From: "Skye" <skylark6160@windstream.net> Subject: Re: [VAHANOVE] Tyree Harris of Madison Co., KY Were all of the Christopher Harris children born in Hanover County, Virginia? Here is my longish response to Skylark's query. ((I am telling you more than you really want to know. But since Christopher Harris named 19 children in his will, there probably a LOT of descendants *out there* from coast to coast and probably overseas!!) If you see errors or want to give me corrections, please e-mail me. A lot of material in the past has been posted on Harris-Hunters. You can search the archives. E.W.Wallace Who can say where Christopher Harris's children were born? Unless you can find their names in a vestry book, vital records for colonial Virginia are quite scarce. And, of course, Hanover Co. is a *burned county*, much to my distress. (Christopher Harris died testate ca 1794 in Madison Co., KY.) Louisa Co., VA is probably a better guess as to birthplace of Christopher's children, and guess it must be!!! Albemarle Co. might be a guess for the younger children by Agnes McCord. Christopher Harris was son of Major Robert Harris [wife, Mourning said to be Glen or Glenn], who was surveyor for Louisa Co. [some documents so state], sometimes vestryman ca 1758 for Fredericksville Parish, and served at least one term in House of Burgesses. Here is a little history of Christopher Harris. His first wife is said to have been Mary Dabney. His second wife was Agnes McCord. E.W.Wallace In 1746/47 Christopher Harris patented land in Louisa Co. which had been formed from Hanover Co. Patent Bk 28: Christopher Harris, 350 acs. Louisa Co., under the foot of ragged Mountains and on both sides of a West fork of Rockey Cr. on the Goochland Co. Line [N65 degrees W] on a ridge, adj. Mosias Jones & James Merideth; 12 Jan 1746/47, p. 25. 1 pd. 15 shillings (D. R. Hudgins, CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS, V. V, [Richmond, VA: Virginia Genealogical Society, 1994] p. 304) From Louisa Co. DB B. P. 500-501. 27 May 1753 Robert Harris of Fredericksville Par., Louisa Co., Gent., and Mourning, his wife, to William Keaton of same. For and in consideration that sd. Keaton and Margaret, his wife, shall by deed make over to Christopher Harris (Son of afsd. Robert) for fee simple estate, 331 acres of land and plantation of William Keaton's; bounded as in a patent granted sd. Keaton in City of Williamsburg 12 Jan. 1747. Sd. Harris have sold to sd. Keaton 400 acres and plantation of sd. Robert Harris on both sides of Rockey Creek, being land whereon sd. Keaton now lives, bounded as by patent granted sd. Harris in City of Williamsburg 15 Sept. 1752. Robert Harris Mourning Harris Wit: John Hawkins, David Watts, John (X) McCauley. 27 Mar 1752 acknowledged by Robert Harris and Mourning, his wife. (Mourning Harris, Robert's wife, is said to have been was the former Mourning Glenn. The deed cited above is not entirely clear. It seems that although Keaton had patented 331 acres in 1747, he was purchasing other land from Robert Harris, on which land Keaton was already residing. Robert Harris, in turn, was recording that Keaton was to turn over to Harris's son Christopher the acreage Keaton had patented previously. We have not discovered any blood or marriage relationship of Keaton to the Harris family, but there may be one.) P. 501-502. 27 Mar 1753 William Keaton of Fredericksville Par., Louisa Co., and Margaret, his wife, to Christopher Harris of same. In consideration that Robert Harris of Louisa Co., and Mourning, his wife, shall by deed make over to William Keaton 400 acres and plantation, bounded as in a patent granted sd. Harris in 1752, land whereon William Keaton now lives. Have sold to sd. Christopher Harris 331 acres on both sides of the south fork of Rocky Creek whereon sd. Christopher Harris now lives; bounded as in a patent granted sd. Keaton in the City of Williamsburg 12 Jan. 1747. William (M) Keaton Margaret (X) Keaton Wit: John Hawkins, David Watts, John (X) McCauley 27 Mar. 1753 acknowledged by William Keaton. George II to Mosias Jones, David Milles, Gentlemen Justices of Louisa Co. Power granted to take acknowledgment of Margaret Keaton, who is so impotent that without great Danger of her body she cannot travel to the Court of our County. 