Harding, Thomas J.P. (1827-1907)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Joseph Buckle

For forty-six years Mr. Thomas Harding had been a leading member and an active official of the Primitive Methodist Church in Queensland. He was a brother of the Revs. Daniel, Samuel, and Joseph Harding.

Born in September, 1827, at Milksham, Wilts., England, on January 19th, 1856, he was married in the Primitive Methodist Church, Milksham, by the Rev. George Dobson, (*****LINK??) to Miss Sarah Erle, who survives him. They emigrated to Queensland in 1857. Mr. Harding subsequently purchased a farm and was successful. At that period Mr. and Mrs. Harding walked every Sabbath from Ithaca Creek, distant some three-and-a-half miles, to the church in Brisbane. Later Mr. Harding established a grocery business in the city, and at that time, accompanied by his wife, visited England.

After his return Mr. Harding opened a branch at Toowong, under the management of his nephew (the eldest son of the late Rev. D. Harding). He was partner and managing director of the Moggile quarries, and was an acknowledged authority on commercial and political matters. He was most distinguished as a Primitive Methodist official, and took a lively interest in all church affairs. He loved his church, and he and his wife, from its establishment in Queensland, were amongst its most liberal financial supporters. As a leading official Mr. Harding resented the hasty and, as he thought, unconstitutional way in which the majority of the local officials consummated union, and by word and deed supported the opposition. He was emphatically a Primitive of the Primitives. Invited to join the United Methodist Church he remarked that for fifty years he had been identified with the Primitive Methodist Church, and hoped to live and die therewith.

For two years Mr. Harding has been confined to the house with affliction patiently and cheerfully borne, yet constantly trusting in Jesus as his Saviour and Friend, assiduously cared for by his wife and attendant nurse. Fully ripe for the Heavenly garner, he was called home on November 19th, 1907, to which he assured us he was going. Calmly and gently he fell asleep. His end was peace.

A large concourse of sympathising friends and relatives attended the funeral, amongst whom were four ministers of the United Methodist Church, each of whom took part in the obsequies, with three of whom the deceased had been officially associated for more than thirty years, and with the senior minister for forty-four years.

Family

Thomas was born on 10 October 1827 at Melksham, Wiltshire, to parents William Harding, a weaver, and Sarah Alderwick. He was baptised on 30 December 1827 at Melksham.

He married Sarah Earle (1830-1912) on 19 January 1856 at Melksham, , Wiltshire.

Thomas died on 20 November 2007 at Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1908/240

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers