Holbrook line: Richard Harding, Immigrant

Richard Harding is an immigrant.  We know that because he died in Braintree, Massachusetts on December 27, 1657, a few days after writing his will there.  That's pretty much the one sure thing we know about him.  The rest of what I will write is information, or possibly speculation, that I can't document. 

Richard is thought to have been born in 1587 in Boreham, Devonshire, England to John and Mary Greene Harding.  The family later moved to Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, perhaps.  Richard was one of several children, but he isn't mentioned in the will of his fagther.  He was already in America when his father died, so it is quite possible that he had already received what would have been his inheritance, perhaps as a gift to help Richard get settled here. 

Richard is supposed to have arrived in 1623 with a wife and an infant son.  The "infant" son may have been John, was was born about 1620, or it may have been Stephen, our ancestor, who was born in 1623, believed to have been born in America.  Richard made his living as a mariner and fisherman, living not far from Weymouth Landing.  It would have been very difficult for Richard's wife to stay at home with two small children while Richard was at sea. 

We don't know what kind of house Richard had, but it's speculated that he lived on land given him by his aunt's husband, Sir Robert Gorges.  Sir Robert had been given the land in an effort to plant a colony there.  Richard evidently lived there all his life.  A confusing statement is that he helped settle Rhode Island and was a follower and supporter of Roger Williams.  Richard was granted freeman status in 1648 in Massachusetts, so it's hard to imagine that he also was supporting Roger Williams, who had been banished to what became Rhode Island in 1636.

This is as much as I know, think I know, or have my doubts about, Richard Harding.  Definitely he was here, and it's highly likely he was the father of Stephen Harding.  Beyond that, I have no documentation.  He isn't mentioned in any of the Great Migrations literature, that I've found.  So take it with a grain of salt, and if you know something contrary to what I've said, or supporting it, with documentation, please let me know! 

The line of descent is:

Richard Harding-unknown first wife
Stephen Harding-Bridget Estance
Abraham Harding-Deborah Gardner
Mercy Harding-Samuel Winsor
Joseph Winsor-Deborah Mathewson
Lillis Winsor-Nathan Paine
Deborah Paine-Enos Eddy
Joseph B Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants