, Vol II, pg 61

The difficulty in tracking the Hardin patents in Kentucky is that at least two Johns are involved - this man and his grandson, Col. John Hardin. Col. John is believed to have come to Kentucky a few years later, about 1786, along with his brothers Mark & Martin, settling East of Hardin's Station in what is now Washington Co. KY There are streams named "Hardin's Creek" in both locations.

Major John Hardin said to have moved to Nelson Co KY about 1786; however I think this was a location that today is Hardin Co. Nelson Co. was formed out of Jefferson Co in 1784. In 1792, Hardin & Washington Counties were then formed out of Nelson. Breckinridge Co did not become a county until 1799, formed out of Hardin Co.

30 May 1780 Treasury Warrant No 5166 to John Hardin was for 4000 acres for which he paid 1600£.

Surveyed 12 Nov 1785 for John Hardin. 400 acres in Nelson Co on the Lost Run in the Barrens, waters of Rough Creek about 10 miles east from Hardins Settlement. Date of grant, 18 Aug 1788. PB 17, p.661; KY Grant 6, p.462 and 16, p.54

There was another 400 acres on the same Warrant for John himself. This tract was surveyed 16 Jun 1784 and on the Boiling Springs fork of Tuel's Creek, a branch of Rough Creek of the Green River, adjacent William Hardin's 1100 acres, his line, crossing Boiling Springs; Pope's line, Pope & Hardin's lines.

William Hardin also received land from the same warrant as assignee of John Harden - his land was in at least four tracts, one for 1000 acres, two for 400 each, and one for 200. This was half the grant.

One of the 400 acres tracts was surveyed for John on 28 Apr 1784. It was on the heads of the east branches of Clover Creek adj his 500 acre Survey on the upper side of Pope's preemption, Duvalls line. The others were assigned prior to the surveys

400 acres were assigned to Christopher Bush. One tract of 100 acres was surveyed 22 Dec 1782 on a branch of the Limestone, near Hardin's Station. Another tract of 100 acres was surveyed on 29 Nov 1784 and was on Clover Creek between Hardin's Station & the Clover Lick adj. Duvalls 1000 acres; Bushes mill seat. Another 200 survey for Christopher Bush was adjacent William and Benjamin Hardin.

200 acres surveyed for John Hardin on 25 Jun 1788 was assigned ot John Floyd on 8 Jul 1788. It was in the Barrens, 6 miles west of Otter Creek, 8 miles southwest of the big clay lick.

Tradition states that old John Hardin was shot by Indians on the Brandenburg Road about a mile from Hardinsburg KY. This date shown as his death date is likely the date of probate. There is a tithable list showing he was in the area of Hardinsburg in 1785, but author Francis H. Huron states that he was in 1787 living near his daughter Marian Thomas in Nelson Co. Some of the Thomas family did witness his will in Nelson Co on 4 Jun 1788.

Will book copy of John Hardin's 1788 will as recorded by the clerk.

In the name of God Amen I John Hardin of Nelson County and Country of Kentucky Being Infirm in Body and in a bed of Sickness But Sound of mind & memory doth make Ordain and Constitute this to be my last will and Testament first I gave my soul to God who gave it me and my body to the earth to be buryed by the discretion of my Executors and all funeral Expenses to be paid out of my Estate

Item I give and Bequeath unto my sons John Mark William and Benjamin Hardin five Shillings to eatch of them frely for them to Enjoy [and] posses [possess]

Item I also give and Bequeath unto my daughters Abigal Linch Mary Thomas Catharine Burnett Elizabeth Hardin and Susannah Walker Eatch of them five Shillings for them frely to Enjoy & posses

Item I give and Bequeath unto Polly Harden the daughter of Margaret Kirby that was a Tract or Parcel of land that I lived on In Hardens Settlement In Nelson County and all my Goods & Chattles that I posses at this present time farther to enjoy and posses

Item I give and bequeath unto Henry Harden a GrandSon the Son of John Hardin a Tract or parcel of land on Pattersons Creek In Hampshire County in Virginia One Hundred Acres More or less in the lot No. Seventeenth on the south side of said Creek and also forty four Acres Adjoining to the other land for him frely to Enjoy and posses

Item I give and Bequeath unto my Granddaughter Katy Thomas two Hundred acres of land near Hardins Settlement on A Run Called or None [known] by the name of the lost run a branch of Rough Creek for her frely to enjoy and posses

Item I give and Bequeath unto my Granddaughter Cassandra Hardin two Hundred Acres of land Adjoining the aforesaid Katy Thomas for her frely to enjoy and posses

