Harris
Searching for Ancestors of Joseph HARRIS
In his pension application, my 5g-grandfather Joseph HARRIS states that he was born in 1749, in PA, and that at the time of enlistment, 1776, he resided "on the waters of Rocky River, in Mecklenburg County, N. C." These two facts leave little doubt that he was related to the Rocky River HARRISes in some way. This extended family descended from Edward HARRIS and Flora DOUGLAS, of Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland. So I have tried to fill in the ancestors and descendants of Edward and Flora as much as possible, at least up to 1749, trying to see where Joseph might possibly fit in. See the Joseph HARRIS page for Joseph's family and descendants.
The sections below will follow the HARRIS/HERRIES ancestry, starting with an early ancestor, and going forward in time. The chart below takes the ancestry of Edward HARRIS back to Alfred the Great and Charlemagne - however, I probably won't develop this page that far back!
Sections below:
HARRIS/HERRIES Heraldry and Ancient History
Baron Herbert HERRIES (1460 - 1501-5) and Mariot CARLYLE (1462 - bet. 1485 and 1493)
Roger HERRIES (1483 - 1536)
Archibald HERRIES (1515 - after 1561)
George HERRIES (1540 - after 1592) and Janet GORDON (1544 - ?)
Archibald HERRIES (1570- bef. 1624) and Jean HAMILTON (1571-1631)
Charles HERRIES (1600-1637)
Edward HARRIS (1620 - after 1673) and Flora DOUGLAS (1622 - 1667)
County Donegal, Ireland to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
The Mifflintown Document
The HARRIS Families in Lancaster County, PA
Edward2 HARRIS (1667 - 1705)
Robert3 son of Edward2
James1 HARRIS (1662 - after 1726), Mary SIMPSON and Janet McCLURE
Robert1 HARRIS (1669 - 1727) and Dorothy WILEY (1665 - 1740)
Thomas1 son of Robert1
John1 son of Robert1
William1 son of Robert1
James2 son of Robert1
Margaret1 daughter of Robert1
Charles2 son of Robert1
Robert2 son of Robert1
Samuel1 son of Robert1
Descendants of Robert1 HARRIS and Dorothy WILEY
HARRIS/HERRIES Heraldry and Ancient History
The HARRIS/HERRIES Coat-of-Arms. [MHS, p. x]
HARRIS Heraldry
ARMS: Arg., three urcheons sa.
CREST: A buck's head or, attired with ten tynes arg.
MOTTO: Dominus Dedit ("The Lord Gave").
(Burke's "Encyclopedia of Heraldry"
Fairbairn's "Crests"
Burke's "General Armory.")
The name Harris - originally spelled Herries, is an ancient one which goes back to the 8th Century. In the lineage we find many crowned heads including Charlemagne, Emperor of the West; William of Normandy, "The Conqueror"; Alfred the Great of England; Otto the Great of Saxony, Emperor of Germany, and many nobles and landed gentry.
The above coat-of-arms, one of several granted to the Harris name, is that carried by descendants of Edward Harris and Flora Douglas. A chart, carried in the book prepared by Mary Harris Stratton, gives the complete lineage back to 765 A. D.
Translated from the heraldic code, in which the arms is recorded by two foremost authorities on Heraldry, we see a shield, which is "arg" (argent or silver). Hereon are three "urcheons" (hedgehogs), which are "sa" (sable or black.)
The crest of the arms is a buck's head, which is "or" (gold) and attired with ''ten tynes" (antlers), which are silver.
Both the "charges" (symbols) and "tinctures" (colours and metals) of a coat-of-arms have interesting significance.
The hedgehog is one of the many small creatures of the fields and woods used as symbols in Heraldry. It denotes vigilance and faithfulness to duty.
The buck is a symbol of learning, also of policy and peace.
As to the tinctures of the Harris arms: Argent was granted in recognition of personal characteristics in the bearer of "sincerity and peace, purity, justice and a clear conscience ." Sable denotes constancy and wisdom, dignity and sobriety. Gold is the metal of elevation and generosity of mind, superiority of rank, power and wealth.
The helmet of the Harris arms has the highest honor position, that of royalty. It has been placed "affronte" (facing) with five bars as guards and described in gold. (The position and tincture of the helmet indicates the rank of the bearer.)
Mrs. W. E. Adams
2201 Sharon Road
Charlotte, N. C. 28207.
[MHS, p. xi]
Three more versions of the HARRIS/HERRIES Coat-of-Arms.
The similarity of heraldry among different HERRIES branches verifies their common origin. They all feature three hedgehogs.
HARRIS Branches
The portion of the Harris family that settled in the Southern colonies had its origin in Wales. From there they went to France and became allied to the great family of Vendosine, prior to the Norman conquest.
Members of the family returned to Great Britain and became prominent after the conquest; and from the amorial bearing of the various branches, particularly the three Herrious, we are assured of a common origin for the Wiltshire and Ayrshire Harrises. Of the Wiltshire Harrises were the earls of Malmsbury. From here came the Harrises of Virginia and Mary land. From the Yorkshire branch came the settlers who founded Harrisburg, Pa.
BRANCH IN SCOTLAND.
A third branch went to Scotland before the reign of Alexander II, about 1150, and became leaders in the struggles that terminated with the winning of independence under Robert Bruce. The fifth in line of succession was created Baron Terrigles and the sixth baron was created Lord Harris a title still existing in the nobility of Great Britain. They lived in Ayrshire, where the third baron Terrigles married Margaret, the daughter of Douglas, Earl of Angus.
[MHS1, p. 182]
Ancestry of Edward1 HARRIS, going back to Charlemagne and Alfred the Great. [MHS, p. 205]
(The image in the book is a little clearer. I had trouble with the image size.)
Ancient History
The HARRIS family in America is widely scattered and came from various sources to these shores. They are supposed to have been originally Welsh, who went to France before the Norman Conquest, and there acquired the amorial bearings of three hedge hogs, or herious, from inter-marriage with the family Vendosine. After the Norman Conquest they began to filter back into Great Britain, and settled themselves in various parts of Ireland.
One branch settled in Wiltshire, near Salisbury. From this is known to have come the Maryland and James River Harrises.
Another branch (object of this record) went to Scotland 1150, where for four generations they bore the name Heriz (French).
Upon being created Baron Terregles, the name suffered a change, viz. Herries (Scotch).
In Scotland they were supporters of Bruce and retainers of the Douglases, into which family they were more than once inter-married.
At the time of the depopulation of Ulster in Ireland, King James offered favorable terms to Protestant families to settle there. Among those to accept were part of the Herrieses. Under the influence of the Irish tongue the name came to be spelled Harries. The oppressive laws put upon these Scotch in Ireland, commercial, fiscal and religious, finally drove them with thousands of others to the American Colonies.
The name had not yet received its present form, Harris, as the first patent yet discovered granted to Samuel Harris, 1737, had his name spelled Herris, while patents to his brothers have the name written Harris. From 1737, this has been, so far as discovered, the accepted spelling.
[MHS, p. xv]
Baron Herbert HERRIES (1460 - 1501-5) and Mariot CARLYLE (1462 - 1485-93)
1832 Map of Dumfries and surrounding area. Terregles parish lies about 3 miles WNW of the city of Dumfries. The River Nith flows south, with Dumfries on the east side and Maxwelltown on the west.
Herbert HERRIES, son of Baron David HERRIES, 5th Lord Terregles, and Margaret CRICHTON, was born 1460 in Terregles, and died between 14 Jan 1501/02 and 12 Jun 1505. He married 1st Marion CARLYLE, born about 1462 in Torthorwald, Scotland, daughter of Baron John CARLYLE and Elizabeth KIRKPATRICK. They had 5 children of record, between 1477 and 1485, in Terregles. He married 2nd, before 4 Jun 1493, to Mariot CUNNINGHAM, born about 1465. There were no children of record from the 2nd marriage.
Baron Herbert HERRIES, already the 6th Lord Terregles, was created 1st Lord Herries of Terregles in 1489 by King James IV. He held extensive lands in the shires of Dumfries, Ayr, Roxburg, Wigtown, and Stirling. [KB, p. 3]
1 Baron Herbert HERRIES b: 1460 in Terregles, d: 12 Jun 1505
+ Marion CARLYLE b: 1462 in Torthorwald, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, d: Bet. 1485–1493
......2 Baron Andrew HERRIES b: Abt. 1477 in Terregles, d: 09 Sep 1513
...... + Beatrice HERRIES m: 1494
......2 Mungo HERRIES b: Abt. 1479 in Terregles, d: Sep 1513
......2 John HERRIES b: Abt. 1481 in Terregles, d: Sep 1513
......2 Roger HERRIES b: 1483 in Terregles, d: Nov 1536
......2 Miss HERRIES b: Abt. 1485 in Terregles
...... + Sir Thomas John MCFARLANE
+ Mariot CUNNINGHAM b: 1465, m: Bef. 04 Jun 1493
If all these dates are correct, Herbert and his 1st wife Marion were about 17 and 15 when they had their first child. They had 5 children by the time they were 25 and 23.
1925 map of Terregles parish, in southern Scotland, 25 miles NW of Solway Coast, England.
The lands and title were inherited by Andrew HERRIES, who was killed in the Battle of Flodden, 1513. Next in line was Andrew's son William HERRIES, 3rd Lord HERRIES of Terregles. William died in 1543, leaving no male heir, and the title passed to his daughter Agnes HERRIES, 4th Lady HERRIES of Terregles. Agnes married John MAXWELL, son of Robert MAXWELL, 5th Lord MAXWELL. So John MAXWELL became the 4th Lord HERRIES of Terregles. Their son William MAXWELL became the 5th Lord HERRIES of Terregles. The next 6 Lord HERRIESes were MAXWELLs.
It was John MAXWELL, 4th Lord HERRIES of Terregles, who was famous as an ardent supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Roger HERRIES (1483 - 1536)
Roger HERRIES, son of Baron Herbert HERRIES and Mariot CARLYLE, was born about 1483, in Terregles, and died Nov 1536, age about 53. He was the father of Archibald HERRIES. Roger was a tutor to his nephew William, Third Lord HERRIES of Terregles. The chart above indicates that his wife was Lady DOUGLAS, a daughter of Archibald DOUGLAS, 5th Earl of DOUGLAS, a.k.a. "Bell the Cat".
Roger HERRIES married Miss DOUGLAS
The first Lord Harries had a younger son, Roger, who married a daughter of Archibald, fifth Earl of Angus - celebrated in Scott's "Marmion." She was a sister of Janet, who married his brother, the second Lord Harries and from this couple, Roger and Miss Douglas, are descended the Scotch-Irish Harries of the U. S. [MHS1, p. 183]
The reference above tells us that Roger's brother Andrew, the 2nd Lord Herries of Terregles, married Janet DOUGLAS. But [KB, p. 3] says Andrew's wife was Beatrice HERRIES. I don't know if this is meant to indicate that her maiden name was HERRIES.
Roger HERRIES land
He [Roger HERRIES] received sasine from Vedastus Neilson of Maidenpape in terms of a charter granted to him 4 Aug. 1518. On the resignation of the lands by Neilson King James V granted a crown charter of the lands of Maidenpape to Roger Herries on 5 Jun 1520. [KB, p. 4]
Archibald HERRIES (1515 - after 1561)
Archibald HERRIES was born about 1515, in Maidenpape, a small village in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. His wife's name is not known. They had 3 sons in Maidenpape, from 1540 to 1544.
1 Archibald HERRIES b: 1515 in Maidenpape, d: aft. 1561
......2 George HERRIES b: 1540 in Maidenpape
...... + Janet GORDON b: 1544
...... + Annabella WALLACE b: 1558
......2 John HERRIES b: 1542 in Maidenpape
......2 Roger HERRIES b: 1544 in Maidenpape, lived in Laggan, Ireland
...... + Christian HERRIES
Archibald HERRIES land
Archibald Herries received sasine of the lands of Maidenpape on 1 Dec. 1536. He came into possession of the lands of Redcastle and others in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright on 14 Mar. 1561. [KB, p. 4] [Note: Sasine in Scots law is the delivery of feudal property, typically land.]
This 1925 map shows Redcastle and Herriesdale in the upper left, and Maidenpap in the lower right. For reference, Redcastle is about 12 miles SE of Dumfries, and 4 miles NNW of Dalbeattie. Maidenpap is 6 miles east of Dalbeattie.
George HERRIES (1540 - aft 1592) and Janet GORDON (1544 - ?)
George HERRIES was born about 1540 in Maidenpape, a small village in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. He married his first wife, Janet GORDON, and they had 5 children, in Maidenpape, from 1568 to 1576.
George married again, to Annabelle WALLACE, and they had one child of record, born about 1580. Based on the birth dates, the 1st wife died and the 2nd marriage took place between 1576 and 1580.
1 George HERRIES b: 1540 in Maidenpape, Roxbury, Scotland, d. aft. 1592
+ Janet GORDON b: 1544
......2 John HERRIES b: 1568 in Maidenpape
...... + Elizabeth MCCLELLAN
......2 Archibald HERRIES b: Abt. 1570 in Maidenpape, d: Bef. 22 Dec 1624 in Scotland
...... + Jean HAMILTON b: 1574 in England, m: 05 Jul 1596 in Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, d: May 1631 in Scotland
......2 William HERRIES b: 1572 in Maidenpape
......2 Robert HERRIES b: 1574 in Maidenpape
......2 Margaret HERRIES b: 1576 in Maidenpape
...... + Alexander HAMILTON
+ Annabella WALLACE b: 1558
......2 George HERRIES b: 1580 in Maidenpape
George HERRIES land in Maidenpape
George Herries was granted the lands of Maidenpape by his father on 28 Apr. 1567, which grant was confirmed by Queen Mary on the 1 May 1567. In 1592 George Herries turned over his lands of Maidenpape to his son John Herries. [KB, p. 4]
Archibald HERRIES (1570- bef. 1624) and Jean HAMILTON (1571-1631)
Archibald HERRIES was born about 1570 in Bogrie, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, the son of George HERRIES and Janet GORDON. He married on 5 Jul 1598 in Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, to Jean HAMILTON, of Bogrie, born about 1574. They had 2 sons, born about 1598 and 1600. Archibald died before 22 Dec 1624, when Jean, his widow, was the wife of Albert BROWN of Trostane.
Income for Archibald HERRIES
On the 15 Feb. 1609 John, Lord Herries, conveyed to Archibald Herries an annual rent from the lands of Margreg in the Lordship of Herries. On 25 Jan. 1615 there was recorded a bond of Archibald Herries in Bogrie to Mungo Campbell of Cowraldshaw. [KB, p. 4]
1 Archibald HERRIES b: Abt. 1570 in Bogrie, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, d: Bef. 22 Dec 1624 in Scotland
+ Jean HAMILTON b: 1574 in England, m: 05 Jul 1596 in Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, d: May 1631 in Scotland
......2 William HERRIES b: 1598 in Borgue, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
......2 Charles HERRIES b: 1600 in Borgue, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, d. 5 Dec 1637 in Donegal, Ireland
1844 map of southwestern Scotland, showing Ayrshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, and Dumfriesshire, in the Scottish lowlands. Bogrie (not shown) is in Dumfriesshire, near the border with Kircudbright, about 10 miles west and a bit north of the city of Dumfries.
Archibald the Alleged Arsonist
The next conflagration is described by Edgar. It took place in 1612. Application was made to the Lords of Council for a Commission. Accordingly on 26 November, understanding that "some wicked and unhappie personis hes of lait sett fyre in some barnis within the Burgh of Dumfries," whereby many barns and kilns full of corn were destroyed, the Privy Council "being verie cairfull that this unhappie and wicked deid of so dangerous and pernitious a preparative salbe narrowlie searched out, examinat and tryed," granted to the Provost and bailies commission to apprehend and try the guilty if found, and to report to the Lords of Council who will give further orders thereanent (R.P.C. ix. 498). Edgar does not state whether Archibald Herries was guilty of the con flagration, or whether it was in reality an accident. The following memorandum relating to the Privy Council's proceedings from the Denmyln MSS. ni the Advocates' Library (vol. v. 6) takes us a step further in the narrative—
"Sen the last adverteisment thair hes litle or no thing worthie of writting occurrit heir…….
"Thair hes beene fyre raised three severall tymes within the burgh of Drumfreis whairwith the haill barnis of the towne being full of cornis ar brynt and distroyit. Thair is mony presumptionis aganis one Archibald Hereis sone to the goodeman of Terrauchtie in this mater and the magistrats of Drumfreis hes intentit actioun aganis him befoir the Counsell for this same fact. He for cleiring him self of this cryme come to this burgh and gaif in a petitioun to the Counsell craving a suspensioun of the commissionis grantit to the toun of Drumfreis in this errand, and being attending his ansuer at the Counsell dure the Counsell in respect the cryme wes treasounable causit apprehend him and hes maid him fast in the tolbuithe of Edinburgh and hes writtin to the magistratis of Drumfreis to come heir and persew him."
Date, sometime in January, 1614.
Whether or not Archibald Herries gave himself up, he was in custody in Jan. 1613, and supplicating the Privy Council to be set at liberty (R.P.C. ix. 544), and on the 21st of that month Edward Maxwell of Hillis went surety that Herries would appear when called on (ibid. 538). He was therefore probably set at liberty. No further action seems to have been taken against him, so he must have been given the benefit of the doubt. Archibald was a turbulent and lawless character which may have accounted for the suspicion. Shortly before the fire, he had attacked from behind John Abercrombie, servitor to the Earl of Orkney, in Dumfries, and seriously wounded him, though Abercrombie "had nevir sene him before that tyme, with whom he had nevir been in company and whom he then nathir knew nor yit had evin offendit in word deid or countenance."
For this dastardly deed Archibald was only denounced rebel for non-compearance (R.P.C. ix. 491).
[RE, pp. 212-3] boldface added
The city of Dumfries was damaged by several fires; some accidental, and others set by invading marauders and religious combatants. Archibald HERRIES was accused of starting a fire in 1612.
This 1904 map of the area around Dumfries doesn't show Terregles, but it has Bogrie Hill in the upper left, and Caerlaverock Castle, ancestral home of the MAXWELLs, in the lower right.
Charles HERRIES (1600-1637)
Charles HERRIES, son of Archibald HERRIES and Jean HAMILTON, was born about 1600 in Bogrie, a small village about 10 miles west of the city of Dumfries, in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Nothing is known about his wife - even her name is unknown.
Charles HERRIES
Charles Herries appeared as an attorney for his brother William Herries on 22 Dec. 1624, when their mother became in possession of annual rents from the parish of Lochcandiloch. The two brothers moved to the county of Donegal, Ireland. [KB, p. 5]
1. Charles HERRIES, b. 1600 in Bogrie, Dumfries, Scotland, d. 5 Dec 1637 in Donegal, Ireland
2. Edward1 HARRIS/HERRIES, b. 1620 in Bogrie, Dumfries, Scotland, d. 5 Dec 1673 in Raphoe, Donegal, Ulster, Ireland.
2. Charles1 HARRIS/HERRIES, b. 1628 in Bogrie, Dumfries, Scotland
Charles and his brother William HERRIES fled together from their ancestral home in Ayrshire, Scotland to Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland, in the mid 17th Century. Raphoe (pronounced ra-FOH) is today a small village, with a population of 1,089 in 2016.
