Harris, Joseph
Joseph HARRIS (1749 - 1839) and Elizabeth CRIBB (1775 - 1851)
my 5g-grandparents
My 4g-grandmother Sarah HARRIS's parents were Joseph HARRIS and his 2nd wife, Elizabeth CRIBB. See the Salathiel ADAMS page for more information about Sarah HARRIS.
Joseph HARRIS was born 1749 in PA, and died 10 Jun 1839, in Jackson County, GA, at age 90. He married (1) Jean or Jane, probably about 1785, and they had 3 children, in Mecklenburg County, NC. Jean died or left between 1790 and 1794. Joseph married (2) Elizabeth CRIBB in Aug 1794 in Greene County, GA. Elizabeth was born about 1775 in NC, and died 1851 in Jackson County, GA. Joseph and Elizabeth had 6 children in Greene or Jackson County, GA.
At age 27 in 1776, Joseph lived in Mecklenburg County, NC, on the headwaters of the Rocky River, and was undoubtedly related to the "Rocky River Harrises" who had migrated from Lancaster County, PA. Joseph may have had a brother named Edward. See the HARRIS page.
Joseph served in the American Revolutionary War, and most of what we know about him comes from pension applications and related papers. After the Revolution, he lived in NC, probably Mecklenburg County, and had a wife Jean, and 3 children, born 1786 to 1790. By 1794 he removed to GA, and married Elizabeth CRIBB in Aug 1794, Greene County, GA. They settled, presumably with his children from his 1st marriage, in Jackson County, GA, which was formed in 1796 from Franklin County. There they had 6 more children,
Elizabeth CRIBB was born about 1775 in NC, according to the 1850 US Census (near the bottom of this page), and died about 1851 in Jackson County, GA, age 76. She was about 19 and Joseph was about 45 when they were married. Some researchers claim, without evidence, that Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas Skinner CRIBB or CRIBBS and Agnes DUNLAP. There were some CRIBBS families living near the HARRISes in Jackson County, probably related somehow.
The sections below will provide evidence for the claims made in this summary, and further explore the descendants of Joseph HARRIS. There is a large amount of circumstantial evidence, which has been difficult to assimilate, so I have largely abandoned my usual chronological format.
Many records referred to on this page can be found on [CB]. Thanks to the COUCH Twins!
Pension and Military Records
Letter from the War Department, regarding Joseph HARRIS and family.
The letter above is part of a response to a query to the War Department, from a descendant of Joseph HARRIS. I have heard that the query asked for information about both Joseph and Edward HARRIS. So Edward was probably related, maybe a brother. Another page gives more information.
There was another Walton HARRIS, a prominent attorney who appeared in court records as early as 1799, in Jackson County, GA. Since Walton is a fairly unusual name, I suspect he was related to Joseph. Possibly a brother. Joseph's son, Walton HARRIS, may have named after him.
A page from Joseph HARRIS' Revolutionary War Record.
Joseph says in his pension application 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 Co., N. C." These two facts seem to assure that he was related to the "Rocky River Harrises," descendants of Edward HARRIS and Flora DOUGLAS. The exact relationship is unclear, and I have made an effort to fill in the descendants of Edward and Flora, at least up to 1749, to see where Joseph might fit in. See the HARRIS page for this.
Joseph filed for his pension in 1832, but did not have possession of the family Bible, with information about his children's birth dates. In 1851 his widow, Elizabeth, produced the two pages from the family Bible, to support her claim to the pension. The reply to the query from 1919 has information from both sources. This transcription has more information. It seems that both Joseph and Elizabeth were illiterate, as they signed with marks.
Joseph HARRIS's military record states that his daughter Elizabeth Jr was born 16 Dec 1812, not 1818. Other records support 1812.
In his pension application of 3 Sep 1832, from Jackson County, Georgia, Joseph HARRIS claims to have entered service in the latter part of 1776, serving under Col. Thomas POLK, Lt. Col. Adam ALEXANDER, and Captain Moses SHELBY. Another brief mentions a Major WHITE and General Griffith RUTHERFORD. He was absent several times, presumably to tend his farm, and he served 3 stints of 1 month and 3 weeks, 3 months, and 3 months.
