NOTE:
A history of the Harriss family as told by John Harriss in 1890, is included in full in PAF Notes.
A HISTORY OF THE HARRISS FAMILY AS TOLD BY JOHN HARRISS IN 1890. THIS COPY MADE FROM THE ORIGINAL
(from a posting by Amber Helms on Rootsweb.com Harriss family forum)
State of Illinois, Perry County, November 5, 1890I, John Harris of the age of 78, in writing a short account of the origin of the Harriss family, have to write from recollection from statements of my father and grandfather.Our ancestors were from Wales. A woman with two sets of children, one set by the name of Harriss and the other set by the name of Gilliam, settled in or near Charlotte County, Virginia. My great grandfather was named Edward, generally called Ned. He had five boys named Braddock, Minyard, Steven, Edward and David. Edward was my grandfather. He lived in Virginia at the time of the Revolutionary War. His wife's maiden name was Mary or Polly Johnson. He moved to North Carolina and settled in or near Buncombe County. How long he lived there I have no recollection. Then he moved to South Carolina and lived in Lawrence District. There my father was married. My mother's name was Ann or Anna Garrett. They lived in that county until 1817, then they moved to the state of Tennessee and settled in Bedford County and lived there two years, and then moved to Franklin County and lived there two years then moved back to Bedford county and lived there until 1829. He moved to Illinois and settled in Perry County and lived there until he died, December 3, 1868. They had born to them twelve children, five boys and seven girls. Their first born was Edward G. Harriss, born Feb. 28, 1798; second Jordan Harriss, born May 7, 1800; third, Sally Harriss born June 26, 1802; fourth, Martha Harriss born Dec. 26, 1804; fifth, Polly Harriss born March 1,1807; sixth, Nancy Harriss born Dec. 16, 1809; seventh, John Harriss born March 3, 1812; eighth, Fanney Harriss born June 16, 1814; ninth, Kiziah Harriss born Nov. 1, 1816; tenth, Betsey Ann Harriss born Feb. 15, 1819; eleventh, Hosea Harriss born Aug. 11, 1822; twelfth, Johnson Harriss born Nov. 11, 1824. (I add this to this paper myself, the above are the children of Johnson Harriss and Anna Garrett).Edward G. Harriss was married to Polly Morriss and several children were born to them. Then they moved to the state of Louisiana. There he died and his children scattered into Texas and some are yet living. The wife died in Texas, they having married in Franklin County, Tennessee.Jordan Harriss was married to Lucinda Casey in Bedford County, Tennessee. They moved to Perry County, Illinois, in December 1829. They had several children born to them, all still living in Illinois.Martha Harriss was married to Minyard Gilliam in Franklin County, Tennessee. They had several children born to them. They sold out and moved to Texas where they all live yet. The old man is dead.Sally Harriss was married to Laban G. Jones in Bedford County, Tennessee. They moved to Illinois in 1828 and had several children born to them.Polly Harriss was married in Bedford County, Tennessee, to John Gilliam. They moved to Perry County in 1829. They had only four children born to them. All old and young are dead.Nancy Harriss married Minyard Gilliam in Bedford County, Tennessee, and moved to Illinois in 1828. They had several children born to them.John Harriss moved with his father to Perry County, Illinois in December 1829 and was married to Cynthia Wells August 18, 1831. To them were born five boys and six girls: Josiah, their first, married Elizabeth C. Jones. To them were born nine children, two boys and seven girls.Second, Martha married Wm. H. Carner. To them were born one boy and three girls that lived. Some died in infancy.Eliza married Marion Kelley. To them were born one boy and two girls, some having died in infancy.Sally married Harvey H. Montgomery. To them were born five boys and two girls. They lived in Cherokee Nation.Andrew Jackson married Rebecca Montgomery. To them were born three boys and two girls. They lived in Franklin County, Illinois.Minerva was married to Seneca M. Whitlatch. To them were born one boy and two girls. She lives in Arkansas.Harriett was married to Wm. A. Cruse. No children were born to them. They live in Jackson County, Illinois.John P. Harriss was married to Emily Provart. To t