The date and circumstances of the migration from Scotland to Ireland are uncertain. Stewart, writing in 1907, was not aware of the parents of Edward1 and Charles1, suggesting that it could have been James HARRIS, of whom he cites a record from 1682, in Dumfries. Stewart quotes [MD] written in 1801, which says "Edward1 and Charles Harris1, brothers, being dissenters, were driven from Ayrshire, Scotland, at the time of the persecution of the Protcstants in the reign of Charles II, or of his successor James." [RS, p. 79] King Charles II was king of Scotland from 1649 until his deposition in 1651, and king of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 until his death in 1685. His brother James II reigned briefly from 1685 to 1688.
Bullock, writing in 1962, says that Edward1 was a soldier in Ireland in a company from Raphoe, and that he "had no doubt fought" in the Irish Rebellion of 1641, on the side of the Protestants. Whether Bullock thinks that Edward1 remained in Ireland or not, he appeared on the rolls in 1665 at Glenmaquin in the Parish of Raphoe. [KB, p. 5]
Bullock also has Charles HARRIS as the father of Charles1 and Edward1. He tells us that Charles died on 5 Dec 1637, and the clipping above shows that, according to Bullock, it was Charles Sr and his brother William who fled to Ireland, presumably with their families. If all this is true, it would have had to be before 5 Dec 1637, so Charles1 and Edward1 were minors.
The numbering system used here, for the known descendants of Charles HERRIES, was established in the Mifflintown Document [MD] and extended in [RS].
Current map of County Donegal, showing Raphoe near the border with County Tyrone.
Edward1 HARRIS (1620 - after 1673) and Flora DOUGLAS (1622 - 1667)
Edward1 HARRIS or HERRIES was born about 1620, in Bogrie, Dumfriesshire, Scotland [RNH] or Ayreshire, Scotland [KB, p. 5]. Along with his family, he removed to County Donegal, Ireland, before 1637.
The HERRIES family followed the Presbyterian faith, like most Scots at that time, and they were surely involved with the Covenanters, a religious movement that held power in Scotland from about 1642 to 1652. In 1642, Scotland sent an army to Ireland to protect Scottish settlers, after they had been attacked by Irish Catholics in The Irish Rebellion of 1641. Edward1 HERRIES was one of these troops, as recorded on 1 Aug 1643, when he was about 23. (See the biography, below.)
He married Flora DOUGLAS, about 1665, in Ireland [KB, p. 5]. Flora was born about 1622 in Glenmaquin, Donegal, Ireland, and died about 1677 in Philadelphia, PA. She was the daughter of William DOUGLAS, born 1592 in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and died 30 Jul 1646 in Dumfriesshire, age 54 years and 6 months. [RNH]
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name Edward Harris
Gender Male
Birth Place Du
Birth Year 1620
Spouse Name Flora Douglas
Spouse Birth Place Do
Spouse Birth Year 1622
Marriage Year 1665
County Donegal in light green, Northern Ireland in pink
Road at Muntertinny toward Glenmaquin
© Copyright Kenneth Allen and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons License.Edward1 and Flora were about 45 and 43 when they married, so they may have had previous marriages and children. Of their 3 sons, 2 were born before their marriage, if all the dates below are correct.
1. Edward1 Garrus HARRIS, b. 1620 in Bogrie, Dumfries,, Scotland, d. aft. 1673, probably in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland
+ Flora DOUGLAS, b. 1622 in Glenmaquin, Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland, m. 1665 in Ireland
2. Robert1 HARRIS, b. 1660 in Donegal, Ireland, im. 1725-35, d. within sight of land
+ Dorothy WILEY, b. 1673 in Ireland, m. 1694 in Ireland, d. possibly 1715 in Ireland
2. James1 HARRIS, b. 1662 in Glenmaquin, d. 1726 in Harrisburg, Lancaster, PA
+ Mary SIMPSON, b. 1662 in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland, m. 1680 in Ireland, d. 1721 in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland
+ Janet McCLURE, b. 1670 in Ireland
2. Edward2 HARRIS, b. 1667 in Glenmaquin
Edward1 HARRIS biography
On 1 Aug 1643 Edward Harris was in Captain James Erskine’s company of Raphoe in the regiment of foot soldiers commanded by (Sir) William Stewart, knight. (Sir) William Steward [sic] is said to have been from Maybole, Ayrshire, and it is probable that his followers were from the same locality. In the Public Office of Dublin is a roll containing the names of persons in the parish of Raphoe who paid the Hearth Tax in County Donegal, on which appears the name of Edward Harris. There is another Hearth Roll of Donegal in the Public Records Office, without date, but about the year 1665. This fixes the residence of Edward Harris in 1665 at Glenmaquin in the Parish of Raphoe, where his old commander (Sir) William Stewart had defeated the Irish forces in 1641, and where Edward had no doubt fought. It is not unlikely that in common with soldiers of the day, he received land in payment of his military service.
Many of the officers in the Scottish troops were elders of the Presbyterian faith, and this seems true of Edward Harris. If he was not an elder while under the command of (Sir) William Stewart, he was subsequently elected to that position in the congregation of Raphoe. The minutes of the Laggan Presbytery, preserved in the Library of Magee College, Londonderry, show that on 29 Jan. 1673, Edward Harris was a ruling Elder of Raphoe.
[KB] A genealogy of McGee Harris, Latter Day Saint pioneer, by Kenneth Bullock, 1962, p. 5
On 29 Jan 1673, Edward1 HARRIS was an elder of the Presbyterian church in Raphoe. He died after that date, probably in Raphoe.
Literature
A good deal has been written about the descendants of Edward1 and Flora, through their 3 sons: Robert1, James1 and Edward2. I will give a brief survey here. The references are given at the bottom of this page.
The Mifflintown Document [MD] is short and concise, probably the key resource, and origin of the numbering system used on this page.
Bullock [KB] has the genealogy of McGee HARRIS, a gg-grandson of Robert1. This book is the best source I have found for the ancestry of Edward1, and also has some conjectures on the ancestry of Flora. It takes the HARRIS/HERRIES ancestry back several generations, and is the source of the information above, on this page. It follows the direct line, and those once removed from the direct line of descent to McGee HARRIS. The electronic copy of the book does not seem to have any bibliography or references.
Stratton [MHS] also has some discussion of the ancestry of Edward1, in a preface. If we regard the connection of Edward1 with the HERRIES of Terregles as established, then we have a wealth of relevant literature, such as [RE] and [TSN].
Almost nothing is known about Edward2. In [KB, p. 5] we have his approximate birthdate and place. From [MD] we have the names of his 3 children. Of these 3, almost nothing is known about the first 2. Only the third child, Robert3, is known to have immigrated to America. His descendants are extensively discussed in [DRH] and [MHS].
Leonard [CVL] has Chapter 2 devoted to James1, Robert3, and their descendants. The rest of the book covers Robert1 and descendants.
Charles Wilson HARRIS, a grandson of Robert1, was a well-known doctor, and many biographies of him can be found. His nephew and namesake was also a famous scholar.
Many descendants of Robert1 and James1 married into the STUART/STEUART extended family, covered in [RS].
Migration from County Donegal, Ireland to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
The three sons of Edward1 HARRIS and Flora DOUGLAS brought their families from County Donegal, Ireland, to Lancaster County, PA.
James1 HARRIS immigrated about 1727, with his second wife, and 4 children, 3 of them from his first wife. The family of 6:
James1 (65) and 2nd wife, Janet or Jane
William2 (26), Ann1, James3 (9), children of James1 and 1st wife
John2 (5), son of James1 and 2nd wife
Robert1 HARRIS immigrated about 1727, with several grown children and their families. If they all traveled together, there must have been about 17. Robert1, at about age 67, died within sight of land. The rest made their way to Lancaster County. The family of 17:
Robert1 (67)
Thomas1 (32)
John1 (30), 2nd wife Rebecca (30)
Margaret2 (7), James4 (5), Jane1 (3), Robert4 (2), children of John1 and 1st wife
William1 (28) and wife Elizabeth (28)
James2 (26)
Margaret1 (24), husband Alexander (28), daughter Jane (3)
Charles2 (20)
Robert2 (13)
Samuel1 (12)
However, there is some evidence that some of Robert1's sons immigrated earlier, about 1726, and Robert1 brought the rest of his family, sometime between 1727 and 1730. Also, it is not clear whether Dorothy, wife of Robert1, was still living at the time.
Robert1 HARRIS immigration
This is one of the 3 sons of Edward Harris and Flora Douglas Harris. He married Dorothy Wylie and lived near Raphoe, County of Donegal, Ireland. His children began to emigrate to Penn. about I726. Five of his sons were known to be there in I737. Robert followed his sons with the rest of his family, but never reached his destination. He is said to have died in sight of land and was buried on shore. 1)- Rev. John Abner Harris gives the date I728 and place Manhattan Island. 2)- J. N. Slaughter says he is buried in Philadelphia. 3)- Rev. Robert Stewart makes note of a Robert Harris died Intestate at Chester, Penn., and his estate administered by James Harris. Final report made I740. Robert Harris had a son and a brother James in Penn. at this date. [MHS2, p. 186]
Edward2 HARRIS may have immigrated later, possibly with his wife and some children. His son Robert3 immigrated about 1745, with his 2nd wife, and several children, and joined his cousins in Lancaster County. I'm not convinced that Edward2 or any of his children besides Robert3 ever came to America. The family in 1745:
Robert3 (43) and 2nd wife Margaret (33)
Margaret8 (17), Jane4 (16), Margery1 (15), daughters of Robert3 and 1st wife
The Mifflintown Document
The most authoritative resource for the descendants of Edward1 HARRIS is the Mifflintown Document [MD], written in 1801, probably by James7 HARRIS, with a note added in 1855 by his son, John9 HARRIS. It introduces a numbering system, which Stewart [RS] extends, to keep track of the many HARRISes with the same given name, and I will try to use this system when possible.
The Mifflintown Document, written in 1801, was included as Appendix XI, pp 398-401, in "Colonel George Stewart and his wife Margaret Harris; their ancestors and descendants with appendixes of related families, a genealogical history," by Robert Stewart, 1907 [RS].
From The Mifflintown Document, 1801
Edward1 and Charles1 Harris, being dissenters, were driven from Ayrshire, in Scotland, at the time of the persecution of the Protestants In the reign of Charles II, or of his successor, James. They settled in County Donegal, near Rapho, Ireland. They were possessed of a valuable estate in Scotland, which was lost on account of their abandoning it.
Edward1 was married to Miss Flora Douglas, of the famous family of that name, who resided near the borders of England. He had sons: Edward2, Robert1 and James1.
Robert1 was married to Dorothy Wiley. They had children: John1, William1, James2, Margaret1, Thomas1, Samuel1, Robert2 and Charles2.
James1, son of Edward1, and Flora Douglas, married Mary Simpson, by whom he had William2, Ann1 and James3. By a second marriage with Janet McClure he had a son, John2.
Edward2, son of Edward1, and Flora Douglas, married ...............and had children, Robert3, William3 and Mary1.
John1, son of Robert1 and Dorothy Wiley, had Margaret2, Jane1, Robert4,and James4 by his first wife Grizzel Steel, daughter of Margaret Gray; by a second wife, Rebecca McBay, he had William4, Elizabeth1, Thomas2 and John3.
William1, son of Robert1 and Dorothy Wiley, married Elizabeth Glen, daughter of R. Glen and Jane Scott, by whom he had Robert6, James5, George1, Elizabeth2, William5, John4, Jane2, Susan1, Margaret3, Sarah1, Dolly1, Thomas3, Isabella....... Ireland.
James2, son of R. and D. Wiley, married .........Mcllhenny, by whom he had Robert6, Samuel2 and others. The family moved to the Carolinas.
Margaret1, sister of James2, married Alexander Poer, to whom he had Jane, Dorothy, William and Samuel........Pennsylvania.
Thomas1, son of R., and Dorothy Wiley, married Mary McKinney1, by whom he had Robert7, Mathew1, Margaret4, Margaret5, John6, Catharine1, and Mary2. He died Dec. 4th, 1801,............Pennsylvania.
Samuel1, brother of Thomas1, married........ Laird, by whom he had several children in Carolina.
Robert2, his brother, married Fanny Cunningham, by whom he had Robert8, William6, Elizabeth3, Martha1 and Margaret6..........Carolina.
Charles2, his brother, married Mcllhenny; had a large family in Carolina.
William2, son of James1, and Mary Simpson, married Catharine Wilson; emigrated from Ireland; settled at Swartara; had James6, John7, William7 who died young, Sarah2, Mary3, and Robert9.
Ann1, sister of William, married David Caldwell1; emigrated to Pennsylvania; moved to Carolina; had a family of children. After the death of D. Caldwell she married Robert Harris2, son of Robert1 and Dorothy Wiley.
James3, son of James Harris1 and Mary Simpson, never married, and is at this time (Dec. 20, 1801) living with his sister-in-law, widow of his half brother, John2, at Mifflintown, Mifflin Co., Penn'a.
John Harris2, son of James Harris1 and Jane McClure, first married Jane Poer, daughter of Alexander Poer and Margaret Harris1, Mifflin, who died without issue. By his second wife, Jane Harris1, daughter of John Harris1 and Grizzel Steel (born Feb. 7, 1721) had Jane3, James7, William8, Grizzel1, Margaret7 and Ann2 ............. Penn'a. He died Feb 28, 1794.
Robert Harris3, son of Edward2 the younger and..........., married, and had Margaret8, Jane4, and Margery1. By a second wife, Margaret Mcllmunn, he had Robert10, Mary4 and William9. He died in Carolina.
Margaret Harris2, daughter of John1, and Grizzel Steel, married Andrew Buchanan1, to whom she had Jane, Mary, John, James and Andrew2. They resided near Gilligordon, Donegal, Ireland.
James4, son of John Harris1 and Grizzel Steel, married Elizabeth Harris3, daughter of Robert2 and Fanny Cunningham. By her he had a number of children in Carolina, where he died about 1794.
Robert4, his brother, died without issue.
William4, son of John Harris1 and his second wife Rebecca McBay, married Margaret Wilson, by whom he had John8 and a number of other children. They resided in South Carolina.
Thomas2, brother of Willam4, married in South Carolina.
John3, his brother, who had lived with his half brother-in-law John2, and sister Jane1, went to Carolina, married........., by whom he had William10 and other children. After her death he married .............by whom he has other children. He now resides near Mayville [or Maryville], Blount Co., Tennessee. His children are William10, John Baird, Elizabeth4, Robert Marklin, Mathew Handy, and Joseph Gilliland------------1801
The HARRIS Families in Lancaster County, PA
Edward2, Robert1 and James1 HARRIS, sons of Edward1 HARRIS and Flora DOUGLAS, immigrated to America from Ireland, with their families, between 1715 and 1735. Robert1 died "within sight of land" when his family immigrated in 1733.
Edward2, James1, with their families, and the family of Robert1, settled in the northwestern part of Lancaster County, Colony of Pennsylvania, along with many other Scotch-Irish immigrants, where townships and other place names, like Rapho and Donegal, were taken from Ireland.
Of the grandchildren of Edward1 and Flora, Thomas1, the eldest son of Robert1, became a wealthy trader and landowner, and more is known about him than the others. (See below)
Land grants to HARRISes 1733-1754.
[MHS, pp. 189-90]
The list above shows land grants to several of the HARRIS brothers. John HARRIS in 1733 is probably John14 HARRIS, the founder of Harrisburg, who lived in Lancaster County before Harrisburg; Jeremiah and Joseph are probably his sons. The other HARRISes who had land grants in 1737 were John, Samuel, James, Charles, and Thomas. These match up with the sons of Robert1 HARRIS, except that Robert and William are missing.
Several tracts under the HARRIS name can be seen in this property map of part of East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, PA. In the north/center of the map are 4 tracts in West Donegal Township, warranted to Thomas HARRIS, totaling 746 acres, dated 1741, 1746, 1750 and 1752. There is also a 411-acre tract in East Donegal Township, warranted to James HARRIS in 1746. These must be Thomas1 and James2, sons of Robert1.
Present-day Pennsylvania with Lancaster County highlighted.
Early Townships in Lancaster County, PA. The HARRIS families settled in the western corner. [source]
1821 map of the western corner of Lancaster County, PA. Conewago Creek is upper left. Conoy Creek runs southwest from Elizabethto(wn) and empties into the Susquehanna River. Donegal Township was later divided into Conoy, West Donegal, and East Donegal Townships. Note: Conewago Creek appears on both sides of the Susquehanna, as if it crosses the river and keeps the same name.
There was another prominent HARRIS family in the area - that of John14 HARRIS, the founder of Harrisburg. There is a good deal of literature about this John14 HARRIS, who ran a ferry across the Susquehanna River. His father, John13 HARRIS Sr, was known to be in Pensylvania at a very early date, perhaps 1710. There is some evidence (below) that John14 and John2 were cousins. They would probably have to have been at least 2nd cousins. At any rate, it seems that our HARRISes lived in Lancaster County, at least before 1750, and John14 HARRIS of Harris' Ferry, founder of Harrisburg, lived in what is now neighboring Dauphin County, north of Swatara Creek. Harris' Ferry was a well-known reference point, and it appears often in historical accounts of the region.
Were John2 and John14 cousins?
Our own branch of the Harris family is not known to be connected with any of the above; although the uniform and widely extended tradition is that the Harrisburg family and ours come from a common stock, and one of our race, John Harris,2 Esq., founder of Mifflintown, who died in 1794, is reported* to have called John Harris14 of Harrisburg, a ''cousin " in one of the letters which he addressed to the latter, but this relationship may have been through the latter's first wife, who was a McClure, as was also the former John Harris’ mother.
* By Dr. Egle, former State Librarian, Harrisburg. Dr. Egle also says in a letter, dated July 30, 1900, that "John Harris of Harris Ferry” in his correspondence once stated that some matter referred to concerned "my cousin, John Harris of Cumberland Co.” Mifflintown was then in Cumberland Co. [RS, p. 78]
In his History of Lancaster County (1844), Daniel Rupp says that "John Harris, a native of Yorkshire, who commenced, afterwards, a settlement at Paxton, first made an attempt to settle at Conoy Creek, not far from the present site of Bainbridge." This refers to John13 HARRIS, the Trader, who was the father of John14 HARRIS, founder of Harrisburg. (I'm using the numbering system of Stewart [RS], which extends [MD].) If this family was from Yorkshire, then they are not closely related to our HARRIS family. The property of our Thomas1 HARRIS was on the Conoy Creek, in Elizabethtown, and about 6 miles to the southwest, where Conoy Creek joins the Susquehanna River, was the site of John13 HARRIS' initial settlement. Afterwards, John13 HARRIS resettled in Paxtang, which is now part of Harrisburg.
All of these except Thomas HARRIS are in the area that is now part of Dauphin County. John HARRIS is probably John13, the Founder of Harrisburg. Only Thomas1 HARRIS owned taxable property in what is now Lancaster County at this time. He was in Donegal Township in 1750. James HARRIS is probably James1 or James2. Wm HARRIS could be William1, or William2, or possibly Wm Augustus HARRIS, son of John13.
Most of the descendants of Edward HARRIS and Flora DOUGLAS left Pennsylvania, for points south, in the mid 18th Century. Some of the migration may have been due to the French and Indian War, which mainly involved New England and the northern colonies, and involved PA at times.