The US Pension Roll for 1835 has a Joseph HARRIS listed in Jackson County, Georgia. He is listed as a Private, who served in the North Carolina Militia. His pension started 4 Mar 1831, at which time he was 83, so he was born between 3 Mar 1747 and 4 Mar 1748. He had been enrolled since 13 Mar 1833, and had received $46.66, at the rate of $23.33 per year.
In an application for her husband's pension benefits, made on 17 Nov 1851, Elizabeth claimed that she and Joseph were married in August 1794, and that his first child, Thomas HARRIS, was born on 31 Aug 1796. She also said that her husband, Joseph HARRIS, had died on 10 Jun 1839, in Jackson County, GA. Elizabeth made "her mark" on the document, which tells us that she was illiterate. Her date of death is not known, but it must be after 17 Nov 1851.
The Rocky River Harrises
Joseph HARRIS was born about 1749 in PA. When he enlisted in 1776, he lived in Mecklenburg County, NC, on the headwaters of the Rocky River, which would be in the NE corner of the county, near the border with Cabarrus County. It must be more than a coincidence that there was an extended family named HARRIS in this area. This extended family is well-researched, thanks partly to a manuscript written about 1800, called the Mifflintown Document. [MD]
I will use the numbering system from [MD]. It would be impossible to make sense of this family without some kind of system! More information can be found on the HARRIS page. Below is a brief summary.
Robert1 HARRIS (1660-1773) and Dorothy WILEY (1673-?) were Scots-Irish, born in Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland. They had 7 sons and 1 daughter: John1, William1, James2, Margaret1, Thomas1, Samuel1, Robert2, and Charles2. 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, within sight of land. It's not clear whether Dorothy made the journey, or died in Ireland.
In the 1750s, the 5 brothers John1, James2, Samuel1, Robert2, and Charles2 left PA. They first went to Cecil County, MD, where William1 remained. The other 4 went to the Rocky River in Cabarrus County, NC, where they became known as the "Rocky River Harrises". None of them had known sons or grandsons named Joseph.
An enduring mystery, researched by many, is how Joseph HARRIS might be related to this HARRIS family.
Land Records in Mecklenburg County, NC
Several real estate records from this Mecklenburg County, NC, starting in 1770, mention a Joseph HARRIS. Thanks to Carol COUCH 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 ÂŁ60 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 ÂŁ300, 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.
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 ÂŁ5, 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).
Rocky River and tributaries, showing parts of Mecklenburg (left), Union and Cabarrus Counties. Naming of creeks was somewhat informal and transient, and different maps often disagree. Part of Crooked Creek was often called Richardson Creek.
In 1790 Joseph was still in NC, probably Mecklenburg County, with his first wife and children. We can only guess whether the wife and all 3 children were living at the time the census was taken. The 1st US Census, taken in 1790, listed 17 HARRIS households in Mecklenburg County, and none of them had Joseph as head-of-household.
Counties in GA
European settlement of Georgia grew gradually, from east to west, as in most American colonies. The Atlantic coast in the southeast part of Georgia was settled in the 1730s. After the revolution, westward expansion brought settlers from South Carolina, across the Savannah River, into northeast Georgia.
1817 map showing Jackson County, GA on the outskirts of Western civilization. The river labelled Chuta is the Chattahoochee. In the upper right is the Savannah River, and on the other side is SC.
Jackson County, GA was formed from Franklin County in 1796, in northeastern Georgia, an area first settled by whites in 1786, and already had a population of 7,736 in 1800. Jackson County was then much larger, and in 1811 part of Jackson County was used in the creation of Madison County, in 1818 in the creation of Walton, Gwinnett, and Hall counties, in 1858 in the creation of Banks County, and in 1914 in the creation of Barrow County. Then DeKalb County was created in 1822 from Henry, Gwinnett and Fayette counties. So the move from Jackson County in 1820 to DeKalb County in 1830 might be more a matter of renaming than of moving any great distance.
