Hi, all, Thought that before I posted more information on the descendants of Benjamin (d. 1762) & Sarah Dumas Harris (d. 1780) of Hanover, Goochland & Louisa Cos., VA, I would post what documentation I have gathered on the Benjamin Harris who died a young man in Louisa Co., VA in 1765, leaving his young widow and young children. (They're really all part of the same family that comes from William & Temperance Overton Harris, but represent different branches of the same tree that comprises a part of DNA Group 6.) I would also like to say a big thank you! to a FEW of the many excellent researchers who have helped to sort out the numerous Virginia Harris lines over these many years: Evelyn, Ira, Pat, Chris, Jim, Glenn, Cassia, Lillian, Virginia [deceased]---and SO many others as well. I so thank you all for all of your help and contributions to our joint understanding of all these various Harris lines in Virginia and later locations. Anyway, here is the documentation for Benjamin Harris (d. 1765), his widow, and his children. Pam pamstone@cfl.rr.com ======================================= Chappelear, Nancy, and Hatch, Kate Binford: Abstracts of Early Louisa County, Virginia Will Books, 1743-1819; Copyright, 1964, by Nancy Chappelear and Kate Binford Hatch; Published, 1964, by by Nancy Chappelear and Kate Binford Hatch, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. --- Notes by the authors: Will Book 1 was partially mutilated, so we have verified the Will Book by the Order Book. The mutilated first page of the Will Book is numbered 145. - p. 13: W.B. 1, p. 72 Will dated 30 July 1765. Rcd. 14 Oct 1765. Will of Benjamin HARRIS of Trinity Parish. Wife Mary. 3 sons: Robert, eldest son Overton, & -----. Dau: Nancy. Lands to be divided among my eldest son Overton and son Robert at death of my wife. Exors: wife Mary HARRIS & two brothers: Frederick HARRIS & Robert HARRIS. Signed: Benjamin HARRIS. Wit.: James OVERTON, Charles NUCKOLLS, Mary RATLIF [RATLIFF] [The testator was reportedly the son of William & Elizabeth Burnett Harris of Hanover Co., VA, and the grandson of William & Temperance Overton Harris. Note that the third son of this Benjamin & Mary was BENJAMIN Harris, as shown below. There are no surviving records of Trinity Parish.] p. 79: W.B. 3, p. 87 Bond dated & rcd. 19 Mar 1784. Bond of Elias THOMASON in the amount of 1500 pounds unto the executors of Henry DAVIS, decd. Whereas the above named Henry DAVIS in his lifetime entered into bond as Security for Mary HARRIS, late widow of Benjamin HARRIS, decd. for her faithful performance as Extx. of the said decd. husband's estate; now the above bonded Elias THOMASON, who has since intermarried with the said Mary HARRIS, do save harmless & indemnify the aforesaid Exors. of Henry Harris [sic: typo] decd. from all trouble & damage that may arise, the said Henry DAVIS being surety as aforesaid for the said Mary HARRIS. Security: Wingfield COSBY. Signed: Elias Thomasson, Wingfield Cosby [NOTE: This bond makes it appear that Elias Thomason/Thomasson had married Mary Harris, the widow of Benjamin Harris, at a later date, but the following document makes it clear that Elias Thomason had married Mary, the widow of Benjamin when her children were quite young, and had helped to raise them to adulthood. Elias was a good stepfather to the children of Benjamin & Mary Harris.] p. 93: W.B. 3, p. 227 Settlement of Estate recorded -------- 1785. Settlement of the estate of Benj. HARRIS by Elias THOMASSON, Exor. For boarding & clothing of Overton, Nancy, Robert & Benj.: 443 pounds, 10 shillings, 10 pence. Signed by: Chs. BARRET, Robt. BARRET, John CRUTCHFIELD & Elijah DICKINSON. [Please note that Nancy, the daughter of Benjamin & Mary Harris, married John COOK, who, Unfortunately, committed suicide.] ===================================== [END OF FILE] =====================================