The HARRIS Families in Mecklenburg County, NC
Many of the descendants of Edward1 HARRIS and Flora DOUGLAS, having made their way to Lancaster County, PA in the early 18th Century, migrated further south in the 1750s and 1760s.
Robert1 had 7 sons and 1 daughter. The daughter, Margaret1, was married and stayed in Lancaster County, PA. Of the sons, all but Thomas1 (and perhaps John1) went south before 1760, first stopping in Cecil County, MD, where William1 decided to stay. The rest moved on, to the Rocky River. They were James2, Charles2, Robert2, Samuel1, and eventually John1. Around 1770, Thomas1 also left PA, settling in Harford County, MD, near his brother William1. The 5 brothers in Mecklenburg, NC settled in the area around the headwaters of the Rocky River, in what would later be called Cabarrus County, NC.
James1 had 3 sons and 1 daughter. Two of the sons lived in Mifflintown, PA, and the 3rd son seems to have stayed in PA, but the daughter Ann1 and her family went to Mecklenburg County, NC.
I don't know what happened to Edward2 and his other son and daughter, but his son Robert3 moved, with his 2nd wife and their 3 children, to Mecklenburg, where they lived near the Rocky River. The 3 children of Robert3 and his 1st wife remained in PA.
Of the 15 known grandchildren of Edward1 and Flora: 4 remained in PA, 2 went to northeastern MD, 7 went to Rocky River, NC, and 2 are mysteries.
HARRIS Land in NC
Perhaps the first record we have of these HARRISes in NC is a land grant of 600 acres in Anson County, to Robert HARRIS, on 26 Sep 1751. [NCGC, Vol. 4, p. 1245] I don't know if this is Robert2 or Robert3.
Several real estate records from this Mecklenburg County, NC, starting in 1770, mention a Joseph HARRIS. Thanks to the COUCH Twins for finding these. Some are shown below, in expository but not chronological order.
Records from Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts:
Pp. 154-155: 21 April 1773. Richard STILLWELL to William SMITH for £29 proc. Money…58 A in Tract #2…Richard STILLWELL (2) (Seal). Margret STILWELL (M) (Seal). Wit: JOSEPH HARRIS, JNR., John ROBINET. Prov. By JOSEPH HARRIS, April term 1774.
Vol. 8, p. 228
113, p. 228: ___ ___ 1777. Jonas [James] BRADLEY to Benjamin BRYAN, Junr, for £60 proc, a tract of land [acreage not stated by land measured 127 poles on each side or about 100 A] situated on both sides of the South Fork of Crooked Br. Wit: JOSEPH (X) HARRIS [SR], and JOSEPH HARRIS, JR. Prvd in Jan 1778 Ct by JOSEPH HARRIS. Sam Martin, CMC.
Deed Book 10, p. 7
51, p 33. 1 Apr 1791, JOSEPH HARRIS, JR & Jean (J) [JANE] his wife to John HOOD for £300, 90 A on both sides of Crooked Cr adj the father of the grantor [JOSEPH HARRIS, SR]. Wit: Archibald WALKER & Tunis HOOD. Proven at Oct Ct 1794 by Tunas HOOD, test Isaac ALEXANDER, CMC. Reg 1 Jan 1795.
Deed Book 15, p. 3
These records show that Joseph HARRIS Jr and Sr both lived in Mecklenburg County, from 1773 to 1791. Our Joseph would have been about 24 in 1773, so I believe he was Joseph Jr. Thus his father was Joseph Sr and his first wife was Jean/Jane.
Joseph and HARRIS are both common names. After years of searching, I had not found many records for Joseph HARRIS in Mecklenburg County, compared with many records for John, James and William HARRIS, until these were sent to me by the COUCH Twins. I think this is the right Joseph.
Joseph HARRIS Sr was probably born in the 1720s, and moved from PA to NC between 1749 and 1770, when he first appeared in the NC records. Many of the Scots-Irish immigrants made the same move during this time period.
Joseph Jr and Sr owned adjacent tracts of land on Crooked Creek, and Joseph Jr sold his 90 acres in 1791. This was in Mecklenburg County, near the border with Anson County, and later became part of Union County. Today, a manmade reservoir called Lake Twitty is in this area.
Pp. 688-690: 10 Mar. 1770, William IRWIN & wf Sarah of Meck., to Robert HARRIS Junr of same, for £180 proc. Money, 225 acres of Reedy Creek adj. Gov. Dobbs line, adj JOSEPH HARRIS, deed to IRWIN by SELWYN, 9 Jan. 1767…William IRWIN (seal), Sarah IRWING (&) (Seal). Wit: William HARRIS, James WYLY. Rec. April term 1770.
Vol. 4, p. 130
The first record of Joseph HARRIS in Mecklenburg County that I've seen is in reference to a 10 Mar 1770 sale of land to Robert HARRIS Jr, witnessed by William HARRIS. The land was on Reedy Creek, adjoining Joseph HARRIS.
Robert HARRIS Jr in this record, buying land on Reedy Creek, must be the one known as "Col. Robert HARRIS of Reedy Creek" a.k.a. Robert2, born about 1714 in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland, died 25 Jan 1798 in Cabarrus County, NC. There are other possibilities, notably Robert8, son of Robert2. In a transaction dated 20 Nov 1772, Robert8 was called Robert HARRIS Jr. See the section on Robert2, below.
The witness, William HARRIS, is probably not William1, who does not seem to have left Cecil County, MD. However, Robert2 had a son, William6, born about 1748 in PA. At age 21 or 22, he would have been old enough to witness. Also, most of Robert2's brothers had sons named William.
It is interesting that the other witness was James WYLY. Possibly related to Robert2's mother, Dorothy WILEY.
875, p 591. 12 Mar 1786. JOSEPH HARRIS and wf JANE (J) to Jonathan QUERY, for £5, 77 A on both sides of Crooked Cr. Wit: John QUERY and John DONALDSON. Prvd in Mar 1786 Ct by oath of John QUERY. Sam Martin, CMC.
Deed Book 12, p. 54
Joseph HARRIS and his wife Jane/Jean sold 77 acres on Crooked Creek on 12 Mar 1786. Probably near the 90 acres they had sold in 1791 (above). The sale being only £5 suggests a family relationship.
1421, p 519. 19 Dec 1787. Jeremiah (X) HARRIS and wf Belky (X) to George PHIFER, for £80, 88 A on Crooked Cr adj W. SHELBIN. Wit: JOSEPH HARRIS and Samuel SCROLL. Prvd in Jul 1788 Ct by oath of Samuel SCROLL. Sam Martin, CMC.
Deed Book 13, p. 84
A sale of 88 acres on Crooked Creek was made on 19 Dec 1787. Jeremiah HARRIS and his wife Belky sold the property. A witness was Joseph HARRIS. Since it was on Crooked Creek, this must be Joseph Jr or Sr. Either way, it establishes a connection with Jeremiah HARRIS.
1759 Will of John HARRIS, Cumberland County, PA
The main interest of this page is Joseph HARRIS, born about 1749 in PA. From the land records cited above, it seems likely that Joseph's wife was Jean or Jane, and his father was Joseph HARRIS Sr. We find a promising Joseph HARRIS mentioned as a son of John HARRIS, in the 1759 will of the latter.
Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993 for John Harris
Cumberland > Wills, Vol A-C, 1750-1779
Image scan 49 of 361 (left side leaf at middle)
In the Name of God Amen I John Harris of Peters Township and Cumberland being Weak in Body but of Perfect Sense And Memory do Constitute this my Last Will and Testament in the way and manner following that is to say first of all I Bequest all my Estate of Land to be Equally Divided Between my three Sons Jeremiah Harris, Joshua Harris, & James Harris Excepting the Fifty Acres that Jeremiah Bought from Joseph further I allow Jeremiah & Joshua and James to Jesse Harris Forty Pounds Current Money of Pennsylvania further I Bequeath unto my Daughter Mary One English Shilling & I Bequeath Unto my Daughter Parnall one English Shilling & I Bequeath Unto my Daughter Martha one English Shilling and I Bequeath unto my son by the Law George Huston One English Shilling I leave Bequeath unto my Daughter Rachel the Negro Woman Called Jean and one Feather Bed and the furniture Belonging to it and One Iron Kettle and a Bay Mare Colt and Ten Pounds Current Money and One Cow and further I Leave and Bequeath my fulling Mill to my Son Joshua for the term of Two Years And further I Constitute my three Sons Jeremiah, Joshua and James to be my Exrs And further I Leave and Bequeath my son Joseph Harris One English Shilling, I do Acknowledge this to be my last Will & Testament, John Harris (seal)
Witness Dr. James Blarto, Joseph Galbreath & James Murphy
Image scan 49 of 361 (right side leaf at top)
Be it remembered that on the 29th day of May 1759 Letters Testmentary Issued in Common Form to Jeremiah Joshua and James Harris Named in Said Will Inventory to be Exhibited on or before the 29th of June Next And Acct of the Admrs rendered When there unto Required Given under my Hand and Seal of Office by - Harml Aldrich
If I'm reading it correctly, the will was written on 29 May 1759 and proved on 29 Jun 1759, in Cumberland County, so John HARRIS died between those dates. He must have owned land in both Cumberland County and Peters Township, Franklin County. His main beneficiaries were his sons. Jeremiah, Joshua and James, and his daughter Rachel. He leaves one shilling each to his daughters Mary, Parnall, and Martha, and to his son-in-law George HUSTON, and to his son Joseph. The ones who only received one shilling may already have received their inheritance when they were married. Or perhaps there was a rift in the family, and John disinherited half of his children, leaving them each a shilling out of spite!
If this Joseph HARRIS was an adult in 1759, he is a candidate for our Joseph HARRIS Sr. In this case, we have the names of his father and siblings, and a general location in PA, not far from Lancaster County, where the Rocky River HARRISes came from. Further evidence for this connection will be shown, below.
Current map of counties in southeastern PA
Another Look at HARRIS Land in PA
Some of the same people living close together in NC are also found earlier, living near each other in PA. It wasn't just the HARRIS family, but thousands of Scots-Irish immigrants, who made this migration.
Notes and Queries Historical and Genealogical /Chiefly Relating to Interior of Pennsylvania Series 3 Volume III, p. 151
Brothers Samuel, James, Robert and Charles HARRIS received warrants for land in Lancaster County, on 10 Feb 1737. James and Robert shared 250 acres in Hanover Township. Samuel and Charles each had 250 acres "on Conecochege". This must refer to Conewago Creek, where Thomas1 HARRIS had his trading post and tavern, and the 4 bothers must be 4 of the 5 who later went to Rocky River, namely Samuel1, James2, Robert2 and Charles2, sons of Robert1 HARRIS.
Joseph and Jeremiah, sons of John HARRIS, received a warrant for 400 acres "on Conecochege" on 4 Sep 1745.
Joseph HARRIS owned 200 acres in Hopewell, Lancaster, PA on 17 Jul 1745. The tract was adjacent to one owned by Jeremy HARRIS, and John HARRIS was involved. This is Joseph's half of the tract warranted in 1738.
4 Sep 1738 (Retd July 17th 1745) No. 175. JOSEPH HARRIS, 200 Acres in Hopewell Twp, Lancaster co, PA. Adjoining JEREMY HARRIS in Hopewell Twp., 4th September 1738. And by Warrant of the 3rd 7ber September 1742 the survey made and returned together with another as one tract the 17th July 1745 for the use of JN HARRIS.
Pennsylvania, U.S., Land Warrants and Applications 1733-1952, Lancaster County
If Joseph and Jeremiah were adults in 1738, they were born no later than 1717.
1790 US Census
Map of Mecklenburg County, NC, showing the districts used in the 1790 US Census. The northeastern corner, where most of the HARRIS families settled, became part of Cabarrus County when it was formed in 1792. [WSR]
The HARRIS families lived in districts 8, 13 and 14 in 1790. This summary is from Ray [WSR]:
1790 US Census Districts 8 and 13, From Ray, pp 372-4
DISTRICT NO. 8
These numbered Districts (arbitrarily numbered by the compiler, in the order in which the several distinguishable groups of name are officially published by the Government) now shift to the Northern side or ROCKY RIVER, in which all of the territory covered is now in CABARRUS COUNTY, which was erected out of Mecklenburg the next year (1791) after the Census was taken. If there was a “signer” of the Declaration who resided in this District (No. 8) it was ROBERT HARRIS, ESQ., who is accredited with a wife and family consisting of two sons and two daughters, and whose standing was marked in the community by being the owner of eleven slaves. The ROBERT HARRIS, whom JOHN BREVARD ALEXANDER, in his history, declares was properly listed as a signer (instead of RICHARD HARRIS, whose name is on the monument in the courthouse yard) was a brother of JAMES HARRIS, whom we identify as probably CAPT. JAMES HARRIS, of District No. 13, although there is another JAMES HARRIS who lived in THIS DISTRICT. The family Historian. MISS CLARA HARRIS, of Concord, N. C., in a letter to the compiler, admits that the real identity of neither JAMES HARRIS or RICHARD or ROBERT HARRIS has never been positively determined. since there were so many persons of the same name living contemporaneously in the same section, the task has been well nigh an impossible one.
DISTRICT NO. 13
This was the CONCORD DISTRICT and the POPLAR TENT CHURCH settlement, now a part of CABARRUS COUNTY, which was cut off from Mecklenburg in 1791, the year after the census was taken. Strange to relate only one ALEXANDER’S name appears on this list, that of WILLIAM S. ALEXANDER. To the writer his identity is uncertain, but he may have been the WILLIAM ALEXANDER who later settled in TENNESSEE. This was the home of the HARRIS FAMILY, including CAPTAIN JAMES HARRIS, who must have been one of the “signers” of the Declaration of May 20, 1775. Likewise there was a ROBERT HARRIS, JR. on this list, who could have been the "signer' whom Dr. Alexander in his History declares signed instead of RICHARD HARRIS, whose name was placed on the monument. Another outstanding and numerous family of this settlement was that of the MORRISONS, but these were not the immediate "kinnery" of the signer NIELL MORRISON, who lived in another district. See later.
[I read the districts from the census table in Ray's book.]
Ray tells us that the districts were determined by the compiler. It almost seems as if the compiler has used the 19 census pages covering Mecklenburg County to define the districts.
Stewart [RS] very succinctly informs us that "... New Hanover Co. ... was formed in 1728, Bladen was formed from N. H. in 1734, Anson from Bladen in 1749, Rowan from Anson in 1753, Mechlenburg (sic) from Anson in 1762, Montgomery from Anson in 1779 and Cabarrus from Mechlenburg (sic) in 1792."
1833 map of the Rocky River headwaters. [source]
The 1833 map above shows the area where the HARRISes settled in NC. The town of Harrisburg is not shown - it was called Query's Quarter, but was renamed in the 1850s after Col. Robert HARRIS - first Harris Depot, and finally Harrisburg. It should be between Back Creek and Mallard Creek. Farther north, Mill Grove is in the Poplar Tent district.
The naming of creeks in the area is very unreliable. I've seen several creeks named Reedy Creek, on various maps, and none named Footy Creek. Looking at the area around Harrisburg on Google Maps, the south branch of Back Creek is called Fuda Creek.
List of public officials of Mecklenburg County from 1775 to 1785, from Ray [WSR, p. 353].
HARRIS, GEORGE.
HARRIS, JAMES (Of Rocky River) Captain in 1777, to 1782, and major in 1783.
HARRIS, JAMES (of Clear Creek) Captain 1777 to 1779, and tax collector in 1778.
HARRIS, JOHN.
HARRIS, ROBERT, JR., J. P. 1778.
HARRIS, ROBERT, SR., J. P. and Colonel in 1774 also register.
HARRIS, SAMUEL, constable in 1785, tax assessor in 1777, and overseer or the poor in 1779.
HARRIS, THOMAS ( Of Rocky River ) Sheriff in 1782.
HARRIS, THOMAS (Of Providence) Sheriff in 1774.
HARRIS, WILLIAM.
I've had some trouble sorting these out. There are many possibilities!
Edward2 HARRIS (1667 - 1705)
Edward2 HARRIS, son of Edward1 HARRIS and Flora DOUGLAS, was born about 1667 in Genmaquin, Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland. [RNH] His wife or wives are not known.
There was an Edward HARRIS who was licensed as an attorney in Lancaster County in 1731. See [FE], Chapter XXI, pages 244-5. I have no idea who this was, unless it could be Edward2.
1 Edward2 HARRIS Jr. b: Abt. 1667 in Aryshire, Scotland
......2 Mary1 HARRIS b: 1688 in Ireland
...... + WILSON
......2 William3 HARRIS b: 1688 in Ireland
......2 Robert3 HARRIS b: 14 Oct 1702 in Donegal, Ireland, d: 26 Dec 1788 in Cabarrus, NC, age 86
...... + Mary Ann RODGERS m: 1727 in Lifford, Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, d: Abt. 1740 in Ireland
...... + Margaret MCELMON b: 1713, m: 1744 in Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland, d: 25 Aug 1789 in NC, age 76
I have no more information on William3 and Mary1. It looks like they may have been twins, born 14 years before Robert3. It could be that Robert3 and his family were the only ones of this line to immigrate to America.
Robert3 son of Edward2
Don't miss [DRH], a massive and indespensible document on the descendants of Robert3 HARRIS, from the Harris Depot Project [HD].
Robert3 HARRIS was born in 1702, in Donegal, Ireland. About 1727 he married Mary Ann RODGERS, in Donegal. Mary Ann was from the village of Lifford, near Raphoe. They had 3 daughters: Margaret8 (1728), Jane4 (1729), and Margery1 (1730), all in Donegal. Mary Ann (RODGERS) HARRIS died about 1740, in Donegal.
Robert3 then married Margaret McELMON in 1744, in Ulster, Ireland. Margaret was from Letterkenny, also in County Donegal. Robert3, along with his new wife, and 3 children from his first marriage, traveled to America, settling near Swatara Creek, Lancaster County, PA, in about 1745. Robert3 and Margaret then had 5 more children: Robert10 (1744-5), Mary4 (1747), William9 (1755), and 2 who died young, born in 1748 and 1749. In 1768, Robert, Margaret and their 3 children moved to the Rocky River area, in NC, leaving the 3 grown children in PA. Robert3 died in 1788, and his wife Margaret in 1789.
The Old Rocky River Graveyard is located about 250 yards east of Rocky River Presbyterian Church, which is now in Cabarrus County, but was in Mecklenburg County until 1792. Robert3 HARRIS, his 2nd wife Margaret, and several of their children and grandchildren are buried there.
Will of Margaret (McELMON) HARRIS
Will of MARGARET HARRIS, being very sick … to my son Robert Harris one chiff bed & Blankets & quilt, etc. also what money he is due me; executors to sell my cows one calf expected and money to be equally divided between my daughter Marys children; to my daughter Mary my own _____ & all my wearing apparel, linine cloth, etc; to my son William five shillings & the meat pot, etc; to my grandson William son to my son William twenty shillings in his fathers hands; to my grandson Robert son to my son William £ 3 s 10 which is in his fathers hands only the above five shillings excepted; to my daughter Margaret Ferguson one feather bed, etc; the money due me from Robert & William Cochran to be equally divided between my daughter Marys children. I bequeath one pound ten shillings in silver which is in the hands of my son Robert to buy Hats to Marys three oldest sons; to my grandson Robert Ferguson, one calf; sons Robert Harris & William Harriss, exrs.