3 Apr 1753. James Littlepage, Clk. 20 Apr. 1753 By virtue of this writ we have examined sd. Margaret, wife of William Keaton, who acknowledgted her right of dower. Mosias Jones, David Mills (Rosalie Edith Davis, LOUISA COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEED BOOKS A AND B, 1742-1759 [Bellevue, WA 1976] p. 84) Note that these two deeds, probably deeds of lease and release, were dated the same day. It is said that deeds of lease and release were made in order to avoid taxes. Patents in Albemarle Co. Albemarle Co. was formed from Louisa Co. Christopher Harris patented land in Albemarle Co. as indicated below: Patent Bk No. 36 Christopher Harris, 162 acs. Albemarle Co. on Ginsang br. in Mill Stone bottom, adj. his own line; 15 Aug 1764, p. 624. 1 Pd. (Dennis Ray Hudgins, ed., CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS, Vol Seven: 1762-1776 [RIchmond, VA: Virginia Genealogical Society, 1999], p. 61) Albemarle Co. Deeds of 1771-1772 indicate that in 1771, 14 November, Christopher Harris sold this parcel of land to William Crawford. Agness Harris joined Christopher in completing this transaction. (Ruth & Sam Sparacio, ALBEMARLE COUNTY DEED BOOK 5 1768-1772, PART II, [McLean, VA: The Antient Press] p. 77-78) Christopher Harris's Marriages Christopher's first wife, according to Hazel A. Spraker in THE BOONE FAMILY, ("Harris Family" by Bess Hawthorne, a Harris descendant) was Mary Dabney. In Christopher's will (1794, Madison Co., KY), cited below, he mentions bequest of Cornelius Dabney, probably Mary's father or possibly brother. The bequest was to Harris's oldest children, implying that these were his children by Mary Dabney. A Cornelius Dabney was in King William Co. ca. 1723, but also in Hanover Co. 1733-34 (Hanover Co. Court Records), and in Louisa Co., VA as late as 1782. The latter Cornelius Dabney would have been contemporaneous with Christopher Harris but possibly predeceasing him. It is known there were several men by this name of succeeding generations. The Dabneys were neighbors in Albemarle Co. in 1768 as evidenced by the following deed, DB-5, pp. 37-38: William Dabney & his wf. Jane of Albemarle Co. to William Shelton for 200 pds. current money of VA, a tract of land on Mechams River, adj Wm. Wallace. (s) Wm. Dabney Wit: Thomas Grubbs, Elizabeth Jones, Christopher Harris, Robert Harris, Tyre Harris. 2 Jun 1768; delivery of deed acknd by witnesses on same date. Rec. Nov Ct 1768 (Tyre or Tyree Harris, brother of Christopher, later removed to Orange Co. NC from which Caswell Co. was formed in 1777. See his separate biography. William Shelton married into the Harris family. He had a son named Tyree and so did Christopher Harris.) Louisa County VA Records Christopher Harris was a witness in Louisa Co. 24 Nov 1750 to Martin's improvements, apparently an appraisal by three men (by order of Louisa Court Oct 1750). An indication of the approximate location of the land of Christopher Harris in Louisa Co. is found in this entry in Fredericksville Parish Vestry Book: P. 35: [23 Sept. 1751] "Ordered that Mosias Jones and Christopher Harris do procession all the lands on the up[p]er side of Buck mountain Creek and a Cross Moormans river to the Coty. Line and up the Same to the Ragged Mountains and under them to Brown's road and down the Same to Buck Mountain Creek." (Rosalie Edith Davis, FREDERICKSVILLE PARISH VESTRY BOOK, 1742-1787, VOL. I [Manchester, MO: privately printed, 1978], p. 38 "Pursuant to an Order of Court Dated ye 24th Day of June 1752," an almost identical order was issued to Moisas Jones Gent. and Christopher Harris. (p. 51) Also living in Fredericksville Parish at the same time were Christopher's father, Robert Harris "Gent." and brother Tyree Harris. Tyree succeeded his father Robert as vestryman, but he later migrated to North Carolina, and a Robert Harris, presumably the father, was appointed vestryman to take the place of Tyree Harris who had removed. Jeremiah Glen, no doubt a relative of Christopher and Tyree's mother, Mourning Glen, was a resident in the parish also. (Mourning's father is believed to have been James Glen, but the exact identity of Mourning's parents is in dispute among contemporary genealogists.) Much later, Christopher was again ordered to procession: P. 81 [ca 1767] "Ordered that Xtopher Harris & Daniel Maupine Junr. do procession all the lands above (a hole in the page) ... res Meeting House between Moreman's river and Woods Road up to the top of the Great Mountain." (Davis, op. cit., p. 85) A William Dabney appears in the orders. He was to procession between Wood's and Rhodes Road & the River and Ivy Creek. Albemarle Co. Records Albemarle Co., VA was formed 1744 from Louisa and Goochland Cos. A Virginia land patent of Tully Choice, Pat. Bk 31-711 indicates that his land is on the Branches of Rockey Creek and the Albemarle Co. Line [N50W] and adjoins Christopher Harris, William Keatton, Patrick Wood & William Owens. In Albemarle Co., there is this deed: DB A?-p158: 13 May 1762 Christopher Harris to Saml. Karr, Augusta [Co.] for 65 pds., 331 acres both sides S fork Rockey Creek adj. Henry Bunch, Mosias [transcribed as Morias but other records show Mosias] Jones. (Rev. Bailey Fulton Davis, THE DEEDS OF AMHERST COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1761-1807 AND ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1748-1763, p. 54) This parcel of 331 acres seems to be the same which Keaton had sold to Christopher Harris nine years earlier and which Robert Harris, Christopher's father, had earlier sold to Keaton with proviso that it was to be later transferred to Christopher. (This type of conveyance usually occurred between an older man to a younger relative or a trusted friend when the son of the grantor was underage. The relationship of Keaton to the Harris family is unknown. Perhaps he was a brother-in-law of Robert Harris--perhaps his wife was a sister of Mournin Glen [conjecture].) From Albemarle Co., VA court papers 1744-1783: 1770 [p. 32] Promissory note: Philip Thurman of Albemarle Co. to Christopher Harris, dated 10 Mar 1770, witnessed by Robert Harris and Benjamin Thurman. (On back "To Mr. Robert Harvey: Sir, please pay this bond. Signed Philip Thurman.) (Comment: This may be the younger Robert Harris, Christopher's brother or perhaps Christopher's son of the same name.) (Benjamin B. Weisiger III, ALBEMARLE CO., VA COURT PAPERS 1744-1783, FHL film 1,697,895 Item 9) The following deeds of Louisa Co. make reference to Albemarle Co. line: Deed Bk. B-136-137 makes mention of Christopher Harris's land. The deed is dated 14 Jul 1756 is from Tully Choice of Halifax Co., grantor, to James Ennis of Louisa Co....on branches of Rockey Creek...Christopher Harris and William Keaton's corner...Patrick Woods line...Williams Owens line, corner in Albemarle Co. line...Christopher Harris' corner in the County line. Deed Bk. B-300 also makes reference to land of Christopher Harris. James Ennis & wife of Louisa to James Read of same...on branches of Rockey Creek.. Christopher Harrises and William Keaton's corner...Patrick Wood's line...William Owens line to Owen's corner oak in Albemarle Co. line...Christopher Harris' corner in Co. line. (Rosalie Edith Davis, LOUISA COUNTY, VA DEED BOOKS A AND B, 