Gregg Bonner's HARRIS Family
HARRIS DNA TYPE
(unconfirmed)
DYS
3
9
3
3
9
0
3
9
4
3
9
1
3
8
5
a
3
8
5
b
4
2
6
3
8
8
4
3
9
3
8
9
i
3
9
2
3
8
9
ii
4
5
8
4
5
9
a
4
5
9
b
4
5
5
4
5
4
4
4
7
4
3
7
4
4
8
4
4
9
4
6
4
a
4
6
4
b
4
6
4
c
4
6
4
d
Value
13
24
14
10
11
15
12
12
12
13
13
29
18
09
10
11
11
25
15
19
30
13
15
17
17
Go to the HARRIS Surname DNA Project
My HARRIS brick wall is Beverly Harris, Sr., who married Mary [--?--] (said to be Mary NASH) about 1783, possibly in North Carolina. Beverly Harris was born about 1762, possibly in Granville County, North Carolina, and died (intestate) 12 JAN 1849, in Rutherford County, Tennessee.

Beverly and Mary had the following children:

 Alsea HARRIS b: ABT. 1785
 Archibald HARRIS b: ABT. 1786
 Beverly HARRIS b: ABT. 1789 in North Carolina
 Delila HARRIS b: ABT. 1791
 Nancy HARRIS b: ABT. 1799
 Elizabeth HARRIS b: ABT. 1800 in North Carolina
 Mary "Polly" * HARRIS b: ABT. 1800 in North Carolina
 Simpson HARRIS b: ABT. 1806 in Tennessee
 Anne HARRIS b: ABT. 1807 in Tennessee

I would like to find the parents of this Beverly Harris, and the identity of his wife, and her parents, etc.

Frances VINCENT (sometime seen as VINSON) married Smith Ogilvie, and died 21 SEP 1820. Smith Ogilvie's parents were William Ogilvie and Mary (Harris) Ogilvie. The fact that all my relations (i.e., the SMOTHERMAN clan, the WEST clan, and the HARRIS clan, including a Beverly HARRIS) along this and collateral lines were mentioned in the records concerning the sale of estate of Frances Ogilvie (see Rutherford County, Tennessee, Record Book 5, Pages 81-82) indicate that my Beverly Harris was related in some way to Mary (Harris) Ogilvie. Mary (Harris) Ogilvie was daughter of Robert HARRIS and Leminder (Smith) Harris. I suspect that the father of my Beverly Harris is a son of this Robert and Leminder. It has been suggested that Beverly is the son of David Harris, son of Robert and Leminder Harris.

One other clue about the family of Beverly Harris is that he named a son "Simpson" Harris. That is a pretty curious given name, and most likely gives some idea of a familial relationship to a SIMPSON family. There was a Tyre HARRIS (sometimes seen as Tyree HARRIS) who married a Mary Ann Simpson, and had children including one Simpson Harris. I suspect that there is some relationship between and among these HARRIS families.

And that is how it stands today - this date of last update shown at the bottom of this page.

Rutherford County, Tennessee
Record Book 14, pages 196-197.