11 June 1789 Margret Harris (M) (Seal)
Wit: William Harris
John Harris
Robert Harris, Jurat
Abstracts of Early Wills [North Carolina], Will Book D, p. 49-50
The will of Margaret (McELMON) HARRIS gives some good information. It is dated 11 Jun 1789, and seems to indicate that her husband is still living. However, Robert3 died 26 Dec 1788. Maybe the will was written earlier. It was unusual for a woman not to leave everything to her husband, if he was still living. Is it possible that Margaret was remarried? Note: Where [DNA] has "my granddaughter Margaret Ferguson" the copy of the will that I've seen has "my daughter Margaret Ferguson." Maybe both Mary1 and Margaret married a FERGUSON. Margaret was illiterate, as she signed with a mark. The witnesses William and Robert were probably her sons, and there are several possibilities for John HARRIS.
Cousins Robert2 and Robert3 were only 12 years apart, both Colonels, and both lived in the Mecklenburg area, so to distinguish them, Robert2 was known as Col. Robert of Reedy Creek, and Robert3 was Col. Robert of Rocky River, or Honest Robert.
Robert3 HARRIS
He [Robert3 Harris] first settled in Lancaster County on a River named Swatara; owned no land of his own in Pennsylvania. Robert went to Carolina 1768, and settled in the woods on Footy Creek, a branch of Rocky River, about one and one-half miles from Harrisburg. He died there 26 Dec 1788. He was known as Col. Robert of Rocky River, and Honest Robert, to distinguish from Col. Robert of Reedy Creek, son of Robert and Dorothy Wiley Harris, grandson of Edward and Flora Douglas Harris, and his cousin.
From The Harris Y-DNA Project [DNA]
See [DRH] for more information on the descendants of Robert3 HARRIS. From the Harris Depot Project [HD].
1 Robert3 HARRIS b: 14 Oct 1702 in Donegal, Ireland, d: 26 Dec 1788 in Cabarrus, NC, age 86 [gravestone]
+ Mary Ann RODGERS m: 1727 in Lifford, Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, d: Abt. 1740 in Ireland
......2 Margaret8 HARRIS b: 1734 in Ulster, Ireland, d: 1768 in Cabarrus, NC, age 34 [gravestone]
...... + Gen. William MCALEVY b: 1728 in Ireland, m: 1758, d: 1822 in Huntingdon, PA, age 94
.........3 Jannette MCALEVY b: 14 Feb 1763, d: 26 Nov 1826, age 63
......... + James REED m: 10 May 1785, d: 13 Dec 1834, age 49
.........3 George MCALEVY b: 27 Apr 1765, died young
.........3 Elizabeth MCALEVY b: 12 Sep 1767, d: 9 Apr 1825 in Pike, OH [gravestone]
......... + Robert SMITH b: 20 Jan 1766 in Huntingdon, PA, d: 06 Jun 1832 in Pike, OH [gravestone]
......2 Jane4 Janette HARRIS b: Ulster, Ireland
......2 Margery1 HARRIS d: 1809 in Bald Eagle Creek, Centre, PA
..... + Andrew BOGGS d: 1776
.........3 Andrew BOGGS, b: bef. 1760, removed to Ross County, OH
......... + Miss LITTLE of Stone Valley
.........3 Judge Robert BOGGS b: 1760, d: 12 Sep 1806 in Milesburg, Centre, PA, age 46
......... + Esther SWANZEY b: Mar 1776 in Cumberland, PA, m: 1798, d: 1852 in Magnolia, IL, age 76
.........3 Jane Jenny BOGGS b: 01 Feb 1763, resided on Spruce Creek
......... + David ELDER
.........3 Nancy BOGGS, removed to Ross County, OH about 1800
......... + John GILMORE
.........3 Joseph BOGGS, b: aft. 1760, removed to Ross County, OH about 1800
......... + Catherine MALONE
.........3 John BOGGS, b: aft. 1760, d: "killed by a dirk-knife in the hands of a Spaniard in Tennessee"
.........3 William BOGGS, b: aft. 1760, d: in "an accident at the raising of John Sherrick's barn, near Milesburg."
+ Margaret MCELMON b: 1713, m: 1744 in Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland, d: 25 Aug 1789 in NC, age 76 [gravestone]
......2 Robert10 HARRIS b: 1744 in Swatara Creek, Lancaster, PA, d: 27 Jun 1817 in Cabarrus, NC, age 73 [gravestone]
...... + Elinor ROSS d: aft. Oct 1817
......2 Mary4 HARRIS b: 1747 in Swatara Creek, Lancaster, PA, d: 1803, age 56
......+ Alexander FERGUSON m: 1772
.........3 Robert FERGUSON
.........3 Margaret FERGUSON
......2 William9 HARRIS b: 01 Jan 1755, d: 14 Feb 1828 in Cabarrus, NC, age 73 [gravestone]
...... + Elizabeth CORZINE b: 30 Dec 1760, m: 09 Jan 1777, d: 08 Jan 1778, age 17
.........3 William HARRIS b: 31 Oct 1777, d: 09 Jan 1815 in Augusta, Richmond, GA, age 37
+ Sally SNELL
+ Ann HEADLEY b: 07 May 1763 in Stokes, NC, m: 16 Jun 1783, d: 18 Sep 1843 in Cabarrus, NC, age 80 [gravestone]
.........3 Ann HARRIS b: 30 Jun 1784 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 16 Jul 1784, age 16 days
.........3 Robert HARRIS b: 20 Oct 1786 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 13 Feb 1801, age 14
.........3 Joshua HARRIS b: 23 Oct 1788 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 12 Sep 1859, age 70
......... + Ann ALLEN b: 1786, m: 12 Sep 1811, d: 03 Dec 1820, age 34
......... + Elizabeth HARRIS b: 1805, m: 19 Feb 1822, d: 29 May 1834, age 29
......... + Sarah Mozella MEHAFFEY b: 11 Jun 1802, m: 29 Oct 1835, d: 05 Mar 1838, age 35
......... + Susan WHITE b: 1800, m: 06 Oct 1840, d: 16 Jan 1854, age 53
......... + Ann Levinia LINGLE b: 10 Jun 1820 in Salisbury, Rowan, NC, m: 14 Feb 1855, d: 1891, age 71
.........3 Alexander Wilson HARRIS b: 07 Oct 1790 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 16 Apr 1870, age 79
......... + Penelope MORRISON b: 1797, m: 16 Feb 1816 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 11 Nov 1859, age 62
.........3 Isaac HARRIS b: 16 Nov 1792 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 13 Aug 1815, age 22
.........3 Margaret Ross HARRIS b: 18 Jan 1795 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 20 Mar 1879 in NC, age 84
......... + John Quincy COCHRAN b: 05 Sep 1794 in NC, m: 01 Feb 1816 in Mecklenburg, NC, d: 06 Aug 1854 in NC, age 59
.........3 Isabella HARRIS b: 29 Oct 1796 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 05 Nov 1864, age 68
......... + Joseph MEHAFFEY b: 09 Apr 1798, d: 24 Aug 1853 in Cobb, GA, age 55
.........3 Mary HARRIS b: 13 Feb 1799 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 02 Oct 1882, age 83
......... + John MORRISON b: 2 Mar 1796 in Mecklenburg, NC, m: 3 Apr 1821 in Mecklenburg, NC, d: 15 May 1871, age 75
.........3 Ann HARRIS b: 12 May 1801 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 09 Feb 1871, age 69
......... + Elias SNELL b: 16 Aug 1796, m: 13 Mar 1821, d: 01 Jul 1875, age 78
.........3 Solomon HARRIS b: 11 Aug 1803 in Cabarrus, NC, d: 14 Sep 1885, age 82
......... + Jane Merritt PHILLIPS b: 15 Nov 1807, m: 19 Apr 1828, d: 30 May 1879, age 81
.........3 Josiah HARRIS b: 21 Sep 1805 in Cabarrus, NC, d: Nov 1876, age 71
......... + Margaret Maria PURVIANS b: 10 Aug 1810 in Mecklenburg, NC, m: 25 Dec 1830
Margaret8 HARRIS married William McALEVY, who immigrated from County Down, Ireland, in 1746, and lived in Juniata Valley. They married about 1758 in Carlisle, Cumberland County, PA, and had 3 or 4 children. William wanted to live farther from civilization, and about 1765, he went in search of a homestead. He located a place on Standing Stone Creek, in Huntingdon County, PA, and went back for his family. The roads being too rough for wagons, he made a canoe from birch bark, and loaded his household on this vessel. Margaret8 died in 1768, leaving William with several small children. William married twice more, and had other children. I'm not sure if William Jr was the child of Margaret8.
William McALEVY was a Colonel in the American Revolution, commanding a brigade that protected his hstrome area of Huntingdon County. He was made a Brigadier General after the war. He was very active as an anti-Federalist, which means that he was strongly opposed to the adoption of the US Constitution. In 1788 he organized a violent mob, and held the county government in chaos for some time. [GWM]
MCALEVY is sometimes spelled MCALVEY or MCELVEY, but it is McALEVY on the gravestone, in McAlevys Fort Cemetery, McAlevys Fort, Huntingdon, PA.
Margery1 HARRIS and her husband, Andrew BOGGS, were the first white settlers in Centre County, PA, in 1769. They settled in Bald Eagle Creek, in what later became Milesburg, Boggs Township. Their son, Robert BOGGS, was a Judge and a leading citizen of Centre County. [JBL, pp. 12-3 and 180-1]
1883 map showing Milesburg, on Bald Eagle Creek, Boggs Township, Centre County, PA. [JBL]
Robert10 married Elinor/Elleanor ROSS, and "lived about ten miles from Harrisburg, in Cabarrus County, near Clear Creek." [AJMW, p. 201]
Will of Robert10 Harris, written 7 Apr 1817, probated Oct 1817 in Cabarrus County, NC
Will of Robert Harris
In the name of God, Amen. I Robert Harris Senior of the county of Cabarrus and State of North Carolina do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament and being in a sick and low condition but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to be decently entered in the earth at the discretion of my executors which shall be hereafter named. As for what worldly estate it hath pleased God to bless me with I dispose of it in the following manner. First I allow that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid out of the whole of my estate-
Imprimis- I bequeath to my beloved wife, Elinor, her bed, bedstead and furniture, my walnut chest and my pine chest the big and little wheels and crack reel, her saddle and bridle together with onehalf of all my remaining household furniture including my kitchen and dresser vessels and I likewise bequeath to my beloved wife, Elinor my cupboard and likewise the onehalf of my books, her own choice the books to be divided according to price. I likewise bequeath to my beloved wife Elinor two horse creatures her own choice together with two sets of horse gears, two cliveses, a set of two horse trees and hangings a barshear plow and a shovel plow both her own choices and two axes, a mattock and sprowting hoe and hilling hoes and my cutting knife and box and two milk cows and calves and half of my hogs and five hundred weight of seed cotton and all my flax and onehalf of what wheat and corn I have whether in the ground or out of the ground all of the above articles I bequeath to my beloved wife Elinor her, heirs of assigns forever together with my mulatto girl Linny to her, her heirs or assigns forever, and I bequeath to my beloved wife Elinor my log chain and my single and double truckels. I do likewise bequeath to my beloved wife my mulatto boy named Anthony during her natural life and at the expiration of her natural life I do bequeath the above said mulatto boy Anthony to my brother William Harris during my said brothers natural life, not to be sold nor rented or hired to pay any debt at the expiration of my said brothers lifetime said Anthony to be sold and the money arising from this sale to be equally divided betwixt Robert Harris Callens and brother William Harris living daughters and I order Cezar my negro boy to be sold as soon as convenient after my decease. What debt I am in, due to Samuel Harris of Cabarrus County and sixty dollars over to be deducted out of the price of said negro boy and the remainder of his price to be equally divided among Alexander Fergusons three sons now living, by Eliza Marget Ferguson and all my wearing apparel that is made up, I bequeath to my brother William Harris all my other property not bequeathed in this will I order to be sold to be sold to the best advantage by my executors as soon as convenient after my decease. I do hereby nominate and ordain Samuel Harris and William Gilliam as executors of this my last will and testament and by it I do revoke all other wills and testaments made by me heretofore made in testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of April 1817.
Signed, sealed and pronounced in the presence of us
Samuel Black
Robert Allen Robert Harris seal
N. B. Before I signed I bequeath to my beloved wife, Elinor whatever yarn or cloth is on hand at the time of my decease.
Probated Oct. sess. 1817.
Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records
The will of Robert10 HARRIS was written 7 Apr 1817 and probated in Oct 1817, so he died between those dates. His wife Elinor, and brother William9, were mentioned in the will, so they lived past Oct 1817. It is odd that Robert10 refers to himself as "Robert Harris Senior," since his father was Robert3, but it probably means that Robert10 had at least one son. If he had any children, they were not in the will, so probably not living in 1817. The gravestone of Robert10 HARRIS is hard to read, but I think it says that he died in 1817, in the 73rd year of his age, which gives a birthdate of 1744 or 1745.
Mary4 HARRIS married Alexander FERGUSON, about 1772, probably in Mecklenburg County, NC. Alexander was listed as one of the "young men" in Captain Adam ALEXANDER's Company, from Anson County, in a muster roll taken 24 Feb 1756. Also in the same company were Col. William FERGUSON and Pvt. Samuel FERGUSON, the latter probably Alexander's father. On 13 Mar 1756, Alexander FERGUSON received a grant of 300 acres on the south side of Little River, in what was then Anson County, NC. Alexander and his (possibly half-) sister Agness were remembered in their father Samuel's will, written 16 Oct 1786.
1790 United States Federal Census
Name: Alexander Ferguson
Home in 1790 (City, County, State): Mecklenburg, NC
Free White Persons - Males - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females: 2
Number of Slaves : 3
Number of Household Members: 10
1800 United States Federal Census
Name: Alexander Farguson
Home in 1800 (City, County, State): Salisbury, Cabarrus, NC
Free White Persons - Males -10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over: 1
Number of Slaves: 5
Number of Household Members Under 16: 3
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 11
Data on the family of William9 HARRIS is from [RNH] which has much more information on later generations.
House built by William9 HARRIS, 1777. [MHS, p. 96]
Solomon and Jane HARRIS [MHS, p. 97]
The case of Elizabeth CORZINE is an especially sad one. She was married 9 Jan 1777, just 10 or 16 days after her 16th birthday, to William9 HARRIS, who had just turned 22. Less than 10 months later, they had a son, William Jr, on 31 Oct 1777. Barely 2 months later, on 08 Jan 1778, the day before her 1st anniversary, Elizabeth was dead, at 17, leaving her husband and infant son to survive the revolution without her. She is buried in the Rocky River Cemetery, in Cabarrus County, NC. The engraving on the stone says: [MHS, p. 151]
In Memory of Elizabeth Harris, Wife of William Harris, who departed this life 8th day of January 1778 Aged 17 Years and 16 Days.
Here at the foot of this cold stone,
Through deaths assault there lyeth one who lived
a short but pious life,
A Virtuous kind and loving wife, the mother of
one only son.
As God appointed so twas done.
See [DRH] for more information on the descendants of Robert3 HARRIS. From the Harris Depot Project [HD].
James1 HARRIS (1662 - after 1726), Mary SIMPSON and Janet McCLURE
From [MD] we have the names of the 2 wives of James1, and 4 of his children. By his first wife, Mary SIMPSON, he had William2, Ann1 and James3. By his second wife, Janet McCLURE, he had John2. Both marriages are recorded in U.S. and International Marriage Records.
Janet McCLURE was "probably a daughter of John, Arthur, or Richard McClure, who were elders of the Presbyterian
Church of Raphoe between 1672 and 1700. (Lecky. Days of the Laggan Presbytery. 1908, P. 144.)" [MHS, p. 178]
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name James Harris
Gender Male
Birth Place Do
Birth Year 1662
Spouse Name Jean Mcclure
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name James Harris
Gender Male
Birth Place Do
Birth Year 1662
Spouse Name Mary Simpson
Stewart [RS] has names and dates for William2 and John2, and their descendants. Note that [RS] uses and extends the numbering system of [MD], which is also used here. Information about Ann1 comes from the Caldwell Family biography, [CF]. James3 never married, and I have not found much information about him.
COL. JAMES HARRIS.
According- to the late Hon. W. S. Harris, an intelligent chronicler of the family, the Harris connection of Mecklenburg and Cabarrus were of Scotch-Irish stock, natives of Harrisburg, Penn., who emigrated first to Cecil county, Maryland, and in 1740 to North Carolina. The facts are that James Harris, a native of Yorkshire, England, first settled on the Susquehanna in 1719. But Harrisburg was not laid out as a town till sixty-five years after. A grandson of the first settler bore the name of Robert, a family name among the North Carolina Harrises. An immediate descendant of Col. James Harris states that he was a native of Wales, born April 3, 1739, but the probabilities are that he was of Welsh descent, and a native of Pennsylvania. He early settled on Clear Creek, in Mecklenburg county. He proved himself a leader among the people, and was chosen a delegate to the Mecklenburg Convention of May, 1775. In June, 1780, we find him serving as Major of Col. Irwin's regiment, and marched against the Tories at Ramsour's, who were defeated a little before the arrival of the rear under Gen. Rutherford and Col. Irwin. He was subsequently promoted to be Colonel.
In 1785, he was chosen to represent Mecklenburg in the State Senate, a high honor in a region where there were so many able and worthy men. His death occurred September 27, 1797, in the 59th year of his age. He is represented as a very rich man, quiet in his demeanor, provident and successful, and a member of the Presbyterian denomination. Some of his descendants reside in Texas. His younger brother, Samuel Harris, a soldier of the Revolution, lived till he was 80 years old. Another brother, Robert Harris, will receive a special notice. [JA, p 418]
Alexander [JA] refers to an immigrant James HARRIS, who "first settled on the Susquehanna in 1719. " This could be James1 or James2. He may have come from Harrisburg, PA, emigrated to Cecil County, MD, and then to NC in 1740, and settled near Clear Creek, Mecklenburg, NC.
The estate of William2 HARRIS was detailed, after his death. The family information agrees with [RS], except that it names another child, Sarah HARRIS.
William2 Harris estate 1763
Notes and Queries Third series. Vol. II. No. I, page 74-75
HARRIS
William Harris, of Paxtang, died prior to 1762, and left children:
i. James; over 21 years.
ii. John; 17 years of age.
iii. Robert; under 14.
iv. Mary; under 14 years of age.
James Harris, uncle of these children, was appointed guardian of those under age. The farm contained 275 acres. Catherine Harris, the widow, and James Harris, the brother of William, were the administrators of the estate. The following apportionment was made in 1763:
To James………….£118 13 4
To Sarah……………..59 6 8
To Mary…………..…59 6 8
To Robert……………59 6 8
[This is William2, son of James1 Harris and Mary Simpson. He left nothing to John. Was Sarah his child?]
This is somewhat cleared up in Third series. Vol. II. No 6, page 440-441
HARRIS
William Harris, of Paxtang, died prior to 1762, leaving a wife, Catherine, and children:
i. James.
ii. Sarah.
iii. John; 17 years of age.
iv. Mary; under 14 years.
v. Robert; under 14 years.
James Harris, brother of William Harris, deceased, was appointed the guardian of Mary and Robert. The farm of 275 acres was sold at the date first given, and the proceeds divided between the widow and the children according to law.
