Robert HARRIS

                   Notes on Col. Robert Harris of Rocky River
1702-1788 , Rocky River, Mecklenburg, North Carolina USA
From FTN CD 47-1411)Robert Harris was known as Col. Robert Harris of Rocky River.
Buried in Lot 1D 31, Old R.R. (East of the present brick church)
See Harris Shitory in my possession.
He came to from Ireland to Pennsylvania about 1745, and then to Cabarrus County,North Carolina, about 1766, where he and many of his descendants still live.

His son William wrote in 1817:
"There was a number of Robert Harrises all living nigh each other in his time. Each one was distinguished by a name separate from others. He was distinguished by the name Honest Robert."

A copy of his Land Grant of 375 acres may be found in book 12, pg 674, mecklenburg Co. NC Records, no. 265,  with the property described by the locations of theland of other property owners and by trees such as white oak saplings and blackoak and hickory.

Robert was a patriot of the Revolutionary War, and was a Justice who administered the Oath of Allegiance (Vol. 22, p. 179, Colonial Reocrds of North Carolina bySaunders). Robert Harris, Sr., settled on Swatara Creek , Lancaster County, Pa.about 1745. Came to North Carolina about 1765, and settled on Footy Creek, nearRocky River, then Mecklenburg County, now Cabarrus County. He is the great-great grandfather of William Edney Harris. Robert Harris, Sr. remained a widower forsometime in Ireland. His 3rd and 4th children that died at a young age, names are not known. Robert Harris, Sr. lived for 20 years in Swatara Creek, Lancaster County, PA before he came to Harrisburg, NC about 1766. ____________________________________________Two children died young apparently between Mary and William.From FTN CD 47-1411)Margaret's last name is listed as; McElmon, McElmor, McIlhenny, or McIlmurin. Burial at Old Rocky River Cemetery, Cabarrus Co/NC. Section 1C, grave number #30. Rocky River Cemetery Book lists her birthdate as 1713. Robert Harris was known as Col. Robert Harris of Rocky River. Robert Harris, Sr., settled on Swatara Creek , Lancaster County, Pa. about 1745. Came to North Carolinaabout 1765, and settled on Footy Creek, near Rocky River, then Mecklenburg County, now Cabarrus County. Thanks,


This is a letter written by his son William to Jenny Reed in 1819.
This letter noted that he had an excellent memory.
"and I have often heard him relate circumstances of his life and living.
- He was born in Ireland in the Province of Ulster, County of Donegal, the 26th of August 1702, and in the 25th year of his age married a wife in the same County night to the town of Lifford, named Mary Ann Rodgers,
- About the year 45 he came to America. Settled in Lancaster County, where I wasborn at a place on a River named Swatara. Never had any land if his own in PA. He came to Carolina in the year 66. Settled in the woods where I now live. Went to his grave in peace on December the 26 1788, aged 86 years and 4 months."


Colonel Robert Harris of Rocky River
1702 , Ireland > North Carolina >
COL. ROBERT HARRIS of Rocky River,
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Son of Edward Harris, Jr. and unknown wife
Grandson of Edward Harris, Sr. and Flora Douglas
Group 3 Harris DNA kit#159859
Information compiled by Ann Harris Gary
Robert Harris (3-159859 Group3 Harris DNA)* was born 26 Oct 1702 in Ireland
in the Province of Ulster, County of Donegal, as stated in a letter written by his
son William. At age 25 Robert married in the same County nigh to the town of
Lifford Mary Ann Rodgers, who died in Ireland ca 1740. Col. Robert died
26 Dec 1788 (age 86) in Cabarrus Co. N.C.
In 1744 Robert married Margaret McElmon (McIlhenny?) in Ulster, Ireland. She
was born 1713 in Ireland, and died 25 Aug 1789 (age 77) Cabarrus Co. North
Carolina.
Robert, Margaret, Robert, Jr. and William are buried in the Rocky River Presbyterian
Church Cemetery.
He first settled in Lancaster County on a River named Swatara; owned no land of his
own in Pennsylvania. Robert went to Carolina 1768, and settled in the woods on
Footy Creek, a branch of Rocky River, about one and one-half miles from Harrisburg.
He died there 26 Dec 1788.
He was known as Col. Robert of Rocky River, and Honest Robert, to distinguish
from Col. Robert of Reedy Creek, son of Robert and Dorothy Wiley Harris,
grandson of Edward and Flora Douglas Harris, and his cousin.
A copy of his Land Grant of 375 acres found Bk 12, p 674, Mecklenburg Co. NC
Records, No. 265.
NOTE: Some of the data for Col. Robert has been taken from the 6 Volume Harris
Historyby Calista Verne Leonard, who states she has taken information from
Mrs. Mary Harris Strattons book Ancestors and Descendants of Robert Harris, Sr.


