Sherrod Harris (abt. 1733 - abt. 1805)

Born about 1733 in Brunswick, Virginia Colony [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Hannah (Page) Harris — married 16 Dec 1761 (to 1778) in Goochland, Virginia

Husband of Elizabeth (Tillman) Harris — married after 1779 in North Carolina

Husband of Elizabeth (Unknown) Harris — married 1779 in Wake, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died about Sep 1805 at about age 72 in Anson, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

Sherrod Harris was born about 1733, the son of William Harris. He is shown on the 1760 tithable list for Goochland County, Virginia, as William Harris and Sherwood Harris, son.

He was married first to Hannah Page on 16 December 1761 in Goochland County, Virginia. They had six children, five of whom were:^[1]

• Franky Harris, born before 25 January 1763, married Isaac J. Eason
• John Harris, born 3 April 1765 married Nancy Williams
• Hannah Harris, born 19 January 1768, married Reddick Dean
• Mary Harris, born 1 March 1771, married Dudley Williams
• Archibald Harris, born 3 February 1774, married Susanna Williams

Sherwood does not appear to have owned any land in Goochland County, Virginia. He was involved in two court cases in Goochland County. In one case, Sherwood and William Harris were co-defendants in a case of debt in December 1763; John Page and Joseph Hodges gave security for Sherwood. In the other case, his father-in-law, John Page, Sr., alone gave security for him. Sherwood and Thomas Starke appeared in the June 1765 court and proved a deed from William Page to John Page.

Sherwood left Goochland County about 1767, and does not appear on the 1768 tax lists. After a time, the couple show up in Anson County, North Carolina, where Hannah died between 1774-1778.^[2]

Sherrod also appears to have married Elizabeth Williams as his 2nd wife.

He married Mary Elizabeth Tillman, as his 3rd wife, and they lived in Granville District, North Carolina.

According to the listing for son Archibald, Sherrod and Elizabeth moved to Anson County in 1800.^[3]

Sherrod/Sherwood Harris' will was probated in the October Court 1805, Anson County, North Carolina where he left his household furniture, plantation tools, and all of his stock of all kind until her death or remarriage.

He also included the following children in his will:

Jonathan Harris,

Huston Harris,

William Harris, 1788-1850 m. Nancy Crump, DAR #86109

Franky Elon,

John Harris,

Hannah Dean,

Mary Williams,

Archibald Harris.

The six youngest are listed in the will as:

Nancy Harris,

Simeon Harris,

Tilmon [Tillman] Harris,

Sherrod Harris,

Elizabeth Harris,

Martha Harris,

Will written 23 August 1805, probated October 1805 ^[4]

Research Notes

There appears to be two different lines for Sherrod, see sources for discussion. The other Sherwood Harris married Rebecca Wilkins on 12 April 1773 in Granville, NC. He was the son of Sherwood Harris and Judy.

“Ansearching News,” Tennessee Genealogical Society, April-June, 1968. Vol. 15 No. 2 pages 68-70 has a letter written by Daniel Seaburn Harris, Hazen, Arkansas, Apr. 27, 1902 (to his son) in which he names Sherrod Harris (his grandfather)'s children born to his second wife, ____ Jones. He stated that his grandmother went to Alabama with other Harris family members, where she died. The Old Bethany Cemetery, near Aliceville, Pickens County, Alabama, has a headstone for her with the inscription "Elizabeth Harris, wife of Sherod Harris, died May 3, 1846" (picture of tombstone says “late of North Carolina” “in the 88th year of her age”). Was she Elizabeth Tillman Jones, or just Elizabeth Jones? Perhaps it was also her second marriage and she was Elizabeth Jones Tillman? Food for thought.^[5]

To develop the Sherrod Harris Biography it may be productive to start with his will^[6] dated 23 Aug 1805 and was probated on Oct 1805 in Anson County NC. The will named his wife and children. Sherrod also identifies his 228 acre tract of land in Richmond County and the 100 acre tract in Anson County where he lives. We don’t know for certain where he was born but it was probably in New Kent County (where his parents came from) or Goochland County Virginia.

