Richard Harding was born in June, 1755 and died on Oct. 15, 1828. He was born to Jonathan & Mary (Watts) Harding in Christchurch Spitalfields, Middlesex, England.
According to information provided by his grandson Ed Hardin, he was sent to the colonies at the start of the Revolutionary War as a British Recruiter, against his will. He did not wish to be a recruiter. Once he landed in the colonies he immediately deserted and joined up with the Continental Line in Pennsylvania. A bounty was placed on him by the King of Prussia. He was hunted down by a Hessian soldier, who shot him in the left arm, leaving him unable to fight. He still wanted to be part of the cause, and his commanding officer recommended him to George Washington. Because of his loyalty and character he was made a dispatch bearer for General Washington.
He and his betrothed Mary Watts had signed a banns while they were in England. She came with him to the colonies and they were married here. They had two children, Anna and Richard. It’s unclear why, but after the birth of her son she returned to England where she passed away in 1790. According to the information provided by Ed Hardin, Richard’s younger brother Charles came to the colonies on a boat with Siamese twins. I don’t know if the twins belonged to Richard or Charles.
He married Rachel Crepell (some sources indicate Crable, Crebell, Crabbe or Crabbs) in Frederick, MD on May 28, 1790.
Children of Richard and Rachel are:
Ezra Hardin (my great-great-great-great-great grandfather)
Sophia Hardin
Harriet M. (Hardin) married to Franklin Shaw
Elizabeth (Hardin) married to Abraham P. Killpatrick
Ann (Hardin) married to John Carnahan
Caroline (Hardin) married to Thomas Coulter
After the war, Richard and Rachel first settled in Pennsylvania, then in Frederick, Maryland. They later moved to Ohio on a flat boat and settled near the Ohio River in Ripley, Ohio.
Richard is buried at Grandview (Patriot Square) Cemetery in Ross County, OH.
Soul of the Gypsy 
Today at an auction in Indianapolis I purchased the hand written journal of Albert Hardin, your ancestor, dated 1858. It is all his recollections of his life at the age of 20 and is quite remarkable, he was a school teacher among other things. There was also a sheet of information about Richard Hardin taken from his grandson at the age of 82, evidently he was also a mail carrier or
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for posting about this. I’ve been trying to find more info about Richard Hardin but I seem to have hit a wall. Would you mind letting me know more about what is in the journal?
I’ll let you know as I read more. He also mentions going to a rally for the nomination of lincoln
This morning at an auction here in Indianapolis I bought the hand written journal of Albert Hardin, your ancestor, dated 1858. He wrote it at the age of 20 and it is the recollections and history of his life up til that point. It is quite remarkable. He was a school teacher, there is his poetry and accounts of his fights and loves. There is also a loose sheet with info about Richard Hardin as well. I haven’t decided yet what I am going to do with it, I am currently still reading the journal. I am an antiques dealer.
Hi again. According to this very old original document i have that was written down as an account given by Ed Hardin, the grandson of Richard Hardin when Ed was 82, Richard” joined washington at battle of germantown, was wounded by Hessian soldier(?) who was hired by king of hes(?). After being wounded he was appointed mail carrier or dispatch bearer for Washington. There is more and if you send me an email address, I will send you a photo of the whole letter. Dave
Hi Dave, you can send it to kae1204@comcast.net. Thanks!
Hi. I will send you a copy of thar letter as soon as I get a chance, I’ve just been crazy busy lately. I’m still reading thru this remarkable journal and in the back he notes the address of R B Hardin as being in Dublin Indiana. He also gives the address of Rev F A Hardin as Muncie then Richmond then New Castle Indiana. By the way did you know you had Siamese twins in your ancestry? More to follow…
Hi, its Dave with the journal. Have you figured out who Ed was that was Richards grandson? I don’t see him listed anywhere?
I believe it was his great-grandson, Edwin F Shaw (1859-1947). His father is Eugene A Shaw, whose parents are Franklin G Shaw and Harriett M Hardin. Harriett is the daughter of Richard Hardin.
I don’t think so because he said he was the grandson of Richard and also Mr Rainey so he would have to be Ezra’s son, maybe Richard E and they called him Ed?? I am going out to the grave of Albert Hardin tomorrow here in Indianapolis. Also, in Albert’s journal, he says he has a brother named Samuel (maybe James S?) and that his sister died July 3, 1851.
There are 2 possibilities for whom “Ed” is in the journal. Either Richard E (as you suggested), or Ezra A, who may have gone by the nickname of Ed. I’m leaning more towards Richard E.
Hi Dave. I’m wondering if you would be willing to part ways with the journal from Albert Hardin? My mom is 80 years old and has Alzheimer’s. My cousin Eric is the last Hardin in our line, and sadly his wife is unable to have children. It would mean a great deal to me if you would allow me to purchase the journal, as it has a lot of genealogical and sentimental value to our family.