Harris, Alsea, dec�d

I, Alsea Harris do make and appoint this my last will and testament revoking and making void all other wills by me heretofore made. First, my wish is that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid out of any money that may be in hand or that may first come into the hands of my Executors. Secondly, I give to my wife Susanah Harris all the land deeded to me by Gwen [or Green] Foster and Abel Nance also one negro named Elyott, Hannah his wife and two children, one named Martha and one named Mary Tennessee with all their increase also my carriage and two mules first choice also one Saddle horse her choice together with one half of my household and Kitchen furniture and one half of my farming utensils. I also give my wife thirty sheep, fifty head of stock hogs, and fifteen head of cattle all to be her choice. Thirdly, I give to my adopted son Alsea Harris one thousand dollars to be paid him by my Executors at the expiration of two years after my death. Fourthly, I give to the children of my sister Delila Heflin all the land deeded to me by George Comer. Fifthly, I give to my sister Elizabeth Grimes all the land deeded to me by Charles Holden. I give my brother Beverly Harris one thousand dollars to be appropriated to the payment of his debts where the creditors will take principal without interest also I give to said Beverly the tract of land on which he now lives, it being all the land deeded to me by William Donelson. I also give my brother Simpson Harris all the land deeded to me by Thomas Smith except a tract deeded by me to John Harris and his two sons, also all the land deeded to me by John Wood that has not been otherwise disposed of. I give my brother in law Kenchen Tucker the tract of land deeded to me by William Foster. I give my sister Nancy Spence all the land deeded to me by Joseph Holden also one negro man Tom and his wife Matilda. I give my sister Polly Jarratt all the land deeded to me by George W. Mallard. I give my sister Anny Tucker one negro man Nelson, his wife Dolly and their child Henry with their increase. I give Elizabeth Potts, widow of Abner Potts, dec�d, one negro girl named Dealy Ann. I give my nephew Charles C. Harris five hundred dollars. I give the children of my nephew Alsea Harris, dec�d five hundred dollars. I give my nephew Anderson Harris two hundred dollars. I give to P. C. Steel, Washington B. Cooper, Jonathan Cooper, William Cooper, Catharine Steel, Sarry Springer, Mary Tune, and Malinda Puckett one hundred dollars each to be paid them at the expiration of two years after my death. I give my nephew Richard Harris five hundred Dollars. I give Louisa Adcock, wife of Alsea Adcock three hundred dollars. I give Cinthea Hewott fifty dollars. It is my wish that my old servant Abram be free after my death and that my Executors pay him twenty five dollars a year for two years. I give to the Church in Middleton one hundred dollars also to the Church at Lebanon Campground fifty dollars the money to be paid by my Executors to make the ___ compatable all the balance of my property both real and personal not disposed of I wish to be sold on a credit of twelve months (Credit) after all expenses paid & my Executors pay of the legatees the balance to be equally divided between my living brothers and sisters. It is my wish to be buried at the grave yard at Bennet Philips old place in neat poor People Style also my wish is that John Rushing and John Harris preach my funeral and that they be paid twenty dollars each by my Executors. Lastly, I appoint William Vinson and Lewis Tucker my Executors and Charles Ready their attorney in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 25th March 1846.
} Alsea Harris (seal)
Signed published and delivered in presence
W. T. Baskette
James A. Marr
C. G. McLean


I, Alsea Harris having heretofore made and published my last will and testament do make and declare this as a codicil thereto to wit, First I give in addition to that I did in the above will the remaining half of all my household and kitchen furniture and also one gold watch also one negro boy named Saml in addition to what I have given in the above will to my wife Susanah Harris. Secondly, I give Sixty acres of land from the west end of the Donelson land and five acres from the Charles Holden tract so as to embrace ___ mill in addition to what I have given to Nancy Spence in the above will. Thirdly, I give three hundred dollars to Elizabeth Potts in lieu of the negro girl that I gave her in the above will. Fourthly, I give Alfred Mallard my nephew thirty acres of ___ land deeded to me by Charles Holden and joining the George Mallard tract and a negro boy named Dick at sometimes called Arcus. Witness my hand and seal the 20th January 1847.
Alsea Harris (seal)
Test
W. T. Baskett
James A. Marr
C. G. McLean

State of Tennessee}
Rutherford County Court November Term 1847
The execution of the foregoing last will testament & codicil thereto of Alsea Harris, dec�d, was duly proved in open court by the oath of W. T. Baskett, James A. Marr, C. G. McLean at the above mentioned term of said court subscribing witnesses thereto & was ordered to be recorded.
Robt S. Morris, Clk
Rutherford County, Tennessee
Record Book 14, Page 500.

Harris, Beverly, Senr, Dec�d

State of Tennessee}
Rutherford County} Court January Term 1849.
To Alfred Mallard & John Gorden citizens of Rutherford County, it appearing to the County Court now in Session that Beverly Harris, Senr has died leaving no will and the court being satisfied as to your claim to the administration and you having given bond and qualified as directed by law, and the court having ordered that letters of administration be issued to you. These are therefore to authorize and empower you to take into your possession and control all the good, chattles, claims and papers of the Said Intestate, and return a true and perfect inventory thereof to our County Court in 90 days to collect and pay all debts, and to do and transact all the duties in relation to said estate which lawfully devolve on you as administrator and after having settled up said estate to deliver the residue thereof to who are by law entitled. Witness John Woods Clerk of Said Court at office this 1st day of January 1849 year of American Independence.
Recorded Janry 10th 1849.
John Woods Clk

Rutherford County, Tennessee
Circuit Court Record Book 2, pages 380-381.

