Robert Augusta HARRIS, JR.

                   Will of Robert Harris, Jr, son of James Harris and Mary McIlhenny
1731-1795 , Mecklenburg, North Carolina USA
ROBERT HARRIS, Jr.
S on of James and Mary McIlhenny Harris
Grands on of Robert and Dorothy Wiley Harris
Brother to our direct ancestor,
Samuel who married Rebecca Morrison
N OTE***
This Robert was called Robert Harris, Jr. because he had a cousin,
   Robert Harris, Senior, the son of Charles Harris, of Poplar Tent.
Robert Harris, b 4 Oct 1731 in PA/d 19 Jan 1795 Mecklenburg Co, NC;
married Margaret Harper 19 Oct 1757. She was b 17 Aug 1737, PA,
and died 8 Feb 1808, Cabarrus Co., NC. Both Robert and Margaret
are buried in Coddle Creek Graveyard, Cabarrus Co. NC.
Mecklenburg County: Record of Wills: 1763-1844,
Vols. A-H: North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, N.C.
Vol. C: page 144
State of No. Carolina )
Mecklenburg County ( In the name of God Amen
I Robert Harris of the County & State aforesaid, being weak in body
but Sound in memory & in Exercise of Reason & Judgment considering
the mortality of by body & that it is appointed for all men Once to die,
I Do hereby constitute & appoint this my Last will & Testament &
HEREBY I Do Revoke make void & disannul all former Wills &
Testaments made by me. Imprimis I commit my Soul into the hands
of God a merciful Creator
Item. I commit my body to be decently Interred into the earth at the
discretion of my Executors.
Item. I order all my lawful Debts & funeral charges to be paid
Item. I give & bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Margaret one
Horse She getting her choice of all my Son Samuels horse first
Excepted Likewise one bed & furniture & her Spining wheel forever.
Likewise during her widowhood or to my daughter Margaret comes
of age Negro named Dublin, also two Cows & four Sheep all which
She has privilege to choose, Likewise all the household furniture,
the whole command of the plantation I now live on to my Sons
Sam Is of Age, Likewise all the implements fit for Carrying on the
plantation.
Item. I give & Bequeath to my Son James all Bonds, Notes &
receipts that is now in my possession paid by me for him Likewise
five Shillings in money.
Item. I give & bequeath to by Son Oliver five Shillings
Item. I give & bequeath to my Son John five Shillings
Item. I give & bequeath to my daughter Mary one bed & furniture
her Spining wheel & one horse creature. She getting her choice of
the Stock next after her mother. Likewise the Cattle & Sheep that
is not her own property.
Item. I give & bequeath to my Son Samuel the one half of the
plantation I now live on when he come of Age his mother to have
the House I now live in & the furniture & the command & care of
the Other half of the plantation until her marriage or death which
ever shall first happen, then all the plantation to belong to my son
Samuel & implements to Carry on. Likewise one horse which is now
his own property. Likewise one Cow & Calf when he comes of Age.
Item. I give & bequeath to my Daughter Hannah Wiley one Horse
Saddle & Bridle o the amount of Twenty five pounds or the Same
amount in money if She chooses. Likewise one Cow & Calf at her
marriage or Coming of Age which ever shall happen, one feather bed
& furniture & her Spining wheel.
Item. I give & Bequeath to my Daughter Margaret one horse Sadle
& Bridle to be valued to Twenty five pounds Otherwise the Same
amount in money if She chooses Likewise one Cow & Calf, one bed
& furniture & her Spining wheel all to be given her at her marriage or
coming of age which ever shall first happen
Item. I give to Jess Alexander Fifteen pounds to be made up out
of my Personal estate he to get the Legacy at his coming of Age in
case he gets leave to live with his mother to that period of time if he
is taken from her I leave him nothing.
Item. I likewise allow that part of my Estate bequeathed to my wife
during her widowhood or to my daughters marriage or coming of age
to be sold at her marriage or death, or my Daughter Margarets
marriage or coming of age which ever Shall first happen., the half of
the plantation Bequeathed to my (this is as written) is to be Excepted
& kept back from them for my Son James, The remainder to be Sold
& equally divided between my two Daughters Hannah Wiley &
Margaret. Likewise if there by any Remainder of my Estate not
Bequeathed, I do allow it to be equally divided between my two youngest
Daughters Hannah Wiley & Margaret. I do further allow if my wife
Should marry or depart this life before my two youngest Daughters
marriage or coming of age that my two daughters Hannah Wiley &
Margaret to whatever place they make choice of in case my Executors
think their choice Suitable~~
I do further Constitute & appoint my beloved wife Margaret & my two
Sons Oliver Harris & John Harris to be my Executors of this my last
Will & Testament.
