Jan Herris (abt. 1675)

Born about 1675 in England

Husband of Moeset Tassama — married 3 May 1701 in Dutch Reformed Church, Albany, New York

Descendants

Died [date unknown] in New York

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Sharon LaDuke [send private message]

Biography

Jan Herris and Moeset Tassama, both residing in Albany, were married 3 May 1701 in the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany. The church record states that Jan Herris was born in O. England, and his wife in N. England. Four children were baptized in Albany by 1708.^[1][2] No record of either of them has been found after that date.

Research Notes

Parents were possibly Richard Harris and Hannah (last name unknown), whose son John Harris was born 3 Mar 1675, location USA^[3].

The conflict in birth location between USA on the aforesaid birth record, and O. England on the marriage record, invites further scrutiny. In 1775, Old England District was created in Tryon County by Act of the Colonial Legislature. It was large, including not only present-day Montgomery county, but parts Herkimer, Otsego and Madison counties. It appeared on the 1786 Montgomery County Tax List along with Palatine, Canajoharie, Harpersfield, German Flatts, Mohawk, and Caughnawaga. How long had the area been called Old England by local residents before the name was formalized? Is it possible that this is the "O. England" referred to on the marriage record? Despite its size, there are only about 50 names on the list.

Working theory: Due to destroyed records, genealogy is often not an exact science but a question of context, deduction and elimination. There were only a small handful of Harris individuals (and name variations) in/near Schenectady in the 2nd half of the 1600s. The Harris surname took on many variations, including Harris, Herris, and Herrits. Given the predominant culture of the time, it was not unusual for "son" to be added to a record, leading to variations such as Harrison, which then might appear as Harsen.

Based on numerous family connections via in-laws & baptismal sponsors, and geographic proximity in the Maquaasland, Thomas Herrison is provisionally added as brother of Jan Herris. Likewise, Hannah Harris is added as daughter. These two individuals, Thomas and Hannah, married respectively Margarita Davis and her brother John Davis, and Hannah's putative son Adam Davy/Davis appears on the aforementioned 1786 Old England District. You are welcome to contact the Profile Manager to discuss the context/connections and why this is the strongest working theory so far.

Confusion:

1) Another John "Herres" was born around the same time in Albany of parents John Harris and Lysbet Claes. He lived most of his life in New York City, and married Jannetje Nessepat. The Bergen [New Jersey] County Genealogical Society may have weighed in on this John Harris; a citation or source leading to the Society's alleged opinion is needed.

2) Professor Jonathan Pearson appears to have conflated the two Johns born around 1675 in his Contributions for the genealogies of the first settlers of the ancient county of Albany, from 1630 to 1800. ^[4]

3) Thomas Harris, who was born at Block Island, Rhode Island, and died about 1725 in Dutchess County, had only one child, Maryam (Benjamin) Colt, as demonstrated by his will. ^[5]

Possible Family Connections

1) Philip Harris, also from England, and therefore a possible brother of Jan Harris. Philip married in 1692 and appeared as head of household (4 persons) in Schenectady census of 1697.

Sources

1. ↑ Holland Society of New York; New York, New York; Albany, Vol II, Book 2
2. ↑ Records of the Reformed Dutch Church of Albany, New York, 1683–1809. Search here for "Jan Herris":
   • https://mathcs.clarku.edu/~djoyce/gen/albany/part2.html
3. ↑ New England Historical & Genealogical Register vol.106, p.26
4. ↑ https://www.loc.gov/item/04012546/
5. ↑ The Supposed children of Thomas Harris of Dutchess county, New York, Reevaluation and Revisions, Gale Ion Harris, The Record, Vol 133 Issue 1 p 3-18.