Elisha Harris' ancestry is my biggest brick wall. There are dozens of people researching decendants of Elisha & Margaret .... one of us will discover his parents one day in the future & crumble the wall!

   

1. Elisha Harris

The earliest  mention of Elisha, that I know of, is  when he obtained a marriage bond in Fauquier Co. VA. He married Margaret McCormick in Fauquier Co. VA, on or about November 21, 1780.  Margaret was born in Fauquier Co.VA June 21,1766.  Margaret was the daughter of John McCormick and Elizabeth Morgan.

They removed to OH c1810 and in 1813 purchased land the SE quarter of section 12, township 6, range 9. This farm remained in the family until 1921. They lived the remainder of their lives on that farm in Olive twp. Morgan Co. OH [present-day Noble Co.]

The 'History of Noble Co. Ohio', 1887 states that  "One of the pioneers who came prior to 1812 was Elisha Harris from Fauquier Co., VA.  He was a Revolutionary War soldier and served three tours in the army.  He and his sons were noted hunters and trappers....." Elisha Harris is also listed in the 'Official Roster of the Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in the State of Ohio', pg. 175. This record states: "Harris, Elisha, Noble Co. Served in Fauquier Co, VA, Tr. Died Duck Creek of old age. Came to Ohio early and settled in Enoch Twp on Middle Fork of Duck Creek." Unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful in locating any other record of Revolutionary War service.

The last public mention of Elisha Harris is on the 1825 tax list for Morgan Co. His will was proven March 15, 1825. In 1826 his farm is listed in the name 'Elisha Harris heirs'.  Family lore says that Margaret lived to be over 100 years old. She appears on the 1850 federal census living with her daughter-in-law, the widow of son Elijah, Elizabeth (Powell) Harris.

Elisha died 1825 Ohio, at 65 years of age. Margaret's death date is still unknown, as is their burial site, but it very likely is in the family plot on the homestead.

Elisha Harris and Margaret McCormick had 13 children:

2. William Harris 1786-?
3. Simon Harris 1787-1837
4. George Harris +
5. Stephen Harris 1798-c1892
6. John Harris 1792-?
7. Mary'Polly' Harris 1794-?
8. Sally Harris c1795-?
9. Hannah Harris c1795-1877
10. Anna Harris 1797-1896
11. Elizabeth Harris 1802-?
12. Morgan Harris 1804-aft1850
13. Elijah Harris 1806-1845
14. Margaret Harris 1808-?

2. George Harris
(Elisha 1 Harris)

He was a veteran of the War of 1812.    He applied for pension stating that he was drafted into Capt. Thomas Shannon's Co. and Col. John Delong's Regiment of Ohio Militia out of Barnesville, Ohio in 1812; and was discharged at Ft. Meigs, Ohio in 1815.  He states in his pension application that he was in Gen. Harrison's army to Upper Sandusky, to Seneca, to Lower Sanusky, to Ft. Meigs."

George Harris was considered a good hunter in his day.  He lived on the farm now owned by his son Sampson.  George had a camp on Middle Creek prior to 1812.  He left it and went into the war against Great Britain.  A stream which ran past his camp is still known as 'George's Run'." (History of Noble co. Ohio, 1887)

He married Elizabeth 'Betsy' Archer in Guernsey Co., Ohio, January 8, 1815.  Elizabeth was born in Virginia on September 30,1795.  Elizabeth was the daughter of James Archer and Jane Lincicome. George farmed in Morgan Co. OH, living on the family homestead with his large family.  He sold the  homestead to his son Sampson in 1867. 

George Harris died on March 21, 1878 at age 91.  Elizabeth died February 19,1879 at age 81.  They are buried on the family homestead in a tiny cemetery that is still maintained by the present-day owners of the farm.

Tombstone of George & Elizabeth Harris
in the family burial ground. Shown is George's inscription.
Elizabeth's is on the opposite side.

George Harris and Elizabeth 'Betsy' Archer had 13 children:

15. Mary Polly Harris
16. William J. Harris +
17. Esau Harris +
18. Elisha Harris +
19. Margaret Harris +
20. Silas Harris +
21. James Harris +
22. David McGarry Harris +
23. Dennis Harris 1829-?
24. Nancy Harris 1832-?
25. Elizabeth Harris 1834-1901
26. G.S. Harris 1840-?
27. Sampson Harris +

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This page was updated on 07/08/2006

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