Sherrod had two wives, Elizabeth his second wife was named in his will with no surname given. As can be seen from the references posibilities of Jones^[7] or Tilman^[8] or Williams^[9]

His first wife was Hannah Page and their marriage was recorded in the Douglas Register ^[10] of Goochland County VA in 1761. In the Will of 1805 Sherrod Harris Sr., names his wife as Elizabeth, and sons: Jonathan, Huston (Hudson), William, Tilmon, Sherrod, Simeon, John & Archibald; dau’s Nancy, Elizabeth, Martha, Franky Eason, Hanner Dean & Mary Williams. Names 6 youngest as: Nancy, Simeon, Tilmon, Sherrod (Jr.), Elizabeth & Martha. He leaves land to Jonathan, Huston and William. No land and 1$ and no more to: Franky, John, Hannah, Mary and Archibald. (Probably indicating they were oldest and already provided for) Executors: John Harris, Archibald Harris. (likely only sons of legal age) Children Expanded Info in chronological order:

1. Franky (Frances): b. 25 Dec. 1762 ^[11] married Isaac Eason

2. John: b. 3 April 1763^[10]</ref> married Nancy Williams

3. Hannah: b 19 Jan. 1768^[10]</ref> married Alsey Dean

4. Mary: b. 5 March 1771 ^[11]</ref>m. Dudley Williams.

5. Archibald: b. 3 Feb. 1774^[12] married Susannah Williams

6. Jonathan: born 1778 April 3 ^[11]</ref>and he married Elizabeth Williams

7. Hudson: born 1786 Nov. 5 ^[11]</ref> William and Hudson are not listed as sons of Sherrod by Wiggins; but both are listed in DS Harris letter on the Harris family^[7]</ref> He married Mary Polly Slaughter.

8. William: ^[13][7]</ref> was born about 1788.

9. Nancy: was born 1789 June 25 ^[11]</ref> , married Joshaway Birmingham.

10. Simeon: was born 1793 May 14, ^[11]</ref>

11. Tilmon P: was born 1795 Jan 19, ^[11]</ref>

12. Sherrod: (Jr) was born 1797 July 25, in Anson NC, DSH letter.^[7]</ref>

13. Elizabeth: was born 1799 July 5, in Anson NC ^[11]</ref>

14. Martha: was born 1803 April 15, in Anson NC^[11]</ref>

Jonathon,No 6, had a daughter named Hannah^[14]; probably named after his mother possibly inferring that Hannah Page Harris was living on the date of his birth. No more children born until Hudson; an 8 yr gap. Even though some of this gap is during the Rev War Hannah Page Harris probably died and Sherrod remarried, Elizabeth (Williams, Tillman or Jones etc.) as his second wife?

A gap of 4 yrs. after Nancy, No. 9, could provide an opportunity for the death of Sherrod’s second wife and time for a third marriage as some have suggested; perhaps to an Elizabeth Tilman Jones.

Sherrod’s wife Elizabeth ^[15] was born in 1758 and d. 1846 and if she married Sherrod in 1785 one year before Houston’s birth, She would have been 27 years old. One of her sons was named Tilmon, an uncommon name for this Harris family. Given that Daniel S. Harris^[7]</ref> wrote in his letter that his grandmother was a Jones before marrying Sherrod, she could have been a Tilmon who married a Mr. Jones at an early age and he could have, for example, expired during the Rev. War and left Elizabeth a young widow.

Virginia Residence:

The following transactions indicate that Sherrod was buying land at a young age and before he marries Hannah in 1761. That is if the following Deeds were obtained by Sherrod and not another Sherwood Harris.

Deed: ^[16] William Ford of Goochland to Sherwood Harris of Goochland for 50 pounds, 44 acres on Tuckahoe Creek and is part of the tract where said Ford himself lives and is the same place where Rene Laforce lately lived ----- 20 March 1753

Deed: ^[17] Hener Willis and Mary his wife of Goochland to Shirwood Harris of same for 12 pounds 10 shillings, 70 Acres in Goochland bounded by: Mouth of the south ford of reed branch------ 15 July 1755.