I am researching this family for a friend in Maysville, KY. I’ve seen some records that say Richard Hardin died and is buried in Aberdeen, Brown County, OH. But then again I’ve seen this tombstone (photo on findagrave.com) that is placed for a Richard Hardin in Chillicothe, Ross Co., OH. Are there two different Richard Hardin’s who served during the Revolution? Or did some well-meaning person just put a tombstone up for him in Ross County when he actually lived & died in Brown County? Based on the DAR database, no one has joined DAR under him and I’m trying to prove this for a friend who is descended through his daughter Harriet who married Franklin Shaw.
Dena Green
Hi Dena,
I’m somewhat confused about him also. I’ve been trying to find exactly where he is buried, and where he was born. I’m running into a brick wall with him. I’m descended from his son, Ezra. I do know that he was sent from England during the revolutionary war to fight against the colonies, but when he got here he joined ranks with Washington. He was wounded in the war and became Washington’s mail carrier. I think that when he came here he changed his name to Hardin, but I’m not sure if his name prior to that was Harden or Harding. His brother came from England also, and had Siamese twins. That’s about all I know for certain about him.
Kathy
Have you requested his military record through National Archives? I have looked on fold3.com but there is very little.
Dena
trying to track down the source of your information. I descend from Elizabeth Hardin Kilpatrick.
Looks like Dena was successful with the DAR application for her friend. The pension files are confusing but I think there are at least 2 Richard Hardin/Harden in Ohio. I found a file for Richard Harden Sgt 10th PA wounded at Germantown. It’s an application for an invalid pension. Richard Harden in the DAR application was for a Sgt in the 10th PA. There’s also a private Richard Harden/Hardon serving in the 2nd PA. There’s a Richard Hardin/Harden S41604 that was a private in the 2nd PA. He’s the Richard Hardin placed on the Ross County OH pension rolls 15 Apr 1819. He died at age 67 on Oct 15 1828 (which is very close to the date the Richard Hardin of this website died). The Richard that served as a private enlisted in Reading PA. This Richard Hardin, pvt in the 2nd Regt PA, has the headstone you show above.
Hi Christine,
I’m so glad someone is still reading this blog, even though I haven’t updated it in quite a while and I need to make some changes. I had found a DAR registration quite some time ago, but never posted about it. I also had come across both pension files for Richard Harden/in/ing. I do know for a fact that he was wounded at Germantown and was unable to continue fighting. His Captain personally recommended him to General Washington as a dispatch bearer because he had such a desire to continue helping in the fight for freedom. Our Richard was in the 10th PA Regiment.
How do we know that Richard Hardin was recommended by his Captain as a dispatch bearer?
Just posted a document on this blog and my ancestry.com page explaining the two Richard’s. I recommend you remove the headstone from your blog as it is the wrong Richard. In reviewing Fold3, I did not notice the support for the following information you had in your reply to me: “His Captain personally recommended him to General Washington as a dispatch bearer because he had such a desire to continue helping in the fight for freedom.” Can you direct me to it or just email it to me? PS There’s a court case re the settlement of Peter Crepell’s estate that list all his heirs. This includes the heirs of Richard Hardin and mentions Ezra Hardin your ancestor. Don’t know if you’ve seen it
ccartersmith@mac.com
Hi. I’m just now seeing your email. Let me think about this and I will let you know. i have been thinking about getting it rebound but havent gotten around to that yet. My main email is DavidHoggattRA@gmail.com. Thanks, David
Rachell Crepell was the daughter of Peter Crepell and Anna Maria Elizabeth Hoerner, both from Bavaria, Germany. Peter left a will naming Rachel and his son in law Richard Hardin. Rachel was born in Frederick Co MD and that is where Rachel and Richard married. Peter spelled his name Crepell in his will. However the spelling is all over the map in other vital records.
THERE ARE TWO RICHARD HARDINS
There are two Richard Hardins in Ohio. Both served in the Revolutionary War in a Pennsylvania regiment. Both died in Oct 1828.
(In reviewing revolutionary war records on Fold3 look in the names Harden, Harding, Hardin, Hardon.)
RICHARD HARDIN (1761- 15 OCT 1828) CHILLICOTHE ROSS OH
A Richard Hardin (1761-1828) is buried in Grandview Cemetery Chillicothe Ross OH. According to his pension files he enlisted 30 Jan 1778 in the PA 2nd Regiment in Redding PA. According to pension rolls he was placed on the pension rolls 15 Apr 1819 and he died 15 Oct 1828 at age 67. In the testimony below, this Richard Hardin made his mark indicating he did not read or write.
The following is taken from the pension files
State of Ohio
On the 12th day of July 1818 before me the subscriber President Judge of the court of common pleas in the District aforesaid personally appeared Richard Hardin age 65 years resident in Ross County in the District aforesaid who being by name first duly sworn according to law with this oath make the following declaration (In order to obtain this previous made by the late ?? An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land ? Forces of the United States in the revolutionary war) that the Said Richard Hardin enlisted in the town of Reddin in Pennsylvania in the company commanded by Captain John Statton ________ of the second Pennsylvania State Reg. PA. He continued to serve in said ? In the service of the States ? When he was discharged at Trenton in New Jersey, that he was in the Battle of Story Point & White Plains and that he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of his Country assistance for support – & that he has no other evidence in his power of his services.
