Charles HARRIS

                   The other five sons of Robert (his father)--John, James, Robert, Charles and Samuel--about 1750 to 1755, moved to Mecklenburg county, North Carolina (now Cabarrus County) and settled on Rocky River.

Had a large family in Carolina.  At one time was from Poplar Tent.

Charles Harris, One of the Rocky River Brothers
, 1707-1776
CHARLES HARRIS
One of the brothers, son of Robert Harris and Dorothy Wiley
Born Donegal, Ireland
Died Mecklenburg Co., NC Jul 4 1776
Charles Harris is called Charles of Poplar Tent and Charles of 1732. He lived on
Rocky River and had a mill. Tradition makes him to be the youngest of the brothers
and the first to come to North Carolina. He was one of the first Bench of Elders of
Poplar Tent Church. He married 1st: Jane McIlhenny 3 May 1736 in PA; she
died 1758. Jane was a sister of Mary McIlhenny who married Charles brother,
James, our direct line. He married 2nd: Elizabeth Thompson Baker (c 1732-
1776), widow; daughter of Rev. John Thompson, pioneer Presbyterian preacher.
Elizabeth and her first husband, Samuel Baker, had five children. Four are named
in Samuel Bakers will: Robert, John, Mary and Margaret. The fifth was probably posthumous.
The marriage in 1736 in PA makes 1732 possibly when he came to America. Also,
one genealogist, Worth S. Ray, incorrectly does not think this family went to PA, but
stayed in the area of Virginia.
One history on Charles son, Dr. Charles Harris of Poplar Tent, says seven brothers
and one sister came to America from Scotland; the father died as land was sited
and was buried 1728 on Manhattan Island. The sons: William, James, Thomas,
Samuel, Robert and Charles, John, and sister, Margaret made their way to
Pennsylvania. Several remained there. One brother went to Delaware, and five
came to North Carolina and settled in and near what was later to be known as
Poplar Tent, along the banks of Rocky River. These five brothers were James,
Robert and Charles, Samuel and John.
Will book D, pp 41-42 C.R. 065.801.17
Proved July Session 1777
WILL OF CHARLES HARRIS
Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina, May 3, 1776
In the name of God, amen. I, Charles Harris, of the county and state
aforesaid, being in good health of body and sound mind and memory (thanks
be to God), calling to mind the mortality of the body and that it is appointed
to all men once to die, I do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.
That is to say, first of all I give and bequeath my precious soul unto God who
gave it, and my mortal body to the earth, to be buried in a decent manner, at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting that at the general resurrection I
shall receive the same reunited to my soul by the Almighty God, and as touching
such worldly goods as God has been blessed to bless me with in this life, I give,
devise and bequeath the same in the following manner and form:
FirstI allow all my lawful debts to be paid.
SecondI give and bequeath to my oldest daughter, Martha, five shillings.
ThirdI bequeath to said Marthas oldest daughter, Jane Harris, twenty-five
pounds proclamation currency, to be paid to her as soon as she is married,
and also I bequeath to the above Marthas second son, Charles Edward Harris,
twenty-five pounds, proclamation currency, to be paid to him as soon as he comes
of age.
FourthI give and bequeath to my oldest son, Robert, all that tract of land
on the west side of Broad River, on both sides of Browns Creek, in South Carolina,
and 150 acres joining said tract, and the negro boy Jack, with one-half my wearing apparel.
FifthI bequeath to my two daughters, Margaret Alexander and Jane Reese, to
each of them, five shillings sterling.
SixthI bequeath to my son James 100 pounds proclamation currency, to be kept
in the hands of my son Samuel, and he to pay the interest of it yearly to James or
to whoever takes care of him, and that must be any of his mothers people he
chooses to live with, and when he dies I order said 100 pounds to be equally divided among all my children to my first wife.
SeventhI bequeath to my sons Samuel and Charles all that tract of land on which
I now live, with that tract or lot called the Rich-Hill, and also 150 acres on the Big Run, west of said land. Likewise that land I purchased from John Mitchell on the Milky or Back Run, and that thirty acres I bought from Adam Meek.
