Obituary from the Chatham Monitor, March 25, 1943:

Captain George Nickerson Harding passed away on Saturday after a short illness. He was 78 years old, a son of Nathan A. and Mercy Nickerson Harding of Chatham, and a lifelong resident.  He was descendant of a family who helped settle Cape Cod and whose name is associated with many landmarks.   Mr. Harding went to see in his father's ship in his early teens, but the days of the four-masters that sailed to the ends of the earth to bring back riches were coming to a close, and Captain Harding followed his father in the coastal trade.  In good weather, in bad, they continued their trade and carried goods from the coast of Maine to Florida.  In 1901 he married Eunice S. Taylor of Chatham. She sailed with him on many voyages. In 1920 his ship, the Henry L. Peckham, the last of the old Cape Cod five-masters burned and Captain Harding entered the lightship service.  He was captain of ship 85 regularly stationed on the dangerous shoals until 1935 when he retired. His remaining days were spent at his old family home.  He was a member of the I.O.O.F. and a life member of the Boston Marine Society.  He is survived by his wife, a son Sumner Harding of Chatham, and a daughter, Mrs. David Hartwell of Manchester, Conn., also three grandchildren, Jane and Cynthia Harding and Linda Hartwell.  Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon by Rev. Andrew McWhorter from the Doane & Beal Funeral Home.  Burial was in the People's Cemetery.

Obituary from New Bedford Times, March 22, 1943:

WEST CHATHAM, March 22 -- George Nickerson Harding, 78, a descendant of one of the first families to settle on the Cape and the oldest sea captain to reside here, died yesterday at his home in Main Street. Captain Harding was born in this town, the son of Nathan A. and Mercy (Nickerson) Harding.  He was engaged in the coastal trade business for many years. In 1901 he married Eunice Taylor, also of this place. In1920 his ship, the Henry L. Peckham, burned, and he then turned to the lightship service and was stationed for many years on Lightship 85 in the waters of Nantucket. He retired in 1935 and returned to his old home here where he remained until his death.  He was a member of the Exchange Lodge of Odd Fellows and a life-long members of the Boston Marine Society.  Surviving are his wife, one daughter, Mrs. David Hartwell of Manchester, Conn., and one son, Sumner G.N. Harding, who resides here.

Obituary from The Boston Daily Globe, March 22, 1943:

CHATHAM, March 21 -- George Nickerson Harding, 78, a descendant of one of the first families to settle on the Cape and the oldest sea captain to reside here, died today and his home on Main St.  Capt. Harding was engaged in the coastal trade business for many years.  In 1901 he married Eunice Taylor, also of Chatham. In 1920 his ship, Henry L. Peckham, burned, and he then turned to the lightship service and was stationed for many years in the treacherous waters off Nantucket.  He was a member of the Exchange Lodge of Odd Fellows and a lifelong member of the Boston Marine Society.  Besides a wife, he leaves one daughter, Mrs. David Hartwell of Manchester, Conn.; and one son, Sumner G.N. Harding, who resides here. Funeral services will be held at the Doane Beal Funeral Home at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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