1742-1759 [Bellevue, WA: Published by author, 1976]) More Albemarle Co., VA Records DB Bk 3-171 3 Apr 1762, Christopher Harris was a witness to a deed Ro. Harris, planter, to son Ro., Jr., love - on Blue Ridge, Doyle River, pat. of 521 acres 6 Dec 1753. Other witnesses were Jas. Harris and Wm. Brown. On 3 Apr 1762, DB 3-175 Benj. Brown deeded property to his daughter, Lucretia Harris. The witnesses were Jas. & Christopher Harris, Wm. Brown, and Benj. Thurman. (Of interest is the fact that Benj. Brown a few months earlier had deeded land on Doyle River [in Albemarle Co.] to Benjamin Brown [Jr.] of Hanover. (But he is not specified as Benj. Brown, Jr.). Hanover Co. was the former home of the Harrises. THE BOONE FAMILY states that Brown Sr.'s wife was Sarah Dabney. Lucretia Brown, a daughter of Benjamin Brown, (grantor in above deed), married Robert Harris, Jr. Refer to the biography of Robert Harris, Jr., who is inferred from DB 3-264 to have been the husband of the above Lucretia [Brown] Harris. Christopher again witnessed that deed.) (Rev. Bailey Fulton Davis, THE DEEDS OF AMHERST COUNTY, VIRGINIA, 1761-1807 AND ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1748-1763, Easley, SC, 1979) Christopher Harris appears on the personal property tax list of Albemarle Co., VA, 1782. He is shown with 9 slaves, 27 cattle, 4 horses, paying a tax of 5 pounds, 14 shillings, and 9 pence. Two other Harrises are shown as proprietors in District 3: James and Thomas. Harris's first wife, Mary Dabney, must have died before 1769 as on that date, Agnes (McCord) appears as Harris's wife in Albemarle Co. deeds. Two other McCords are shown in District 3: Jane, probably a widow, and William. (Thomas Jefferson, Esq., is shown in District 2 on the 1782 tax list of Albemarle Co.. He counted 2 males over 21; 129 slaves; 106 net cattle; 23 horses; 6 "wheels for riding carriages," paying a tax of 70 pounds, 12 shillings, and 6 pence.) In Augusta Co. VA, Deed Bk 22-p. 395 indicates that Christopher Harris and Agness (--) executed a deed, 17 Nov 1778. (Lyman Chalkley, CHRONICLES OF THE SCOTTISH-IRISH SETTLEMENT, V. 3.) However, an earlier entry in fee books of Augusta Co. for 1774, page 49 has this cryptic remark: Page 49, Christopher Harris, Albemarle, (May), Caldwell's deeds to you. (Chalkley, V. 2, p. 408) Land office records in Virginia Archives show the following Virginia land patents or grants for Christopher Harris in Albemarle Co., VA: 1. 15 Aug 1764 - 164 A on Gingsang br. in Millstone Bottom, Patents No. 36, 1764-67, p. 624 2. 17 Aug 1770 - 234 A on the side of one of the Mountains in the Blue Ridge called Bucks Elbow. Patent No. 39, 1770-71, p. 10 3. 6 Apr 1792 - 3 1/2 On the S side of Moorman's River, Grants 26, 1792, p. 171. (Of interest is that 1792 is the same year Christopher Harris was granted land in Kentucky. See below). Christopher's father Robert Harris also patented land in Albemarle Co. in 1751. See his biography. In 1751, Christopher Harris and his neighbor Mosias Jones were ordered by Fredericksville Parish vestry to procession some land in Fredericksville Par., Louisa, Co., as indicated previously. Refer to biography of Agnes McCord, which mentions watercourse in Albemarle Co. >From Albemarle Co. Deed Bk 5: 14 Nov 1771 Christopher Harris and his wife Agnes Albemarle County of one part and William Crawford of the said County for .. pounds current money of Virginia 350 A.in Albemarle Co. under the foot of the Ragged Mountains and both sides of a West Fork of Rock Creek .. in Mosias Jones's line, adj James Merridiths line to a corner in Goochland Co. line, West Fork of Rockey Creek to the first station. Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Bennet Henderson Robert Miller. Christopher Harriss Thomas Maupin Minian Mills Agness Harriss ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com