Deed:^[18] Sherrard Harris of Goochland to Thomas Ford of same county for 140 pounds, 115 acres in Goochland on the main road to Tuckahoe Creek part of the said land being a parcel of land which the said Sherrard Harris lately purchased of William Ford father of the said Thomas Ford containing 45 acres and is the place whereon the said Sherrard Harris dwells and part of the said 115 acres of a parcel of land which Sherrard Harris lately purchased of Henry Willis adjoining the same & containing 70 acres ------------ 21 October 1756 .

So far the Sherrod Harris family appears to be located in Goochland VA ^[10]</ref> The next child after Hannah listed by ^[11].</ref> was born at an unknown location is: Mary Harris born 1771 March 5 and marries Dudley Williams.

Along about this time it appears that the family is relocating to Wake County NC and lived until just before 1800.

Wake County North Carolina

The Sherrod Harris family migrates from Goochland County VA to Wake County NC between Jan 1768 and Feb 1774 when Archibald was born there. ^[19] Archibald Harris, headstone says that he was born 1774 Feb 3, in Wake County North Carolina ^[20] The Wiggins document^[11] </ref> has his name as “Areker”. His marriage application ^[21]has it “Archer” to wed Susannah Williams.

(Already a strong relationship of the Harris and the Williams family in Wake, North Carolina is evident.)

The next child of Sherrod and Hannah was Jonathan;^[11]</ref> he was probably the last child born to Hannah Page Harris as an 8 yr. gap is seen between Jonathan and Hudson. No official record of Sherrod’s marriage to wife Elizabeth has been found or when Hannah Page Harris died.

A chronology of Sherrod Harris and sons John and Archibald in Wake County North Carolina is provided for the purposes of: 1). Establishing that Sherrod aka Sherod Harris was located in Wake County and not located in Granville Co. NC as some researchers conclude. All references found from Granville Co. were for “Sherwood” Harris’s. 2). Establishing that the many references for Sherrod in Wake Co. did not spell the name Sherwood except for the 1800 Federal Census record^[22] when Sherrod and family were not present to provide his correct name.

Sherrod Sr. fought in the Rev. War;

He received a North Carolina Warrant ^[23] for 228 acres for his service in the Rev. War. He also received a voucher from Wake County^[24]  ;for two Spanish milled Dollars purchased from him---20th April 1781, Signed Thomas Wooten Comm.

Deed to Sherard Harris^[25] Wake County NC 1777-1784.

1787-1792 1787-1792 Wake County Court Minutes

405-26^[26] Ordered that the following Persons attend the next County Court as Jurors: the names included Sherod HARRIS.

439--60 ^[26]1787-1792 Wake County Court Minutes,</ref> Ordered that Sherod HARRIS be overseer of the Road leading from Rogers Cross-road to Lewisburg at four Mile post and that the following hand work on Sail Road under him to …, and to Franklin line: The names included John HARRIS.

485-106^[26] </ref> - Ordered that the list of Jurors appointed to attend at Court be called out, whereupon the following Persons appeared and were duly Qualified as a Grand Jury (towit). The names included Sherod HARRIS.

1777 - 1784 WAKE COUNTY, COURT MINUTES ABSTRACT,

^[27] P. 72, John Williams of Wake Co. to Burwel Wall of the other part, March 2, 1799, for 374 dollars a tract of 137 acres on the Marsh Branch,---- (formerly David Williams). Wit: Robert Wall, John HARRIS.

1790 Federal Census^[28]

Sherrod Harris; 3 m<16, 2> m16, and 2 females, and John Harris 2 m< 16, 1m > 16, and 2 females. (We find Sherrod and John in the Wake County Hillsboro District on the same page. This probably is John b. 1763-5, abt. 25, his wife, Mary Ann (Nancy) Williams and a young son and a young daughter;

Sherrod, his wife Elizabeth, Archibald age 16, three young sons; Jonathan 12, Hudson 4 and William 2, and daughter Nancy age 1. His older daughters, Frances (Franky) 28, Hannah 22, and Mary 19 could already be married and left home, making this a very good match with the Sherrod of 1805 Anson Co.

1793-1796 , Wake County Court Minutes, BOOK III

137-430^[29]

238-69^[29] </ref> A Deed from William Ashly to Archibald HARRIS was acknowledged and ordered registered.

