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    1. Jefferson County, AL
    2. harris220
    3. A while back, I found an extracted Civil War military record of Robert Marion Kelley, reportedly the son of Charles Kelley and Malinda Harris Kelley. The information apparently was found in a Civil War census taken about 1912. His mother, Malinda Harris Kelley, was said to be the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Harris of Jefferson County, AL. Since this is the county of my ancestors birth, I am extremely interested in researching all of the Harris families who lived in the area during this period of time. However, there just seemed to be something wrong with the aforementioned parents; i.e. Daniel and Sarah Harris. I doubt that Daniel and Sarah Harris were a couple. She was probably my ancestor and probably married to (1st) James Harris and (2nd ) to Joel Harris. I couldn't really prove my point until just recently I rediscovered several census records which make me believe that Daniel Harris was in fact married to Susan Harris who also lived in Jefferson County. 1850 - Household of Susan Harris included daughter Susan (25,) Benjamin (19) Elizabeth (16) and Thomas, 20. Also on the same page was Robert Thornton Harris and his wife Judith. His middle name was unclear. In 1860, Susan and her family were also in the census. By 1870, Susan Harris (senior) was probably deceased; the head of household was listed as Thomas, wife Sarah and siblings BF and Elizabeth. Also in the household, was Columbus Kelley. In 1880, Ben F Harris was listed as head of household including his sisters and nephew, Columbus Kelley. Given the fact that Columbus was his nephew, his mother, "Malinda" was the sister to the others and daughter of Susan Harris. Although it's still unproven, I believe that Daniel Harris was earlier married to a woman named Mary; they settled first in Mississippi Territory and by 1830 had moved back to Shelby County, AL. I have the territory census records and an early land record identifying his wife as Mary Harris. He probably had older children by his first wife, one of which may have been Allen Harris who settled in Coosa County and probably died in the Civil War. I can link Daniel with my probable ggg grandfather, Joel Harris through land records but still can't figure out their relationship. He was also linked to Benjamin Franklin Harris of Shelby County, AL., who in turn was supposedly the son of Richard W. Harris of Pitt County, NC. Right now, I am trying to figure out if I can uncover any more information with her BLM land record which states that she purchased property in Jefferson County with a Military Warrant. Unfortunately, I have not found any records identifying which war Daniel may have served. He was listed as 60 - 70 years old in the 1840 census suggesting that he probably was most likely to have served in the war of 1812. But, there is simply no evidence to substantiate that idea. Does any one have any other information about researching military warrants or early service. Does anyone know anything about RT Harris listed in the Jefferson County, AL census. I assumed that he was the individual who served in the 58th AL Infantry along with my ancestor but I may be wrong about this point. I saw something that identified his residence as Marengo County, AL., which contradicts what I believe is right. Kristina Harris

    09/02/2004 04:56:04