Embedded Files
Personal photo taken in Shenandoah area of Virginia.
Obed/Obediah Harrison in most Virginia records went by the last name of Harris. He did not move to South Carolina with his father or siblings, but spent his entire life in the Loudoun County area. Loudoun County was formed from land that was once in the Fairfax Proprietary which later was divided up into parts of Stafford, Prince William and Fairfax Counties. A descendant of Obed Harris has submitted his YDNA and been placed in Group 5 of the Family Tree Harris YDNA site.
An Obed Harris was born about 1733. The only source I have seen for this date is from page 519 of the book: "Descendants of Virginia Calverts" compiled by Ella Foy O'Gorman. Obed Harris with a wife named Elizabeth died and had an estate recorded in Loudoun County Virginia in 1803. Obed Harrison departed this life November 25 in the year A.D. 1803. Elizabeth Harrison his wife departed this life in March 31 in the year of our Lord 1823. This information is written in the John Dennis Family Bible, a copy of which appears on family search.org at this link: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/67286655?p=20354651&returnLabel=John%20Dennis%20(LTY2-QJW)&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.familysearch.org%2Ftree%2Fperson%2Fmemories%2FLTY2-QJW
Loudoun County, Virginia Order Book A, 9 August 1757, pg. 3
"Church Wardens of Cameron Parish bind out William Fryer a poor infant of ten years old the 25th day of July last past to Obed Harris and ordered that Harris learn him the trade of house carpenter and that he cause him to be taught to read and write." In order to attempt to locate Obed Harris's residence area it was found that Cameron Parish was carved out of Truro Parish and its boundaries included the Potomac River on the north, Bull Run on the south, Goose Creek on the west and the Fairfax County line on the east. View https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3883f.cwh00033/ This map shows many landowners. A cut-out of a portion of this map is below. Interestingly, we find the names of the Dennis and Lewis families near the bottom of the map. Since a daughter of Obed married a man with the last name of Dennis and Obed's son Obed Jr. married a daughter of a man named Lewis, this reinforces the idea that Obed's property was probably in this vicinity.
Daniel Payne's Account book, Dumfries, Virginia, transcribed by Ann H. Mack 1988: Between 1759-1762 Obid Harris is listed as Blackborne's overseer.
Dumfries Stores Ledger Index, Prince William County Virginia-Abstracted
RELIC Bull Run Regional Library, Manassas, VA
John Glassford and Company
This is only a list of Harris's Surnames, it does not include the Harrison's
Jesse Harris 1758-1759, 1765-77
Burr Harris 1758-1764
Burr Harris Colvert 1762-1763, 1763-64, 1765-66, 1767, 1768-1769
John Harris (Goose Creek) 1762-1763
Obed/Obid Harris 1758-59, 1760, 1762-1763, 1758-1764, 1767-68
Scarlet Harris 1763-1764
Timothy Harris 1758-1759
Thomas Harris 1768-69, 1771-72
William Harris 1767-68
1767-1771 Prince William Co. VA Deed Book R, page 598-601
Obed Harris mentioned in this deed as having an adjoining lot to Henry Hampton.
1767-1771 Prince William Co. VA Deed Book R, page 96
Obed Harris provided an oath to a deed of land sold to Henry Hampton, March 2, 1769.
Prince William County, Virginia Land Deeds Book Q, Page 594, film 33107/7895944 Scan #71 of 601
This Indenture made the 6 June 1768, Between Thomas Blackburn of Prince William Co. of the one part and Obed Harriss of the other part...for and in consideration of the Rents Reservations and Covenants herein after expressed on the part and behalf of the said Obed Harriss....to farm lot ...containing 150 acres situate in the said County of Prince William part of a larger tract belonging to the said Blackburn described by the plat annexed to a Deed of Lease granted to Anthony Seale Junr. ...To have and to hold....unto the said Obed Harriss for and during the natural lives of Burr Harrison and Obed his sons and the longest liver of them....