EighthI give and bequeath to the issue of my son, Thomas, lawfully begotten, all
that tract of land I bought of Robert Brevard, on Beaver Dam Creek, containing 600
acres, to be equally divided among them all when the youngest comes of age according to law, their mother to have her maintenance of it during her lifetime or
widowhood.
NinthI bequeath to my well-beloved wife, Elizabeth, one-third of all my personal
estate during her life or widowhood, and if she marries I order that she have one
good feather-bed and necessary clothing and her choice of all the horses belonging
to the estate (Samuels mare and her issue being excepted), and twenty pounds proclamation currency, and the negro wench, Dinah, during her lifetime, and when
she died the said Dinah and her issue to go to my two sons, Samuel and Charles.
TenthI give and bequeath to my two sons, Samuel and Charles, all and every
Part of my estate not before mentioned, and if either of them dies before they
come of age, their part to go to the surviving brother, and if they both die during
their non-age, their part is to be equally divided amongst all my children.
And, lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint my well-beloved wife, Elizabeth,
and my well-beloved sons, Robert Harris and George Alexander, as executors of
this my last will and testament, ratifying this and no other to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 3rd day of May,
1776.
Signed, sealed and delivered by the above named Charles Harris as his last will
and testament, in the presence of James Gardner, William Gardner and Adam
Meek.
CHARLES HARRIS (Seal)
ELIZABETH HARRIS (Seal)
NOTE: Item 4 to son Robert. Union County, SC is bordered on the east by the
Broad River and Chester and York Counties; on the north by the Pacolet River and Cherokee County, on the west by Spartanburg County; on the southwest by the
Enoree River and Laurens County on the south by Newberry County; on the
southeast by the Tiger River and Fairfield County. Some of the earliest land
grants are dated 1751 and 1752.
Many families were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who came from the back settlements
in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The earliest land grant in the Browns Creek area,
located approximately 4 miles northeast of what is now the town of Union, was
issued in 1752. By 1755 there were enough families to organize Browns Creek
Church, which soon became known as the Union Church because it was used by
several denominations.
Until the border between North and South Carolina was established in 1772, there
was confusion about where the area that would eventually become Union County
was located. Thus early Union County land grants can be found in both states.
At various times during history, Union County was considered to be part of the
following counties: Anson County, NC (formed in 1749); Mecklenburg County, NC (formed in 1763); Tyron County, NC (formed 1769); Old Berkley County, SC
(formed 1683) old Craven County, SC (formed ???); St. Marks Parish, SC (formed
1757) and Ninety-Six (96) Judicial District, SC (formed 1769).
Union County, SC was established from the Ninety-Six (96) District in 1785.
Issue of Charles Harris and his first wife, Jane McIlhenny, per above will:
1. Robert Harris b abt 1737 PA; d 22 Mar 1803, Poplar Tent, Cabarrus Co. NC
married 1st: Mary Wilson, b 1738, d 10 Nov 1792. Buried Hunter-Meek
Graveyard, 2 mi SW of Poplar Tent. He married 2nd: Mary Brevard.
Robert inherited Mill Grove, home of his father on Rocky River.
2. Martha Harris, b abt 1740; married William Harris, son of Robert and Fanny
Cunningham Harris. In Spears Cemetery, Cabarrus Co., NC:
Martha Harris, Wife of William H. died 25 Jan 1818
Jane Harris, born about 1760, Mecklenburg. (oldest daughter)
Charles Edward Harris, b abt 1765, Mecklenburg (second son)
Children as shown under William on Brother Robert Harris record:
William Robert Harris, also known as Jamaica Bob did not marry.
Patrick Cunningham Harris
From Mr. Andreas record: Richmond County, Georgia Edward Charles Harris of Green Co. GA....Estate Admst. 14 Feb 1796, by Laird M. Harris. (See #56)...The appraisers state that Edward Charles Harris served 490 days in command of Capt. Jonas Fouche in service of Georgia and the USA...Nothing further. From the wording in Charles will there would be other children.
