Jonathan Harding (abt. 1834 - 1900)

Born about 1834 in Kings County, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Cecilia Frances (Wise) Harding — married 1883 in Collon Church, Collon, County Louth, Ireland

Died 15 Jul 1900 at about age 66 in The Vicarage, Gilford, County Down, Ireland

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Biography

Jonathan Harding was born in Ireland.

Jonathan was born about 1834. He was the eldest son of Robert Harding and Dorothea Minchin.

His mother died in 1847 and his father in 1867.

He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. Jonathan entered the Clergy, as did his brother Charles.

He married widow Cecilia Frances Wise in April 1883 in Belfast:

MARRIAGES.

HARDING—CROFTS—At Collon Church, the Rev. C. W. Harding, Rector of Muckamore brother of the bridegroom, the Rev. J. Harding, Vicar of Gilford and Canon of Dromore, to Cecilia Frances, widow of the late F. W. Crofts, Esq.. A.M.D.. and eldest daughter of J. L. Wise, Esq., The Grove, Collon, County Louth.^[1]

He passed away in 1900 at the age of about 67. ^[2] His will was proved on 13 September 1900 at Dublin to the Rev. Charles W. Harding, Clerk in Holy Orders and Edward M. Harding, Esquire.^[3] Effects: £6,536 7s. 2d.

Obituary

Ballymena Weekly Telegraph 21 July 1900, Pg 4:

DEATH OF THE ARCHDEACON OF DROMORE.

After a brief illness the Ven. Jonathan Harding, Archdeacon of Dromore, passed away peacefully yesterday at the Vicarage, Gilford, in his 67th year, and the news of he demise will be received with feelings of regret by all classes. The deceased clergyman had been in failing health for some time past, and his end was not altogether unexpected. In 1856 he was ordained for the curacy of Ardnurcher, in the diocese of Heath. Afterwards he was appointed curate of Ballinderry parish in 1859, and after remaining there for about three years became curate of Moira. In 1865 he was made rector of Gilford, being subsequently appointed canon of Dromore in 1878 and archdeacon in 1892. He took an active interest in various societies associated with the Church, including the Protestant Orphan Society, and in addition to being a valued member of the General Synod was one of the honorary clerical secretaries of the local Diocesan Synod and an examining chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore. The deceased clergyman, who was exceedingly popular, leaves a widow to mourn his loss, and with her in her and bereavement the greatest sympathy will be felt. Rev. Canon Harding, rector of Willowfield Parish, is the youngest brother of the deceased. Mr. B.D. Wise, engineer on the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway, being a brother-in-law.^[4]

Funeral

Belfast News-Letter 19 July 1900, Pg 6:

THE CHURCH OF IRELAND

FUNERAL OF THE VEN. ARCHDEACON HARDING.

Yesterday morning the funeral of the late Archdeacon of Dromore took place from the Vicarage, Gilford. The members of the select vestry, wearing black badges, carried the coffin to St. Paul's Church, the route taken by the procession being through the mill yard of Messrs. H. D. McMaster & Co., which was deceased's favourite walk to and from the church to which he was so closely connected for upwards of thirty years. The chief mourners were - Rev. Canon Harding (Willowfield), Mr. Faulkner Harding (Dublin), Mr. Edward Harding (Wicklow), brothers; Mr. B. D. Wise (brother in law); Mr. Freeman Crofts (stepson). the cortege was extremely large, extending all the way from the vicarage to the church, a distance of half a mile. on arival the remains were received by the Very Rev. the Dean of Dromore, and conveyed into the church, the choir singing hymn 404. Rev. John Clarke, curate Gilford, read Psalm 90. Rev. C. T. P. Grierson, rector, Banbridge, delivered an eloquent and appropriate address, in the course of which he said they were assembled in that church on a sad and solemn occasion, to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of one, who during his life, was ever first to tender sympathy to others in their affliction, and who bore his illness with a resignation, such as only unshaken confidence in the providence of God could inspire. He had known the deceased for a long time, sufficiently long to enable him to have a knowledge of the exemplary life led by him. He was one of those, who could look back to a life spent in the observation of the rules of holy religion. He was the first rector of the church, in which his remains now lay. In fact he might say the church was built for him. At the hour of his death he could look with complacency on the future that God had in store for him. The remains were then removed for interment, the choir singing hymn 400. The coffin was of beautifully polished oak, with massive brass mountings, the inscription on the breastplate being "Rev. Jonathan Harding, Archdeacon of Dromore, died July 15th, aged 67 years.^[5]

Burial

17 August 1900 - Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Section: K1 302^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Belfast Weekly News 14 April 1883, Pg 1, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/
2. ↑ "Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 17 March 2020. Citing General Register Office. General Registry, Custom House, Dublin. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FT6V-S44
3. ↑ "Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 18 January 2021. Principal Probate Registry, Dublin. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ5D-6M8
4. ↑ Ballymena Weekly Telegraph 21 July 1900, Pg 4, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/
5. ↑ Belfast News-Letter 19 July 1900, Pg 6, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185661541/jonathan-harding), memorial page for Jonathan Harding (unknown–15 Jul 1900), Find a Grave Memorial no. 185661541, citing Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland ; Maintained by Cyndi (contributor 47314338)

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