To the Hon Samuel Anderson Judge PC

The petition of Beverly Harris of Bedford County Tenn, Simpson Harris of the State of Illinois, Elizabeth Grimes a femme sole, Rashaw Spence [Renshaw Spence aka Rencher Spence] & wife Nancy formerly Nancy Harris, Robert Jarratt & wife Mary, formerly Mary Harris, Kinchen Tucker & wife Anna, formerly Anna Harris, of Rutherford County, Tenn, and Charles C. Harris of Marshall County Tenn. Anderson Harris of Mississippi, Joseph Hewit and wife Cyntha, formerly Cynthia Harris of [left blank] the said Charles C.[,] Anderson & Cynthia being children and heirs of Archabald Harris dec'd.; and Green Webb & wife Permelia, formerly Permelia Hefflin of the State of Kentucky Edward T. Brady & wife Mary, formerly Mary Hefflin of Carroll County, Tenn, Pius Carrico & wife Louisa, formerly Louisa Hefflin of the State of Illinois, Calvin Hefflin. Beverly Hefflin & Vance J. Hefflin of the State of Illinois, and the said Vance J. being a minor, appears by his next friend Green Webb, and of Mary Harris, widow of Beverly Harris decd.; and Alsea Harris of Rutherford County Tenn.

Your petitioners respectfully shewith to your Honor, that Beverly Harris, late of Rutherford County Tenn. died intestate leaving your petitioner Mary Harris, his widow, and your petitioners Beverly Harris, Simson Harris [Simpson Harris], Elizabeth Grimes, Nancy Spence wife of Rashaw Spence Mary Jarrett, wife of Robert Jarratt, Anna Tucker, wife of Kinchen Tucker, his children and heirs surviving him. He also had a son named Archabald Harris, who died before him, leaving your petitioners Charles C. Harris Anderson Harris, & Cynthia Hewit wife of Joseph Hewit his children and heirs, and who as heirs of the said Beverly Harris dec'd, of their Said Father. He also had a daughter named Delila [HARRIS] who intermarried with Johnathan Hefflin, and both of whom died before he did, leaving your petitioners, Permelia Webb, wife of Green Webb, Mary Brady wife of Edward T. Brady, Louisa Carris wife of Pius Carrice, Calvin [HEFFLIN], Beverly [HEFFLIN], & Vance J. Hefflin, their children & heirs, and who an heir in right of the said Beverly Harris in right of their Said Mother. He also had a son named Alsia Harris [Alsea HARRIS] who died before he did, leaving your petitioner Alsia Harris his only child and heir at law, having been made such by virtue of act of Assembly of the State of Tennessee (not having been born in lawful wedlock) and who as such claims to be an heir of the said Beverly Harris decd, in right of his said father.

The said Beverly Harris dec'd died siezed & possessed by title in fee simple of a tract of land in Rutherford County containing one hundred & fifty acres; and discribed as follows, to wit. lying on the dry fork, and eastern prong of the west fork of Stones river, beginning at two sweet gums, the north east corner of a tract land conveyed by John Wood to Alsea Harris; thence south 115 poles to a Hickory, thence west 186 poles to an ash in the creek, thence north 115 poles to a stake, thence east 42 poles to a stake, thnce north 40 poles to a stake, thence east 74 poles to a stake, thence south 40 poles to a stake, thence east to the begining.

Your petitioners Mary Harris widow of Beverly Harris dec'd is entitled to her dower out of said land, which has not yet been assigned to her; but she prefer that said land should be sold and have one third of the proceeds or the interest thereof, during he[r] life[.] Your other petitioners to whom the fee simple in said land has discended from the said intestate, believe the same is so situated that it cannot be partitioned amongst them, and that it will manifestly be to their advantage to sell it and divide the proceeds. They a[s] well as your petitioner Mary Harris widow of afs'd pray your honor to decree that said land be sold upon such terms as may seem best; that one third of the proceeds may be paid over to your petitioner Mary Hirris [sic] in lieu of her dower, upon her giving bond and security for the repayment of the same at her death; or that the one third may be loaned out and the interest thereof paid to her annually during life; and that the residue may be divided and paid over to your other petitioners in the proportions in which they are respectively intitled; and as in duty bound they will ever pray H. Ready, Solicitor

1850 census of Mary (Harris) West Jarrett, now living with her 2nd husband, Robert Jarrett.


Rutherford County, Tennessee
Deed Book 3, Page 701.