The following history of William2 HARRIS and his family says his wife was Catherine DOUGLASS.
THE HARRIS FAMILY OF DERRY
Among the early settlers of this locality was William Harris, a native of England, and no doubt related to John Harris, the pioneer of Harris' Ferry. He settled on the Swatara one and one-half miles above Middletown. He was born in 1701 and died on the 4th of April, 1754. His wife was Catharine Douglass, of the family of Sir Robert Douglass, of Scotland, born in 1709, dying August 7, 1780, aged 71 years. William Harris and his wife are buried in old Derry graveyard. The record of the children of these pioneers, as copied from an old Bible, marked "James Harris, his Book," reads as follows :
2. "James Harris wass born the 16th of January, being Friday, 1739.
"Sarah Harris wass born the 20th day of March, it being Saturday, 1741.
"John Harris wass born November the 20th, it being Friday, 1746.
" William Harris wass born November the 20th, it being Wednesday, 1749.
" Mary Harris wass born July the 22d, it being Thursday, 1752."
There appears to have been another entry in 1753, but it is illegible. As the youngest son, Robert, was born that year it was evidently his birth record.
William Harris died the year after (1754). A distribution of his estate was not made, however, until 1763, when, on the 6th of September, the Orphans' Court, held at Lancaster, directed the following :
"To Catharine Harris, widow of the deceased, the interest of one-third, in lieu of her dower ; James, the eldest son, one-third as the remainder, or two shares ; while the other children—Sarah, John, Mary, and Robert—were to receive one share ; the dower to be divided among the same upon the decease of the widow. The personal property was also distributed in the same proportion, and their uncle James Harris, was appointed guardian of Robert, Mary, and John.
Robert Harris, the youngest child, studied medicine and served as a surgeon of the Pennsylvania Line during the Revolution. He was a valuable officer and highly esteemed by his confreres in that glorious struggle. Dr. Harris died of quinsy at the house of John Phillips, inn-keeper, the sign of the Blue Ball, almost twenty miles west of Philadelphia, in Tredyffrin township, Chester county, on the night of the 4th of March, 1785. His will was written by Andrew Gordon, at his request, and is dated March 3, 1785, "recorded May 3, 1785, and remains in the register's office in Paxtang, Dauphin county." Letters of administration with the will annexed were granted to Mary Harris, the wife of his brother James. Dr. Harris willed the interest of a part of his personal estate to his brother John Harris during his lifetime, and then the principle to fall to Robert, son of James. His land (donation land), when surveyed, he allowed to Laird Harris, son of James. From a receipt still in existence, tombstones were purchased in Philadelphia, and as there are no records in the graveyard at Derry or Paxtang, the presumption is that he was interred at Tredyffrin. The papers of Dr. Harris, which would be of undoubted historic value, were burned by a member of the family some forty years ago, to prevent their falling into the hands of strangers. His medicine chest is in the possession of his grand-nephew, William L. Harris, of East Buffalo township. Union county.
Of Sarah and Mary Harris, daughters of William, we have no record.
II. JAMES HARRIS, the eldest child, married, June 2, 1768, Mary Laird, daughter of William Laird and Catharine Spencer. She was born April 28, 1750 (0. S.), and died December 13, 1842, and interred in the cemetery at Lewisburg. James Harris died April 30, 1787, and is buried at Derry. The children of James Harris and Mary Laird were as follows :
i. William, b. Wednesday, April 28, 1769 ; d. February 2, 1785, and buried at Derry.
ii. Elizabeth, b. Thursday, July 18, 1770 ; d. May 20, 1842; m. Thomas Howard, d. January 15, 1842.
iii. Catharine, b. Thursday, April 2, 1772 ; d. December 28, 1784, and buried at Derry.
iv. Jean, b. January 6, 1774 ; d. December 5, 1839.
v. Laird, b. Tuesday, February 22, 1776 ; d. June 30, 1804.
vi. Robert, h. Sunday, November 22, 1777 ; d. at Lewisburg.
vii. Sarah, b. Saturday, September 4, 1779 ; d. December 30, 1827, unm.
viii. James, b. Wednesday, June 13, 1781; m. Sarah Bell.
ix. Matthew, b. Friday, August 13, 1784 ; d. February 13, 1873.
x. William- Laird, b. Tiiursday, May 17, 1786 ; d. November 11, 1845 ; was a member of the Pennsylvania Assemby (sic) in 1833, and of the Constitutional Convention 1837-8.
James Harris took and subscribed the oath of allegiance and fidelity to the State and Colonies on the 14th day of July, 1777, before Joshua Elder, magistrate at Paxtang. He served in the army and was at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine and Germantown. During the year 1778 he was in service with his wagon and team in the Jerseys. After his death his widow removed about 1792, to Buffalo Valley, then Northumberland and now Union county.
III. JAMES HARRIS (James, William), b. June 13, 1781, in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa.; d. July 1, 1868, in Buffalo Valley, Union county. Pa.; m., October, 1819, Sarah Bell. They had issue :
i. William-Laird, b. 1821.
ii. James-Spencer, h. 1823.
m. Samuel-Bell, h. 1825.
iv. Mary-Laird, b. 1827.
v. Robert-Douglass, b. 1829.
vi. Ann-Berryhill, b. 1831.
vii. Sarah- Clementina, b. 1833.
viii. Caroline-Douglass, b. 1835; d. 1864.
ix. Berryhill-Bell, b. 1837.
Of this family of Harris' none remain in this locality. Like their neighbors of a century and more ago, their descendants have sought new homes, while only the brief tombstone inscriptions in deserted graveyards, and the mere mention of a name here and there on the old records, tell of the brave and hardy ancestry.
Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania : containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers, by J.M. Runk & Company, 1896, pp. 113-4, https://archive.org/details/commemorativebio00jmru
Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, Dauphin, PA Cemetery Records [NQ] Third series. Vol. I. No. I, page 47
William HARRIS, d. 2 Feb 1785, age 12
William HARRIS, d. 4 Apr 1754, age 53 years [William2] and wife Catherine, d. 7 Aug 1780, age 71
James HARRIS, b. 16 Jan 1739, age 49 [James6]
Catherine HARRIS, d. 22 Dec 1784, age 12
Ellis [FE p. 759] lists James HARRIS as one of the early settlers of East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, PA, having arrived in 1726. This has to be James1.
2. James1 HARRIS, b. abt. 1662 in Donegal, Ireland, im. 1726, Lancaster, PA
+ Mary SIMPSON, b. in Ireland, m. in Ireland
3. William2 L. HARRIS, b. 1701, im. 1725?, d. 4 Apr 1754
+ C. WILSON (Catherine), b. bet. 6 Aug 1708 and 7 Aug 1709, d. 7 Aug 1780 (But [DC], pp. 113-4, says she is Catherine DOUGLASS.)
4. James6 HARRIS, b. 16 Jan 1739, d. 30 Apr 1787
+ Mary LAIRD, b. 28 Apr 1750, m. 2 Jun 1768, d. 13 Dec 1842
4. John7 HARRIS, b. 20 Nov 1746, res. Middleton, Cumberland, PA, will 10 Jan 1796, prob. 27 Jan 1796, unm.
4. William7 HARRIS, b. 20 Nov 1749, d. before 1764
4. Mary3 HARRIS, b. 22 Jul 1752
+ Robert RHEA
4. Robert9 HARRIS, M. D., b. Mar 1755, d. 4 Mar 1785 in Tredyffrin, Chester, PA, surgeon during Rev War
4. Sarah2 HARRIS (from William’s estate record)
3. Ann1 HARRIS
+ D. David CALDWELL, b. abt. 1708 Ireland, d. 1780 or 1786 Mecklenburg, NC
4. James CALDWELL, Capt. Rev. b. 1738, d. May 1805 in Abbeville, SC
+ Elizabeth HARRIS
4. John CALDWELL, b. 1740 Northern Ireland, d. abt. 1795 Abbeville, SC
+ Elizabeth HUGGINS
4. Mary CALDWELL, b. 1742 in Ireland, res. Mecklenburg, NC
+ John DAVIS (either Mary or John d. 1776)
4. Isabelle “Ibbe” CALDWELL, b. 1746 in Ireland, res. Greene, GA
+ William HARRIS (son of Samuel1), m. 1796
4. William CALDWELL, b. 1748 in Ireland, d. 1802 in Greene, GA
+ Ruth
4. (female)
+ WHITE
+ Robert2 HARRIS [Son of Robert1 HARRIS and Dorothy WYLIE. See below for this family.]
3. James3 HARRIS, b. 1718?, d. 1 Sep 1804 (never married, res. In Mifflintown with John2 in 1801)
+ Janet McCLURE, b. in Ireland
3. Judge John2 HARRIS, Esq, b. 1722 in Donegal, Ireland, im. 1752, d. 28 Feb 1794 in Mifflintown, PA
+ Janet Jean POER, no children, dau of Alexander POER and Margaret1 HARRIS
+ Jane1 Jean HARRIS, m. about 1752, im. 1752, d. 11 Jan 1807, [dau of John1 HARRIS and Grizzel STEEL]
4. Jane3 Jean HARRIS, b. 23 Apr 1754 in Lancaster, PA, d. 19 Mar 1822
+ James PATTERSON, b. 1759
4. James7 HARRIS, Esq, b. 26 Feb 1756, d. 2 Dec 1826, res. Bellafonte, probable author of [MD]
+ Ann or Nancy DUNLOP, b. 14 Mar 1768 near Shippensburg, PA m. 15 Jun 1790
4. William8 HARRIS, b. 15 Feb 1759 at Swatara, d. 20 Apr 1807 in Mifflintown, surveyor, unmarried
4. Grizzel1 HARRIS, b. 8 or 9 Jun 1762 in MD, d. 23 Nov 1831
+ James KNOX, Esq, b. 17 Aug 1763, d. 29 Dec 1819
4. Margaret7 HARRIS, b. 24 Aug 1764, d. 4 Feb 1824
+ Capt. John STEUART m. 15 Mar 1791
4. Ann2 HARRIS, b. 16 Dec 1767, d. 10 Oct 1831
+ Judge Samuel BRYSON, Esq, b. about 1751, m. 1783, d. 19 Dec 1799
Jean3 HARRIS and James PATTERSON, with biography of John2 HARRIS
JAMES PATTERSON2 (James2, James1), was born, probably, in 1759; married, in 1779, Jean Harris, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., April 23, 1754; d. March 8, 1822; daughter of John and Jean Harris, whose farm was on the site of Mifflintown, Pa.
John Harris, Esq., of Mifflintown, the most distinguished bearer of the Harris name in Pennsylvania during the latter part of the eighteenth century, was born in the parish of Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1723. He was the son of James Harris and his second wife, Janet McClure, and grandson of Edward Harris and his wife, Flora Douglas, who belonged to the great Scottish house of Douglas. Edward Harris, born in Ayrshire (sic), was one of the Presbyterians who fled from Scotland to Donegal, Ireland, during the religious troubles in Scotland in the time of King Charles II.
John Harris married as his second wife, Jean Harris, daughter of John and Grizel (Steel) Harris, and by birth his cousin. They came to America and settled on the Swatara, in Lancaster County, Pa., about 1752. In February, March and June, 1755, he was granted three several (sic) warrants of survey for land on the north side of Penn’s Creek, in what was then Cumberland County, and later was included in the limits of Northumberland County, upon the erection of that county in 1772. These three adjoining tracts, covering an area of nearly eleven hundred acres, were surveyed by Colonel John Armstrong and the warrants were sent to Robert Morris, Esq., then Commissioner of Property, to be signed. But they were never signed. The drafts of the surveys were burnt, together with many other papers in Colonel Armstrong’s house in Carlisle, before they were certified into the Surveyor-General’s office. To cap the climax, as the land was believed to be situated very near the line of the purchase which had recently been made of the Indians at Albany, it was not certain that it was within that purchase line.
Somewhat discomfited as a result of these various contretemps, Mr. Harris temporarily shook off the dust of Pennsylvania from his feet, bought a plantation in Baltimore County, Maryland, in 1760, and moved there. On the 17th of May, 1764, he was granted a commission as Justice of the Peace of Baltimore County. In 1769 he had his land on Penn’s Creek resurveyed, and on the 9th of November, 1772, was granted a warrant of acceptance of the several surveys, the land being confirmed to him on the twelfth of November, 1772, in consideration of the sum of eighty-three pounds, sixteen shillings and seven pence. In April, 1773, he sold his Maryland property and returned to Pennsylvania. He purchased from William Maclay, on the second of September, 1774, a tract on the north side of the Juniata river, in Cumberland County, and an island in the Juniata, about two miles above the mouth of Tuscarora Creek, paying twelve hundred pounds for the tract and the island. On this tract of two hundred and seventy-five acres he resided thenceforth, and here he laid out the town of Mifflin, in 1790, naming it in honor of General Thomas Mifflin.
He attended the conference held at Carlisle on the twelfth of July, 1774, out of sympathy with the Bostonians; was appointed a member of the Committee of Observation of Cumberland County in 1774; member of the Provincial Conference in Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia, June 18, 1776; member of the Convention of the State of Pennsylvania, July 15, 1776, which Convention on July 25th, 1776, ratified for Pennsylvania the Declaration of Independence, and on September 28th, 1776, adopted the first Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1777-81, and again in 1784; Commissioner to the meeting at New Haven, Connecticut, Nov. 22, 1777, to regulate the prices of commodities in the States; commissioned a Justice of the Peace of Cumberland County, June 9, 1777; member of the State Convention of 1787-89, which approved for Pennsylvania the Constitution of the United States.
A patriotic, able and useful citizen, he died at his home in Mifflintown, Pa., on the 28th of February, 1794.
The two mills which Captain James Patterson bequeathed to his son, James Patterson 3rd, had not been completed at the time of his death. In fact they were not completed until the boy had grown to manhood. The old grist mill near the house was the only mill which Mrs. Patterson kept in operation during the minority of her three young children, James, Elizabeth and George. In 1779 James was listed among the taxpayers as a married man, although he was not taxed for any real estate whatever—from which circumstance it may be inferred that he had not yet attained his majority. In 1780 his mother gave him two hundred acres of land. In 1781 he had the saw mill in operation, and in 1782 a fulling mill had been added to his taxable property. He continued to operate the two mills from that year until 1792, when he sold them to his nephew, Galbraith Patterson, Esq., of Harrisburg, the eldest son of his brother, Colonel William Patterson.
The children of James and Jean (Harris) Patterson were:
i. John Harris Patterson, b. April 18, 1780; m. first, Eleanor Hayes; m. secondly, Mary Irwin.
ii. William Harris Patterson, b. Feb. 22, 1789; m. Mary Ann Riddles.
iii. Thomas Harris Patterson, b. June 14, 1791; d. s. p. March 30, 1809, at Mifflintown, Pa.
iv. Jean Patterson, d. s. p.
[dsp is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase, descessit sine prole; died without issue. That is, he or she left no heirs.]
[More information on the descendants follows.]
James Patterson of Conestoga Manor and his descendants, by Edmund Hayes Bell, 1925, page 129-131
John2 HARRIS of Mifflintown
APPENDIX No. XVII
JOHN HARRIS2 OF MIFFLINTOWN, AND HIS DESCENDANTS
For references to John Harris2 see pp. 76, 127, 129, 130, &c. He was b. in Donegal, Ire., about 1722 ; came to Pa. early in life, settled on the Swatara ; moved to M'd, next farm to Thomas Harris1 ; bought this farm Dec. 27, 1760, and sold it (in two sections) April 12 and 19, 1773 ; bec. J. P. there; moved to the Juniata River, Pa., in 1774 or 1775 ; a leading spirit in the Carlisle Conference of July 12, 1774, to sympathise with the Bostonians ; in Provincial Conference at Carpenter's Hall, Phila., June 18, 1776, and the subsequent convention of July 15—28 ; appointed sub-lieut. of Cumberland Co. March 12, 1777 ; in Assembly 1777 to 1781, and in 1784 ; Commissioner at New Haven (Nov. 22, 1777) to regulate the price of commodities ; for gradual abolition of slavery March 1, 1780 ; appointed J. P. 1779; in state convention (1787-1789) which adopted the constitution of the U. S. ; a deeply religious man ; probably a Pres. elder ; founder of Mifflintown 1790 ; active in organizing Mifflin Co., Sep. 19, 1789 ; probably the greatest Penna Harris of his century ; m. first, Jane Poer (a cousin, who d. early childless, see Index) and secondly, about 1752, Jean Harris1 (a cousin, who d. Jan. 11, 1807) ; d. himself Feb. 28, 1794. Sketches of him are found in Penna Magazine, (Volume III, pp. 438, 439), in History of Juniata and Susquehanna Valleys, (pp. 701,703), in Centennial History of Carlisle Presbytery ( Vol. 1, pp. 319, 320), in "Juniata Sentinel" of Feb. 16, 1878, and Pennsylvania and the Federal Constitution, 1787-1788, edited by John Bach McMaster and Frederick D. Stone (1888). John Harris' memoir is given on p. 733, of the last named book, his vote against the constitution on pp. 425-426, his remarks at the close on page 428, and the reasons for dissent by the one-third minority on pp. 454—482. Several of the sketches give the date of John Harris' death as Feb. 24, 1794 ; but Feb. 28 is in the family Bible and on his monument, and must be correct.
Colonel George Stewart and his wife Margaret Harris; their ancestors and descendants with appendixes of related families, a genealogical history, by Robert Stewart, 1907, pp. 405-7
Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, PA) 10 Oct 1751, page 2. I think this is John2, in which case it shows that he was in PA before 1752.
Robert1 HARRIS (1660 - 1727) and Dorothy WILEY (1673 - ?)
Robert1 HARRIS was born about 1660 in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland. He married Dorothy WILEY, and they had 7 sons and 1 daughter, between 1697 and 1715, in Raphoe. Around 1726, some of the grown sons migrated to Lancaster County, PA, and Robert1 followed, with the rest of the family, between 1727 and 1730. His brother Edward2 HARRIS also brought his family to Lancaster County in 1727. Robert1 died on the journey, and Dorothy died about 1740 in PA.
Robert1 married Dorothy WILEY, about 1694, in Ireland. Nothing seems to be know about Dorothy before 1694. Stewart says "She probably lived and died in Ireland. Her first name is perpetuated in some branches of the family. People named Wiley settled in the western part of Lancaster (now Dauphin) Co. at an early day, and may have been relatives, but of this we know nothing certainly." [RS, p. 85] Bullock says she was Dorothy WYLIE, born about 1673, of County Donegal, Ireland. [KB, p. 5]
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name Robert Harris
Gender Male
Birth Place Ir
Birth Year 1660
Spouse Name Dorothy Wylie
Spouse Birth Place Ir
Spouse Birth Year 1673
Marriage Year 1694
Marriage State Ir
Based on the Mifflintown Document, Robert1 HARRIS and Dorothy WILEY had 8 children: John1, William1, James2, Margaret1, Thomas1, Samuel1, Robert2, and Charles2.