1773 January 17, South Carolina, Deed between Jeremiah Williams, Senior, and Burr Calvert alias Harris was witnessed by Obed Harriss
1778-1791 Prince William Co., VA Will Book G, page 317
Inventory of George Campbell, dec. Signed: Obed Harris, Hy. Hampton and others Dated Nov. 1784
3-NOVEMBER-1788 TOWN OF DUMFRIES TOBACCO INSPECTION STATION
John Harrison
Obed Harris
John Harris
Tax Records Prince William County, VA
1783 Obed Harris 2 polls
1784 Obed Harris 1 poll
1785 Obed Harris, free males over 21 = 4, Obed Sr., Burr, Obed Jr., John?
1786 Obed Harris, 1 poll, No Burr, No Obed Jr.; Thomas Harris 1 poll
1787 Obed Harris, 1 poll, Burr Harris, no poll, 1 horse; Thomas Harris 1 poll, is this Thomas Obed's brother?
1788 Obed Harris, 3 polls; Obed Sr., Obed Jr., John? (Loudoun Co. Burr Harris 1 poll, Jesse Harris 1 poll)
1789 Obed Harris Sr. 1 poll; (a Burr Harrison with 1 poll in Loudoun Co.)
1790 Obed Harris Sr. 1 poll and 180 ac.; Obed Harris Jr. 1
1791 Obed Harris 1 poll, Burr Harris 1, John Harris 1, Obed Jr. 1
1792 Obed Harris 1 poll, Burr Harris 1, Obed Jr. 1
1793 Obed Harris 1 poll, Burr Harris 1, John 1
1794 Obed Harris Sr 2 polls, Burr 1,
1795 Obed Harris Sr 1 poll, Obed Harris 1, John Harris 1, Burr Harris 1
1796 Obed Harris 2 polls
1797 Obed Harris Sr. 1 poll, Burr Harris 1, Obed Jr. 1, John Harris 1 poll
1798 Obed Harris Sr. 1 poll, Obed Harris Jr. 1, No Burr
1799 Obed Harris 180 acres, 1 poll
1800 Obed Harrison 180 acres, 1 poll, scan 07 list B
1801 Obed Harris 180 acres, 1 poll, scan 07 list B
1802 Obed Harris, 1 poll, scan 07 list A, no mention of land in land records
1803 Obed Harris, none listed, no mention in land records, Obed deceased
1804 Micajah Harris 1 poll, Thomas Harris 1 poll, (Micajah and Thomas, Obed's brothers?) John Harris 1 poll, Elizabeth Harrison 2 polls
1805 Thomas Harris 1 poll (work w Jacob); John Harris 1 poll
1806 John Harris 1 poll; Thomas Harris 1 poll
1807 John Harris 1 poll; Thomas Harris 1 poll
1809 John Harris 1 poll; Thomas Harris 1 poll
1810 Elizabeth Harris ?wife of Obed? 1 poll, Thomas and John Harris, 1 poll each
Loudoun County, Virginia, Order Book W, 12 December 1803, pg. 126
Certificate granted Wm. R. McCarty with Joseph Lewis and William Mitchell with $1,000 bond for obtaining Letters of Administration on estate of Obed Harris deceased.
Loudoun County, Virginia, Order Book W, 12 December 1803, pg. 126
Ordered that Andrew Beaty, John Johnson, Dennis McCarty and Richard Crupper to appraise the estate of Obed Harris and return an appraisement to the Court.
Loudoun County, Virginia Order Book 2, 10 July 1809
Inventory & appraisement of the estate of Obed Harris deceased returned and ordered to be recorded.
Inventory of Estate of Obed Harris, Book I (eye, not book 1) page 28, Recorded July 10, 1809 Loudoun County, Virginia. At one time Prince William included land in Faquier, Loudoun and other counties.
One negroe woman named Susan valued at $250
One female child called Peggy $100
One boy called Bayly $50
One horse
One trunk
One bond on James Legg for $400??? ....
One bond on Henry Washington for ?