Children of Col. Robert Harris of Rocky River and Lifford Mary Ann Rodgers:
1.) Margaret Harris, b 1728, Ulster Province, Donegal Co., Ireland; d after 1771PA.
She married William McElvey of PA about 1762.
Margaret Harris and William McElvey had five children:
i. Jennette (Jenny) McElvey married James Reed.
ii. George McElvey, died young.
iii. Elizabeth McElvey married Robert Smith
iv. William McElvey, married Ruth Fleming
v. Margaret Harris married (1) Daniel Osborne & (2) Mr. McGinnis.
2.) Jennett Harris, b 1729, Ulster Province, Donegal Co., Ireland; d ca 1766 PA.
Shedid not marry, and lived with her sister Margaret.
3.) Margery Harris, b abt 1730, Ulster Province, Donegal Co., Ireland; d 1806 PA.
In 1746 she married Andrew Boggs in Lancaster Co., PA;
Margery Harris and Andrew Boggs had seven children:
i. Andrew Boggs
ii. Robert Boggs
iii. Jenny Boggs
iv. Nancy Boggs
v. William Boggs, who died young.
vi. Joseph Boggs
vii. John Boggs, who died young
Children of Col. Robert Harris of Rocky River and second wife Margaret
McElmon (McIlhenny?) are
4.) Capt Robert Harris, b 1745 Swatara Creek, Lancaster Co., PA; d 27 Jun 1817,
age 72,in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. He married Eleanor Ross in NC
about 1765.
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Will Book 1796-1822
WILL OF ROBERT HARRIS
In the name of God, Amen. I Robert Harris, Senior of the county of Cabarrus
and State of North Carolina do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament
and being in a sick and low condition but of perfect mind and memory and calling
to mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all men once to
die, I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to be decently entered
in the earth at the discretion of my executors which shall be hereafter named.
As for what worldly estate it hath pleased God to bless me with I dispose of it in
the following maner. First I allow that my funeral expenses and all my just debts
be paid out of the whole of my estate-
Imprimis- I bequeath to my beloved wife, Elinor, her bed, bedstead and
furniture, my walnut chest and my pine chest the big and little wheels and crack
reel, her saddle and bridle together with onehalf of all my remaining household
furniture including my kitchen and dresser vessels and I likewise bequeath to my
beloved wife, Elinor my cupboard and likewise the onehalf of my books, her own
choice the books to be divided according to price. I likewise bequeath to my
beloved wife Elinor two horse creatures her own choice together with two sets
of horse bears, two cliveses, a set of two horse trees and hangings a barshear
plow and a shovel plow both her own choices and two axes, a mattock and
sprowting hoe and hilling hoes and my cutting knife and box and two milk cows
and calves and half of my hogs and five hundred weight of seed cotton and all
my flax and onehalf of what wheat and corn I have whether in the ground or
out of the ground all of the above articles I bequeath to my beloved wife Elinor
her heirs or assigns forever together with my mulatto girl Linny to her, her heirs
or assigns forever, and I bequeath to my beloved wife Elinor my log chain and
my single and double truckels. I do likewise bequeath to my beloved wife my
mulatto boy named Anthony during her natural life and at the expiration of her
natural life I do bequeath the above said mulatto boy Anthony to my brother
William Harris during my said brothers natural life, not to be sold nor rented or
hired to pay any debt at the expiration of my said brothers lifetime said
Anthony to be sold and the money arising from this sale to be equally divided
betwixt Robert Harris Callens and brother William Harris living daughters and I
order Cezar my negro boy to be sold as soon as convenient after my decease.