Robert1 HARRIS
Robert Harris1, eldest son of Edward Harris1, and Flora Douglas, was probably born in Scotland and taken to Raphoe, Ireland, while yet unmarried. Judging from the traditional date of his fifth child's birth (about 1695) he must have been married as early as 1688 and been born as early as 1665. His wife was Dorothy Wiley, and he had eight children— all sons except one. The parents probably died in Ireland, though almost all of their children came to America, and a Robert Harris20 died in Chester Co., Pa., intestate, about 1740 or 1741 , who may have been the person of whom we are speaking. The records of Chester Co. indicate that letters of administration were granted James Harris14 February 10, 1741, and that an inventory was filed Mar. 31st, 1742. No settlement is given. If this was the same Robert Harris the administrator may have been either his son James2 or his brother James1. [RS, pp. 84-5]
Stewart (above) suggests that Robert1 may have lived for a few years in PA. However, several more recent account assure us that he died "within sight of land" and was buried in American soil. Also, Stewart claims that the 5th child of Robert1 and Dorothy was born in 1695. Dates I have found in various resources have the birth date of Thomas1 to be about 1695, and the other children were born later. Stewart also seems to indicate that Dorothy (WILEY) HARRIS had died in England, before the others emigrated.
The Stewart book has a lot of interesting but inconclusive evidence for the Robert1 HARRIS branch. In the chapter on "The Carolina Harries," Stewart quotes Hunter (ref. below) as saying "Five brothers, named Harris, came to Cabarrus Co., N. C, from Harrisburg, Pa." Stewart names the five as brothers of Thomas1: John1, James2, Samuel1, Robert2, and Charles2. He says that John1 may have come along later than the others. Stewart has used and greatly extended the Mifflintown system of numbering.
Two members of the HARRIS family are known as signers of the disputed Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. This document is said to have been passed on 31 May 1775, preceding the American Declaration of Independence by more than a year. The document was lost, and resurfaced in 1819, and there are many who doubt that it ever existed. (Don't say that to anyone in Charlotte!) In any case, the publicity has generated a great deal of interest in anyone who might have been a signer, and hence the book "The Mecklenburg signers and their neighbors", by Worth S. Ray, 1946, has a wealth of genealogical information of interest here.
Two of the signers listed were James HARRIS and Richard HARRIS. Most historians agree that Richard should have been Robert. Furthermore, there is some doubt about whether Robert was a signer. In terms of the Mifflintown numbering, James was the son of Samuel1, and Robert was Robert8, son of Robert2. So they were first cousins.
Thomas1 son of Robert1
Thomas1 HARRIS was born about 1695, in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland. He came to America about 1726, perhaps at the same time, or a few years before, his parents and siblings. He settled on Conoy Creek, Lancaster County, PA, where he took up farming, and trading with the Indians.
Thomas1 married Mary McKINNEY, about 1730 in PA. They had 9 children, in PA, between 1731 and 1748. Mary had immigrated on the same ship as Thomas1, in 1726, with her parents, John and Mary, and her 3 brothers, John, Matthew and Henry. [RS, pp. 106-10]
Summary: About 1736 Thomas1 established a trading post and tavern called Bear Tavern, on Conoy Creek, which empties into the Susquehanna River from the east, below Bainbridge. In 1850 he set up a grist and saw mill on Conewago Creek. He moved to Harford County, MD, and in 1766 moved again to Deer Creek, Baltimore County, MD. His wife Mary was born about 1700 in Raphoe, and died on 19 Nov 1770, in Churchville, Harford, MD. Thomas1 died on 4 Dec 1801, at age 106.
Thomas1 HARRIS
Thomas Harris established a trading-post at Conewago Creek, at a point where the Paxtang and Conestoga road crossed. He became one of the wealthiest of the Indian traders. He left Donegal and removed to Harford County, Md., before the Revolution, and from thence he went to Baltimore. He has several sons, who became eminent physicians, one of whom remained in Baltimore, another removed to Philadelphia, another to New Brunswick. Some of them were prominent officers in the Revolutionary army.
History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, by Franklin Ellis, 1883, Chapter II. Indian traders, pp. 18-19
The chapter on Thomas1 in Stewart is the largest, and has details of his life in PA until 1760, then Maryland, and of his son in Nova Scotia, and other descendants. Stewart tells us that Thomas1 "was born in Ireland about the year 1695," since he had died in 1801, at age 106, "and in 1726 came to America, unmarried, but in the same ship with his subsequent wife, Mary McKinney." It is suggested that the rest of the family came to America at about the sames time, and in fact, "James Harris, the Indian Trader, of Donegal Township, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, who is said to have been there as early as 1726 (or 1722), was doubtless either a brother or an uncle of Thomas." The HARRIS family are all Presbyterian, which may partly account for their migrations.
Thomas1 HARRIS took up farming around 1726, on a 230-acre farm in what was to become Lancaster County, PA. The farm was "on Conoy Creek, at the point where the Paxtang and Conestoga (or Lancaster) road crossed it, now called Elizabethtown." Thomas1 was married around 1730. Around 1732 he built and operated a tavern, with "the sign of the Bear," which came to be known as Bear Tavern, or Black Bear Tavern. The building still exists today. Stewart refers to it as a hotel, at one point. Thomas1 sold the farm and tavern on 15 Jul 1751.
The Bear Tavern, in Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, PA. [RS, p. 86]
Bear Tavern
[FE] Chapter XLVII, West Donegal Township, page 788
The Bear Tavern was the oldest one in this township, and was well known prior to the French and Indian War of 1755-63. It was here where Thomas Harris first opened his trading-post in 1746, and built the tavern. He sold the land in 1751 to Lazarus Lowrey, another Indian trader, and moved two miles farther west to Conewago Creek. In June, 1753, Mr. Lowrey sold the place to Barnabus Hughes, who, prior to that time, lived in Lancaster borough.
This tavern was located on the south side of the great road which ran from Paxton to Conestoga Creek at a point where Conoy Creek crossed it.
A few dates are mentioned. The eldest child of Thomas1 was Robert7, b. 1 Jan 1731, graduated Princeton in 1753, and the youngest was Mary2, b. 25 Oct 1748. In 1747-8, Thomas1 was involved in guarding against Indian raids, and became a Captain in the Associated Regiment of the West End of Lancaster Co. He was also active in the religious community, helping to establish Presbyterian churches in the area.
Some History of Bear Tavern
George Stewart married Margaret Harris, daughter of Thomas Harris and his wife, Mary, the old Indian Trader, who had an Indian Trading Post at Bear Tavern in 1736. In 1750 he moved to Conewago creek, where the Elizabethtown and Hummelstown road crosses, where he erected a grist and saw mill. In the year 1746 he took out a patent for several hundred acres of land from the Penns along Conoy creek, and the old Paxtang and Conestoga road, where he settled in 1734, upon which he erected the “Black Bear Tavern” in 1736, which he sold in 1751 to Lazarus Lowrey, who sold the same in 1753 to Col. Barnabus Hughes, another prominent Indian Trader, who laid out Elizabethtown, and whose son Samuel sold to Capt. Alexander Boggs two hundred and thirty acres in 1790. It is now or was lately owned in part by Henry Wade, Esq. This tavern was erected seven years before Capt. George Redsecker built the “Black Horse Tavern.” After Mr. Hughes’ death, about the year 1765, this tavern was rented to Mr. Holmes, who frequently advertised, offering a reward, for the arrest of runaway redemptioners. He probably purchased them off vessels when they arrived in Philadelphia.
Some years prior to the revolution, Thomas Harris removed to Deer Creek, in Harford county, Md. Several of his sons became eminent physicians during the Revolution. One settled in Philadelphia, another in New Brunswick and another in Baltimore.
Third series. Vol. II. No 6. Notes and queries. Historical, biographical and genealogical, page 406
Another Account of Bear Tavern
On the west side of Conoy creek, where Elizabethtown now is, Captain Thomas Harris established an Indian store and trading house, and built a tavern about the year 1730, called the
Bear Tavern.
In the year 1731 or 1732 the Paxtang and Conestoga road was laid out and constructed from Paxtang to his tavern, and in a year or two the road was finished to Scott's Tavern (before mentioned) and extended to Lancaster Townstead in two or three years. This tavern was one of the headquarters for the Indian traders. Harris was Captain of a company of Rangers in the year 1748. In 1749 he sold his farm and tavern to Lazarus Lowrey, another Indian trader, who resided on Senator J. D. Cameron's farm in Donegal. In the same year Mr. Lowrey rented the tavern to Captain Barnabas Hughes, who purchased the tavern and farm in 1750. In the following year he laid out a town and named it after his wife, Elizabeth. Mr. Hughes was Captain and Commissary of Subsistence in the French and Indian wars. He was the first person to bring the news to Carlisle of the disaster to Braddock's army. He was also at the battle of Loyal Honnon in 1758. He moved to Baltimore in the year 1765, and became largely engaged in the iron business. His sons, Colonel Daniel, Colonel John and Colonel Samuel, were all prominent officers in the Revolutionary war. They all became extensive iron masters in Western Maryland and in Harford and Cecil counties. The sons sold the tavern and farm and ground rents in Elizabethtown to Captain Alexander Boggs.
At a point where the road from Hummelstown to Harris' tavern crosses Conewago creek, Captain Harris purchased a
Grist and Saw Mill
from Captain Samuel Smith in the year 1750. The latter moved to the Juniata Valley and became one of the Judges of Cumberland county. The ditch which carried the water to this mill is all that remains to mark the spot where it stood.
The Harris family moved to Deer Creek, Baltimore county, Maryland, in the year 1766. The sons were prominent officers in the Revolutionary War.
Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society [LC]
Volume I, 1897, pp 320-1
The passage above indicates that the trading post was established in 1736, not 1746.
The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadeplphia, PA) 11 Jun 1752, page 5
The references above tell us that Thomas1 HARRIS sold his tavern/trading-post in Elizabethtown in 1749 or 1751, and moved 2 miles west, to a grist and saw mill on Conewago Creek, which he had purchased in 1750.
About 1760, at the age of 65, Thomas1 again moved, along with some of his grown children and their families, about 50 miles SSW to Deer Creek Township, Baltimore County, MD. This area became part of Harford County, formed on 22 Mar 1774 from the eastern part of Baltimore County. Ellis also tells us that Thomas1 moved at last to Baltimore, presumably meaning the city of Baltimore.
1878 map of the northern part of Churchville Township, Harford County, MD. Several ARCHER properties appear, including Medical Hall. (see below)
The location of cousins Thomas1 and John2 HARRIS' plantation was near the village of Churchville, which was called Lower Cross Roads, in Colonial times. Thomas1 purchased 401 acres of the 904-acre plantation, called "Good Neighborhood Enlarged,'' and his cousin John2 HARRIS purchased part or all of the rest. John2 HARRIS sold his land in Maryland in 1773, and went on to found Mifflintown, PA.
Thomas1 HARRIS opened a store in Lower Cross Roads (later Churchville) in 1761, with a partner named William M'CLURE. The store, "Harris and M'Clure" did business at least until 1765. Stewart [RS, p. 92] speculates that William was related to the M'CLURE family of Lancaster County, PA, that had also immigrated from Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland. Recall that James1 HARRIS, uncle of Thomas1, married Janet M'CLURE/McCLURE.
Thomas1 HARRIS and his wife Mary (McKINNEY) HARRIS adopted several orphans in 1754, mostly nephews and one niece. First, on 5 Mar 1754 he became guardian of John SCOT, son of David SCOT, who died in 1752. Thomas1's son John6 HARRIS was married to Elizabeth SCOTT, so this was probably a relative of hers. Next, on 3 Dec 1754, "Samuel Poor, an Orphan and Minor Son of Alexander Poor, Deceased, chuses Thomas Harris as his Guardian." Alexander POOR, or POER, who had died in 1739, was the husband of Thomas1 HARRIS's sister Margaret1 (HARRIS) POOR, so Samuel was one of Thomas1's nephews. On the day after this adoption, 4 Dec 1754, Thomas1 HARRIS became guardian of John, Mathew, Hugh, and Mary McKINNEY, orphans of the late John McKINNEY, his wife's brother. This research was compiled by Bill Childs.
Children of John SEMPLE
In December, 1758, Thomas Harris was appointed guardian over George Semple, Sarah and Mary Semple, minor children of John Semple, deceased. At this time Captain Harris lived at his mill on Conewago creek in Mount Joy township. The Semples resided in Derry near the same place.
Notes and Queries Third series. Vol. II. No. I, page 74. Also Fourth series. Vol. I. No. 2, Page 112
Margaret5 HARRIS, daughter of Thomas1 HARRIS and Mary McKINNEY, married George STEUART. The book [RS] is focused on the ancestors and descendants of Margaret5 and George. They moved to Lower Cross Roads (a.k.a. Deer Creek, later Churchville) MD around 1761, and stayed there until about 1775. [RS, p. 93-4] John STEWART/STEUART, son of Margaret5 and George, married Margaret HARRIS - same name as his mother, but this Margaret was the son of John2 HARRIS, the Founder of Mifflintown, and his wife Jane1 HARRIS, daughter of John1 HARRIS. [WHE, p. 29]
Matthew1 HARRIS, sister of Margaret5, married in 1758 to Suit STEUART, sister of George. They lived near his father, Thomas1 HARRIS, on Conewago Creek, in Lancaster County, PA. They sold their property in 1764, and by 1767 they were living in MD, but in 1769 they moved to Nova Scotia. [RS, p. 94]
John6 HARRIS married Elizabeth SCOTT, daughter of William and Mary SCOTT, farmers, who lived on the Paxtang road west of Elizabethtown, PA. John6 was educated at Princeton, graduating in 1762, and became a medical doctor. He moved to Nova Scotia around 1767.
Catharine1 HARRIS, daughter of Thomas1 HARRIS and Mary McKINNEY, was born 2 Mar 1742 in Donegal, Ireland, and died 3 Feb 1815. age 72. She came to America at age 3 with her parents and siblings. They lived in Lancaster County, PA until 1766, when the family moved to Cecil County, MD. There, on 16 Oct 1766, she married Dr. John ARCHER. [WWP, pp. 200-2]
Dr. John ARCHER (1741-1810)
Dr. John ARCHER was born 5 May 1741 and died 28 Sep 1810, at age 69. He graduated Princeton in 1760, married in 1766, and graduated from medical school at Philadelphia College in 1768, receiving the first medical degree issued in America. He also practiced law, was a major in the Continental army, and served as a member of Congress from 1801 to 1807. His home and property near Churchville, MD are now a National Historic District, known as Medical Hall.
The children and grandchildren of John ARCHER and Catherine1 HARRIS have done quite well. "Of six sons who reached maturity live were doctors of medicine; one a lawyer, who became Chief Justice of Maryland; and, down to 1897, among the grandsons and great-grandsons, there had been thirteen lawyers, eight doctors, two Presbyterian ministers, two U. S. army officers, two U. S. navy officers, one Confederate general, one Confederate colonel, three cotton planters, two farmers, one merchant, one architect, one auditor B. and O. R. R., one dentist, one electrician, three college students, and three clerks. Some of these, and some of the husbands of female descendants, served their country in Legislatures, or Congress, or in other high positions—one being the wife of a U. S. Senator." [RS, pp. 94-5]
John1 son of Robert1
John1 HARRIS was born about 1697 in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland. He had 3 wives and 10 children. He married his first wife, Grizzel STEEL or STEELE, in Ireland, 1714, when they were both 17. They had 4 children, and she died in Ireland, about 1727. He then married Rebecca MCBAY. They immigrated to America around 1727, along with the extended HARRIS family (see below), and had 4 more children. [MD] Now according to some researchers, Rebecca died between 1745 and 1748, and John married again, to 20-year-old Eleanor WATSON. They had no children of record, but I suspect that they were the parents of Joseph HARRIS.
John1 and his cousin John2 are often conflated with John HARRIS, the Founder of Harrisburg, PA, who was given the designation John14, and his father John13, in [RS]. There has been much speculation about the possible relationship between the two extended HARRIS families, but nothing has been proven.
In 1741, a John HARRIS, possibly John1, opened a tavern in the city of Lancaster, in the center of Lancaster County, called The Grape. See [FE], Chapter XXIX, page 395. This property was sold at a sheriff's sale in 1769, but it continued as The Grape Hotel for many years.
William1 son of Robert1
William1 HARRIS was born about 1699 in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland. He married Elizabeth GLEN, daughter of R. GLEN and Jane SCOTT, and they had many children, 13 of whom are named in [MD].
Several accounts exist, and they vary in details, but the general idea is that brothers Charles2, Robert2, James2, Samuel1, William1 and John1 moved south, from Lancaster County, PA, in the 1750s. They went first to Cecil County, MD, which adjoins Lancaster County. William1 stayed in Cecil C0unty, and they rest continued, another 450 miles southwest, to the Rocky River in Cabarrus County, NC, where they became known as the "Rocky River Harrises". Around 1766, Thomas1 also moved to Harford County, MD, probably not far from his brother William1.
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name William Harris
Gender Male
Birth Place Ir
Birth Year 1699
Spouse Name Elizabeth Glen
The 13 children named in [MD] are: Robert6, James5, George1, Elizabeth2, William5, John4, Jane2, Susan1, Margaret3, Sarah1, Dolly1, Thomas3, Isabella.
James5 became a successful businessman, with the firm "Archer and Harris", presumably a partnership with John ARCHER, husband of his cousin Catherine1 HARRIS. They had stores in Baltimore and Georgetown, as well as Lower Cross Roads (Churchville), at least during 1766-8. James5 was also a strong supporter of the revolution, until his death in 1777. [RS, p. 93]
The Maryland Gazette (Annapolis, MD) Thursday, 20 Sep 1770, page 3
James2 son of Robert1
Harris Brothers
James Harris and his brothers took up land in Lancaster Co., Pa., where they lived until about 1750. At this time James, William, Samuel, Robert, and Charles left for the South. William stopped and settled permanently in Cecil Co., Md. James and his other brothers went on to North Carolina, and settled near each other in Mecklenburg Co. James Harris and his brother Robert Harris were members of the Mecklenburg Convention, and were active in drawing up the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
[KB] A genealogy of McGee Harris, Latter Day Saint pioneer, by Kenneth Bullock, 1962, p. 6
Robert2 and James2
Robert2 and James Harris2 were both born at Harrisburg, Pa. Robert2 owned much land near the Harrisburg depot in Cabarrus Co., and is buried in the Spear graveyard near Rocky Spring Church. James2 lived in the Clear Creek country. He was the grandfather of Dr. John B. Harris and Wm. A. Harris2. Others came to the State in 1741. Some of the descendants of Robert2 are still living. The late Wm. Shakespeare Harris of Davidson College was the grandson of the youngest brother of this family.
[JW1] Historical sketches of North Carolina, by John H. Wheeler, 1851, Vol 1 and Vol 2, Vol 2
Stewart [RS] notes one mistake: "Robert2 and James2 were not born at Harrisburg. Pa., but in Ireland."
James Harris in debt and prison
James Harris was an Indian trader. He located upon the Le Tort-Logan tract of land, about a mile above Marietta. He met with great losses in the French and Indian wars, becoming more and more involved in debt, and was finally thrown into jail for debt a few years prior to the Revolution. His lands were sold, and we hear no more of him in Donegal.
[FE] Chapter XLVII, East Donegal Township, page 767
There were many James HARRISes. This one is probably one of ours. Also, [FE] page 759 has a list of early settlers of East Donegal Township, which says that a James HARRIS settled there in 1726. He must have been a head of household at that time. That is the same date we have for Thomas1. So this James must be James2, brother of Thomas1 and son of Robert1.
