Dear Wanda Flesher On 21 Aug 2008, you wrote the following [selected paragraph]. The subject was [MADKY] Several Robert Harrises of Madison Co., KY. To give some information regarding the Robert Harris's of Madison Co. KY: The Robert Harris who married Jael Jane Ellison was born 27 Oct. 1786, Albemarle Co, VA.is a different Robert Harris than the son of Christopher Harris. Robert Harris, husband of Jael Ellison Harris is the son of John Franklin and Margaret Peggy Maupin Harris. This Robert Harris died in 1863, Madison Co KY, buried in the Richmond Cemetery. [other paragraphs of your e-mail omitted] Question: Will you help me get the facts straight about the father of this Robert Harris [wife Jael Jane Ellison]? I seem to have *acquired* a different wife for John Franklin Harris. The John Franklin Harris of whom I write was the son of Overton Harris (d. testate 1827, Madison Co. KY). Overton was the son of the elder Christopher Harris (d. testate 1794, Madison Co.). See below for a brief bio of John Franklin Harris. Thus, John Franklin Harris is probably NOT the one about whom you have written. "My" John Franklin Harris would have been the older brother of my ancestress, Carlisle Harris (d. 1859 TX), one of the younger daughters of Overton Harris, who is mentioned above. JOHN FRANKLIN HARRIS. (b. ca 1811-death date prior to May 1842) Son of Overton Harris and Nancy Oldham of Madison Co., KY. (Nancy Harris, the widow, later married Anderson Chenault, a widower ca 1837.) Grantor deed indexes of Madison Co. (DB X-205 dated Oct 16, 1837) indicate John Franklin later may have been called Franklin and he may have had a wife Katherine. He probably died intestate, as there was an administration as indicated by these probate and administration records of Madison Co., KY (FHL film 183269) pp. 82-83 J. F. Harris admr Settlement [in margin] 2nd day of May 1842 Being called upon by Christopher Harris and Napoleon G. Tevis administrators of John F. Harris decd to state & settle their accounts as such we have appointed this day at the office of R. Runyon in Richmond to perform that duty. By 1839, there is a notation in the grantor deeds that the heirs of John F. have joined other heirs of Overton Harris (their father) in selling property, a lot in Richmond to Thomas G. Little. It appears that John F. was now deceased. More research is needed. Bill and Kathy Vockery in CEMETERY RECORDS OF MADISON COUNTY [KENTUCKY], Vol. 1, Northern Section, p. 52, show John F. Harris is buried in the Overton Harris Cemetery and that he was born 1811, but his death date is not given. The Vockerys indicate (as may the gravestone) that he was the eldest son of Overton & Nancy Harris. However, there is also a gravesite for a Harris daughter born 1811. Does this signify that John Franklin was a twin? Or was he born later in the year than the unnamed daughter? John Franklin seems to have reached adulthood as indicated by a couple of marriage bonds in Madison Co. John Franklin seemed to be bondsman for one or two marriages in Madison Co. KY: for his sister Elizabeth and for his brother Solon M. Jul 1837. He himself seemed to be married, as indicated by the deed naming a Katherine. Tevis, Joseph H. & Elizabeth Harris; 17 Aug 1829; John Franklin Harris, bondsman; Nancy Harris, mother of bride [consent]. (Vockery & Vockery, Madison County Kentucky Marriages, 1823-1851, Vol. 2 [Richmond, KY,: published by authors, 1993], p. 73) Harris, Solon M. & Sally Ann Miller 25 July 1837. Robert Miller gave consent, but his relationship to the bride is unknown. Solon Harris was John Franklin's brother. (Ibid, p. 34) (Was he an underage bondsman, or was he born before his parents were married in 1810? If born in 1811, the year after the parents' marriage, he would have been age 21 in 1832 and not in 1829. His father had recently died, however, and he may have been acting as an older man in he family. Nancy (Oldham1 Harris was the widow of Overton Harris and mother of both Elizabeth and of John Franklin Harris.) Comment: Carlisle Harris married in Madison Co., KY Michael Lowery Stoner, and they spent a several years of their early marriage in Tennessee. After the death of Carlisle's mother, Nancy (Oldham) (Harris) Chenault in September 1858, the Stoner family moved to Texas. Thus, I am not acquainted as I might be about the Madison Co. Kentucky branch of this particular Harris family. Thanks for helping me sort out John Franklin Harris -- or several of them!!! I have just now checked my notes for Margaret *Peggy* Maupin, and I see that I have info her marriage to John Harris [seemingly no middle name] took place in Albemarle Co., VA--prior to their move to Madison Co. The date was 1785, and the source is William L. Norford., Marriages of Albemarle and Charlottesville, Virginia 1781-1929 (Charlottesville, VA: Privately published, 1956)]. Did this John Harris [probable son of the elder Christopher Harris but this needs to be confirmed] die in Madison Co., KY? Do you have any confirmation that his middle name was Franklin? Just curious. The same given names are given to generations of Harrises, unfortunately!!! If this John Harris is indeed the son of Christopher the elder, then I think he is the person to whom his mother or stepmother, Agnes Harris, gave a power of attorney to take care of the probate of the deceased Chrsitopher in Albemarle Co., VA. (An attorney-genealogist told me that if a person had property, particularly real property in two jurisdictions, then the probate would take place in both places.) E.W.Wallace **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out! (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001)