Thomas Harward

Thomas Harward and Sabrina Curtis Harward headstones

Aurora City Cemetery

History of Thomas Harward

 (NOTE: These remembrances do not reflect actual dates and family history.  For example, Sabrina was divorced from her first husband, who did not die crossing the plans as this account states.  Until  further research and editing can be done it should be assumed that the following are the kind memories of a great-grandaughter. - Rhonda Pace)

HISTORY OF THOMAS HARWARD

BORN 6TH FEB. 1826 AT WORCHESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND

SON OF THOMAS HARWARD AND MARY HARRIS

by Louise Durfee Rooney

Thomas Harward Jr. was born 6th, Feb. 1826 at Chadwick, Hartlebury, Worcestershire, England. He was the third of six children born to Thomas Harward Sr. and Mary Harris

Thomas Harward Sr., the father, owned a large wooded estate, and was quite wealthy.

On this estate, young Thomas Jr. learned to cut and carve wood. His father also owned a string of fancy race horses, and followed the arena.

In the year 1840, the Mormon Missionaries were laboring in England, and visited the Thomas Harward home. Young Thomas Jr. was fourteen years old. He was impressed by the Gospel, along with his mother, Mary, his brother, William, and sisters, Ellen and Sarah. Thomas Harward Jr. was baptized into the Church in the year 1843 by Elder William Hawkins. His father, and two other sisters, Ann and Eliza. were bitter against the Church. This caused much unhappiness and grief, especially for his mother. Thomas Sr. became very prej­udiced against the missionaries, as many families were broken up over this religion. When young Thomas Jr. expressed his desire to go to America to join the Church and Saints there, his mother, Mary, gave him her blessing to do so, as she believed in the Gospel.

Thomas Harward

Thomas Harward and Sabrina Curtis King Harward headstone

Aurora City Cemetery