Sworn to & ? Before me the day & year ?
John Thompson Richard Harden His Mark
I John Thompson President Judge ? In Ross County & district aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Richard Hardin did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the ? For the term of nine months on Continental ? & the proceeding & testimony had before me to the Secretary for the department of war pursuant to the aforementioned ? – and am satisfied that ? And really needs the ?
13 July 1818
Done at Chillocothe Ross County State of Ohio
John Thompson
July 13 1818
RICHARD HARDIN ( possibly1755- 10 OCT 1828) RIPLEY, BROWN OH
According to family lore, Richard Hardin (Harden) came to the colonies either during or right before the Revolutionary War as a British recruiter, but he then switched loyalties and fought for the colonies.
An antiques dealer purchased a handwritten journal of Albert Hardin dated 1858 recalling his life. It included a sheet of information about Richard Hardin taken from Richard Hardin’s grandson, Ed Hardin, at age 82.
This is a transcription of the photocopy of the letter:
This was at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. England wanted him to go to America against the Americans but he did not wish to do so but they sent hem here any way. But he at once deserted and joined Washington at battle of Germantown was wounded [by] Hessian soldiers who was hired by King of his. After being wounded he was appointed mail carrier or dispatch bearer for Washington finally settled at Fredericktown Md. but made flat boat and floated down Ohio River to Ripley Ohio where he died. All family came down on flat boat his wife came to America with him. His young brother brought the Simese twins to this country on his ship.
Examining the pension file of Richard Harden, I found the following letter which I transcribed
“Harden, Richard
His name appears on a list of applicants for invalid pension returned by the District Court for the District of Maryland, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on April 25, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers, class of, page 104.
Rank: Sergeant
Regt: 10th Pennsylvania.
Disability: Wounded by a shot in the left arm, which renders him incapable of hard labor, at the battle of Germantown
When and where disabled: 1777, Germantown
Remarks: Mustered, wounded in October, 1777
Evidence transmitted by the District Court complete”
US Revolutionary War Pensioners, 1801-1815, 1818-1872 (ancestry.com) p356 lists Richard Harden from Maryland and a death date of October 10, 1828. There are also numerous pension files in Fold3 listing Richard Hardin as private in 10th PA regiment and at least one file listing him as Sgt.
This Richard Harden was married to Mary Watts 22 Dec 1779 in Philadelphia, PA with whom he had a son, Richard Hardin, and then to Rachel Crepell 28 May 1790 in Frederick MD with whom he had Sophia, Anna, Elizabeth, Ezra, Harriett and Caroline. All children and wife are named in his will probated Nov 1828 in Brown co OH.
Other records perhaps related needing further investigation:
Birth record of a Richard Harding born 24 Jun 1755 Slaugham, Sussex, England. Father John Harding mother Mary. Probably source of 1755 birth date
Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots (ancestry.com)
Richard Harden Aberdeen (Brown) OH 15
Christine Smith Andrews
Houston TX
9 Dec 2020
Hi Christine,
Sorry I’m so late getting back to you. Have you found any more on the difference between the two Richard Hardins? I’ve been in contact with a second cousin on the Hardin side who is wanting me to help her find information on our “Gypsy” grandmother.
I have Richard Hardin (c 1755-10 Oct 1828 Ripley Brown Co Ohio) pretty well documented in my ancestry tree. I didn’t do much more with the other Richard Hardin beyond establishing that he is clearly a different person. He was younger than the Ripley Co Hardin, served in a different regiment, lived in a different county and died on 15 Oct 1828.(See the above memo I wrote) Since you are a descendant of Ezra Hardin, your ancestor is the Richard Hardin of Ripley Ohio and are my distant cousin.Our Richard Hardin is DAR patriot A211493. I don’t know if the other Richard has a patriot number.
Christine
Can you explain the gypsy reference. I am curious
Going down Ezra’s line to Floyd Barnes Hardin, he married a woman named Goldie Lang. She is who we refer to as the “Gypsy”. She married Floyd in 1911; they had a son named Oliver in 1912, a daughter named Vivian in 1914, and then when Vivian was only a few months old Goldie took off on a motorcycle with some other man and the kids. Floyd was somehow able to find them, and was given custody of the children. It turns out that Goldie IS a Gypsy, I believe from Poland. I’m still working on all the documentation.
Just now seeing your comment. I actually sold that 1848 journal on eBay about 2 years ago, I think it went for about $700. I dont have the name of the person who bought it. David
I actually bought it, lol. Thanks David, I very much enjoyed reading the entire journal. I’m grateful that the journal ended up in the family where it belonged, and it helped to clear up some of the family history, though not all of the mysteries I was hoping it would.
I am establishing Peter Crepell, Richard’s father-in-law as a new patriot for DAR if you want to go back one more generation