34^[29]</ref>

*1797-1800 Wake County Court Minutes

415-248^[30]

A deed from Archer HARRIS to Lewis Bledsoe was duly proved by oath of David Malone a witness thereto and ordd. To be Registered.

490-323^[30]</ref> A deed from Sherod HARRIS, to John HARRIS proved by John Wall.

491-324^[30]</ref> A deed from Sherod HARRIS, to John HARRIS proved by Jesse? Wall.

513-346^[30]</ref> A deed from Arthur Wall to Archer HARRIS proved by John Williams

518-35^[30] A deed from Sherod HARRIS to Archer HARRIS proved by Solomon Rogers, Esq.

Wake County DEED BOOK F ^[31] p. 150 William Hill of Surry Co., N. C. to John Williams of Wake Co., Oct. 10, 1783, for 200 pds. N. C. currency a tract of 608 acres lying on the north side of Nuse River adjoining WM. Alston, Alioas Ford, George Grimes, and James Lee. Wit: Hubbard Williams, Sherod HARRIS.

Wake County DEED BOOK Q^[32] Arachibald HARRIS of Wake Co. to Alsey Dean of same, Jan. 11, 1799, for 183-1/2 dollars a tract of 73-1/4 acres near the line of Hardy Dean, Junr. Wit: Henry Mooring, John Wall, Hardy Dean.

Sources

1. ↑ Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940 NameSherard HarrisGenderMaleMarriage Date16 Dec 1761Marriage PlaceSt James Northam Parish,Goochland,VirginiaSpouseHannah PageFHL Film Number975.5 V2D
2. ↑ Page, Daniel E., Descendants and Relatives of Exolheath Page of Goochland Co., Virginia; n.p., Oct 1 2004, pp. 24-25
3. ↑ ["Family Tree Book - Genealogical and Biographical, Listing of the relatives of General William Alexander Smith and of W. Thomas Smith" compiled by William A. and W. Thomas Smith (1922), privately published]
4. ↑ Will Records, 1751-1962, Also Contains A Few Family Sketches; Author: North Carolina. Superior Court (Anson County); Probate Place: Anson, North Carolina
5. ↑ Kerns, Margaret Ann (Kepner), 729 NW 1101 Road, Urich, Missouri 64788-8121, research, analysis and conclusions
6. ↑ Sherrod Harris, Will, 1805; Will Book O, Anson County North Carolina,
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4} Daniel Seaburn Harris, Letter about the Harris family, (Hazen AK), April 27, 1902:”Ansearching News”, Tennessee Geanealogical Society, April – June, 1968. Volume 15, Number 2, pp. 68-69.
8. ↑ ] Major Stephen F. Tillman, The Record and Genealogy of the (Tilghmam – Tillman –Tilman –Tilmon) Family; 1939, Edwards Brothers, INC., Ann Arbor Michigan.
9. ↑ Family tree book, Smith family p. 35, 36.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3} Rev. William Douglas, Register from 1750-1797 : an index of Goochland Wills : notes on the French-Hugeunot [sic] refugees who lived in Manakin-Town. Richmond, Va.: J.W. Fergusson & Sons, 1928.
11. ↑ ^{11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11} Kathryn Walker Wiggins, Sherrod Harris Family Bible l Family Bible, 1820, 2223 Camilar Drive, Camarillo Ca. 93010, : , Received from Miss Kate McKensie of Lamar MS in 1940, daughter of Mary Rebecca Harris
12. ↑ Archibald Harris, Grave Marker, Born in Wake, NC,Harris Cemetery, Anson Co. NC
13. ↑ William and Hudson are not listed as sons of Sherrod by Wiggins; but both are listed in DS Harris letter:
14. ↑ Wills, 1663-1978; Estate Papers, 1772-1933 (Richmond County); Author: North Carolina. Division of Archives and History; Probate Place: Richmond, North Carolina. In his Will he names a daughter Hannah.
15. ↑ Elizabeth’s Harris's headstone, Bethany Cemetery, Pickens County AL.
16. ↑ Goochland County, VA, Deed Book 6, page 271
17. ↑ Goochland County, VA, Deed Book 7, page 271
18. ↑ Goochland County, VA, Deed Book 7, page 126
19. ↑ Sherrod Harris, Will, 1805; Anson County North Carolina, Will Book O.
20. ↑ Archibald Harris ; Headstone, Born in Wake County NC, 1774 Feb 3, Harris Cemetery, Anson County NC.
21. ↑ Wake County North Carolina Marriage Bonds page 196, Michael Neusom, (w) J. Rice; Ancestry.com
22. ↑ "United States Census, 1800." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 20 January 2023. Citing NARA microfilm publication M32. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
23. ↑ Land Warrant, State of North Carolina, #4794 to /Sherrod Harris, Private; Signed at Raleigh the 24th day of Nov. 1797.
24. ↑ Voucher No 367 from State of North Carolina
25. ↑ 1777-1784 Wake County Court Minutes, Downtown Huntsville AL Public Library, 2023, Genealogy Section, Huntsville AL
26. ↑ ^{26.0 26.1 26.2} 1787-1792 Wake County Court Minutes,
27. ↑ 1777 - 1784 WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY COURT MINUTES ABSTRACT, Downtown Huntsville AL Public Library, 2023, Genealogy Section, Huntsville AL
28. ↑ "United States Census, 1790." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 20 January 2023. Citing NARA microfilm publication M637. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d., Sherrod Harris
29. ↑ ^{29.0 29.1 29.2} 1793-1796 Wake County Court Minutes, BOOK III, Downtown Huntsville Public Library, 2023, Genealogy Section, Huntsville AL
30. ↑ ^{30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4} 1797-1800 Wake County Court Minutes, Downtown Huntsville AL Public Library, 2023, Genealogy Section, Huntsville AL
31. ↑ Wake County DEED BOOK F, Downtown Huntsville AL Public Library, 2023, Genealogy Section, Huntsville AL
32. ↑ Wake County DEED BOOK Q, Downtown Huntsville AL Public Library, 2023, Genealogy Section, Huntsville AL ; p. 50,

