Harding, Lyman, first attorney-general of Mississippi Territory and also of the State, and "confessedly the head of the Mississippi bar for many years," was born and educated in Massachusetts. On attaining his majority he went to Maryland and taught school two years and read law enough to obtain a license to practice, after which he walked to Pittsburg, and took boat to the new and promising town of Louisville. Dissatisfied with the fruit of one month's residence there, in which he had one case and earned enough to pay a week's board, he hired himself to the skipper of a boat for Natchez, where he arrived just after the Territorial government was established. In the summer of 1799 Governor Sargent appointed him attorney-general for the United States and Territory, and he seems to have continued as the official adviser of the Territorial government until after the arrival of Governor Claiborne, when a new system of judiciary was established, and Abner L. Duncan was made attorney-general for Adams district. He was a Federalist in politics, and took some part, but in a genial way, in the political contests of his time, being one time elected to the house of representatives. If his party had been in power he would undoubtedly have gained great prominence politically. In beginning his career at Natchez his knowledge of law was aided by an ability as an expert draughtsman, a valuable accomplishment in a period of land settlement. His financial ability was also excellent. In 1805 he had saved $10,000, which he invested in cotton, and sailed with the cargo for New York, where he realized a good profit.
While in the east he was married at Boston to Miss Abigail Barnett, "a lady of noble character, great beauty and superior accomplishments, who became the idol of society in Natchez, but unfortunately soon died."
When the State was organized in 1817, he was elected attorney-general for four years by the legislature, over Thomas B. Reed and John Burton. But he did not live to the end of his term, his death occurring in 1820. He left a widow, who afterward married Daniel Vertner, and one son, Winthrop Sargent Harding. Governor Poindexter, July 3, appointed William B. Shields to succeed him as a director of the Bank of Mississippi, and Edward Turner succeeded him as attorney-general.
