Laurence was born on March 29th, 1844 in Glengoole and his baptism took place on March 29th, 1844. His godfather was ? Gilbert and his godmother was Bridget Fogarty. Laurence's father was Nicholas Harding and his mother was Ellen (Nelly) Gilbert. His paternal grandparents were Henry Harding and Ellen Nowlan; his maternal grandparents were Laurence Gilbert and Margaret Donnell. He had two brothers and a sister, named Henry, James and Bridget. He was the second oldest of the four children. He died due to Pneumonia at the age of 56 on January 21st, 1901.