I am sending this to several lists, as I know there is a good deal of interest in not only the colonial Harris family of Hanover, Louisa and Albemarle Cos., but in all their in-laws. Many of the younger generations of these families moved to Kentucky, particularly Madison Co. KY. I don't have a great deal of info on Rachel Harris. Malcolm Hart Harris (now deceased) wrote of the Harrises, and his latest findings were published years ago in The Virginia Genealogist. I'll see if I can find the reference to his articles. He compiled The History of Louisa Co., but the genealogies that he gives for the Harris family were flawed, and in later writings he corrected this. Here is all I have currently on Rachel Harris. I have a good deal more about her father, Major Robert Harris of Louisa Co., and sometimes of Albemarle Co., VA. Rachel Harris. The name Rachel Harris is given by Malcolm Hart Harris as one of the children of Robert Harris and his wife Mourning Glenn. To date her name is not found in deeds of Albemarle Co. However, the Daltons may have lived in an adjoining county. On the 1800 tax list for Albemarle Co., Fredericksville Parish, the following "Doltons" appear: Capn. William, Isom. More research is needed. The Harrises who remain in Albemarle Co. are not readily identifiable. (John Frederick Dorman, "Albemarle County, Virginia 1800 Tax List," THE VIRGINIA GENEALOGIST, Vol. 3, p. 6. ) Here is some information on William Dalton, most likely the husband of Rachel Harris. The deed, even though abstracted, seems to be pretty good proof that Rachel is the daughter of Major Robert Harris and his wife Mourning [said to be Glen or Glenn]. I am sorry I did not note the deed book number (or letter) in which these several abstracted deeds appear. You may be able to figure out which deed book by referring to the catalog on <A HREF="www.familysearch.org">www.familysearch.org</A>, consulting their index (online) and using the date given in the deed. WILLIAM DALTON. WIR2147 DB 3 ... 25 Nov 1751 I Robert Harris of the Parish of Fredericksville in County of Albemarle for divers good causes and considerations me thereunto moving but more especially for the natural love and affection I have and beareth my Son in Law William Dalton and to his heirs two negro slaves to wit Rhodo a girl and Sampson a Boy and their Increase.. Robert Harris Presence Thomas Walker, Mildred Walker (Deeds adapted from Ruth & Sam Sparacio, DEED ABSTRACTS OF ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK 3, 12 FEBRUARY 1761-9 AUGUST 1764 [McLean, VA: The Antient Press, 1988], p. 33) This deed is one executed by Samuel Dalton and his wife to their son William Dalton. 12 January 1762 between Samuel Dalton Senr. and heir Wife Anne of one part and their Son William Dalton, of the other part all that piece of land lying in the county of Albemarle and formerly Louisa and Fredericksville Parish on both sides of the North Branch of the North Fork of James River above the Little Mountains containing estimated 404 acres ... survey taken up and pattented by said Samuel Dalton.. Wolf Trap Branch.... together with one Negro man Slave named Joseph. Samuel Dalton Presence George Martin, Isaac Davis, Thomas Burrus, John Henslee (Ibid., p. 33) From Albemarle Co. Wills: Dolton, Timothy. 3 Oct 1755. 10 Feb 1767. Of county of Louisa. After decease of himself and wife Elizabeth all estate to son William. Exr: son William Dolton. Wit: Giles Rodgers and Beasley Meredith. (J. Estelle Stewart King, ABSTRACTS of WILLS, INVENTORIES, AND ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTS OF ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA, 1748-1800, p. ) Dalton was in Albemarle Co. in 1762. His name appears in DB -p. 190, 8 Jul 1762 Jno. Mitchell, Great Britain, and Andrew Shepherd, Orange Co., factor, and merchant, to Wm. Dalton for 30 pds, 277 acres adj. Jno. Enniss. From subsequent deeds on the same date, recorded on adjoining pages, we learn that these same parties bought other lands in Albemarle Co., probably from Dalton's neighbors. The grantors were Gabriel Maupin, William Keaton, Jr. (see