Given under my hand & Seal the 10th day of Feb; 1794
Witness present
Samuel Brown }
Ayne Jamison } Robert Harris [Seal]
Samuel Harris }
N.C. Genealogical Journal 1975: Vol 1, p 121
   Harris, Robert, Mecklenburg Col 1793-1800
Oliver Harris and John Haris executors. Inventory, estate bills, and
receipts by legettes: Hannah Wiley Harris, Matthew Henderson on
behalf of his wife Margaret, a daughter of the deceased; John Ross
on behalf of Hannah W. Harris, a daughter of deceased.
Colony of North Carolina, 1765-1775 Volume II
Abstracts of Land Patents
Patent 2537, pg 580, Robert Harris, Jr., 11 Dec 1770, 47 acres in
Mecklenburgh on the waters of Reedy Creek of Rocky River between
Harris own line, David Flough, and the late Governor Dobbs tract
Number two.
Robert was a private in the Revolution, at age 45, serving in Capt. Charles Polks Light Horse Co. in the spring of 1776 in the Wilmington NC Campaign. His company of cavalry was commissioned 12 Mar 1776 and was in command of Gen. Griffith Rutherford in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians (who favored the British), across the mountains of NC. This company was in the rear and Robert Harris, Jr. was nearly killed by the Indians, having been shot at several times on 17 Sep 1776. The uniform of Gen. Rutherfords men was a hunting shirt of domestic cloth trimmed with cotton and their arms were their own trusty rifles. See Hunters Sketches of NC p. 89, 90, 198, where Capt. Polks muster roll is given in full.
From above will, Robert and Margaret Harper Harris had issue:
1. James (Jess?) Alexander Harris: b 19 Oct 1758 Mecklenburg Co. NC; d 1817.
Married Mary Smiley
2. Oliver Harris: b 20 Sep 1763 Mecklenburg Co., NC/d 25 Jan 1835 Cape Girardeau
Co. MO. Married Margaret Shelby (16 Dec 1772-25 Sep 1844) 4 Sep 1788
Mecklenburg Co. NC Marriage Records. She was daughter of Maj. Moses Shelby,
Rev War. Both are buried in Apple Creek Cemetery, Cape Girardeau Co MO.
See following.
3. JOHN HARRIS was born in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus Co., NC on 15 Feb 1766/d 1
Mar 1830; buried in Apple Creek Cemetery, Cape Girardeau Co., MO. He married
Rachel Gingles 23 Nov 1786 Mecklenburg Co. NC Marriages; she was b 11 Mar
1767/d 28 Jan 1835. (My note: Samuel, Adley & Margaret Gingles witnesses of
will of James, Johns grandfather in 1778). (Marriage Records of Mecklenburg
Co. NC).
From Southern Religious Telegraph Richmond, VA In Cape Giradeau Co., MO
on April 1, 1830, John Harris died in his 65th year. A native of Mecklenburg Co.,
NC; he moved to Missouri in 1823.
12 children:
1. Gingles Harris (f) b: 20 Dec 1788
2. Jane Melissa Harris, b: 8 Feb 1790
3. John Harris, Jr. b: abt 1795
4. Rosanna Rosy Harris, b: abt 1797
5. Elam W. Harris (Dr.), b: abt 1800/d 1852; married three: 1st: Elizabeth
B. Cochran 18 Mar 1822, Cabarrus Co. NC Marriage Records; 2nd: Mary
Alexander b: 18 Oct 1802/d 1 Feb 1839. Mary Alexander is
ggranddaughter of Charles and Jane McIlhenny Harris; 3rd: Eliza Ann
(Alexander-sister to Mary) Means 28 Feb 1840 Cape Giradeau Co. MO 
from Missouri Marriages to 1850
Elam and Mary known issue:
a. Samuel Stanhope Harris b 26 Dec 1836/d 7 Dec 1897 m 1st:
Amanda Brown b abt 1840 d 1868, on 10 Jan 1867. He married
in 1880 to Miss Julia E. Russell.
Samuel and Amanda had a daughter,
Mary Amanda Harris b abt 1860 who married E. F. Blomeyer.
Samuel and Julia had 2 children who died in infancy.
Samuel was a physician and surgeon, b Jackson, Cape Girardeau,
MO and died at St. Louis, MO.
6. Edward L. Harris, b: 8 Oct 1804/d 1866. m 21 Sep 1826 Cabarrus Co.,
NC to Margaret Elvira Harris b 19 Apr 1803/d 19 Mar 1879. She is a
descendant of Samuel and Martha Laird Harris.
