Thomas HARRIS

                   Captain Thomas Harris came to America in 1726, and married Mary McKinney in 1730. He settled in Lancaster County, PA. He died at the age of 106 years. He was a captain in a militia company in 1748.

Thomas, came to America in 1726, unmarried, but in the same ship  with his subsequent bride, Mary McKinney. Thomas and his companions, after landing at New Castle or Philadelphia, appears to have proceeded without delay to that part of PA. which 3 years afterward (May 10, 1729) became Lancaster County. After his marriage, which occurred as early as 1730, and perhaps earlier, he settled on a farm containing 230 acres on Conoy Creek, at a point where the Paxtang and Conestoga roads crossed, now called Elizabethtown, PA. He built a Tavern with "The Sign of the Bear". (Bear Tavern was in 1980, an insurance office in Elizabethtown, PA. The original part was still distinguishable. In the cellar was a roundish place of irregular stones which tradition says was a tunnel to the nearby creek, so water was available even during Indian raids. There was also a stone on the front of the building which gave the initials of the Harrises and the date of their building the inn.)
This hotel, built about 1732, became famous before the Indian Wars and was much frequented by travelers and traders. It was sold with the farm July 15, 1751. While here, their children were born.
In 1747-1748, Thomas was Captain of the associated regiment of the west end of Lancaster County. The duty of this regiment was chielf;y guarding the frintier against Indian raids, and in connection with a line of forsts. Evidence of CaptainHarris' religious character is found in the early, as well as later period of his life. A list of 42 of the stipend payers of Derry, Paxtang and Mount Joy churches from the year 1745 to 1774 gives the names of Thomas Harris, Matthew (his son), and James (his son or uncle). His subscriptions extended over a period of 27 years and after he left the neighborhood. He appears on the roll of the Synod of Philadelphia in 1745.
     After the sale of the Bear Tavern, Captain Harris moved to a farm and mill atConewago, on the Susquehanna River. He remained there 9 years and then moved toPhiladelphia. The farm and mill are now an historic site northwest of Elizabethtown. The original house is distinguishable and there are 2 millstones in the path alongside the house which could possibly have been part of Captain Harris' mill. The Conewago flows down behind the house, a most beautiful setting. The millwas on the Conewago rather than the Susquehanna.
The first sign of Captain Harris' removal to Maryland is the purchase of "Good Neighborhood Enlarged", on October 16, 1780, now Churchville, Harford County, Maryland. Good Neighborhood Enlarged is shown on pg. 29 of "Our Harford Heritage" as a plot of 699 acres patented in 1700 by Colonel Samuel Young. It is located toward the upper side of this "Plat of BYNUM'S RUN by Thomas White, Jan 15, 1728.
Captain Harris was part of the "Philadelphia Company". (See the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol LI (1927) pp 278-285, and Patterson, Historyof the County of Pictou Novia Scotia (1877) pp. 72-75. Captain Harris stayed inMaryland, and his wife died there in 1770. This left only one other person, hisdaughter Mary, at his home. He bought 296 acres of land at Doyle's Mills, Tuscarora Valley, Juniata County, PA, in 1778. His youngest daughter Mary was marriedhere. After the marriage, he went to live with his eldest daughter, Margaret. He was not content to stay unmarried either. He took himself a second wife. All we know about her is that her name was Agnes, that she was married before March 29, 1784, and that she probably died before May 30, 1793. This was the date of his last will and testament, and she is not mentioned. Captain Harris spent his last years with his daughter, Margaret, and the other children in the neighborhoodof Harris' Mill in Juniata County. He read his bible without glasses, and died at his grandson, John Steuart's home (Margaret's son) at Doyle's Mill on December 4, 1801, aged 106 years of age. He is buried at the Lower Tuscarora Presbyterian Church, Juniata County, PA. (Reverend John Coulter, Pastor.) Lower Tuscarora Church is located in Academia, PA. There is a museum and historical library in the old church (academy building). Captain Harris' grave is with the Steuart/Stewart family with a large marker. It is something of a tourist attraction as Captain Harris lived in 3 centuries. The gggd of Captain Harris married the son of Rev. Coulter - or he wouldn't be there.  His children, George and Margaret are buried with him.
