Michael HARNESS

                   According to Fayette County, Ohio court records Michael Harness was charged with killing his brother, John, in 1818 in Fayette County, Ohio. Witnesses were Christina Harness (the wife of JohnÕs brother, Jacob) and Elizabeth Trader. Details of the incident are not known.

Michael was indicted for manslaughter on June 25, 1818 in Fayette County. He pleaded not guilty in an appearance before the Fayette County Court of Pleas in September, 1818. Three of MichaelÕs brothers, George, Arthur and Peter Harness, Jr. collectively pledged $l,000 for MichaelÕs recognizance bond to get him bailed out of the county jail with the assurance that he would appear at his trial in Washington Court House (the Fayette County seat) when his trial could be scheduled.

In December, 1818 Michael could not be found by the court to stand trial, and the court ruled that the recognizance money pledged by George, Arthur and Peter Harness, Jr. must be paid. Michael apparently had fled the state with his wife Nancy. They reportedly went back to Virginia (Lewis County) where they lived in virtual obscurity until their death.

According to court records, the 3 brothers failed to appear in court to pay the recognizance bond money, so the State of Ohio brought suit against them. On March 23, 1819, the three appeared in court, paid the $1,000 and the suit was dismissed.