Jackson County, GA and surrounding counties, 1834
1894 map showing part of Beaverdam Township, in the NW corner of Oglethorpe County.
I have not found Hardeman's Creek. The 1894 map, above, shows "Kellum or Hardman Br" forming part of the boundary between Oglethorpe and Madison Counties. It flows out of Madison County, which was part of Jackson County until 1811. The newspaper article above refers to Joseph HARRIS' property, on Hardeman's Creek, in Jackson County, 1853.
Tax records (mentioned below) from 1798, 1801 and 1809 show that Joseph HARRIS owned land on Sandy Creek, Jackson County. Sandy Creek, a.k.a. Big Sandy Creek, later formed part of the boundary between Jackson and Madison Counties. (Present day maps seem to have Little Sandy Creek as the boundary, while Sandy Creek is within Jackson County.)
The boundaries of Jackson County were adjusted many times. See [EHJ, Section I, Chapter I].
Tax and Census Records in Jackson County, GA
Joseph removed to GA by 1794, and settled in Jackson County. The 1800 and 1810 US Census records for Georgia have been lost, so we seek other sources of information for the period before 1820.
In Jackson County, GA tax records, Joseph HARRIS was a landowner in 1798, with 143 acres on Sandy Creek, Captain Nicholas Tuttle's Company District. This record was repeated in 1801, and in 1809 Joseph had 334 Âľ acres.
In 1798 there was also a William CRIBBS with 143 Âľ acres on Sandy Creek, and 95 acres on Beaverdam Creek. In 1801 he still had the property on Sandy Creek. Surely this William was related to Elizabeth (CRIBB) HARRIS.
In the 1820 US Census for Jackson County, GA, Milly ADAMS, Salathiel ADAMS, Joseph HARRIS and Henry MADCALF appear consecutively, so they probably lived near each other. None of them owned any slaves.
There were 4 HARRIS households in Jackson County, 1820. I am tempted to say they are Joseph and 3 of his sons. However, the ages don't match up for 2 of them. Jos B HARRIS could be Joseph's son Joseph Jr, but he would be almost 18, and this Joseph is at least 26. Jesse HARRIS would be just 8 days before his 34th birthday, and the census has him in the 26-44 category, so this is probably him. He has a wife 16-25, and 2 daughters and one son, all under 10. Thomas would be almost 24, but Thomas in the census is at least 45. Joseph and Elizabeth's youngest daughter, Elizabeth Jr, b. 1812 (or 1818), does not appear. I think she has mistakenly been put in the age 10-15 category, along with Nancy, b. 1807.
In the 1830 US Census, Joseph HARRIS and family were listed next to his son Walton HARRIS with his wife and young son, and Lavina "Vina" HARRIS, widow of Joseph's son Jesse HARRIS.
In 1830, Joseph is 80 or 81 and Elizabeth is 54 or 55. Maybe the census taker was just guessing. They had one female, 15-19, and one male slave, 36-54. Vina would be Lavinia (ADAMS) HARRIS, wife of Joseph and Elizabeth's son Jesse HARRIS, who died in 1829, leaving her with many children. Walton was another son of Joseph and Elizabeth, who would be 24 or 25. He has a young wife and one son under 5.
I have not found Elizabeth (CRIBB) HARRIS in the 1840 US Census. In 1850 she was living with her youngest daughter, Elizabeth (HARRIS) REIDLING. See the section at the bottom of this page.
Joseph's Will and Estate
Joseph's will indicates that he owned land, horses and cattle, and one slave, "my negro man Tom." It mentions Joseph's wife Elizabeth and son Walton HARRIS, but no others.
At the time of his death, Joseph HARRIS lived next to his son, Walton HARRIS, on Hardeman's Creek, Jackson County, GA.
Southern Banner (Athens, GA) 18 Aug 1853
Southern Banner (Athens, GA) 2 Sep 1852
Other HARRISes in Jackson County, GA
The parents and siblings of Joseph HARRIS are not know, and this has been studied by several researchers. It is possible that he went to Jackson County because some of his extended family was there.