His first will was made in MD in June 7, 1773.

Maryland Will of Thomas Harris:

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I THOMAS HARRIS YEOMAN  of Baltimore County and Province of Maryland being at this time in perfect Health and of sound Mind, Memory andUnderstanding and knowing the uncertainty of this transitory Life, do make thismy last Will and Testament in Manner and Form following, viz: -
        Imprimis, It is my Will and Desire that all my just Debts and funeral Charges be carefully discharged -
         Item, I give and bequeath to my eldest son, Dr. Robert Harris of the Cityof Philadelphi, the sum of 50 puonds commo................Mo...... having already given him what I suppose to be his equal Dividend of my estate.
         Item, I give and bequeath unto my sons Matthew and Dr. John Harris of Nova Scotia all my tract of Lands that they now occupy to be equally divided between them and their heirs and assignus for ever but if they or either of them should produce any Accts against my Estate and recover therefor the above tract of Lands and Dividend hereafter mentioned to be appropriated to the use of my other Children  - note except a Bond in Jno Smith's Hand.
         Item, I give and bequeath to my second daughter Catherine Archer, wife ofDr. John Archer a Clock now in the said Archer's possession.
         Item, I give and bequeath to third daughter Mary Harris a Negro Boy namedJuba two feather Beds and Furniture, two Tables, a case of drawers, Looking Glass, Corner cupboard and Dresser.
         Item, I give and bequeath unto my Grand Children, John Steuart, Ann Steuart, Thomas Harris Steuart, Robert Steuart and Margaret Steuart, children of my daughter Margaret Steuart,  wife of George Steuart, fifty pounds less than an equal Dividend of my estate among my children hereafter mentioned and the said fifty Pounds I give and bequeath to my said daughter Margaret Steuart, wife of George Steuart.
         Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved children Matthew Harris, Dr. JohnHarris, Catherine Archer, wife of Dr. John Archer and my Grand Children in conjunction with their mother Margaret Steuart, wife of George Steuart as above mentioned all my real and Personal Estate in Maryland, Pennsylvania or elsewhere to be equally divided among them or to be sold and the Money equally divided as maybest suit themselves -  note my Grandchildren in Conjunction with their Mother Margaret Steuart to have only a Child's Part with my other Children.
         Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint Dr. John Archer, Executor of this last will and Testament and do authorize and empower him to make suitable Deeds and Conveyances for Lands...........ing........P.....according to the Tenor of.....................between me and the parties I so hereby revoke and disannul all Former Wills by me heretofore made or executed - In witness whereof I have here unto set my Hand and seal seventh day of June Anno Domini one thousand seventy three Note the word divided in the tenth line from the bottom was interlined before signing and the words as mentioned erased in the eleventh line.
Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of us and tested in Presence of the Testator and in Presence of each other -
Edward Prall
William Martin
James Harris
          The above will was made on June 7th (or 11th) 1773. The original is in the hand writing of Dr. John Archer, among whose papers it was transferred to hisdescendents. Recently it was discovered by Sarah E. Archer among the papers of her late husband, Dr. John G. Archer of Pr. Coupee, LA.
Mrs. H. C. Van Bibbler of Bel Air, MD., forwarded it to the author for inspection on Sep 23, 1897, and a copy was made by hom Oct 12, 1897, after which the original copy was returned to Mrs. Van Bibbler. The original is rather course paper,quite yellow, badly worn, and in places are destroyed. The parts printed om tjeRoman character are legible, the parts in Italicd are reproduced in places entirely destroyed. The parts printed in the Romas character are legible; the parts in Italics are reproduced but almost vertainly correct; the spaces marked with dots could not be reproduced by the transcriber; the erasure of the words "as above mentioned" is not indicated in the printed copy. The seal is simply a wafer under a piece of paper. The witness, James Harris, is James Harris of Cross Roads, MD, where his uncle Thomas Harris was living.
