Husband John Harris 1 2 3
Born: Abt 1673 - Yorkshire, England
Christened:
Died: Dec 1748 - Harris' Ferry, Dauphin Co, PA 1
Buried:
Marriage:
• Residence: : Harris' Ferry, Dauphin Co, PA.
• Burial: : Harris' Ferry, Dauphin Co, PA.
Wife Esther R. Say 1 2 3
AKA: Christiane Say
Born:
Christened:
Died: 1757 - Newberry Twp, York Co, PA 1
Buried:
Father: [Father] Say ( - )
Mother:
Other Spouse: William McChesney ( -1782) 1 - 1 Jun 1752 4
Children
1 F Elizabeth Harris 1
Born: Abt 1720
Christened:
Died: 1769 5
Buried:
Spouse: John Findley (Abt 1721-1771) 1
Marr: 16 Sep 1744 6
2 F Esther Harris 7 8
Born: Abt 1722-1724
Christened:
Died: 1768 5
Buried:
Spouse: Dr. William Plunket (Abt 1720-1791) 8 9 10
Marr: 3 Jun 1748 - Harrisburg, Dauphin Co, PA 11
3 M John Harris 1 12
Born: Abt 1726 - Harris' Ferry, Dauphin Co, PA
Christened:
Died: 30 Jul 1791 13
Buried:
Spouse: Elizabeth McClure (1729-1764) 12 14
Marr: 3 May 1749 11 14
Spouse: Mary Read (1730-1787) 15
Marr: Nov 1764 14
4 M William Augustus Harris 1 16
Born: Abt 1730 - Harris' Ferry, Dauphin Co, PA
Christened:
Died: 1760 - near Elizabethtown, Lancaster Co, PA 17
Buried:
Spouse: Margaret Simpson (1732-1760) 16 18
Marr: 4 Oct 1752 11 16 19
5 M Samuel Harris 5
Born: 4 May 1733 - Harris' Ferry, Dauphin Co, PA 5
Christened:
Died: 19 Aug 1825 17
Buried:
Spouse: Elizabeth Bonner (1740-1828) 5
Marr: 1758 17
6 M David Harris 5
Born: Abt 1737
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: [Unk] Mahon ( - ) 5
General Notes: Husband - John Harris
He was a native of Yorkshire, England. A brewer by occupation, at his majority he came to America with several of his brothers. Watson, the annalist, states that his "entire capital amounted to only sixteen guineas." He spent a few years in the new city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and at that time it was decided to license but English born persons as Indian traders, and he with one or two of his brothers entered that lucrative business. In January, 1705, the commissioners of property authorized and allowed him "to seat himself on the Sasquahannah at Pextang, to erect such buildings as are necessary for his trade, and to enclose and improve such quantity of land as he shall think fit." Mention is made of him in the Colonial Records, and among the facsimiles of Indian autographs is that of John Hans. An examination of the original show this to be a misprint for John Harris. The autograph I. H. is especially amusing, placing him among the Indian chiefs of the time. Comparing this signature with a known specimen suggests that the "big Indian" John Hans was the pioneer John Harris.
That he was an adventurous spirit, hardy and daring, his seating himself in the midst of the perfidious and treacherous Shawanese is sufficient evidence. "He was as honest a man as ever broke bread," was the high eulogium of the Rev. John Elder, who knew him well in the early days of his ministry. John Harris died at Harris' Ferry, in December, 1748, his will being probated at Lancaster the latter part of that month.
He was buried at the foot of a large mulberry tree on the river bank, as was also his first wife, and several of his children who died in early life. The inclosure in Harris Park and a decaying stump of the old tree marked the site of the last resting place of John Harris.
It is possible that he was twice married. If not, his first and only wife was Esther Say, whom he married late in life. She was many years his junior. It is said that he, on his frequent visits to Philadelphia, met her at the house of Edward Shippen, the first mayor of Philadelphia, an intimate friend of Harris. She was also a relative of the family with whom she was residing. They were married in old Christ Church, but the exact year we have no record. Esther Say Harris survived her husband, and four or five years thereafter married William McChesney, who resided on the west side of the Susquehanna, in what is now Newberry township, York County. She died there in 1757, and was probably buried in Silver Spring church graveyard.