As mentioned above, there were 4 HARRIS households in the 1820 US Census for Jackson County, and only 2 of them can be accounted for in Joseph's immediate family. The households of Jos B HARRIS and Thomas HARRIS may be related to Joseph. However, they don't seem to appear after 1820.
One of the early settlers in Yamacutah, Jackson County was John HARRIS, a veteran of the American Revolution. In [EHJ] we find several stories about him, but not much about his family. Possibly the father or brother of Joseph?
YAMACUTAH.
First Settlers at Tumbling Shoals and Related Incidents.
On the 20th day of the following June [1784] Clark and Bankston returned to Yamacutah and began the first permanent settlement of white people within the present limits of Jackson County. They were accompanied by John Harris, a nephew of Nancy Hart, of revolutionary fame, and who became extensively known as Black Harris. He was a skillful workman in both wood and iron, and of almost unlimited resources in strategy and cunning.
A small cabin, which at once became dwelling-house and workshop, was soon completed. Here such articles were made as seemed necessary to their simple wants. I now have a cupboard which was made by John Harris in that shop in 1785. It was made of boards split from a huge pine tree that grew upon an ash heap near the eastern altar. Though one hundred and twenty-one years old, it is still solid in all its points, and no modern mechanic can excel the workmanship.
[EHJ, p. 191]
Descendants of Joseph HARRIS
1 Joseph HARRIS b: 09 Oct 1749 in Somerset, PA, d: 10 Jun 1839 in Jackson, GA
+ Jean d: bet. 1790–1794
......2 Jesse HARRIS b: 15 Aug 1786 in Mecklenburg, NC, d: 29 Mar 1829 in Jackson, GA
...... + Lavinia "Viney" ADAMS b: 18 May 1795 in Anson Co., NC, m: 09 Dec 1811 in Jackson, GA, d: Aft. 1860
......2 Topy HARRIS b: 09 Aug 1788 in NC
......2 Mary HARRIS b: 22 May 1790 in Mecklenburg, NC, d: 21 Aug 1855 in Murray, GA
...... + William COUCH b: 1790 in SC, m: 05 Jul 1807 in Spartanburg, SC, d: 16 Jun 1883 in Coosawatee, GA
+ Elizabeth CRIBB b: 1775 in NC, m: Aug 1794 in Greene, GA, d: 1851 in Jackson, GA
......2 Thomas HARRIS b: 31 Aug 1796 in Greene, GA
......2 Sarah HARRIS b: 27 Sep 1800 in Greene or Jackson, GA, d: 13 Sep 1895 in DeKalb, GA
...... + Salathiel ADAMS b: 17 Aug 1799 in Anson, NC, m: 1815 in Jackson, GA, d: 09 Jul 1862 in DeKalb, GA
......2 Joseph HARRIS Jr b: 18 Dec 1802 in Jackson, GA, d: 1830 in Jackson, GA
...... + Nancy MEDCALF b: 25 Oct 1803 in Fayetteville, Anson, NC, m: 01 Mar 1823 in Jackson, GA, d: 02 Feb 1874 in Piedmont, Wayne, MO
......2 Walton William HARRIS b: 14 May 1805 in Jackson, GA, d: 06 Mar 1897 in Clarke, Jackson, GA
...... + Clarissa WHITE b: 19 Jun 1811 in Clarke, GA, m: 11 Oct 1845 in Franklin, GA, d: 21 Feb 1892 in Jackson, GA
......2 Nancy Ann HARRIS b: 18 Nov 1807 in Jackson, GA
......2 Elizabeth HARRIS b: 16 Dec 1812 in Bainbridge, Decatur, GA, d: 1870 in Ephesus, Heard, GA
...... + Daniel REIDLING b: 1811 in Cabarrus, NC, m: 26 Jan 1832 in Jackson, GA, d: Aft. 1860
1. Jesse HARRIS was born 15 Aug 1786, in Mecklenburg County, NC. His parents were Joseph HARRIS and his first wife, Jean.