This will was never probated. Then though 78 years old, its author lived 28 years linger.

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900  about Thomas Harris
Name:	Thomas Harris
Gender:	Male
Birth Place:	Ir
Birth Year:	1695
Spouse Name:	Mary Mckinney
Marriage Year:	1730
Marriage State:	PA
Number Pages:	1

Major Thomas Harris, Info provided by Ann Gary
1737-1826 , PA>North Carolina USA
THOMAS HARRIS, Major
Son of Charles and Jane McIlhenny Harris
Grandson of Robert Harris and Dorothy Wiley
Thomas Harris was born about 1742 Harrisburg, PA; he married Nancy Corruth (Caruth);
He moved to Mecklenburg Co. NC with his family about 1750 when he was about 9 years
old. He lived on the head of Rocky River about a mile from Coddle Creek A.R.P. Church and
owned a fine body of land and a mill.
Thomas was 39 years old and had a family when the Revolution started;
he joined the Continental Army in April, 1776 as a Captain in the fourth NC
Regiment and rose to the rank of Major. He fought in the Continental Line
under Washington at Monmouth and Trenton. He resigned his commission
on account of ill health, but afterwards went out in the Militia and acted
as Aid to Gen. Rutherford. Transferred South, he was severely wounded
and taken prisoner, upon Gates defeat at the Battle of Camden, August 1870.
Sumner Co. Deed Abstracts 1793-1805
pg. 49 21 July 1797
Dvd Wilson atty for Maj Tho Harris of Meck Co NC to
Jno Hart for $550 on Round? Lick South Side Cumberland Riv 1000A
witt: Jms A & Zachius Wilson
Maj. Harris was pensioned 3 Oct 1806 at $15.00 a month;
25 May 1821 at $18.75 a month (pension #S13312).
In his pension he always lists his address as Iredell Co.,
the city at Mt. Mourne.
Major Thomas Harris is buried in Old Stone Cemetery.
The inscription on his tombstone reads:
   Died September 19, 1826 aged 89 received two Captains
Commissions, George III and Congress
Major Thomas Harris, 89, Revolutionary Soldier in
The Catawba Journal, Charlotte, NC Death Notices 1824-1828.
Relic (Nancy) died Oct. 1826.
??Another Revolutionary Patriot Gone. Died at his seat in Iredell Co. on the last day
of July, Maj. Thomas Harris, in he 89th year of his age..early (in the war) he
received two Captains commission on the same day; one from King George II, the
other from the Continental CongressCommunicated.
Raleigh Register, Sep 1826."
WILL OF MAJ. THOMAS HARRIS
(Bk C p 136, Iredell Co., N.C./Bk G p 126 Mecklenburg Co., N.C.)
   In the name of God Amen  I Thomas Harris of the Co. of Iredell and State of N.C.
being sick and in a low state of health but perfectly sound in mind and memory
blessed by God for all his mercies do this 23rd day of May in the year of our Lord
One Thousand eight hundred twenty six make and publish this my last will and
testament in the manner following:
1st. It is my will that my beloved wife NANCY have her living off the proceeds of
the plantation which I now live on with the Mills. I also give her one horseriding
chair and harness at her command, one bed and furniture including one stand of
curtains, also one negro man named Jefferson and one Negro girl named Lucina
and the exclusive use of 2 rooms in the South end of the dwelling house all of
which property she is to have during her natural life.