3. Jane Harris b, 1754, m 1st: Thomas Reese ( b 1742 PA/ d Aug,
1796, age 54. Buried Stone Church Yard, Pendleton, SC); in 1772. Married
2nd: Robert Anderson in 1803. Jane died in Pendleton District, S.C. in 1806 and
is buried by Thomas Reese in Hopewell Cemetery at Old Stone Church.
1. Edwin Tasker Reese, b 24 Mar 1774, (from letter of Chas. Wilson Harris)
2. Thomas Sidney Reese, b 30 Oct 1775
3. Elihu Reese, b 22 Feb, 1777
4. Leah Reese, b 1 Dec 1779
5. Lydia Reese, b 15 Jun, 1782
6. Henry Dodson Reese, b 15 Mar, 1785
7. *Susan Polk Reese, b 21 Jul 1790
*called Susannah in Will of Thomas Reese signed 28 Apr 1796 and recorded
Will Bk C, pg 92, on 19 Sep 1796, Pendleton District, SC. Thomas Reese
lists children in his Will as above shown. He list John Harris of Connoross
among executors; Will signed 28 Apr 1796.
4. Thomas Harris b 1744, married Miss Nancy Carruth.
Sarah Harris m Major James Harris, grandson of Robert & Fanny Harris
(See DAR lineage below)
5. James Harris (My note: from will, James must have been sickly and would
not have married.)
6. Margaret Peggy Harris b 1748/d 28 Feb 1819 Mecklenburg m George
H. Alexander about 1767.
1. Margaret Alexander b ca 1758 m Elisha Spears
2. Jane Alexander, b ca 1772 m (1) Paul Phifer; 2 John A. Means
3. Narcissa Sara Alexander, b ca 1770, m ranson Gray
4. Elizabeth Alexander married George Harris as his first wife. He
is son of Elizabeth Harris (dau of Robert & Fanny Cunningham Harris)
and James (son of John and Grizzel Harris)
5. Nathaniel Alexander, b 13 Dec 1767 d 16 Nov 1825, m Esther Phifer
Charles married 2nd: Elizabeth Thomson Baker. She was the widow of Samuel
Baker, and the daughter of the pioneer Presbyterian minister Rev. John Thomson,
who is buried at Bakers graveyard in upper Mecklenburg County. Rev. Thomson
was the first minister in the area. Samuel Baker (one of the earliest settlers on Davidsons Creek in the lower end of Iredell County near the present Centre
Church); left Elizabeth a widow w/5 children; she married 2) abt 1760 Charles
Harris of Cabarrus Co., NC). She died a few weeks after Charles.
Issue of Charles Harris and his second wife, Elizabeth Thomson Baker:
7. Jane Wilson Harris
8. Samuel Harris, teacher in Clio Academy, Iredell Co., NC; tutor in Princeton;
Died 1789, Princeton; died unmarried.
9. Dr. Charles W. Harris, b 23 Nov 1762, Mecklenburg, NC/d 21 Sep 1825.
Married 1st: Sarah Harris, dau of James and Grace Liggitte Harris; 2nd
Mary Lydia Brevard Houston, dau of Capt. James Houston.
Anson County, NC. Deed Abstracts, 1749  1766
Vol 5, pp 177-180:19 & 20 Oct 1758
Robert Brevard & wf Sarah of Rowan Co. to Charles Harris, farmer, of Anson, (lease
s5, release L 65 Va. Money) 600 ac on br. of Rocky River, granted to Brevard 25 Feb 1754 ROBERT BREVARD (Seal), SARAH BREVARD (Seal), Wit: ROBERT HARRIS WILLIAM HARRIS
Charles built his homestead and began acquiring land. Among his papers still in existence, is a land grant of one hundred and fifty acres to Charles Harris from
George the Third of England. The grant is signed by our Trusty and Well-beloved
William Tryon, Esq. General and Governor in Chief. It is dated in the tenth year
of our reignAnno Domini 1769.