Jesse HARRIS married Lavinia ADAMS on 9 Dec 1811, in Jackson County, GA. Lavinia was the sister of Salathiel ADAMS, who married Sarah HARRIS, Jesse's half-sister. So an ADAMS brother and sister married a HARRIS half-sister and half-brother. See the ADAMS page for more information.
Jesse and Lavinia appear in Jackson County, GA, with 4 children in the 1820 US Census (above). The household has 1 male 26-44, which must be Jesse, as the census was taken 8 days before his 44th birthday. There was 1 female 16-25, who is Lavinia. They have 2 boys and 2 girls under 10.
Jesse HARRIS lost part of his ear in 1815
Jackson Co., GA Deed Book F, p 176, 6-6-1815: "Personally appeared before me George D. Lister and John Medcalf, and being duly sworn saith that on the 20th day of May last (1815) that in a contest between Jesse Harris and Robert Fullerton that said Fullerton bit off part of the left ear. David Castleberry, J.P. Recorded 9-20-1815 Edward Adams, Clerk"
Jesse HARRIS' will was dated 22 Mar 1829, and probated 4 May 1829, so he died between those dates, at age 42. He mentioned his 8 surviving children, but didn't name them.
The 1830 US Census (above) has Vina HARRIS as head-of-household, with 8 children at home, in Subdivision 45, Jackson County, GA. In 1850 she was still in Jackson County, owner of a small farm, living with her son, Jesse M. HARRIS Jr. The 1860 US Census has her still living with her son Jesse, who had a new wife, and 2 small children. The next family listed in 1860 is that of Walton HARRIS, Vina's brother-in-law, who was a prosperous farmer.
2. Topy HARRIS was born 9 Aug 1788, probably in Mecklenburg, NC. The name Topy is unusual; it could be Toby, or something else. His or her parents were Joseph HARRIS and his first wife, Jean.
3. Mary HARRIS was born 22 May 1790, probably in Mecklenburg, NC. His parents were Joseph HARRIS and his first wife, Jean. She married William COUCH on 5 Jul 1807 in Spartanburg County, SC.
William COUCH was a Private in the War of 1812. As with Joseph HARRIS, most of what we know about William comes from his pension application and related papers.
William lived in Kingston, Bartow County, GA on 25 Sep 1871 when he applied for his pension. He was 81, thus born about 1790. In this document, William states that he enlisted in the South Carolina Militia, under Capt. Michael GAFNEY, in Union County, SC on 1 Oct 1814, and was honorably discharged 7 Mar 1815 in Charleston, SC. So he served just over 6 months, as a Private. He states that he married Mary HARRIS on 5 Jul 1807 in Spartanburg County, SC. This is about 80 miles SW of the part of Mecklenburg County, NC where Joseph HARRIS lived in 1776, and where Mary HARRIS was probably born.
His second wife applied for his pension in 1883. The application tells us that his 1st wife was Mary HARRIS, and his 2nd wife was Catherine TEASLEY. The application papers further state that William married Catherine on 8 Jun 1851, without having divorced Mary, who died 21 Aug 1855 in Murray County, GA. William died on 16 Jun 1883 in Murray County, GA, after which Elizabeth applied for his pension, and was denied.
Mary's childhood is a mystery. Did she and her brothers go with their father and his new wife to Jackson County, GA around 1794? Or did they stay with relatives in NC or SC?
Mary and William were both about 17 when married on 5 Jul 1807 in Spartanburg County, SC, They probably lived in SC at first, as William joined the SC Militia in Union County, SC in 1814. Census records seem to indicate that they were still in Spartanburg County in 1820 and 1830.
1820 United States Federal Census
Name: Wm Coutch
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Spartanburg, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 3
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: 1 [William (30)]
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1 [Mary (30)]
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 5
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 7
1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Wm Couch
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Spartanburg, South Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 [William (40)]
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 [Mary (40)]
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69: 1 [William's mother?]
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 4 [should be 5]
Total Free White Persons: 12
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 12
I have not found the family in the 1840 US Census.
