Dear Harris-Hunters, particularly of Colonial Virginia, I need help in sorting out the identity of a Frederick Harris of Louisa Co., VA. He apparently was the brother of Robert Harris (Major) and of Benjamin Harris of the same county. However, I may have information here about two Frederick Harrises in the same locality. Can you help me straighten out the identity? Submitted by E.W.Wallace FREDERICK HARRIS OF LOUISA CO., VA Brother of Benjamin Harris and Robert Harris, presumably his contemporaries in colonial Louisa Co., VA. He resided in Louisa Co. It is unclear whether he is the same Frederick Harris who was a justice of Louisa Co. as late as July 1789, well after the American Revolution. Louisa Co. DB F-446-447 in 1789 labels Frederick Harris and William Phillips as Justices of Louisa Co. They were granted power to take examination of Barbara Barret, wife of Robert Barret as Mrs. Barret was unable to travel to Louisa Co. court. Frederick's Brothers It is stated in the will of Benjamin Harris, Trinity Parish, Louisa Co., dated 30 July 1765 and recorded 14 Oct 1765, that his brothers were Frederick Harris and Robert Harris. The latter two men plus Benjamin's wife Mary were to be executors. Witnesses were James Overton, Charles Nuckolls, and Mary Ratliff. (Louisa Co. Wills Bk 1-72 on SLC film 32,191). 1785 Louisa Co. Will Bk 1-72 "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 & son Robert at death of my wife. Excrs: wife Mary Harris & two brothers: Frederick Harris & Robert Harris. Signed: Benjamin Harris. Wit: James Overton, Charles Nuckolls, Mary Ratlif. Dated 30 July 1785. Rcd 14 Oct 1785." (Nancy Chappelear & Kate Binford Hatch, ABSTRACTS OF LOUISA COUNTY WILL BOOKS , p. 13) The relationship of Frederick to Benjamin Harris is implied (not proved) in this excerpt: p. 53 [of Guardian records] Gdn. Bond. Frederick Harriss Gdn to Overton, Robert, Benjamen & Nancy Harriss Orphans of Benja. Harriss Dec'd; 2,000 pds currt. money. Sec. David Anderson & Garrett Minor. 13 Mar 1774 (Rosalie Edith Davis, WHERE HAVE ALL THE CHILDREN GONE?.... [Manchester, MO: Published by author, 1980], p. 8) Frederick, then, is one of the sons of William Harris of Hanover Co., VA. He apparently died in Louisa Co. and his will is recorded in book Louisa Co. WB 5-20. However, WB 5 reportedly begins in 1801, and it is doubtful Frederick Harris, brother of Major Robert Harris lived that long. More research is needed. (Had the probate extended that long?) Little is known of Frederick Harris of Louisa Co., VA, who owned land in Kentucky. According to abstractor Mrs. Ardery, citation below, he had at least two sons: Richard and Richmond. Frederick and his sons were associated with members of the Overton family, implying that there may have been a relationship with the family of William Harris (qv) and his wife Temperance Overton. The transactions of these three men, Frederick, Richmond and Richard are combined here. Richmond and Richard Harris An early Kentucky land record signed by Richmond Harris: "Ky. Land Office - VA Surveys, Bk. 11, pg. 87 - Wm. B. Harris and Jas. Overton's Hrs., assee [assignee] of Wm. Steward, assee, of David Tanner, assee of Emanuel Kelly, assee of Chas. Patterson, 1800 A. part of a 2000 A. entry, part of Treasury Warrant 10694, located in Mercer Co. on Kentucky River, adjoining Isaac Winston and Ann Poage, 24 Jan 1789. Richmond Harris assigns one-half of land in within plat mentioned to James Overton, Jr., and desires to register grant accordingly. 25 Feb 1789. /s/ Richmond Harris." The author adds: "Richmond Harris was the son of Frederick Harris of Louisa Co., VA, see Franklin Co. [KY] deeds." The deeds are not included in Vol. II. From Louisa Co. DB G-422 Frederick Harris of Louisa appts son Richard Harris, his atty. in fact to convey his Kentucky lands, 4 Mar 1794. It is doubtful Frederick Harris in this DB G of 1794 is the same as the earlier Frederick Harris, unless the power of attorney dtd 1794 was not recorded at the time of execution which may have occurred earlier. Frederick, then, had a son Richard, who was appointed attorney by not only his father but also by Richmond Harris. There were many other Harris males in Louisa Co., identities of all not known. However, one suspects that they were interrelated. Other references to residents of Louisa Co. are found in these deeds or other records. Ct. Bk B, p. 98, 5 Sep 1798 [county not stated by author, but presumably Louisa Co.]: "Richmond Harris to John Overton of Fayette Co., KY, 250 A. located in Mercer Co. on South side of K[entuck]y River, consideration of $500.000. (Mrs. William Breckenridge Ardery, "Harris Notes," KENTUCKY COURT AND OTHER RECORDS [Baltimore: GPC, 1979], P. 170) Was Frederick Harris's Wife A Terrell? >From Louisa Co. deeds in the late 1740s on, we learn that a Richmond Terrell was a neighbor of the Harrises, at least a neighbor of Frederick Harris. From time to time Terrell witnessed their deeds, and they reciprocated. However, there seem to have been a father and a son of the same name. Louisa Co. DB C1/2-49, 13 Nov 1764, shows Richmond Terrell of New Kent Co., Blisland Par. "for love and affection" deeding to his son Richmond "all the lands I possess in Louisa Co. and Hanover Co." together with eight named slaves. Among the witnesses was Frederick Harris. Later, there are references to Richmond Terrell, dec'd, so that we assume that the father had died, but the younger Richmond Terrell continued to appear in the deeds from time to time. Frederick Harris, along with Garrett Minor and Z. Lewis, were executors of of one Richmond Terrill, deceased, of St. Martin's Par., Louisa Co. Whether this refers to the older Terrill or his son is not known. (DB D1/2, dated 23 Dec 1771). Because Frederick was an executor, the deduction is made that there was a close familial relationship. A Younger Frederick Harris of Louisa Co.? A marriage recorded in Louisa Co., VA indicates that a Frederick Harris had a daughter Jemima Harris. The relationship of the bride and groom to each other is unknown, and the sureties' relationships to either bride or groom is also unknown. 15 October 1789 Overton Harris and Jemima Harris, daughter of Frederick Harris. Sur. Robert Harris, Jr. and Ann O. Harris p. 46 (Kathleen Booth Williams, MARRIAGES OF LOUISA COUNTY, VIRGINIA [1959], p 50) Question: Is this Overton Harris the son of the deceased Benjamin Harris, brother of Robert Harris and of Frederick Harris? Looking forward to your help. E.W.Wallace