2nd. I give and bequeath to my dau. JANE CHISHOLM one piece or parcel of land
to be laid off in the following manner, viz. Beginning at the mouth of the sound
branch above the mill on the south side of the dam at high water mark and running
up the said branch with the meanders thereof until it intersects the eastern boundary
of the old tract, thence north with the line of said tract to a post oak corner of
said tract until it strikes the creek, thence down the creek with the meanders of
high water mark to the beginning. I also give to my said dau. Jane 2 negro children
named Rosell and Elvira.
3rd. I give and bequeath to my dau. MATILDA MOORE the remaining part of the
tract of land which I live on together with the Mills. Also one negro man named Lewis
and one Negro woman named Phillis and all the stock of hogs and cattle except so
much as may be hereafter disposed of, the farming utensils, the cupboard and
kitchen furniture. I also give her all the Negroes and other property to her Mother
at her Mothers death.
4th. The land which I have a right to on Beavers Bend on Tenn. River I also give to
the following of my Grandchildren, that is: SIDNEY J. HARRIS, THOMAS C. HARRIS,
LAMIRA N. FLEMING, and MARTHA JANE GRAHAM to be equally divided between them.
(NOTE: This is the 600 acre tract willed to Thomas by his father, Charles 
see Charles and Jane McIlhenny Harris.)
5th. I will and bequeath to my son-in-law WILLIAM C. MOORE my clock and my lot
in Centre Library Society.
6th. I will and bequeath to my grandson THOMAS C. HARRIS all my wearing apparel.
7th. I will and bequeath to my daughter, RACHEL NEELY my negro girl Lydia and the
two tables which she calls her own and one cow and calf, also a negro boy named Alfred.
8th. It is my will that my son in law WILLIAM MOORE in consequence of a right which I
have given him to a negro girl named Ruth and other property which I have willedto
him and his wife that he may pay all my just debts.
9th. Should there be a residue on pension money due me at my decease it is my will
that the same be appropriated to the payment of my debts.
10th. And lastly, I do nominate, constitute and appoint my two sons in law ANGUS
CHISHOLM and WILLIAM C. MOORE my Executors to execute this my last will and
testament.
In witness whereof I Thomas Harris the testator have to this my last will and
Testament set my hand and seal.
In presence of William L. Davidson, Jurat, A. C. Houston.
s/THOMAS HARRIS
Issue from above:
Sarah (Sally) Harris (1775-1809), m Maj. James Harris (1766-1823),
son of Elizabeth (dau of Robert and Fanny Cunningham Harris) and
James (son of John and Grizzel Steele Harris) Harris
(See Brother Robert Harris). She died prior to Thomas.
She would be mother of the grandchildren listed in Will of Thomas.
i. Nancy Lamira Harris b abt 1790 m Allison Fleming
a. Margaret Rebecca Fleming, b 10 Sep 1836, m McAmy A. Harris in 1862.
1. J. M. Harris
ii. Thomas Coatesworth Harris married Margaret Melissa Fleming
iii. James Sidney Harris married Jane Hayes
1. Rachel Harris (1788-1853) m James R. Neely
2. Matilda Harris m William C. Moore
3. Jane Harris m Angus Chisholm 27 Jan 1824;
Raleigh NC Newspapers
1796-1823 Issue 13 Feb 1824
2. Charles Harris (1780-1805) m Mary Ann Eliza Epps
a. Martha Jane Graham in will above.
MARTHA ANN HARRIS AND GRAHAM, DR. GEORGE F. OF MEMPHIS, TENN ON
MARCH 26, 1826 IN LINCOLN COUNTY, NC BY REV. JAMES McREE.
APRIL 4, 1826, The Catawba Journal, Charlotte, NC
She married 2nd: Samuel Stanhope Harris, son of Charles
W. Harris and Sarah Harris. Grandson of Charles and Elizabeth
Thompson Harris and James and Grace Liggette Harris.
Martha Ann and Samuel S had dau Henrietta Harris (1833-1879)
Married Robert N. Caldwell.
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Volume 57 page 204
Miss Mattie Harris Caldwell. DAR ID Number: 56587
Born in Gre