In Apr 1855, William COUCH applied for bounty land in Habersham County, northeastern GA. He said he was 66, and if that's true, he was born between Apr 1788 and Apr 1789.
Thanks to the Couch Twins [CB] for the image.
1855 Application for Bounty Land, transcription:
State of Georgia
County of Habersham
On this ??th day of April A. D. One thousand Eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid William Couch aged Sixty Six years a resident of Habersham County in the State of Georgia who being duly sworn according to Law declare that he is the Identical William Couch who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Michael Gafney in the Regiment No not Recollected of South Carolina Volunteers commanded by Col Means in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812 for the term of six months and continued in actual service in said war for four months and twenty days, that he has heretofore made application for bounty land under the act of September 28th 1850 and Received a Land warrant No not Recollected for Eighty Acres (80) which he has since legally disposed of and cannot now Return He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved on the 3rd day of March 1855 He also declares that he has never applied for nor Received under this nor any other act of Congress any Bounty Land warrant Except the one above mentioned. William Couch
William COUCH appeared on a voter registration roll on 27 Jun and 11 Jul 1867, in Kingston, Bartow County, GA.
The 1870 US Census has William and Catherine in Kingston, Bartow County, the same place where they lived when William applied for his pension on 25 Sep 1871.
In 1880 William and Catherine are found in Murray County, the same place where William died on 16 Jun 1883. William was Retired in 1870, but in 1880 he was a Blacksmith. Both William and Catherine were marked as disabled. The transcriber at Ancestry has William's age as 80, but it looks more like 90.
4. Thomas HARRIS was born 31 Aug 1796, in Jackson County, GA. His parents were Joseph HARRIS and Elizabeth CRIBB. There were several Thomas HARRISes in GA of about the right age.
5. Sarah HARRIS was born 27 Sept 1800, in Jackson County, GA, and died 13 Sep 1895, in De Kalb County, GA. We can be sure about those dates because they are on the gravestone, in Chamblee, De Kalb, GA. The cemetery is an "Abandoned cemetery west of Murphy Candler Lake, SW corner of land lot 331."
Sarah HARRIS married Salathiel ADAMS. I don't know the date of the marriage, but their first child was Jesse Harris ADAMS, b. 12 Oct 1816, when Sarah had just turned 16 and Salathiel was 17. This date appears on Jesse's gravestone in the Prospect Methodist Cemetery, Chamblee, De Kalb, GA. More about this family and their descendants, and several maps, can be found on the Salathiel ADAMS page.
6. Joseph HARRIS Jr was born 18 Dec 1802 in Jackson County, GA. His parents were Joseph HARRIS and Elizabeth CRIBB. Joseph HARRIS Jr married Nancy MEDKEFF/MEDCALF on 1 Mar 1823, in Jackson County, GA.
From Georgia, Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978, for Jackson County.
I have seen this transcribed with the name Jesse HARRIS instead of Joseph, but it is clearly Joseph. Nancy is probably part of the MEDCALF extended family. See the William MEDCALF page.
Joseph was too young to have been the Jos B HARRIS in the 1820 US Census, above.
Children of Joseph Jr and Nancy HARRIS
Sent to me by Lois Harris Taylor:
Nancy m second time to ---Brumbalow and had children Samuel Jack Brumbalow and Mary Brumbalow. Mary stayed in Georgia m David Wright Mitchell. Jack Brumbelow came with the group to Missouri and was in the Civil War with Salathial.
Source: Nancy is listed in census with son Salathial when she comes to Missouri.
Children of JOSEPH HARRIS and NANCY METCALF are:
i. SALATHIEL ADAMS HARRIS, b. 23 Mar 1823, Athens, GA; d. 15 Jan 1924, Piedmont, MO
ii. ASA T. HARRIS, b. 1826, GA
iii. NANCY E. HARRIS, b. 17 Nov 1827, GA; d. 1887, MO
This is family information. I'm working to confirm it by independent sources. Thanks to Lois Harris Taylor.
Note: Lois now tells me that Salathiel Adams HARRIS was born in 1824.