A second James Harris may have been born in 1739, in PA. He was a delegate to the convention at Mecklenburg in 1775. (so probably a signer?) He was a Major under Col. Irwin in June 1780, and later promoted to Colonel. He served in the State Senate in 1785, and died 27 Sep 1797. He had a younger brother Samuel, and an older brother Robert. I think this James must be the son of Samuel1, grandson of Robert1.
So it appears that James2 was still in Lancaster County until just a few years before 1776. His children ended up in Iredell County, NC, according to [KB], and the gravestone data (above).
The Pennsylvania Packet (Philadelphia, PA) 25 Jan 1773, page 3.
This Joseph HARRIS (above) could be James2. Or maybe it is our mysterious Joseph HARRIS, whose first child was born in 1786.
The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, PA) 3 Jul 1760, page 4.
Gravestones in local cemeteries give the opposite kind of information than the Mifflintown Document. We have names and dates, "carved in stone," but no relationships, besides some family groupings. Here are a few, with links to Findagrave. The contributors to Findagrave have added their own data, usually without citation. [My comments in square brackets.]
Old Settlers Cemetery, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, NC
Thomas HARRIS, d. 26 Jul 1776, age 28, so b. bet. 27 Jul 1747 and 26 Jul 1748. [Son of James2. Must have been killed in Rev. War.]
Samuel J HARRIS, 3 Jan 1776, d. 1822.
Coddle Creek ARP Church Cemetery, Mooresville, Iredell, NC
Robert HARRIS, b. 4 Oct 1731, d. 19 Jan 1795. [Robert6, son of James2.]
Margaret HARPER, b. 7 Aug 1737, d. 8 Feb 1808. [Wife of Robert6 HARRIS]
Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, NC
Several HARRIS graves, descendants of John HARRIS (1727-1808) from Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland. This branch does not seem to be related to us.
Margaret1 daughter of Robert1
Margaret1 HARRIS, born about 1703 in Raphoe, Ireland, married Alexander POER or POOR. They had 4 children, in Donegal County, PA. Alexander died in 1739, and Margaret1 must have died around 1753 or 4, because the youngest son, Samuel, was an orphan, adopted by Margaret1's brother, Thomas1 HARRIS, in 1754.
Charles2 son of Robert1
Charles2 HARRIS was born about 1707 in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland. His will was dated 3 May 1776, and proved in Jul 1777, so he died in Meckleburg County, NC, some time between those dates, at age 69 or 70. He came to America, probably around 1727-30, with family members, and settled in Lancaster County, PA. About 1736, he married Jane McILHENNY, sister of Mary McILHENNY, who married his brother, James2 HARRIS.
Jane (McILHENNY) HARRIS died in Mecklenburg County, about 1758, leaving 6 children, and Charles2 remarried, to Elizabeth "Eliza" (THOMPSON) BAKER, born 1732 in Middle, Lancaster, PA, and died Jul 1776 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg, NC. Charles2 and Eliza had 2 children. [WSR, p. 444]
In 1737, Charles2 purchased 250 acres in Lancaster County.
Charles Harris 1737 land warrant Lancaster Co
Name: Charles Harris
Acreage: 250
Warrant Date: 10 Feb 1737
Warrant Location: Lancaster
Charles2 was one of the five brothers, who migrated from Lancaster County, PA to Mecklenburg County, NC, in the 1750s. There is some question as to whether they all traveled together, or if some came along earlier or later. They settled in the Poplar Tent district, near the headwaters of the Rocky River, where now lies the village of Harrisburg. This area became part of Cabarrus County when it was formed from Mecklenburg County in 1792.
Charles2 HARRIS was a doctor, and one of his sons, Charles HARRIS Jr, was an even more famous doctor. The house built by the latter in Poplar Tent, Cabarrus, NC about 1791 is called Favoni, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Dr. Charles HARRIS, son of Charles2
Dr. Charles Harris was born in the eastern part of Mecklenburg county, (now Cabarrus), on the 23d of November, 1762. He was distinguished as a patriot, a soldier, and a physician. While pursuing his studies in Charlotte, the invasion of the town by the British army, under Lord Cornwallis, caused him to exchange the gown for the sword. Accordingly, when a call was made for troops to resist and hold in check the invaders of his country, he joined the corps of cavalry under Col. William R. Davie and was with that brave and chivalric officer in much of his daring career.
After the war was ended he resumed his studies at Clio Academy, in Iredell county, (then a part of Rowan), under the control of the Rev. James Hall. Soon after this classical preparation he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Isaac Alexander, at Camden, S. C., and graduated at Philadelphia. On his return home, he settled in Salisbury, and practiced there for some length of time with encouraging success. He then removed to Favoni, his family seat in Cabarrus county, where he ended his days.
Devoted to his profession he soon became unrivaled as a physician and surgeon. In a short time his reputation was widely extended over the surrounding country, and his skill and success justified this celebrity. He kept up for many years, a medical school, and instructed ninety-three young men in the healing art. In his day and generation, good physicians and surgeons (especially the latter) were remarkably scarce—something like angels’ visits, "few and far between." He was frequently called upon to perform surgical operations from fifty to one hundred miles from home.
He possessed a cheerful temper, and suavity of manner which gained for him a ready admittance into the confidence and cordial friendship of all classes of society. But, before he had reached his ''three-score years and ten," the infirmities of old age were rapidly stealing upon him. and admonishing him of his early departure from the scenes of earth. He died on the 21st of September, 1825, leaving several children. One of his sons, the late William Shakspeare Harris, Esq., widely known as a worthy and intelligent citizen, represented Cabarrus county in the House of Commons in 1836. Another son, Charles J. Harris, Esq., resides at present about one mile from Poplar Tent Church, and is a gentleman of great moral worth and christian integrity.
On the tombstone of Dr. Harris is the following inscription: "This monument is erected to perpetuate the memory of Charles Harris, M. D., born 23d of November, 1762; died 21st of September, 1825, aged sixty-three years. Dr. Harris was engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery for forty years; eminent in the former, in the latter pre-eminent. He was a man of extensive reading, of an acute, inquisitive mind, friendly to all, and beloved by all. His heart entered deeply into the sufferings of his patients, mingling the medicine he administered with the feelings of a friend. He lived usefully, and died resignedly; and we humbly trust, through the sovereign virtue of the all-healing medicine of the Great Physician, he was prepared to rest in this tomb, 'where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.'
Dr. Charles Harris was one of five brothers who emigrated from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, viz: Robert, James, Richard, Thomas, and Charles, the subject of this sketch. His father married the widow Baker, a daughter of the Rev. John Thompson, who is buried in Baker's Grave-yard, five Miles east of Beattie's Ford, in Iredell county.
[CH, pp. 162-4]
[The last paragraph is incorrect. The father of the subject of the sketch, Dr. Charles Harris Sr, who is called Charles2 in the [MD] numbering system, was one of the five brothers. The others were Robert2, James2, Samuel1 and William1. The brothers of Charles Jr were Robert, Thomas, James and Samuel.]
Western Carolinian (Salisbury, NC) Tuesday, 4 Dec 1821, page 1
Robert HARRIS the Signer, son of Charles2
ROBERT HARRIS, SR.
In the notice of Col. James Harris, a brother of the subject of this sketch, it was stated that he was descended from Welsh ancestry, and was probably a native of Pennsylvania.
Robert Harris, born about 1741, is also supposed to have been born in that State, and certain it is that the family connection included probably the parents and their sons. James, Robert, Samuel, Charles and Thomas, and an only sister, who became the wife of Rev. Thomas Reese, early migrated to the Catawba Valley. Hon. W. S. Harris, who descended from Charles, fixed the period of their migration in 1740; but it was probably a few years later, else some of the brothers and the sister must have been born in Mecklenburg county. The venerable Rev. N. R. Morgan and lady, the latter a grand-daughter of Robert Harris, thinks he came to North Carolina with the early crowd of emigrants from Pennsylvania or Maryland.
As early as May, 1771, he was chosen an elder of Poplar Tent Church. (The Robert Harris of this sketch should not be confounded with the Col. Robert Harris, of Reed Creek, referred to in Foote's Sketches of North Carolina, page 480.) Rev. Humphrey Hunter included the name of Richard Harris, Sr., among the list of delegates to the Mecklenburg Convention, which the Legislative Committee in the State pamphlet of 1831 adopted in the second organized list of bona fide members.
Lossing, in his "Field Books of the Revolution,"' corrects the apparent error of Richard Harris and substitutes the name of Robert Harris. "It is surprising," writes W. S. Harris, who lived all his life in that region, and one of the best chroniclers in that section of country, "that such an error should have been committed, and the name given as Richard; it is a mistake. I know that the name should have been Robert Harris."
It is due to truth to say that Rev. N. R. Morgan and lady, the latter his grand-daughter, who remembered him personally, state that they never understood that that Robert Harris was one of the famous Mecklenburg delegates.
In view of his services and sufferings, a grant of 5,000 acres of land was donated to him in Tennessee, which was neglected for many years, but finally secured by his descendants, proving of great value to them. He became the possessor of a large body of land around what is now known as Harris' station, on the North Carolina Railroad, in Cabarrus county. The mill he built on Rocky river, the dam of which is solid rock, still stands and continues to be known as Harris' Mill. [JA, pp 421-2]
Col. Robert HARRIS, the subject of the biography above, was born about 1741 (possibly 1737), in Lancaster County, PA. His wife was Mary WILSON. One of their sons was Charles Wilson HARRIS, a famous child prodigy. Born about 1771 in Concord, Cabarrus, NC, he graduated with a degree in Mathematics from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton) in 1792. He also practiced law, and was effectively the first president of the University of North Carolina in 1796. His health was poor, and he died of consumption on 15 Jan 1804, at age 32.
Charles Wilson HARRIS, son of Robert HARRIS, and grandson of Charles2
Jane Wilson HARRIS, daughter of Robert HARRIS and granddaughter of Charles2, married Nathaniel ALEXANDER, who became Governor of North Carolina.
Robert2 son of Robert1
Col. Robert2 HARRIS, known as Col. Robert HARRIS of Reedy Creek, was born about 1714 in Raphoe. He was about 13 when he came to America with his family, and settled in Lancaster County, PA. In 1743, he married Frances "Fanny" CUNNINGHAM. They had 4 children in PA from 1744 to 1750, then moved to Mecklenburg County, NC between 1750 and 1752, and had 1 more child there, in 1752.
If my records are correct, 4 of the 5 children of Robert2 and Fanny married HARRISes, at least 3 of them 1st cousins.
Robert2 and Fanny must have divorced, because Robert2 later married his 1st cousin, Ann1 HARRIS, the daughter of James1 HARRIS and Mary SIMPSON (see above). They had no offspring together. Ann1 already had 6 children from a previous marriage to David CALDWELL. So Robert2 and Ann1 had 11 children from previous marriages. I don't know the marriage date, so I can't say whether the children were grown, or where they were living.
Robert Harris one of the first at Rocky River
(pp 5-6) When John Rodgers, the first settler in 1732 located his cabin on the North bank of Rocky river, a half mile below the mouth of Back Creek, his nearest neighbor was 12 miles North on Third creek. A year or two later came White and Harris. The tradition is that one day White heard some one chopping in the forest on the South side of Rocky River near the mouth of Back creek. He made his way through the cane brake and crossed over and found that his friend Harris, whom he had known in Pennsylvania, was his neighbor. The next day they met and cut out the road and made a foard across the river between the mouth of Coddle creek and the mouth of Back creek. This foard led to the location of the first church at this point.
(p 38) The first settled places in Rocky River were John Rodgers' (already described), David Caldwell's on Reedy creek (near old Smiley Pharr place), James Alexander's (on Rocky River near old Samuel Pharr place), William White's (near old Neisler factory), and Robert Harris' (near church).
[JBM] A Historical Sketch of Rocky River Church, by Joseph Bingham Mack, 1913
The excerpt above seems to indicate that Robert2 was settled at Rocky River shortly after 1732. But he would have been about 18 in 1732. Other indications suggest that he was still in Lancaster County in 1740 and 1741. James M. HARRIS says in [MHS3] that Robert2 settled "at Mill Grove of Rocky River". However he also erroneously states that Thomas1 came to Rocky River with his brothers.
The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Sunday, 9 Oct 1740, page 3
On 9 Oct 1740, Robert HARRIS was elected as an Assessor for Lancaster County. From [FE] Chapter XX, page 216, we learn that a Robert HARRIS was Commissioner of Lancaster County in 1741. I'm not sure which Robert HARRIS this was. Robert1 died in 1727, and Robert3 didn't immigrate until 1745. If it is one of the descendants of Edward1, it must have been Robert2 HARRIS, who would have been about 26.
Robert8 W. HARRIS, son of Robert2 and Fanny, went to Jamaica about 1800, and amassed a large fortune. Known as "Jamaica Bob," he died unmarried, according to [AJMW, p. 203], but according to [MHS, p. 187], his wife was Martha HARRIS. He had intended to leave his estate to the children of his sister, Elizabeth3, but apparently that didn't happen. His residence in 1823 was Spanish Town, Jamaica. "I suspect that he was the husband of his cousin Martha, a daughter of Charles Harris, and half sister of Dr. Charles." [MHS, p. 189]
Pp. 78-80: 20 Nov 1772, Robert HARRIS Junr & wf Martha of Meck., to Robert HARRIS Senr. For £50 proc. Money…land on Dutch Buffalo Creek, conveyed from Robert HARRIS Esq. & wf Francis of Anson Co., to sd. Robt HARRIS Jun, 12 June 1762…Robert HARRIS (Seal), Martha HARRIS (Seal), Wit: Robert ROBINSON, Jurat Wa [Walter] COWDEN, Rec. Jan. term 1773.
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, Vol. 8, p. 224
If I'm reading this record correctly, a parcel of land on Dutch Buffalo Creek was sold to Robert HARRIS Jr by Robert HARRIS Esq and wife Francis of Anson County, on 12 Jun 1762, and sold back, by Robert HARRIS Jr and wife Martha of Mecklenburg County, to Robert HARRIS Sr, on 20 Nov 1772.
Robert HARRIS Sr matches Robert2 HARRIS, whose wife was Frances "Fanny" CUNNINGHAM. Robert HARRIS Jr matches Robert8 W. HARRIS, whose wife was Martha.
Elizabeth3 HARRIS, daughter of Robert2 and Fanny, married her first cousin, James4 HARRIS, son of John1 HARRIS and Grizzel STEELE. Elizabeth3 and James4 had at least 2 children together: Rosana and Levi. Rosana HARRIS married Daniel MACKEY, and they removed to MS in 1810. [AJMW] has much more information about their family in MS. Levi Cunningham HARRIS married Lucy Anne Green CARPENTER on April 20, 1833, and they also lived in MS. Elizabeth3 remarried after James4 died, to Adam SNIDER.
Children of Elizabeth3 and James4
Levi C. Harris was in the war of 1812, Cavalry, under Major Thomas Hinds. Was shot through the right shoulder in the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815, and lost the use of his right arm and hand. He was a successful merchant, an elegant gentleman and devoted Christian. He moved to Clinton, Miss., to educate his children, and died there Jan. 28. 1863. His wife died nine years before, Jan. 12, 1854.
Daniel Mackey and wife, Rosana Harris, his brother, Hugh Mackey, and wife, came to Mississippi about 1810. The census for that year contained their names. Levi C. Harris, the brother of Rosa, might have come at the same time, but his name was not on the records of that year as contained in the Hall of History of Mississippi. The mother of Rosa and Levi Harris married a second time, and had two sons that lived to be grown. Her husband was named Snider, and may have been Adam Snider, who came to Mississippi at the same time Daniel Mackey came, and in 1810 this Adam Snider had three males under 21, one female over 21 and three females under 21 in his family. Of the children of Rosa Harris's mother by the Snider marriage only two sons were known by our family. One Ranson, always known as Uncle Ranson, made his home with Grandfather Hamden Jordan Mackey. and never married. My mother has a very pleasant recollection of this old uncle. and his daguerreotype shows a very neat, pleasant-faced old gentleman, too good for the sad fate that was his. During the Civil war he went with a number of wagons to Louisiana for salt, and was captured by the Yankees while he was trying to cross the river near Natchez, put on a gun-boat, and never heard of any more. I have often wished that I knew what his fate was. The other Snider son was named Alonzo, and 1 do not know what became of him.
Members of the family in North Carolina visited the Mississippi relatives, and one cousin of Levi Harris, who taught school near him. used to write back to North Carolina of Levi and his family. This school teacher cousin used to say that Jamaica Bob intended leaving his fortune to the children of Levi and Rosanna. [AJMW, p. 203]
Samuel1 son of Robert1
Samuel1 HARRIS, the youngest child of Robert1 HARRIS and Dorothy WILEY, was born about 1715 in Rapho, Donegal, Ireland. His will was written 10 Mar 1789, when he was 73 or 74 [KB, p. 6] although he lived long after 1789.
Samuel1 married Martha LAIRD. [KB, p. 6] Martha and her sister, Mary, had come to America on the same ship as her future husband. Assuming that the family of Robert1 HARRIS all traveled together, that was about 1727, when Samuel1 was about 12 years of age. Samuel eventually moved to Georgia, and lived to age 115 or 120. Samuel1 and Martha were married 87 years, and died on the same day, according to the account below.
Samuel1 HARRIS and family
BURIED IN GEORGIA.
Samuel of these brothers, the subject of this sketch, had a remarkable life, which should be known to all his descendants, and which will be of interest to all Georgians. Here he made his last home - and was buried there after an eventful life of some 115 to 120 years, together with three of his children and his wife - the latter dying on the same day with her husband and buried in the same grave at the old Bethany Church near Union Point.
The exact dates of birth of Samuel Harris and Martha Laird, his wife, are unknown, but we do know they had been married for 87 years, and fittingly left this world together.
MECKLENBURG SHERIFF.
They had eight sons and three daughters who lived to maturity, and ten of whom left families. Of these sons, Thomas was the first sheriff of Mecklenburg, before the Revolutionary war, and died in Georgia. Robert and James were members of the Mecklenburg convention, which threw down the guantlet to Great Britain on May 20, 1775 - over a year previous to the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia, July 4, 1776.
All the eight sons bore arms in the Revolutionary war, as also did the husbands of the three daughters. One of the sons-in-law, Thomas Harris McCaule, founded the Winnsboro, (S. C.) college for girls.
Prior to the Revolution, Samuel and his son, Samuel, Jr., served in the Indian wars, and other Harrises of the names of his other sons - though we are unable to determine whether they may not have been cousins, of the same Christian names.
Martha Laird, her sister, Mary, and possibly others of her family came on the same ship with Samuel Harris, and they were married after reaching Pennsylvania. The first land purchased by Samuel Harris of which record has been found was in January 1737. His son James, was born 1739; Samuel, Jr. 1742. Samuel, Sr., and his wife, were alive in 1823, as shown by a letter written by the celebrated surgeon of Mecklenburg during the Revolutionary war, Dr. Charles Harris, dated June 5, 1823, and addressed to his cousin, Robert W. Harris, Jr., of Spanish Town, Jamaica, a son of Colonel Robert Harris, Sr., in which he states: "Old Uncle Samuel is still alive, and I believe suffers in no respect materially but what may be expected to be incidental to the infirmities of old age." [MHS1, pp. 183-4]
Samuel1 and Martha had 8 sons and 3 daughters. I have the names of 7 sons and 1 of the daughters. All 8 sons lived to sufficient age to enlist in the revolutionary army. One of the daughters married Thomas Harris MCCAULE. Perhaps the 8th son is my 5g-grandfather, Joseph HARRIS.
