Individual Details

"Jack" was named as illegitimate in his father's Will. He married Molly Harding, daughter of Thomas Harding, believed to be a separate family.

Jack & Molly lived for a few years in the Monongahela River country near the other Hardins. In 1780 they became embroiled in a tragic accident since become family legend. In early March of 1780, Jack, Molly & sons Stephen & Robert were among a party of several families setting out for Kentucky. "On 20 Mar on the Ohio River, the boats were attacked by Indians. Several of the party were killed including 5-year-old Stephen Hardin; others were wounded. Some of the women & children including Molly & Robert were captured and carried off by the Indians. The remainder of the party, including Jack Hardin went on to the Falls of the Ohio [Louisville KY]. Several rescue attempts were made but without success. Molly lived as a slave with the Indians for a year and a half; she gave birth to daughter Mary seven months after her capture. Both the infant and Robert survived along with Molly. In the fall of 1781, they were ransomed by French Canadians in Montreal and found their way back to Pennsylvania."

In the spring of 1785, Jack & Molly migrated to Nelson Co [now Washington] KY and purchased a small tract near Col. John's claim at the mouth of Pleasant Run in 1790.

Jack's will was dated 21 Feb 1818, proved 11 May 1818 in Washington Co KY WB C, p.115. It named his wife Mary, Sons Mordecai and Robert; daughters Mary Harrison and Nancy Stephenson, and the five children of daughter Hannah Springer. Executors: sons, Mordecai & Robert. Molly, as widow of John Hardin, gave an affidavit on 14 Dec 1832 in Washington Co KY in support of the Rev. War Pension application of her brother Thomas Harding.

In the name of God, amen I John Hardin of the County of Washington and State of Kentucky Yeoman calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, being of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament & vis, principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in life I give devise and despose of the same in the following manner and form (Viz) Item 1st My will is that my creditors shall be paid in full their accounts against me if just Item 2nd In the ___ place I give and bequeath to my wife Mary the plantation I now live on with the use of Sixteen acres of land purchased from Walton not yet deeded and also the use of Sixty acres of land purchased from Thomas Head and not yet deeded and also four head of horses to be chosen by her and the Cattle sheep and Hogs of which I am possessed. Also all household and kitchen furniture without Exception. Also all my farming tools belonging to the place. Also four Negroes namely Pompey, Bill, Bett and Winey To have full use of the above described property so long as she continues my widow and afterwards the plantation I now live as containing one hundred and thirty acres with the above named Sixteen acres purchased of Walton and the Sixty acres purchased of Thomas Head to my son Mordecai property and I __ enjoin it upon hin to ___ son Robert one hundred and Twenty dollars. To my daughter Mary Harrison one hundred and twenty dollars. Also my two grandsons by my daughter Hannah Springer, Lewis and Mordecai B. Springer one hundred and twenty dollars to be equally divided between the two to be paid to the above named legatees at the expiration of four years from the time he shall be possessed of the above named lands and it is my will that the ___ Negroes which I have left to my wife Mary after the time which they are devised to her shall be disposed of in the following manner (Viz) I will and bequeath Pompey to my son Robert and Bill to my son Mordecai and sell Bett and Winey and therein increase hereafter to be equally divided into one third to Mary Harrison, one third to Nancy Stephenson and another third to the heirs of Hannah Springer deceased. And the personal property after the time it is divided to my wife Mary to be sold and one fifth part to go to Hannah Springers five children to be equally divided between them the balance to be equally divided between my sons Robert and Mordecai and my daughters Mary Harrison and Nancy Stephenson. I will and bequeath to my daughter Mary Harrison one hundred and twenty acres of land lying in Breckinridge County, Ky part of a four hundred acre tract on the waters of Tuels Creek Also I will and bequeath to Nancy Stephenson one hundred and fifty Acres of the same tract. Also I will and bequeath the remaining one hundred and thirty acres of said tract to my two grandsons Lewis and Mordecai B. Springer to be equally divided between the two the three divisions to stand as already lotted for. Item I will and bequeath to my three granddaughters Sara Ann Springer, Nancy Springer and Missouri Springer one Negro Girl named Rachel with her increase to be equally divided between the three. Item I lend unto my Granddaughter Missouri Springer one Negro Girl named Carey until she marries and has an heir and in that event I give said Negro to her and her heirs forever but in the event of her not reaching twenty one marrying and having issue upon her death I bequeath said Negro with her increase and one fifth part to my Grand children Sarah Ann, Lewis H. and Mordecai B. Springer to be equally divided them the balance to be equally divided between my sons Robert and Mordecai and my Daughters Mary Harrison and Nancy Stephenson and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and do annul all any and every former Testament Wills and Executors by me in any way before named ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty first day of February one thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen and I do appoint nominate and choose Mordecai Hardin and Robert Hardin for my Executors

John x Hardin

Birth	8 Mar 1752	Frederick County, Virginia
Marriage	Abt 1773	Fayette County, Pennsylvania - Mary "Molly" Harding
Military	1780	Revolutionary War
Death	27 Mar 1818	Washington County, Kentucky

Spouse	Mary "Molly" Harding (1747 - 1833)
Child	Stephen Hardin (1775 - 1780)
Child	Robert Hardin (1776 - 1840)
Child	Lewis Hardin (1778 - 1780)
Child	Mary Hardin (1780 - )
Child	Hannah Hardin (1783 - 1815)
Child	Nancy Hardin (1785 - 1838)
Child	Elizabeth Hardin (1788 - 1795)
Child	Mordecai Hardin (1792 - 1860)

Father	Capt John "Miller John" Hardin (1733 - 1803)
Mother	Living