Andrew Beatty John Johnson Dennis McCarty
Loudoun County, Virginia Order Book 3, 11 September 1809, page 106
On motion of William R. McCarty Administrator of Obed Harris dec'd, it appearing to the Court that said Obed Harris died intestate possessed of the following slaves to wit Suck, Pegg & Baily. Ordered that William Norman & wife Euphamy, John Crooks & wife Jane, Shadrack Berkley and wife Nancy, John Harris, Obed Harris, John Dennis & wife Betsy, Edward Minter and wife Sarah, Wm. R. McCarty & wife Mary & John Harris, Betsy Harris, Obed Harris, Lucey Harris & Fanny Harris children of Burr Harris dec'd be summoned to appear at next court to shew cause if any they can why said slaves should not be sold and proceeds divided among them as they cannot be divided in kind.
Loudoun County, Virginia Order Book 3, 12 February 1810, page 79
On motion of William R. McCarty Administrator of Obed Harris dec'd, ordered that Burr Powell, Leven Luckett & John Sinclair sell slaves of estate.
Loudoun County, Virginia Order Book 4, 15 June 1810, page 37
Commissioners appointed to sell estate of Obed Harris dec'd returned a bond in the penalty of $1000 conditioned for the pay't of $500 signed by James Leg & Henry Washington payable in 9 months to Burr Powell & Jno Sinclair comm'rs.
Loudoun County Virginia Partially Proven Deeds page 28 by Patricia B. Duncan
19 June 1811 Book 01, page 306
Sale has been made by commissioners appointed by court to sell the slaves belonging to estate of Obed Harris dec'd for distribution among the heirs. James Legg became the purchaser and gave bond with Henry Washington Esqr. as security which is now due. Request by Elezebeth (sic) Harris to fix the sum that she is entitled to. Witness: A. Gibson, Jas. Legg and Hy Washington vs B. Powell and J. Sinclair Commrs, app'd by Court to make sale of the estate ......etc.
Loudoun County, Virginia Order Book 5, 14 August 1811
On petition of Elizabeth Harris widow of Obed Harris dec'd, ordered that the Commissioners do retain out of the money that may come into their hands for the sale of sundry negroes one third of the amount thereof, the legal interest of said third to be paid each year to Elizabeth yearly and every year during her life and the principle or said third after her death to be equally divided among the representatives of said Obed Harris dec'd.
Loudoun County, Virginia Minute Book 1815-1817, 13 August 1816, pg. 91
Burr Powell & Jno. Sinclair Commissioners having sold the slaves of Obed Harris dec'd in order for a distribution of the proceeds amongst the representatives of said decedent it is now ordered that they the said Commissioners do make said distribution paying to the Widow one third of the net proceeds of the sale & dividing the rest equally amongst the children & report to the Court their proceedings under this order.
Loudoun County, Virginia Minute Book 1815-1817, 12 June 1817, pg. 160
Ordered that Rich'd H. Henderson make distribution of the money arising from the sale of Negroes the property of Obed Harris dec'd sold by Commissioner under the Order of this Court among the persons entitled to distribution giving the Widow Elizabeth Harris one sixth part of the net amount of the sum as her proportion of said Estate & make report to the Court.
Copy of the Blackburn/Obed Harris Lease 1768 proving sons named Burr Harrison and Obed
Obed Harris was married to Elizabeth. I have not found an original document for this marriage. 2020, Feb, although I have not found an original marriage record document, it appears likely that Elizabeth was the daughter of William Buckley, Sr. who died in Loudoun County in 1789 and left a will naming his children. In the Court Order Books, the names of Cockrell, Lewis and Buckley appear frequently along with the name Harris/Harrison.
In many of the Prince William tax records along with Obed are listed 3 Thomas's. Two are consistently labeled as Rev. Thomas Harrison who owned many slaves, and a Thomas Harrison (of Thomas). The third Thomas may be related to our Harris's. He consistently is only listed as Harris and only has one poll and once it said he (works with Jacob). This Thomas COULD be Obed's brother who might not have moved with his father Burr to South Carolina.
Prince William County, 1795 Personal Property Tax List B, Binn's Genealogy Scan 07
Map of what was Cameron Parish with the landowners enumerated in 1863. Dennis and Lewis families are near the bottom.
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