Later the same year Harding's second daughter, Mary Rose, died in an accident whilst traveling to visit her older sister in Gwambygine.
[1][5] Jane died in December 1862 and in March the following year, Harding married Sarah Wickliffe, an Irish immigrant girl.
[6][7] Harding acquired a number of properties in Norfolk, Suffolk and Adelaide Streets in Fremantle, and in 1866 purchased a land parcel north of Butler's Swamp for £20.
[1] On 23 June 1867, he drowned in the course of his duty, attempting to assist two ships, Ivy and Strathmore, in distress in Gage Roads.
[11] Harding left all of his estate to his wife Sarah; however she was unable to cope with the grief of losing her husband and was committed to the Fremantle Lunatic Asylum.