What debt I am in, due to Samuel Harris of Cabarrus County and sixty dollars
over to be deducted out of the price of said negro boy and the remainder of
his price to be equally divided among Alexander Fergusons three sons now l
iving, by Eliza Marget Ferguson and all my wearing apparel that is made up, I
bequeath to my brother William Harris and all my other property not
bequeathed in this will I order to be sold to the best advantage by my
executors as soon as convenient after my decease. I do hereby ordain
Samuel Harris and William Gilliam as executors of this my last will and testament
and by it I do revoke all other wills and testaments made by me heretofore
made in testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of
April 1817.
Signed, sealed and pronounced in the Robert Harris seal
Presence of us
Samuel Black
Robert Allen
N.B. Before signed I bequeath to my beloved wife, Elinor whatever yarn or cloth is
on hand at the time of my decease.
Probated Oct. sess. 1817.
5.) Mary Harris, b 1747 Swatara Creek, Lancaster Co., PA; d about 1803 in NC of
Consumption. 1772 she married Alexander Ferguson in NC. He was a widower
withFive children.
Mary Harris and Alexander Ferguson had issue"
i. Margaret Ferguson
ii. Robert Ferguson
iii. Alexander Ferguson, Jr
iv. Samuel Ferguson
v. Son FNU Ferguson
6.) FNU Harris, b 1748; d small, Swatara Creek, PA
7.) FNU Harris, b 1749; d small, Swatara Creek, PA
8.) William Harris (Harris DNA Group 3-159859), b 1 Jan 1755 on Swatara
Creek, Lancaster Co. PA; d 1827/28 Cabarrus County, NC. He came
with his parents to Harrisburg, NC in 1765. At thedeath of his father he
succeeded him in possession of the plantation on Footy Creekin
Cabarrus Co., NC. (See will below)
Married 1st: Elizabeth Corzine, d 8 Jan 1778 age 17 yrs & 10 days.
BuriedRocky River Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Cabarrus Co., NC.
William Harris and Elizabeth Corzine had issue:
i. William Harris, Jr. b Nov, 1777; died 9 Jan 1815 Augusta, GA.. Married 2nd
Sally Snell of Stokes Co. NC in 1795. Sally died about fall of 1817 leaving
6 children.
Married 2nd: Ann Headley
Children of William Harris and Ann Headley are:
ii. Ann Harris (first) b.30 Jun 1784 /d. 16 Jul 1784, infant, Cabarrus, NC
iii. Robert Harris b. 20 Dec 1786 Cabarrus, NC /d. 13 Feb 1801, age 14; interred
Rocky River Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Cabarrus, NC
iv. Joshua Harris b.23 Oct 1788 Cabarrus, NC /d.12 Sep 1859 age 71
Married 1st: Elizabeth Ann Allen (1786-1820) on 12 Sept 1811
4 children
NOTE: One of these is could be Nathan L. (I. N.) Harris mentioned
in Will. Will also mentions grandson Joshua Harris Taylorin GA, a daughter
Martha and a daughter Margaret I. Caldwell.
Married 2nd: Elizabeth Harris (25 Mar 1796 Cabarrus Co. NC- 29 May 1834) on
13 Feb 1822, Cabarrus Co. NC
Children of Joshua Harris and Elizabeth Harris are
a.Violet A. Harris, b 1823; d 1 Dec 1834 age 11
b. Amzi Harris, b 1834/d after Sept 1859 Unmarried. Buried Powder Springs, GA.
Married 3rd: Sarah M. Mehaffey (1802-1838) on 29 Oct 1835
Death Notices Charlotte Journal:
Harris, Mrs. Sarah M. Mar. 5, 1838. Cabarrus Co. 35 years. Wife of
Joshua Harris and member of Rocky River congregation. Daughter of
Joseph Mehaffey, Lincoln Co., N. C. Mar. 16, 1838.
Married 4th: Susan White (1800-1854)
Married 5th: Anna Levinia Lingle on 14 Feb 1855 in Rowan, NC
Children of Joshua Harris and Anna Levinia Lingle are:
a. Joshua Wilson Harris
b. William Alexander Harris
c. Samuel Washington Harris, b 1858 Cabarrus, NC /d 31 May 1918 Cabarrus, NC
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Will Records 1800-1868, page 60
WILL OF JOSHUA HARRIS
State of North Carolina ( May 3, 1859
Cabarrus County (In the Name of God amen
I Joshua Harris calling to mind that it is appointed to all men to die. Being in
sound mind and memory do make this my Last Will and Testament. I recommend
