Catherine (McPherson) Harris (abt. 1799 - aft. 1861)

Born about 1799 in Bedford County, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Thomas Harris — married 1831 in Giles County, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Catherine was born about 1799. She is the daughter of Stephen McPherson and Phoebe Murdock. She was one of three females age 10-15 enumerated in the household of Stephen" McFearson" in 1810.^[1]

From Census records and tax records it appears Catherine had a child out of wedlock by 1820 who was recorded in the household of Stephen McPherson as under age 10 on the 1820 Census.^[2]

In 1831, Catherine McPherson married 68 year-old Thomas Harris in Giles County, Virginia.^[3] Stephen McPherson was on the marriage bond with Thomas Harris. Based on the death certificate of THOMAS HARRIS in 1861 in Lee County Virginia, Catherine age 32 married 68 year old THOMAS HARRIS.^[4] From various court and Census records, the Harris and McPherson families were interrelated.

Mrs. Catherine Harris was recorded in the Bedford church records of Russell Parish listed as one of communicants belonging to Russell Parish in 1835.^[5] Other HARRIS' in the church records were Frederick A. Harris and wife Mary Slaughter Harris with children Ann Maria, James William as well as Hector Harris, Frances Harris, and Ms. Doshia Harris.

In 1840 the household of Thomas Harris was enumerated in Giles County, Virginia with:

• one male 15-20 [perhaps Catherine's son]
• one male 70-80
• one female 40-50 [Catherine]
• one female 70-80 [ perhaps Catherine's mother]^[6]

By 1860 the family was in Lee County, Virginia. In 1860, Thomas Harris, age 100, born in Virginia, and Catharine Harris, age 60, born in Bedford, Virginia as well as Nancy Harris, age 37, born in Tazwell, Virginia were enumerated in the household of Wm. McAphee, age 36, Blacksmith, born in Giles County, Virginia.^[7]

Thomas Harris died in 1861 in Lee County, Virginia where his death was recorded showing Catherine Harris as his wife.^[8]

Research Notes

The author of McPherson of Virginia and North Carolina speculated that the mother of Joseph H. McPherson, enumerated on the 1850 Census for Lee County, Virginia, born c1822,^[9] and in Morgan County, Illinois in 1860 was Catherine McPherson, daughter of Stephen W. McPherson.^[10] Documents do show that one of Stephen's daughters, Mary McPherson, had a child born out of wedlock. Census and court records have also proven two of John S. McPherson's daughters had children born out of wedlock.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2Q-QTZ : accessed 1 December 2018), Stephen Mcfearson, Bedford, Virginia, United States; citing p. 14, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 67; FHL microfilm 181,427.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLC-TZM : accessed 1 December 2018), Stephen Mcfeanon, Southern District, Bedford, Virginia, United States; citing p. 87, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 133; FHL microfilm 193,692.
3. ↑ Giles County (Virginia). County Clerk, Giles Virginia Register of Marriages, Marriage register, 1806-1913, [database online with images]. Familysearch.org, Film # 004011606, image 165 of 506. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9K1-HLF8?i=164&cat=363287
4. ↑ "Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5RY-WMP : 11 February 2018), Thomas Harris, 25 May 1861; citing Lee Co, Virginia, reference p20 #18; FHL microfilm 32,441.
5. ↑ Russell Parish (Bedford County, Virginia : Episcopal), Russell Parish (contains Trinity and St. Stephen's churches): Vestry meeting minutes 1820, 1828, 1832-1833 Baptisms, marriages, and burials 1838-1839, 1824-1837 Communicants 1828, 1835,[database with images]. Familysearch.org, Film 008357619.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch ( 20 August 2015), Virginia > Giles > Not Stated > image 13 of 58; citing NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1860," database with images, FamilySearch (24 March 2017), Virginia > Lee > Western District > 9 Aug 1860, household 1160, household of Wm. McAphee, line 11, citing Thos Harris in entry for Wm Mc Aphee. image 174 of 258; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
8. ↑ "Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5RY-WMP : 11 February 2018), Thomas Harris, 25 May 1861; citing Lee Co, Virginia, reference p20 #18; FHL microfilm 32,441.
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (9 April 2016), Virginia > Lee > Lee county > District 31, 24 July 1850, citing household 67, line 10-14, household of Joseph H. McPherson. image 10 of 228; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
10. ↑ Trimble, David B. (David Buchanan), McPherson of Virginia and North Carolina, Austin, Texas, self-published. 1995 Page 286, citing Catherine McPherson and Joseph H. McPherson. Digital Images: Internet Archives.