"Samuel Harris moved with his sons Thomas, William and Mathew, and daughter Martha (married William Wylie) to Green County, Ga. where he died in 1789, as per will of probation same year." [MHS, p. 189]
The LAIRD family
Dr. Laird's "grandfather, John Laird1," was the only son of Albert Laird1,* of County Donegal, Ireland, who married, in the fall of 1698, the daughter of a British lieut. in the navy, who had resigned his position, married a Scotch lady immigrant and settled in County Donegal, Ireland, and there owned in perpetuity a farm of 90 acres, which is still in the Laird name. John Laird1 (b. May 26, 1700) married Martha Russell in Ireland and emigrated with her to America about 1742 or 1743** and settled in Strabane Township, York (now Adams) County, Pa., in the manor of Maske. There he reared a family of six children:—Albert2, Robert (who was a captain in the Second Battalion of the Flying Camp), John2, William2, Mary, and Martha. The father, John Laird1, died May 26, 1766, and was buried at the Lower Marsh Creek church. He was a Presbyterian elder. William2, his youngest son, who was also an older, inherited his father's farm in Adams Co., married Jane McClure, of Hanover Township, Lancaster (now Dauphin) County, and became the father of three children:—John3, Prancis2, and Jane1.***
* Albert died in Ireland in 1765.
** So says Dr. T. C. Others say 1760.
*** The following items are taken from Reid's History of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Vol. III, pp. 308, 309. Rev. Francis Laird1 was ordained minister of Donaughmore near Raphoe, in 1709. His son. Rev. Wm. Laird1, was pastor of Ray in 1747, when, to his own and his congregation's regret, he was removed by an act of Synod to Rosemary St. Church, Belfast. He was much beloved and sought for. He married a daughter of Rev. David Fairly, minister of Convoy. It is probable that John Laird1 was of this family of Lairds.
[RS, p. 267]
Graves in Rock Springs Burying Grounds, Mint Hill, Mecklenburg, NC
MAJ. JAMES HARRIS, born Dec. 25, 1772; died Sept. 7, 1811.
SAMUEL L. HARRIS; born 1767; died 1798. [Son of Samuel, who was son of Samuel1 - the stone says d. 17 Aug 1798, age 31, so b. bet. 18 Aug 1766 and 17 Aug 1767.]
SAMUEL HARRIS, died 1825, aged 83 years. [Son of Samuel1 - stone says d. 30 May 1825, age 83, so b. bet. 31 May 1741 and 30 May 1742.]
MARGARET HARRIS, died 1782, aged 58 years. [stone says d. 12 Apr 1782, age 58, so b. bet. 13 Apr 1723 and 12 Apr 1724.]
JANE HARRIS, died 1797, aged 42. [Wife of Samuel, who was son of Samuel1.]
Descendants of Robert1 HARRIS and Dorothy WILEY
2. Robert1 HARRIS, b. 1660 Ireland, im. 1727, d. 1727 within sight of land
+ Dorothy WILEY, b. 1673, m. 1694 in Ireland, b. 1673 Ireland (marriage record)
3. Thomas1 HARRIS, b. 1695, im. about 1726, d. 4 Dec 1801 in PA, “Of the Family who founded Harrisburg” Captain, resided on Conewago creek [NQ]
+ Mary McKINNEY, im. 1726, m. about 1730, d. 19 Nov 1770 in Churchville, MD
4. Robert7 HARRIS, b. 1 Jan 1731, d. 10 Jan 1715, eldest, graduated Princeton in 1753, prominent physician and business man of Philadelphia
+ Hannah GIBBS, d. bet. 1794-1800, daughter of Richard GIBBS, Middlesex, N. J. [MHS, p. 188]
+ Isabella HARRIS, b. 1750, cousin, dau of William1
4. John5 HARRIS, b. 12 Jan 1733, d. young
4. Matthew1 HARRIS, moved to NS in 1769, b. 12 Jan 1735, d. 9 Dec 1829 or 1819 in Pictou, Nova Scotia [NQ]
+ Sutia Suit STUART, b. 1737, m. 21 Sep 1758, d. 2 Oct 1813, moved from PA to MD 1764-7, then to NS 1769
4. Margaret4 HARRIS, d. young
4. Margaret5 HARRIS, b. 11 Jan 1737 in Lancaster, PA, d. 15 Apr 1815 in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny, PA
+ George STEUART, b. 10 Nov 1736, m. 1758, d. 13 Aug 1787 in Cumberland, PA
4. John6 HARRIS, b. 16 Jul 1739, d. 9 Apr 1802, grad Princeton 1762, M. D. of Nova Scotia
+ Elizabeth SCOTT, m. bef. 1767, d. Jul 1815, moved to Nova Scotia a year after marriage
4. Catharine1 HARRIS, b. 2 Mar 1742, d. 3 Feb 1815, moved to MD ca. 1760 with parents
+ Dr. John ARCHER, b. 5 May 1741 in MD, m. 16 Oct 1766 in MD, d. 28 Sep 1810
4. Dorothy1 Dolly HARRIS, b. 2 Apr 1745, d. 28 Jun 1747
4. Mary2 HARRIS, b. 25 Oct 1748, d. 1845 in Butler, PA
+ John LYON, m. 1778, d. 1820 in Butler, PA [WHE, p. 388]
+ Agnes
3. John1 HARRIS, b. 1697 in Donegal, Ireland
+ Grizzel STEELE
4. Margaret2 HARRIS (res. Gilligordon, Donegal, Ireland
+ Andrew BUCHANAN
4. Jane1 HARRIS, b. Feb 1724, m. 1753?, d. 11 Jan 1807
+ John2 HARRIS, Esq. d. 1794, (founder of Mifflintown, PA)
4. Robert4 HARRIS (died without issue)
4. James4 HARRIS, d. 1794 in Carolina [MD] or 7 Sep 1811 [EFBG, p. 21]
+ Elizabeth3 HARRIS (cousin)
+ Rebecca McBAY, m. 1720
4. William4 HARRIS, res. Bulltown, SC
+ Margaret WILSON
4. Elizabeth1 HARRIS
+ James CALDWELL?
4. Thomas2 HARRIS (married in SC)
4. John3 HARRIS (res. Mayville, Blount, TN)
3. William1 HARRIS, b. abt. 1699 in Donegal, Ireland, res. Cecil, MD
+ Elizabeth GLEN (see marriage record)
4. Robert6 HARRIS
4. James5 HARRIS d, 1777, merchant in Lower Cross Roads 1766-8, partner in the firm “Archer and Harris” and had stores in Baltimore and Georgetown on the Potomac
4. George1 HARRIS
4. Elizabeth2 HARRIS
4. William5 HARRIS
4. John4 HARRIS
4. Jane2 HARRIS
4. Susan1 HARRIS
4. Margaret3 HARRIS
+ James FULTON
4. Sarah1 HARRIS
4. Dorothea Dolly1 HARRIS, d. near Mifflin, PA, will 9 Mar 1810, prob. 13 Mar 1810 at Lewistown, no children
+ Samuel TURBETT, will made 13 Jun 1796, proved 11 Jul 1796, res. Lancaster Co, but had an estate
in Tuscarosa Valley, was Auditor of Lancaster Co in 1792
4. Thomas3 HARRIS
4. Isabella1 HARRIS
+ Robert7 HARRIS, son of Thomas1
3. James2 HARRIS, b. 1701 in Ireland (see mar. record), d. bet. 14 Oct 1778 (will signed) and 28 Apr 1780 (funds paid)
+ Mary McILHENNY, b. 1709 in PA, m. 1730 in PA (see marriage record)
4. Robert6 HARRIS, b. 4 Oct 1731 in PA, d. 19 Jan 1795, bur. Iredell, NC
+ Margaret HARPER, b. 1737, m. 19 Oct 1757 in Mecklenburg, NC
4. Samuel2 HARRIS, b. 1735 in PA, d. 5 Oct 1796 in Statesville, Iredell, NC
+ Rebecca MORRISSON, b. abt. 1737 in NC, m. 8 Aug 1758, d. 11 Aug 1776 in Iredell, NC
+ Mary DIXON, b. abt. 1748 in Statesville, Iredell, NC, m. 8 Apr 1786, d. 7 Sep 1833 in Statesville, Iredell, NC
4. Jennett (Janet) HARRIS, b. abt 1736 in PA and her son, Baptiste, d. aft 1788
4. John HARRIS, b. abt 1744 in PA
4. James HARRIS: b. abt 1740 in PA (see The Empire Builders by Clarence A. Harris)
+ Martha1 HARRIS, b. 1742, d. 30 May 1825 [MHS2, p. 188]
4. Elizabeth HARRIS, b. abt 1742 in PA, d. aft 1788
+ George ROSS
4. William HARRIS, b. abt 1744 in PA, d. aft 1788
4. Mary HARRIS, b. abt 1746 in PA, d. aft 1788
4. Thomas HARRIS, b. bet. 27 Jul 1747, 26 Jul 1748, d. 26 Jul 1776, NC
+ Rachel WALLACE, d. aft Feb 1795
3. Margaret1 HARRIS, b. abt. 1703 in Donegal, Ireland
+ Alexander POER or POOR, d. 1739, res. Paxtang, PA [NQ], p 550
4. Jane Janet POER
+ John2 HARRIS
4. Dorothy POER
4. William POER
4. Samuel POER
3. Charles2 HARRIS, b. abt. 1707 in Donegal, Ireland, will dated 3 May 1776
+ Jane McILHENNY or McILLHENNY, m. 1736 in PA (from marriage record)
4. Martha HARRIS, b. 17 Jun 1768, d. 2 Aug 1797, bur. Spears Cem.
+ Samuel HARRIS (cousin)
4. Robert HARRIS (the signer), b. abt. 1741 [JA]
+ Mary WILSON
+ Mary DAVIDSON BREVARD
4. Thomas HARRIS
4. Margaret HARRIS
+ George ALEXANDER (Colonel)
4. Jane HARRIS
+ Thomas REESE (Rev.)
4. James HARRIS
+ Elizabeth THOMSON BAKER
4. Samuel HARRIS, d. 1798 (graduate of PRINCETON in 1787)
4. Charles HARRIS (famous doctor), b. 23 Nov 1762, d. 21 Sep 1823
3. Robert2 HARRIS, b. 1714 in Donegal, Ireland, will dated 25 Jan 1798 [6] (Colonel, of Reedy Creek), d. 1798
+ Frances Fanny CUNNINGHAM, m. 1740 (SAR)
4. Robert8 W. HARRIS "Jamaica Bob" left US about 1800, res. Spanish Town, Jamaica in 1823
+ Martha HARRIS b: 1740 in Lancaster, PA, d: 25 Jan 1818 in NC, 1st cousin, dau of Charles2
4. William6 HARRIS, d. bef. 1798, since he is not in his father's will
4. Elizabeth3 HARRIS, b. 1767, d. 1825 (SAR)
+ James4 HARRIS (cousin), m. 1787 (SAR), d. 1794 in Carolina
+ Adam SNIDER
4. Martha1 HARRIS, b. 1742, d. 30 May 1825
+ James HARRIS (cousin), b. 1740 in PA, son of James2 [MHS2, p. 188]
4. Margaret6 HARRIS, b. 1 Jun 1744, d. 12 Apr 1782
+ Samuel HARRIS (cousin) son of Samuel1
+ Ann1 HARRIS CALDWELL
3. Samuel1 HARRIS, b. 1715 in Donegal, Ireland, will 10 Mar 1789, Greene, GA, d. 1789 in Greene, GA [MHS, p. 189]
+ Martha LAIRD
4. James HARRIS, b. 1739, d. 27 Sep 1797 (Colonel, state senator, signer)
+ Martha HARRIS (cousin)
4. Thomas HARRIS (Sheriff) [moved to Greene Co with father, settled on N branch of Ogeechee River - Ezell]
4. Samuel HARRIS (soldier of the revolution), b. bet. 31 May 1741, 30 May 1742, d. 30 May 1825, bur. In NC
+ Jane, b. 1755, d. 1797, bur. in NC
+ Margaret6 HARRIS, b. 1 Jun 1744, d. 12 Apr 1782 [MHS2, p. 188]
4. Robert HARRIS (from Samuel1 will)
4. John HARRIS (from Samuel1 will)
4. Matthew HARRIS b. abt. 1745, d. 1845 in Tallapoosa County, AL [MHS, p. 189]
4. William HARRIS (from Caldwell Family bio)
+ Isabelle CALDWELL
4. Martha HARRIS [MHS, p. 189]
+ William WYLIE
Sources:
Georgia
[CF] Greene County GA Archives – Biographies - Caldwell Family
[DAR] DAR records for Greene County, GA
HARRIS
[AJMW] A record of the descendants of Isaac Ross and Jean Brown and allied families (1911) by Annie Julia Mims Wright (Chapter XII on pp. 200-16 covers the Harris families. It refers to Robert1 as Samuel, and treats the family of Robert3 separately.)
[CC] Summary of Joseph Harris's penison application, by Cheryl Chasin [broken link]
[CVL] Harris History/A History of American descendants of Edward Harris and his wife Flora Douglas of Scotland/1650c - 1984, 2 volumes, 2nd edition (1984) by Calista V. Leonard
[CWH] Charles Wilson Harris of NCPEDIA
[DRH] Descendants of Robert Harris Sr. (1702-1788) - eBook (24 Oct 2019 Release) by Dr. Grier Harris and Minnie Ellen Harris, available at [HD]
[EHB] James Patterson of Conestoga Manor and his descendants, by Edmund Hayes Bell, 1925
[GWM] General William McAlevy - Revolutionary War Soldier and Pioneer of Huntingdon County, PA
[HD] Harris Depot, a group on Facebook
[HG3] Harris DNA Project, Group 3
[HL] The Harris Letters (1916) by S. M. Wagstaff (letters of Charles Wilson Harris)
[HSP] Harris Surname DNA Project has many useful links!
[JC] Josiah Carter, 1745-1822: His forebears, descendants, and allied families (1989) by Randolph A. Malone
[JH] JOSEPH HARRIS FAMILY
[KB] A genealogy of McGee Harris, Latter Day Saint pioneer, by Kenneth Bullock, 1962
[MHS] Ancestors and descendants of Robert Harris, Sr. 1702-1788, compiled by Mary Harris Stratton, printed by Brooks Litho, 1967 (This book does not seem to be available in hardcopy. I got an electronic copy from the archives at [HD])
[MHS1] Genealogy of the Harris Family of Mecklenburg, by Isaac L. Harris, in [MHS, pp. 182-4]
[MHS2] Record of Three Robert Harrises of the Early Period, by Rev. J. M. Harris, in [MHS, pp. 186-8]
[MHS3] Data Given by James Harris, of Rocky River, now Albemarle, NC, in [MHS, pp. 197-8]
[NA] Nathaniel Alexander, Governor of North Carolina, husband of Jane Wilson Harris
[P] Joseph HARRIS's pension application, 3 Sep 1832
[RNH] Ancestral Report for Harris, Robert Newton by Grier Harris and Minnie Ellen Harris, a work in progress.
[RS] Colonel George Stewart and his wife Margaret Harris; their ancestors and descendants with appendixes of related families, a genealogical history, by Robert Stewart, 1907
[SAR] SAR Record for Robert2 Harris
[WM] William McAlvey, Pioneer Settler, in the Daily News (Huntingdon, PA) 19 Jan 1952
Maryland
[CMA] An illustrated atlas of Cecil County, Maryland, 1877
[CMM] Martenet's Map of Cecil County, Maryland, 1858
North Carolina
[CH] Sketches of western North Carolina, historical and biographical : illustrating principally the Revolutionary period of Mecklenburg, Rowan, Lincoln, and adjoining counties..., by C.L. Hunter, 1877
[CPQS] Cabarrus County, North Carolina court minutes (Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions), 1793-1797
[DH] MIGRATION OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH FROM ULSTER TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, on Digital Heritage.org
[DNA] COL. ROBERT HARRIS of Rocky River, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, from the Harris Y-DNA Project
[DT] History of Mecklenburg County and the city of Charlotte : from 1740 to 1903, vol 1 and vol 2, by D.A. Tompkins, 1903
[EFBG] Early family burial grounds of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina : 1763, late 1800
[GG] The Mecklenburg declaration of independence, May 20, 1775, and lives of its signers, by George Washington Graham, 1905
[JA] The history of Mecklenburg County from 1740 to 1900, by J.B. Alexander, 1902
[JBM] A Historical Sketch of Rocky River Church, by Joseph Bingham Mack, 1913
[JIM] Authentic History of Lancaster County, in the State of Pennsylvania, 1869, by J. I. Mombert
[JM] A Historical Sketch of Rocky River Church, by J.B. Mack, 1913
[JW1] Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, compiled from original records, official documents and traditional statements ; with biographical sketches of her distinguished statemen, jurists, lawyers, soldiers, divines, etc., by John H. Wheeler, 1851, Vol 1 and Vol 2
[JW2] Reminiscences and memoirs of North Carolina and eminent North Carolinians, by John H. Wheeler, 1884
[MC] 1789 Map of Mecklenburg County, NC
[NC] North Carolina Maps
[NCGC] Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
[PT] Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church Cemetery
[RP] Charlotte and the American Revolution, by Richard Plumer, 2014
[RR] They Lived Along a Rocky River
[UNC] Harris Family Papers at UNC Libraries
[WF] Sketches of North Carolina, Historical and Biographical, Illustrative of the Principles of a Portion of Her Early Settlers, by William Henry Foote, 1846
[WSR] The Mecklenburg signers and their neighbors, by Worth S. Ray, 1946
Pennsylvania
[DC] Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania : containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers, by J.M. Runk & Company, 1896
[DPC] Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, Dauphin, PA, Cemetery Records
[DR] History of Lancaster County, by Daniel Rupp, 1844
[FE] History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, by Franklin Ellis, 1883
[GMC] Genealogical Map of Counties in Pennsylvania
[JBL] History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania (1883) by John Blair Linn
[LC] Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society, Volume I, 1897, pp 320-1
[LCM] Map of Lancaster County, PA, 1851 and 1821
[MW] MELISH-WHITESIDE MAPS, 1816-1821
[V] DONATION LAND REGISTER: LISTING OF VETERANS ENTITLED TO LAND, [ca.1794]. {series #17.174}
[WHE] Pennsylvania genealogies; chiefly Scotch-Irish and German (1896) by William Henry Egle
[WTM] Warrantee Township Maps for Pennsylvania
Scotland
[BH] Bogrie Hill, Dumfries and Galloway, map
[BM] 1747 map showing Bogry (Bogrie), Dumfriesshire
[CDB] Bogrie map in the Canmore Database
[CMS] County Maps of Scotland 1580s-1940s
[NLS] Map Images from the National Library of Scotland
[OTH] Old Terregles House
[RE] An introduction to the history of Dumfries (1915) by Robert Edgar
[TSN] The Scottish Nation/Herries
General
[CSS] Colonial Soldiers of the South, 1732-1774 (requires Ancestry.com license)
[VBT] Visions of Britain through Time, many detailed old maps of the British Isles
[Y] Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
This page was last updated by William Haloupek on 9 Mar 2022. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.