biographies of Robert Harris, Jr. and of Christopher Harris.) Other Daltons in Albemarle Co. William Dalton was the son of Samuel Dalton. Samuel patented land in Louisa Co. on the same date, 12 Jan 1746/47, that Christopher Harris patented land in that same county. They were not near neighbors, it seems. (Dennis Ray Hudgins, CAVALIERS & PIONEERS, V. V, p. 304) In Albemarle Co. Wills & Deeds 1748-1752 there is reference in a deed 1752 to "Robert Dalton's old field," north side of Rivanna by Lynch's Ford, line of Merriwether, John Clark's moiety. Some Louisa Co., VA deeds show deeds of Saml. Dalton of Fredericksville Par., Louisa Co., wherein his wife Anne relinquished her dower. (DB A-279-180, 23 Jun 1747) At a Fredericksville vestry held probably in 1767, there is indication of the location of Dalton's land. "Order'd that Isaac Davis and David Spradlin do procession all the lands the upper side of the River between the Road Crossing at Wm. Daltons the Orange line and upward to Wm. Goldens." (Rosalie Edith Davis, FREDERICKSVILLE PARISH VESTRY BOOK, 1742-1787, Vol. I [Manchester, MO: privately printed, 1978], p 85) Several Daltons filed Revolutionary "Publick Claims." Those from Albemarle were David, Samuel, and William Dalton. Those from Pittsylvania were David and John. There was a William Dalton from Frederick Co. 1783 At a vestry held for Fredericksville Parish at Charlottesville on the first day of March 1783: Present Doctor Thomas Walker, Isaac Davis, Nicholas Lewis, William Sims, Doctor George Gilmer, James Minor, William Dalton & Robert Mechie, Vestrymen. (Davis, Fredericksville Par, p. 122) At that vestry meeting, William Dalton was one of those ordered to "possession" the lands between the river by William Carrs and up the road to Durrets lower line, thence a Cross to Isaac Davis's lower corner and so down to the beginning. (Davis, p. 126) The 1787 tax list for Albemarle Co., VA lists the following Dalton males: "Self" refers to person charged with tax. Col 1=No. of males above 16 and under 21 Col 2=Black above 16 Col 3=Black under 16 Col 4=Horses, mares. colts & mules Col 5=Cattle In this transcription the name is spelled Dolton, not Dalton; however, these are the only ones of this name in Albemarle Co. Dolton, William (Capt.) self 2-7-7-11-16 Dolton, Samuel William Dalton [person charged with tax] Dolton, William self 0-0-0-2-5 Dolton, Isham William Dalton [person charged with tax] Dolton, We lack information on the Daltons; however, it seems that some descendants may have migrated to Madison Co., KY as the names of Daltons appear in the early marriage records. One or two appear earlier in Caswell Co. deeds. Possible descendants in Madison Co., KY were: 1. Isham/Isom Dalton (wf. Elizabeth), Marriage records seem to indicate he was: a. Father of Caty Dalton (m. 1818 to James Lainhart; David Dalton, bm.) b. Father of Lucy Dalton (m. 1812 to Jesse Todd) c. Possible father of David Dalton (see a. above) d. Father of Sally Dalton (m. 1822 William F. Daughterty; Elizabeth Dalton, mother of bride gave consent, indicating Isham was probably deceased) 2. Polly Dalton, possibly a sister of David Dalton; he served as bm to her marriage Jeremiah Todd 1817. (Comment: A number of Dalton males are found in Deed Bk 1 of Pittsylvania Co. ca 1768-1769: John Dalton, Robert Dalton, Jr., David. Refer to Lucille C. Payne and Neil G. Payne, PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEED BOOKS 1, 2, AND 3 (SLC 975.5665 R2p) E.W.Wallace You can hardly study the Daltons without studying/researching their neighbors, as they were either already intermarried or would be in future generations. Therefore, you may want to consider buying Mrs. Davis's books on Hanover and Louisa Cos. rather than trying to read old handwriting on films, and sometimes the films, some of which were filmed in the 1940s, are VERY poor quality. Mrs. Davis has been a careful researcher, even searching/compiling records not only at the Library of Virginia, but also at William and Mary College. Her books are rather low-cost for genealogical books. Her e-mail thedavises@sprintmail.com (W Davis)