• The 1850 mortuary records in Pickens County Alabama for Elizabeth [Hicks] Harris, age 55, from Virginia.
• The March 23, 1850 issue of the Argus newspaper in Anson County NC gives the following obit: "Died in the first inst., at her residence in Pickens County Alabama, Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, widow of the late Simeon Harris, Sr., age 60 years. The deceased was a daughter of Chas. Hicks [also lately deceased, aged 81] of Anson County NC., and a native of that State, from whence she moved to Greene Co. Ala., 28 years ago. For the last 20 years she has resided in Pickens Co.
• Note: Pickens County Alabama is where Micah Briggs, son of Elizabeth Harris and Elkana Briggs lived, in 1850. Elizabeth Harris was daughter of John Harris and grand-daughter of Sherwood Harris of Granville County NC. Simeon Harris was son of Sherrod Harris and grandson of Sherwood Harris. Some research has Sherrod Harris of Anson Co. NC listed with wrong parents.
• "Family Tree Book - Genealogical and Biographical, Listing of the relatives of General William Alexander Smith and of W. Thomas Smith" compiled by William A. and W. Thomas Smith (1922), privately published
• Will Records, 1751-1962, Also Contains A Few Family Sketches; Author: North Carolina. Superior Court (Anson County); Probate Place: Anson, North Carolina
• Sherrod Harris Virginia marriages
  • DAR Genealogical Research, https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/default.cfm?action=full&p_id=A051924
• North Carolina, Land Grant Files, 1693-1960 NameSherwood Harris Issue Date 1 Mar 1780 Residence Place Granville, North Carolina, USA Certificate Number Range1045-1419 Description Granville 1045-1419
• North Carolina, State Census, 1784-1787 Name Sherwood Harris Esq County Granville
• DNA Site for Harris, has two different tests for Sherrod, http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gohrpage/genealogy/harrisdna/group8.html
• Forum Discussion on Sherrod Harris by D. Gallion, *https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/harris/23588/ , https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/harris/23580/
• Tom Kings answer: https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/harris/23581/
• D. Gallion: https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/harris/23583/
• Tom Kings answer: https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/harris/23585/
• Wake County DEED BOOK Q, Downtown Huntsville AL Public Library, 2023, Genealogy Section, Huntsville AL ; p. 50,