hem were born nine children, six boys and three girls. They live in Perry County, Illinois.Louiza Harriss married Wm. W. Karney. To them was born one son. They both sickened and died. (Note: AA little later than this, Cynthia Harriss, wife of the narrator, died). I then married Rebecca Willmore. To us were born three children, two dead and one yet living. We call her for my first wife, Cynthia. My second wife died Nov. 28, 1886. Then I married Rebecca A. Brown May 11, 1887. She is still living.In giving a history of my mother's family I cannot say much. My grandfather Garrett lived in Lawrence District, South Carolina. His name was Edward Garrett. My grandmother's maiden name was Nancy Housely. To them were born sixteen children, eight boys and eight girls. Their first born was Eliza born Oct. 20, 1760, generally called Betty. She married a man by the name John Ashley in South Carolina; some of her family moved to Kentucky and lived in Livingston County; the second, John, was born May 7, 1762; the third, William, born Sept. 9, 1763; fourth, Nicolas was born March 11, 1765; fifth, Jesse, was born Sept 9, 1766; sixth Fanny was born May11, 1768; seventh, Rhoda, was born Nov. 28, 1769; eighth, James, born Aug.23, 1777; Martha born Nov. 28, 1778; Ann or Anna born Aug.23, 1780.My father had several sisters but no brothers. His oldest sister was named Mavan. She married Harriss Gilliam. To them were born seven boys and three girls; The second, Dicy, married Hogn Harriss, Her cousin, and lived in Georgia; the third, Ritter, married Jacob Glaze and lived in South Carolina; fourth, Sally, married Hosea Garrett and lived in Redford County, Tennessee, where she died about 1815 or 1816 at the time of the Col. plague raging there; fifth, Nancy, married Reuben Vaughn in South Carolina and moved to Bedford County, Tennessee, and lived there several years and then moved to Illinois, settling in Alexander County where the both died and all their children. They have several grandchildren still living in Alexander County; sixth, Betsey, who married her cousin Edward Harriss, commonly called Mountain Ned. They soon parted then she married Samuel Garrett and they lived in Franklin County, Tennessee, They moved to Alabama and that was the last we heard from them; seventh, Frances or Penny as she was called married Hosea Garrett, her brother-in-law, in Bedford County Tennessee. There he died, then she moved to Texas with her family where she died. Several of her children still live in Texas.This is the best recollection. Some of them I never saw. I only write from recollection. I would be glad for a better history of my ancestry. Write it who will.Yours as everJohn Harriss.(Continuation of his mother's family)Hosea Garrett was born Oct. 18, 1782; Kiziah born March 8, 1785; Edward born Sept. 13, 1787.The above is as true a list as I can give all from recollection. I could give a fuller account of my father's sisters, whom they married and where they lived. My father had no brothers. The family is all dead as I recollect.To which I will attach my name - John Harriss of Perry County, Illinois.This copy was written in the presence of Mary Isabelle Higgason who is the great, great, great, great, great granddaughter of the Edward Harriss first mentioned in the above history of the Harriss family and the great, great, great, great granddaughter of the Edward Garrett and Nancy Housely mentioned above. Dated Dec. 9,1915.Hosea Harriss born Aug. 11, 1822 married Bathsheba Haggard about 1840. To them were born 5 boys and 5 girls, Edward (Ned), Sallie, Jannie, Mahaley, Dicy, Louisiana, Elizabeth (died when she was small), Johnny, Buck, and Phillip.Ned married Rachel Staton and had 10 children- 3 boys, 7 girls.Sallie married Hiram Cavins and had 7 children.Jannie married Preston Station and had 7 children.Mahaley married John Nase and had six children.Dicy married Bud Jones and had 4 children.Louisiana married Jack Montgomery and had 6 children.Johnny married Dilia Eaton and had 5 children.Phillip married Milesa Willmore and had 5 children.Buck married Ma
rgaret Melinda Copeland and had 5 children.The above record is given me by my father Josiah Edward (Joe) Harriss, the son of Buck Harriss who was the son of Hosea Harriss.To which I will attach my name - Vance Lindell Harriss, the 5th son of Josiah Edward (Joe) Harriss.(Note: The last "S" was dropped from the family name at the time Barney Harriss started to school, about 1890.William Jordan Buckhannan Harriss was born in Perry County, Illinois October 17, 1857. He married Rachel, who died Jan. 8, 1875. To him was born 1 daughter, Ida. She married George Benedict. To them were born 3 children, Claud, Mable and Fallen. She also had one grandchild, Lyle Bailey, also 2 great grandchildren, Joe and Deann Bailey.Buck came to Parker County, Texas about 1881 and married Margaret Melinda Copeland in Wise County in 1881. To them were born 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl.The first was Barney White Harriss born in Wise County, Texas Oct. 17, 1882. Barney married Maude Mullins and to them were born 7 children, their first born dead, second Mildred, third Margarette, fourth Harry (called Man), fifth Joe, sixth Billie, seventh Bonnie Wayne. All live in Fort Worth, Texas. Barney died March 28, 1954 and is buried in the Nelson Cemetary in North East Parker County, TexasSecond, Maude Elizabeth Harris, born April 23, 1884 in Wise County, Texas married Will Colbert of Mansville, Oklahoma. To them were born six children, first Drew, second Isom, third Eloise, forth Coey, fifth Willie, sixth Kenneth (died at the age of 1 year). Maude died Nov. 8, 1951 and is buried in the