No. 9 }}
M & R Jarratt
To} Deed Trust
Thomas S. Jarratt

{Dd to Thos. S. Jarratt April 16th 1849}

Whereas one Mary Jarratt and Robert Jarratt are entitled in right of the said Mary to a distributive share of the personal estate of Beverly Harris, deceased the said Mary being one of the children of the said Beverly Harris deceased now for the consideration of one dollar to us paid by Thomas S. Jarrett we do hereby transfer and convey to the said Thomas S. Jarratt as Trustee for the sole and separate use of the said Mary Jarratt during her life if the said Robert should survive the said Mary Jarratt then to his use and benefit during his life and at the death of the said Mary and the said Robert then the estate aforesaid to be divided Equally between the following children of the said Mary Jarratt, to wit, Alfred West, Simpson West, Levi West, Rachel Edwards, Elizabeth Smotherman, being her children by her former husband and Mary Jarratt, Robert Jarratt, and Frances Ann Jarrett, her children by her Husband the said Robert Jarratt share and share alike. To have and hold the said distributive share to the said Thomas S. Jarratt his heirs and assigns as Trustee aforesaid, and we warrant and defend the title to the same against the lawful claims of all persons. The said Thomas S. Jarratt is to demand & receive from the administrators of the said Beverly Harris, deceased in all or any persons holding the said distributive share and hold and retain the same for the Trusts and uses aforesaid. And the said Thomas S. Jarratt is hereby empowered to change the character of said Estate to sell the same or buy other property with it with the approbation of the said Mary Jarratt and as he the said Thomas may consider for the interest and benefit of the said Mary Jarrett. Given under our hands and seals, this first January 1849.
Robert (his X mark) Jarratt (seal)
Mary (her X mark) Jarratt (seal)

Witness
John Woods
John A. Oden


State of Tennessee}
Rutherford County} Personally appeared before me John Woods Clerk of the County Court of Said County the within named Robert Jarratt and Mary Jarratt, the bargainers with whom I am personally acquainted & who acknowledged that they Executed the within deed for the purpose therein Contained, and Mary Jarratt (the femme covert) having also personally appeared before me privately and apart from her Husband the said Robert Jarratt acknowledged the Execution of said deed to have been done by her freely voluntarily and understandingly without compulsion or restraint from her said husband and for the purpose therein expressed.

Witness John Woods Clerk of Said County at office this 9th day of January 1849
Registered Jany 15th 1849
John Woods Clk

The following are from Earliest County Court Records of Bedford County, Tennessee, Marsh & Marsh, Compilers.

{Page 3} "Page 28 [December Term, 1848] - N. P. Modrell appointed guardian of Harriett, Levina, Charles, Nelson, and Elizabeth Harris, minor heirs of Alsey Harris, deceased."

{Page 29} "Page 238 [October Term, 1850] - Settlement with N. P. Modrell guardian of minor heirs of Alsea Harris, Sr., deceased."

{Page 32} "Page 262 [December Term, 1850] - N. P. Modrell guardian of minor heirs of Alsea Harris, deceased."

{Page 51} "Page 472 [May Term, 1852] - Settlement with M. P. Modrel guardian of Alsey Harris."

{Page 98} "Page 265 [April Term, 1854] - N. P. Modrell renewed his guardianship of minor heirs of Mary Harris, deceased."
[I have it on good authority that the original reads "Alsea Harris", not "Mary Harris".]

{Pages 120-121} "Page 427 [March Term, 1855] - N. P. Moderal guardian of the minor heirs of Alsey Harris, deceased, resigned and Jane Harris was appointed guardian. F. B. Price and J. L. Cooper securities."

From Bedford County Tennessee Wills & Vital Records from Newspapers, Marsh & Marsh, Compilers

Page 143:
[Chancery Court Records, 1854-1858, Page 158] - William T. Tune, Administrator &c vs Jonathan Cooper & others [March 1856]
Alsa Harris, deceased, made his Last Will and Testament. Wife Jane Harris, Lewis Tucker, and William Vincent, executors. Jane Harris deceased, left brothers and sisters, not named.

{Deed Book "F", Page 303} - Dyer & Green to William Hill, 200 acres. 13 sept 1814. Joel Dyer and Sherwood Green, executors of the Last Will and Testament of William Christmas, deceased, sold to William Hill of Bedford Co., TN, land in Bedford Co., TN, it being a Military Claim intered in the name of William Christmas, assignee of Sam. Pike, Grant No. 2643, about 200 acres. Borders Beverly HARRIS and James Wright. Wit: James L. Armstrong and Samuel Philips. Reg: 13 Mar 1816. [Land Deed Genealogy of Bedford County Tennessee 1807 - 1852, Page 42; Compiled by Marsh & Marsh.]
{Deed Book "EE", Page 340 - 1 Nov 1828} William Frizzell and Nathan Frizell to Hiram HARRIS, all of Bedford Co., TN, land in Bedford Co., adjoining the lands of Worke, Springer, Volney Steele, and Peter Rushing. 104 acres. Wit: William Carter and P. C. Steele. Reg: 12 Aug 1835. [Land Deed Genealogy of Bedford County Tennessee 1807 - 1852, Page 198; Compiled by Marsh & Marsh.]
Last update: 13 January 2013