Nancy's gravestone at Miles Cemetery, Piedmont, Wayne, MO, says she was born 25 Oct 1803, and died 2 Feb 1874. In the same cemetery, the gravestone of Salathiel HARRIS says he was born 5 Mar 1824, and died 15 Jan 1924.
By 1850, Nancy's second husband is deceased, and she is raising two children. Her children for her first marriage are grown, but Asa still lives with her, along with his one-year-old son, and no wife.
Salathiel Adams HARRIS biography
S. A. Harris is a Georgian, born in Jackson County, near Athens, March 24, 1823. He is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Madkiff) Harris, and a grandson of Joseph Harris, who was a native of Wales, and came to the United States when a young man, being one of the the first settlers of Georgia. The great-grand- father was a Revolutionary soldier. The grandparents and also the father of S. A. Harris died in Georgia. The mother came to Wayne County, Mo., in 1857, where she afterward died. She was twice married, and by her first husband became the mother of three children. The only one now living is S. A. Two children were born to her second marriage: A. J. and Mary A. S. A. Harris was reared on a farm in Georgia, where he remained until 1856, when he came to Wayne County, Mo., and in 1874 located on the farm where he now resides. He has over 400 acres, with about 200 acres under cultivation. His farm is situated on the St. Francois River and is very valuable. After serving in the State militia he, in 1864, enlisted in Company A, Forty-seventh Regiment, and served until the close of the war. He was married in 1846 to Nancy Springfield, by whom he had twelve children, seven living: Joseph, Walton, Jackson, Jennie, Mary, Martha and Belle. Mrs. Harris died in 1871, and in 1884 Mr. Harris wedded Martha McGhee. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
History of Southeast Missouri (1888) page 1130
http://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/mocohist/id/48342
7. Walton HARRIS was born 14 May 1805 in Jackson County, GA. His parents were Joseph HARRIS and Elizabeth CRIBB. He married Nancy WILSON in May 1826.
From the Jackson County Marriage Book
As shown above (top section), the 1830 US Census for Jackson County, GA has a family of 3 with head-of-household Walton HARRIS. Walton is 20-29, consistent with his birthdate in 1805. His wife is 15-19, and they have a son under 5.
In the 1840 US Census, Walton and Nancy had a large family, with 5 boys and 1 girl. They also have 2 slaves, over 55. My guesses, based on the 1850 Census, are in square brackets.
1840 US Census for Jackson County, GA
Name: Walton Harris
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Jackson, Georgia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2 [Thomas, ?]
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 [George]
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2 [Stephen, ?]
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 [Walton]
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1 [Nancy]
Slaves - Males - 55 thru 99: 1
Slaves - Females - 55 thru 99: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 5
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 2
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 10
Nancy (WILSON) HARRIS must have died or divorced between 1840 and 1845. Walton HARRIS married Clarissa STRICKLAND in Franklin County, GA, on 11 Oct 1845.
Marriage record for Walton HARRIS and Clarissa STRICKLAND, from the Franklin County Marriage Book.
Clarissa must have been born Clarissa WHITE, as she was the daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth WHITE. Jesse WHITE was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and he died 27 Oct 1849, in Jackson County, GA. (Email me if you need these records.)
Southern Banner (Athens GA), 22 May 1851, posted by ToddinMaysville
Walton HARRIS was an executor of the estate of Jesse WHITE, his father-in-law (above).
In 1850, Walton and Clarissa lived with their 6 sons, and Jesse STRICKLAND, son of Clarissa from her first marriage. Walton was a Farmer and his 2 oldest sons, Stephen and George, were Laborers. The oldest son, who appeared in the 1830 Census, is not with the family in 1850. Walton owned property valued at $4,000 - a considerable sum in those days. Clarissa was the only female, with 8 males!
In 1860, half-brothers Jesse and Walton have families listed consecutively, so they probably lived near each other, in Jackson County. (See Jesse HARRIS, above.)