Lone Cedar Cemetary near Mansville, Oklahoma.Third, Josiah Edward (Joe) Harriss, born April 23, 1887 in Erath County, Texas. Married Ann Williams July 15, 1906. To them were born 10 children, first Knowles Glenn, second Lowell Edward, third Macey Kathleen, fourth R. B., fifth Oleta Pauline (Polly), sixth Ernest Lloyd, seventh Utah Ruth, eighth Grover Ewell, nineth Vance Lindell, tenth Dwayne Sparks.Fourth, William Jordan Buckhannan Harriss born May 25, 1889 in Parker County, Texas married Sallie Liner. To them were born 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl. The two sons died in infancy - the third child, Etoy.The fifth child was born Lessie Harris. She married Noah Williams and to them were born 6 children, Hazel, Flora, Hoy, Gerdene, Martella, and Waymon. All live in Texas.Buck and family returned to Perry County, Illinois in or about the last of Nov. 1888. He was taken sick with Pneumonia and died February 22, 1889. Margaret, with the four children returned to Parker County, Texas about three weeks after Buck's death in 1889. The following History is the complete history of my father's family.The family history of JOSIAH EDWARD (JOE) HARRISSJoe Harris married Ann Williams July 15, 1906 at Reno, Texas (Parker County). To them were born 10 children:First, Knowlas Glenn Harris born July 12, 1907 at Reno, Texas (Parker County). He married Cleone Curry May 21, 1925 at Colorado City, Texas (Mitchell County). To them were born three children, 2 boys, 1 girl. The 1st. Miles Leron born Aug. 28, 1926 at Colorado City, Texas - married Bettye Womack. To them was born 1 girl, Elaine. The 2nd. Darrell Edward born Sept. 19, 1928 at Colorado City, Texas (Mitchell County). The 3rd. Macy LaJaun, born Jan. 9, 1931 at Colorado City, Texas (Mitchell County).Second, Lowell Edward Harris, born May 8, 1909 at Reno, Texas (Parker County). He married Alice Mae Sorrels Sept. 22, 1934. They had no children..Third, Macy Kathleen Harris, born Sept. 4, 1911, at Reno, Texas (Parker County), married Jesse Van Bolin, Sr. Sept. 15, 1931 at Spade, Texas, Mitchell County. To them were born 1 boy and 2 girls; 1st. Jesse Vann, Jr., born July 7, 1932 at Spade, Texas, Mitchell County. 2nd. Lovie Ruth, Born May 27, 1933 at Spade, Texas, Mitchell County. She married Bill Hartsfield June 9, 1951 at Buford, Texas, Mitchell County. To them were born 2 sons, 1st. Eddie, 2nd. Donald Wayne. 3rd. Olga Ann Bolin, born Sept. 22, 1946 at Colorado City, Texas, Mitchell County.Fourth, R. B. Harris, born Nov. 11,1913 at Reno, Texas
died Jan. 9, 1914, age 14 months, in Mansville, Oklahoma, buried in Lone Cedar Cemetary.Fifth, Oleta Pauline, commonly called Polly, Harris born Nov. 3, 1915 in Johnson County, Oklahoma. She married Lee a Harris (no relation) in April of 1938 at Reno, Texas, Parker County. To them were born five children, 4 girls and 1 boy. The 1st. Dorotha Nell, born Dec. 16, 1938, married Bobby Dobbs 1953 and had 1 child, Teresa Lynn, Aug. 18, 1954 at Azle, Texas. Later married Jack Thompson at Reno, Texas on July 18, 1955. To them was born 1 son, Robert Allen, born Jan. 22, 1956 in Sulphur, Oklahoma; 2nd - Harold Joe Harris, born Nov. 9, 1944 at Azle, Texas; 3rd - Margaret Delynn Harris born Nov. 11, 1946 at Azle, Texas, Parker County;4th - Kathy Dianne Harris born Sept. 6, 1949 at Azle, Texas, Parker County; 5th - Lana Jean Harris born July 14, 1953, Azle, Texas, Parker County.Sixth, Ernest Lloyd Harris, born June 10, 1918 - Springtown, Texas, Parker County. He married Lody Lunsford at Colorado City, Texas, July 24, 1943. To them was born 1 girl, Judy Ann, born March 15, 1947 in Odessa, Texas, Ector County.Seventh, Utah Ruth Harris, born Nov. 7, 1921 at Reno, Texas, Parker County. She married John Kirschner March 12, 1955 at Reno, Texas. John had a son by previous marriage, John Jr.Eighth, Grover Euell Harris, born Feb. 6, 1924, at Colorado City, Texas, Mitchell County. He married Billie Faye Bloodworth Nov. 24, 1943 at Colorado City, Texas, Mitchell County. They had no children.Ninth, Vance Lindell Harris, born March 26, 1926 at Colorado City, Texas, Mitchell County, married Dorothy Witt June 9, 1943 at Fort Worth, Texas, Tarrent County. To us were born three children. Our first, Margaret Ann, died at birth; 2nd - James Lynn born April 7, 1949 in Abilene, Texas, Taylor County; 3rd - Janis Carol, born Aug. 25, 1952 at Weatherford, Texas, Parker County.Tenth, Dwayne Sparks Harris, born Feb. 5, 1930 at Spade, Texas, Mitchell County. He married Jean Williams Jan. 15, 1955 at Winona, Mississippi, Montgomery County. She had 1 daughter, Linda by a previous marriage.Lowell, Ernest, Lindell and Dewayne have served with the U. S. Armed Forces - during and after world war II.The Joe Harriss Family are planning a Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration July 15, 1956 with open house.This concludes the family history of the Joe Harris family as I have taken from history and facts - To which I will attach my name - Vance Lindell Harris (Son of Joe Harris.)
