Jersey Shore Magazine

An unknown newspaper article from March 1846 about the two brothers, Hiram and Nelson G. Harding, who perished aboard the John Minturn, and events surrounding the sinking, including a scathing condemnation of the locals' rescue efforts. The Historical Record: The Harding Brothers Aboard The John Minturn j e r s e y s h o r e • S p r i n g 2 0 1 7 67 Jill DeFelice, the author of this historical fiction, "The Wreck Of The John Minturn," recently discovered that two of her distant cous- ins, Hiram (Henry) and Nelson George Harding, were aboard the John Minturn and perished when it wrecked on February 15, 1846. The letter that follows, by Hiram to his sister, Lucretia, was writ- ten two years before the fateful voyage, just as he was about to leave Pennsylvania for the first time on his journeys to France and then New Orleans, which led him and his brother to board the Minturn. It was found in an old history of Luzerne/Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. (Source: Wyoming County Record, March 19, 1846.) Following his letter is an unknown newspaper article from February 1846 written about the two brothers and events surround- ing the sinking, including a scathing condemnation of the locals' rescue efforts. Hiram and Nelson are buried side by side in a small cemetery on "the Neck," near the Susquehanna River in Washington Township, south of Russell Hill, in Pennsylvania. A letter from Hiram Harding, to his sister, Lucretia, just before leaving home, two years before his fateful voyage. March 4, 1844 This is a very cold and tedious day. The north wind blows its cold blasts along the mountains of the old Susquehanna, amidst its lofty, towering oaks, and ragged rocks, and thence down on the muddy waters of the river. I am comfortably seated by the fire-side of my good old grandmother, anxiously watching the river, expecting every moment to see some craft that will waft me far from my home and friends - far from everything that I hold dear - far from the place that I hold dear - far from the place that gave me birth - far from the place where I spent the days of my childhood - far from the hills of Tunkhannock - far from my old companions and playmates, whom I love almost as brothers. Farewell, friends and home! Farewell to the hills of Wyoming county! Farewell to Tunkhannock! Farewell old playmates! 'Tis you I caution against the evils, the vices, and immorality of mankind. When I contemplate on the many dangers that surround a young man just starting out from home for the first time - when I think of the many scenes he may have to pass through in the course of his dangerous career through life - when I think of the many snares that are set to entrap his unwary feet, the many temptations that are set before him to turn him from the ways of truth and honesty - I almost tremble for his sake. O that some guardian angel may direct him through life, so that when he comes to lie down on his death bed he may look back on his past life, with pleasure, and see that the whole course of his short career has been strictly moral and virtuous! —H. Harding" Nelson G. and Hiram Harding Nelson G. and Hiram Harding, whose recent melancholy demise has carried so much grief and dismay to a very large circle of relatives and friends, were born in Exeter, Luzerne County, and were the only sons by his first wife of Mr. George Harding, now of Brooklyn, Susquehanna County. They acquired the trade of carpen- ters with Mr. Archibald Bannatyne, of Washington, Wyoming County, working principally in Tunkhannock, and are rep- resented to us as adepts in their business, of a bold and ardent temperament, and possessed of that warmth of personal friendship, and ardor of family affection, which distinguish the name… Hiram Harding left this borough in March, 1844, and sailed as a ship carpenter to France, and afterward to New Orleans. In July, following, Nelson George Harding went to obtain work at the South. The brothers met in New Orleans last October, and wrought at their trade for a time. January 25th, Nelson wrote to friends in this vicinity, full of hopes of soon meeting them here - and next day the brothers took passage on the John Minturn, for New York. Soon, news of the dreadful storm of the 15th February spread over the land. Among those who perished at Squan Beach, New Jersey, the names of "Nelson and Henry Harding, Pennsylvania," were reported. The alarmed father, and an affection- ate brother-in-law, Mr. James Bunnell, 23, of Washington, started [out] on the [2nd day, this month] to learn the worst. Reaching New York on Wednesday, they were so fortunate as to obtain the aid of Mr. Sampson King, one of the crew who escaped, and with whom they went to Keyport in a steamer, and thence to the neighborhood of Squan in sleighs. He gave them the following particulars: Mr. King became acquainted with the Hardings on the voyage, and was much attached to them. The affection manifest- ed by the brothers was often remarked by the passengers. They represented to him that they had seen much of the world; were returning home, to settle down for life; that Hiram had enjoyed uninterrupt- ed health, but Nelson had been some- times ill. Mr. K. saw Hiram with a sum in gold which he believed amounted to $300, and Nelson stated he had nearly as much. The voyage was prosperous, until the morning of that fatal storm. In the efforts to direct the ship [and save women] and children by every possi- ble means, even to their own neglect, no men on board were so active and efficient as were the brothers, whose strength and skill were highly conspicuous. The ship struck within 100 yards of shore, on Sunday morning - within a stone's throw - they could converse from ship to shore. On board, no great danger was at first feared. One of their boats was sunk; the other reached land with six sea- men, of whom two attempted to return, but could get no help. There was no life- boat on the beach, and the spectators seemed to make no effort to take off the sufferers, which appeared not difficult for them to do. Articles that drifted ashore were removed, and, as it was afterwards ascertained, pillaged: yet the wondering, cold, wrecked crew, were momentarily expecting relief. At 4 P.M., not a soul had been lost; there was a perfect calm, the waves were not high, and the water but about six feet deep... still, still, no aid came! Night drew nigh, the wind and tide arose, the danger increased - and yet there seemed to be no motion to save the freezing tenants of the wreck, who saw themselves at the mercy of the craven cowards or human jackals on shore! No wonder the stoutest hearts were appalled. About 8 in the evening, the ship broke up; many were crushed by the timbers, and other swept away by the waves which dashed over them. About 9, Hiram came to King, weeping, saying that his brother had been washed overboard, and he now cared little for his own life. Nature could no longer resist the intense cold, and the hardiest men began to stiffen and [die].

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