Comparing with the 1850 Census, it appears that by 1860, Stephen (29) and Thomas (22) have left home. George (15 in 1850) must be George W (22 in 1860). Jackson (8 in 1850) is probably Andrew J (19 in 1860), and we suspect that Walton & family are supporters of former President Andrew Jackson. Jesse STRICKLAND (12 in 1850) may be Jesse W. HARRIS (26 in 1860), for otherwise I don't know where the latter came from. Matthew (2 in 1850) is Mathy W (12 in 1860). There are 4 new children. Walton still owns real estate valued at $4,000, and now also has a personal estate valued at $4,000.
In 1870 we find, again in Jackson County, several consecutive HARRIS families, which appear to be the families of Walton HARRIS and his sons.
Family 134 is Walton and Clarissa, apparently with their 3 youngest children. Salathier was 5 in 1860, and she must be Selatia, who was 16 in 1870. Sanders was 2 in 1860, and Sander is 12 in 1870. James F, who was 8 in 1860, has somehow become Isaac, who is 18 in 1870. If James F is not Isaac, then what became of James F, and where did Isaac come from?
In 1880, Walton and Clarissa are by themselves, but listed almost consecutively with their son Sanders and his family, having one black family between.
Based on all the census data, the children of Walton HARRIS were:
Stephen, b. 1831-5, m. Lavina, b. 1840
Jesse W, b. 1834
George W, b. 1835-8
Thomas, b. 1838
Andrew Jackson, b. 1841-3, m. before 1870 Tiney, b. 1850
Matthew W, b. 1848, m. Mellissa, b. 1850, had son Genus, b. Sep or Dec 1869
John, b. Oct 1849, m. Mattie, b. 1852
Robert J, b. 1850
James F/Isaac, b. 1852
Salathier/Selatia, b. 1854-5
Sanders, b. 1858-9, m. before 1880 Emily White, b. 1860, had children 1. William W, b. 1878, 2. Oma, b. 1879
Everyone mentioned here was born in Jackson County, GA. The first 5 children were from Walton's first wife, Nancy (WILSON) HARRIS. The next 6 were from his second wife, Clarissa (WHITE) (STRICKLAND) HARRIS.
8. Nancy HARRIS was born 18 Nov 1807 in Jackson County, GA. Her parents were Joseph HARRIS and Elizabeth CRIBB.
9. Elizabeth HARRIS was born 16 Dec 1812 in Jackson County, GA. Her parents were Joseph HARRIS and Elizabeth CRIBB. (The letter near the top of this page says 1818, but all other records indicate 1812.) Elizabeth married Daniel REIDLING on 24 Jan 1832 in Jackson County, GA.
Jackson County, GA Marriage Records
Daniel REIDLING was a poor farmer, born about 1810 in NC. The family lived in Newtown, Jackson County, near Walton and other HARRISes.
In 1850 Elizabeth (HARRIS) REIDLING and her family are found in Jackson County. They were family #216, and Walton HARRIS was the head of family #219. (See the section on Walton HARRIS, above.) Elizabeth's mother, Elizabeth HARRIS, lived with them. This establishes that the Elizabeth HARRIS who married Daniel REIDLING is the one who was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth.
In 1860 Daniel and Elizabeth had 7 children at home. Matilda and Elizabeth had left home. Martha J was 10 months old in 1850, but only 8 in 1860. It is possible that the first Martha J died, and they reused the name. Or it could be a mistake. This census taker has been a bit lazy.
Sources
[CB] Joseph Harris on the Couch/Ball Family Tree (requires Ancestry license)
[CCP] 1858 Map of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
[EHJ] The early history of Jackson county, Georgia (1914) by Gustavus James Nash Wilson and William Ellis White
[G] Generations, a public member tree on Ancestry.com, managed by John Irvin
[GHN] Georgia Historic Newspapers
[HJ] Harris Family Tree, a public member tree on Ancestry.com, managed by John Harris (requires Ancestry license)
[HW] Harris Family Tree, a public member tree on Ancestry.com, managed by William Harris (requires Ancestry license)
[P] Joseph HARRIS's pension application, 3 Sep 1832
This page was last updated on 6 Jul 2022. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.