All other Wills or gifts Relative to anything herein mentioned or here given by this my last Will and Testament I do hereby declare them all Null and Void and of know [no] effect and hereby I do Anominate and apent [nominate and appoint] William Harden and Benjamin Harden my Executors to this my last will and Testament

[Signed:] John Hardin (Seal)

Sighned Sealed and Acknowledged this fourth day of June In the year one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Eight In the presence of us

Lewis Thomas

Phillip Davis

Mary her + mark Thomas

NB [Note Well] In the legacy given to Henry Harden the Word four is inter line[d] Before Sighned and Creek & the word my where my daughters is mentioned

At a court held for Nelson County on Tuesday the 13th of Octobr 1789 The Within last Will and Testament of John Harden deceased was proved by the testamony of Lewis Thomas and Mary Thomas two of the Subscribing Witnesses & ordered to Record, Teste Isaac Morrison, CMC^[1]

Comments

"Polly Hardin", probable granddaughter, daughter of a deceased unnamed son who received the tract that John was currently living on along with his goods and chattels,

grandson Henry's father John had remained in Virginia]

The mother of Polly Harden has long been debated. Her given name was Margaret in the will, but the surname has a strike-over on the first initial - I read it as Kirby tho most everyone else has thought the first letter was an "H". I believe this suggests further research. He says "Margaret Kirby that was" indicating Kirby could have been Margaret's maiden name. [See * Note below] A probable son of John, Jesse, is not named in the will and was probably deceased - maybe he was the father of Polly, and perhaps also the father of Daniel Hardin. Daniel & Polly seem to have been raised by their uncle William Hardin; they were older than his children. Given that John gave Polly his household goods and home, I suspect she was living with him and caring for him in his old age.

* Note: I read the phrase "that was the Tract of Land" with Polly Hardin as referring to the land John Hardin devised to her, i.e., it is the land he lived upon (his homeplace). I do not interpret "that was" as referring to Polly's mother Margaret Kirby. [Added 10 November 2021, Kathy Gunter Sullivan],

Event

Type: Military. Date: 1754?1758

Place: French & Indian War

WT_REMOVED_FOR_PRIVACY

Type: Military. Date: 1782

SDATE 1 JUL 1782

Place: Revolutionary War

WT_REMOVED_FOR_PRIVACY

Marriage

ABT 1730. SDATE 1 JUL 1730, Catherine Marr in Fauquier County, Virginia

Children

Child: John Hardin

Child: Mark Hardin

Child: Mary Hardin

Child: Benjamin Hardin

Child: William Hardin

Child: Jesse Hardin

Child: Abigail Hardin

Child: Catherine Hardin

Child: Elizabeth Hardin

Child: Susannah Hardin

Sources

1. ↑ “Kentucky Probate Records, 1727-1990,” Nelson County Will Book June 1784-February 1790, pp. 60-62, John Hardin (4 June 1788; probate 13 October 1789); digital image, FamilySearch; FHL microfilm 4818814, images 37-38.

• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 29 Jan 2018), "Record of Major John Hardin", Ancestor # A050275.
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 May 2018), memorial page for Maj John Hardin (1710–13 Oct 1789), Find A Grave Memorial no. 46953348, citing William Hardin Pioneer Cemetery, Hardinsburg, Breckinridge County, Kentucky, USA ; Maintained by D. Scott Wilcher (contributor 47228794) .
• Bill P. Hardin, Internet Home Page: Hardin <http://www.flex.net/~hardin/> [Invalid link.]
• B. C. Holtzclaw, Ancestry and Descendants of the Nassau-Siegen Immigrants to Virginia 1714-1750 , Memorial Volume in Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Coming of the First Colony to Germanna, Virginia, in 1714..... (The Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies in VA, Inc., 1964) Chapter 13: The Hardin Family of Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
• Colonial America 1607-1789 VA Census Index
• Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books, 152 vols. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 1998-. Original data from: National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution. Lineage Books of the Charter Members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, - Vol. I-CLII (152). Note on Publishing: Since this database represents a compilation of 151 volumes, the years and locations of copyright information varies, according to each volume, i.e. Volume 8 was published in 1899 in Washington, D.C., volume 63 was published in 1923, also in Washington, D.C., and volume 152 was published in 1938, also in Washington, D.C.
• Some Hardin, Harding and Related Families of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Indiana. compiled by Francis Harding Huron in collaboration with George Mark Harding & Betty Johnson Boyd. Self-published. Feb 1987. LDS Microfilm #1320699, Item 8. Page: p.3-17
• WFT- Volume 5 Title: Family Tree Maker CD-ROM, WFT- Volume 5
• John Hardin [Invalid link.]
• https://sarpatriots.sar.org/patriot/display/147888

Acknowledgments

• Kay Haden.