CHILDHOOD
Harnden is not a Bredgar name, so with the help of the IGI I traced William's probable parentage 17 miles to the south in Smarden. William Harnden, s/o
John Harnden & Elizabeth Perrin was christened there on 17 December 1704.
Like his father, William Harnden was a weaver. He probably learned this trade in his youth.
MARRIAGE & CHILDREN
The first record we have of William in Bredgar is his marriage to Sarah Hinds on June 29, 1732. They had eight children, of which the parish register states:
Sarah was buried on 30 March, 1766.
William lived for another three decades, before he was buried on 1 July 1797.
His obituary appears in the Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Review, Volume 67, Part 1: "At Bredgar, in Kent, in his 89th year, Mr. William Harndon, linen weaver, leaving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to the number of 166."