From James Sprunt Historical Publication 1916, by H. M. Wagstaff:
The particular Harris family from which Charles Wilson Harris sprung was a very
prolific one and has a large number of surviving representatives in the state at the present time. It traces its descent back to one Edward Harris of Wiltshire, England,
who removed to Ayreshire, Scotland, in the latter part of the 17th century and there brought up a large family. One of his sons, Edward by name, married Flora Douglas
of the celebrated Scotch border family of that name. Five sons of this union, James, Samuel, Thomas, Richard*, and Charles, appear to have emigrated to America
sometime in the second quarter of the eighteenth century. Some of them settled in Pennsylvania and the others in Virginia. Later, probably about 1751, Charles came
from Virginia to North Carolina and purchased a large tract of land on Rocky River
in the Poplar Tent district of the present Cabarrus County, but at that time in Anson.
This district was at the time receiving a strong tide of Scotch-Irish immigrants and
soon became a populous Presbyterian stronghold. This Charles Harris was twice
married; first to Jane McIlhenney and, second, to Elizabeth Baker. From the first
marriage was born in order Robert, Martha, Jane, Thomas, and James; and from the second, Charles and Samuel Harris. Robert Harris, the eldest of these offspring of
Charles Harris, inherited "Mill Grove," the home seat of his father on Rocky River,
and became a man of fortune and influence in his county. He married Mary Wilson, daughter of Zaccheus Wilson, a signer of the "Mecklenburg Declaration," and of the
same strong Scotch Presbyterian stock as himself. As a Revolutionary patriot and
soldier Robert Harris, "Esquire," served in General Joseph Graham's command until
he lost his arm in the skirmish at Clapp's Mill, a preliminary incident of the battle of Guilford Court Courthouse in 1781. With slight hopes of his recovery, his company-
ions gave him into the care of an old German settler and wife, with the injunction to
"care for him well, as he was a man of consequence, and they would be rewarded."
(See Graham's General Joseph Graham and His Revolutionary Papers, pp. 335-337.)
Harris' descendants state that Mrs. Harris dreamed her husband was wounded and
on the faith of the dream traveled with a slave, Jack, as her only attendant from her home on Rocky River to the scene of the battle, seventy-five miles away, found her wounded spouse with his caretaker, nursed him to convalescence and brought him
safely home. To him, by this stouthearted wife, were born three children, each
proudly bearing "Wilson" in their Christian names. They were Jane Wilson Harris,
Charles Wilson Harris, and Robert Wilson Harris.
Jane, the eldest, married Nathaniel Alexander, son of John McKnit Alexander, secretary of the "Mecklenburg Convention. They had nine children and numerous descendants survive. Charles Wilson Harris was born in 1771, and Robert Wilson Harris in 1779. Their mother died a few years after the Revolution, their father subsequently marrying the widow of General William Lee Davidson, who fell in the Revolution. Robert Harris lived to a ripe old age, dying in 1808 and lies buried at Poplar Tent Church, where he was for many years ruling elder.
Charles Wilson Harris graduated at Princeton in 1792 and was awarded the Mathematical oration. He then spent one, or two, years with his half-uncle, Dr. Charles Harris, at "Favoni," the home of the latter upon an estate adjoining that of Robert Harris and part of the original property of the eldest Charles Harris. Here he applied himself to the study of medicine under his uncle's guidance, apparently with the intention of entering that profession. Nevertheless, in 1795, at the date of his election to the tutorship of Mathematics in the University of North Carolina, he was teaching in Prince Edward County, Virginia. His letters thereafter, with the notes subjoined, sufficiently outline his life and services. They disclose a character of worth and dignity. At twenty-five years of age he was presiding over the fortunes
of the state's infant University and in this role he manifests a maturity unusual even in that period of our state and national life in which abilities ripene