my body to be buried in a decent manner, and my Soul to God who gave it, and
as to my property I bequeath it in the following manner.
Item 1st I bequeath to my beloved wife Anna L. my plantation on the North side
of Footy Creek joining the lands of Sandy McKinley and others containing one
hundred and nine acres more or less. Also my Cane Run tract of twenty six
acres more or less joining the lands of Joshua Teator and others, also my Negro
boy George , all to be hers during her life or widowhood, and at the expiration
of either to belong to my two sons William A and Samuel W equally divided and
a the death or marriage of my wife Anna L. my two sons above named to have
the right and proceeds of said land and Negro to be divided equally at their own
discretion. I also bequeath to my wife my Buggy and Wagon and Horses, Windmill
and farming tools and house furniture.
Item 2nd: I bequeath to my son I. N. Harris fifty cents.
Item 3rd: I bequeath to my daughter Martha my Negro girl Louisa Hannah.
Item 4th: I bequeath to my daughter Margaret I. Caldwell my Negro girl Ceny Elizabeth.
Item 5th: I allow my Negro girl Clary to remain on the Plantation for the support of
Martha for twenty years of to her death and if Martha should not live twenty years
it is my will that Clara and her offspring younger than this date, be equally divided
between all my living Daughters, and my two sons Wm. and Samuel equally.
Item 6th: (Is stricken out of the original will.)
Item 7th: It is my will that my son Amzi have one bed and furniture, also one Poplar
chest with what he has got.
Item 8th: I bequeath to my grandson Joshua Harris Taylor in GA $10 to be paid
when he is Twenty years of age.
Item 9th: I bequeath to my wife to my wifeAnna Lovina all my unwilled property.
Item 10th: I appoint my wife Executrix to this my Last Will and Testament. It ismy
will that a head stone be set to my grave in R. R. graveyard.
Signed and Sealed in the Presence of us
Nathan L. Harris Joshua Harris
R. L. McKebbon. Jr.
North Carolina (Court of Pleas and Quarter Session
Cabarrus County (October Term 1859
The execution of this Will was duly proved by the oath of R. L. McKebbon,
one of the subscribing witnesses, who swears that both himself and the other
subscribing witness saw the Testator Sign the same that they witnessed it in
his presence and at his request and that he was of sound mind & memory. And
by Solomon Harris who proved that Nathan L. Harris is now a resident of
another State & County, that he is acquainted with his handwriting from having
seen him write & that the said signature is genuine and further proved the hand
writing of the name of the Testator to be genuine, whereupon said will was
admitted to Probate, and the Executrix was qualified and received Letters
Testamentary.
Nelson Slough, Clerk
v. Alexander Wilson Harris, b 7 Oct 1790, Cabarrus, NC /d 16 Sep 1870 (age 80).
Married Penelope Morrison 16 Feb 1816(age 26) NC. He received from his
fathers will: 207 acres ofthe plantation where I now live, one mile South of Reedy
Creek,home with a valuable mill seat. Here Alexander and Penelope lived until1859
when they sold and moved to Iredell, NC
Iredell County, North Carolina
Will Records Volume M, page 589
WILL OF ALEXANDER W. HARRIS
In the name of God, Amen. I Alexander W. Harris of the County of Iredell
and State of North Carolina being of sound and disposing mind and memory do
make and ordain this to be my Last Will and testament, to wit:
1st. I will and devise to my son Isaac Harris in Special Trust for the separate use
and maintenance of my daughter Elizabeth M., intermarried with James Erwin,
the tract of land I own in Mecklenburg County, adjoining the lands of John Walker,
Silas Hunter and others containing about one hundred and sixty four acres, to
her and her chil