Known issue: a. John Elam Harris b 5 Sep 1833/d 18 Mar 1908
b. Margaret Smith Harris: b 1834/d 1885, m John
Wilson abt 1830
c. Robert W. Harris, b 5 Oct 1827/d 9 Feb 1873,
married Lilly A. Henderson (b abt 1845-8).
i. Robert Washington Harris b 28 Apr 1861, Neelys
Landing, Cape Girardeau, MO; d 19 Jul 1934,
Cumby, Hopkins County, TX. Death Certificate
shows father: Robert W. Harris, b Mecklenberg Co.
NC; Mother: Lillie Henderson. Spouse Jennie.
ii. Charles Harris b abt 1865
iii. Jessie Harris, female, b abt 1867
iv. Albert, b Apr 1870
7. Charles Haywood Harris, b: abt 1805
8. Milton Harris, b: abt 1805
9. Margaret Harris, b: abt 1806
10.Jennette Harris
11. Ephraim Harris
12. Daughter who died in infancy
4. MARY HARRIS, b 12 Feb 1768; may have married an Alexander 23 Nov 1786 in
Mecklenburg, NC. She died 1794.
Jesse Alexander b abt 1790.
Found in Minutes of Mecklenburg Co., NC Court of Common. Pleas and Quarter
Sessions:
Book 2
1791 October Session (400)
No. 17 State vs David Alexander, Ordered by the Court that his Defendant enter into Bond with Sufficient Security for the Maintenance of a Child Basely Begot on the Body of Mary Harris to keep Sd child from becoming a County Charge, who entered into Bond with Richard Mason in the Sum of L50, and that the Said David Alexander pay Sd. Mary Harris the Sum of L12 to be paid her quarter Yearly and L0.50 the fines prescribed by Law & Costs.
Book 3
1793 October Session (137)
State vs David Alexander, Ordered that a further Sum of L8 be allowed Mary Harris to be paid her by Said David the reputed father of a base (born child) begot of said Mary as a further allowance from October Term 1792 to Term Oct 1793 for the maintenance of said child.
5. SAMUEL HARRIS b: 3 Jan 1776; d 1822; Will probated 9 May 1822, Cape
Girardeau Co. MO. He married Elizabeth McClure 21 Mar 1796 Mecklenburg Co.
(from Early North Carolina Marriages)
In Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement of Virginia; Vol 2, p 268:
Item #161  James Harris deposes 8th Oct, 1818, his father Samuel Harris
and grandfather, Robert Harris.
1. Samuel M. Harris
2. John C. Harris
3. Mathew T. Harris
4. Margaret Harris
5. daughter who married Sanford Yancey
6. HANNAH WYLIE HARRIS b 15 Jan 1779 Mecklenburg Co NC (twin) married
William (John used in Probate) Ross 16 Jun 1798 Bond date same; #000083426,
record #02-214. NC Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
Bondsman: Saml Harris; Witness Jno Harris
NOTE: I have also seen that Hannah Wylie married John Ross  same date.
John was the son of William Ross who had a Spanish Grant in Scott Co. MO
Near Thebes Bridge, which was at one time called Ross Point.
Son Nesbit Ross who married Sadie Fleming.
7. MARGARET HARRIS b: 19 Sep 1781 Mecklenburg Co, NC;
from North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
Groom: Mathew Henderson
Bond Date: 06 Mar 1798 #000081614
Mecklenburg County, Record #01 103
Bondsman: Saml Harris Witness: John Harris
Early North Carolina Marriage Record shows married 6 Mar 1798,
Mecklenburg County
NOTE: Although above are only children listed in Roberts will, the following are listed in The Roster of Texas Daughters, Revolutionary Ancestors, published by The Texas Society of the National Society, DAR, (Arlington Library):
Jennett (Garnett) Harris, b 16 Aug 1761, Mecklenburg Co. NC
Moses Harris, b 12 Jan 1770 (also 12 Jun 1771); d 1858
Robert C. Harris, b 20 Dec 1772 in Cabarrus Co., NC; d 1822 m 28 Sep 1793 to
Agnes Ross
Thomas Harris b 15 Jan 1779 Mecklenburg, Cabarrus Co., NC. (twin)
This record also shows Robert as a Solider, North Carolina, and that he is buried in Coddle Creek Graveyard, Mecklenburg Co., NC.
Robert was a private in the Revolution, at age 45, serving in Capt. Charles Polks Light Horse Co. in the spring of 1776 in Wilmington NC campaign. His company of cavalry was commissioned 12 Mch 1776 and was in command of Gen. Griffith Rutherford in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians (who favored the British) across the mountains of N.C. This company was in the read and Robert Harris Jr. was nearly killed by the Indians, having been shot at several times on 17 Sep 1776.
The uniform of Gen. Rutherfords men was a hunting shirt of domestic cloth trimmed with cotton and their arms were their own trusty rifles. See Hunters Sketches of N.C. p. 89, 90, 198, where Capt. Polks muster roll is given in full.
   Notes on Robert Harris compiled by Ann Gary