Dear Subscribers, Perhaps some of you can help me sort out whether the James Harrises in some of the following records are the same person, or are they different persons? The birthdate given for James Harris of Madison Co. may be disputed. E.W.Wallace, a descendant of Overton Harris, who died testate, Madison Co., KY 1827 JAMES HARRIS II. James Harris of Madison Co., KY is the son of Christopher Harris and Agnes McCord. His birthdate of 1770, apparently unconfirmed, is taken from DAR application 598925. Those of his siblings and most of the marriages are given, indicating the applicant MAY have used a Bible record. A James Harris appears on the Albemarle Co. 1786 Personal Property Tax, Tax List A, District of Thomas Garth, Commissioner. However, if the 1770 birthdate provided by Wm. A. LaBach, of Lexington, KY, a descendant of the Harris family, is correct, then he was young to have so much property. This may be another James Harris. In fact, the James Harris of Albemarle Co. is more probably a son-in-law of Robert Harris (Major) of Albemarle and Louisa Cos., VA and thus a brother-in-law of the older Christopher Harris, who also appears on the 1787 tax list of Albemarle Co. James self 1-6-8-9-21 (Source: Netti Schreiner-Yantis and Florene Speakman Love, THE 1787 CENSUS OF VIRGINIA [Springfield, VA: Genealogical Books in Print, 198?, LAFHC 975.5 X2s 1787, V. 2) According to William LaBach, James was married to Susannah Gass and he died 1798. The marriage listed in Vockery & Vockery is as follows: Harris, James & Goss Susanna, 1 Dec 1790 (date of bond); James Goss, bondsman; return 2 Dec 1790. Is this another James Harris? Madison Co., DB A-80 [abstracted] 13 Apr 1788 Green Clay of Madison Co., VA to James Harris 11 thousand wt neet inspected crop tobacco in good cash 3,000 of which to be paid before the 25th day of December 12 months granted... James Harris... 177 acres... Flanders Callaway sett....Richard Dunstalls ln - ln of James Berry /s/ Green Clay wit: Edward Durbin, Joseph Durbin, Richard Fowler (LDS film 183,283) Madison Co. DB D-329, 29 Aug 1797 James Harris to John Mullins both of Albemarle Co. [VA] for 126 pds a parcel lying in the State of Kentucky in Madison Co. adj. the lands of James Berry, Mr. Turner and Jesse Nowling, which said tract of land was deeded to the said James Harris by Green Clay [of same county] for 175 acs. more or less the whole of the above-mentioned land is comprised in the deeds except 50 acs. sold prior to this indenture to the above named Jesse Noland [or Nathan?] to be taken of that eastward [?] of said land sold to John Mullins, Jun. James Harris (L.S.) In presents of Wm. Karr, Danl Miller John Rodes, Junr (FHL film 183,285) The relationship of James Harris to Agnes [McCord] Harris and the deceased Christopher Harris the elder cannot be easily be deduced from this deed of 1798. It is unknown whether this Christopher's son James Harris, or whether it may be his brother-in-law, James Harris: Apr Court 1796, Albemarle Co., pp. 72-73 [On margin: Harris's executors to Harris, Deed 499 1/2 acres. Delivered to James Harris per Order 22 February 1798] This Indenture made this seventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five; Between Agness Harris, John Sapington and John Harris, Executors of Christopher Harris, of the one part and James Harris of the other part; Witnesseth that Agness Harris, John Sapington and John Harris, Executors of Christopher Harris, in consideration of the sum of two hundred pounds current money of Virginia to them in hand paid the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge have bargained and sold unto James Harris one certain tract of land containing four hundred and ninety nine and one half acres laying in the County of Albemarle on both sides of Moreman's River, and bounded; Begining on a forked Chesnut in B. Ellis's line, thence South twelve degrees East sixty poles to pointers, thence South eighty five degrees West one hundred poles to a Chesnut on a Hill side, thence South six degrees West eighty poles to pointers, thence North eighty four degrees West sixty poles to pointers, thence South thirty three degrees West forty poles to a forked Chesnut, thence South nine degrees West seventy two poles to a Chesnut, thence South sixty four degrees East fifty five poles to a dead Chesnut, thence South thirty one degrees East eighty six poles to a Spanish Oak, thence South sixty one degrees East eighty eight poles to a stooping Locust, thence North twenty nine degrees East one hundred and twenty four poles to a Chesnut, thence North seventy eight degrees West eighty nine poles to a Chesnut Oak, thence North eighty six degrees East one hundred and sixteen poles to a Chesnut, thence North thirty degrees East one hundred and ninety four poles to pointers, thence North eighty five degrees West one hundred and ten poles to a Chesnut, thence South fifty four degrees East eigty nine poles to a Chesnut Oak, thence North eighty one degrees East fifty one poles to a Spanish Oak thence North thirteen degrees West ten poles to a pile of Stone in James Harris's line, thence with the said line North eighty degrees West twenty three poles to a Spanish Oak and gutt of the River, thence North sixteen degrees West twenty six poles crossing Island and River to Hickory saplins, thence North forty five degrees West forty four poles to pointers, thence South seventh one degrees West twenty two poles crossing the River to the mouth of a Creek, thence as the Creek meanders to the begining together with all appurtenances, To have and to hold the tract of land with its appurtenances unto James Harris and his heirs and Agness Harris, John Sapington and John Harris as Executors of Christopher Harris do covenant with James Harris that they the parcel of land with appurtenances will forever warrant and defend, In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year above written. Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Bernard Brown, ] as to Agness Harris Thomas Grubbs ] John Harris John Sappington James Harris ]as to John John Harris Benjamin Porter At Albemarle December Court 1795 This Indenture was proved as to John Harris by the Oaths of Bernard Brown and Thomas Grubbs, two of the witnesses thereto, And at January Court 1796, was further proved as to JOHN by the Oath of James Harris, a third witness thereto, And at April Court 1796, was fully proved as to John Harris and ordered to be recorded Teste J. Carr, D.C.A.C. Another James Harris? Later, it appears James Harris was present in Madison Co. He was not only an agent of Edward Harris of the town of Newbern in the State of North Carolina, a deed executed 3 Sept 1798, but also he was an a witness to the deed. (DB D-570, film FHL 183,285) It is unknown whether there was a blood relationship between Edward Harris of Newbern, NC and James Harris of Madison Co., KY; however, Edward Harris is not named in the will of Christopher Harris I of Madison Co. Madison Co. KY Will Bk A-191: Appraisal of estate of James Harris, decd. 20 Dec 1798. Appraisers: John Miller, Robert Rodes, Arch'd Curle. 1 Jan 1799 ordered recorded. (Anna Joy Hubble, ABSTRACTS OF MADISON COUNTY KENTUCKY WILL BOOK "A" [Whitefish, MT: Published by author, 1983])