Title

Col. Robert Harris Sr.

and his descendants

Pages From History

Much of my information came from books including a book on the history of the Manire, Ogilvie and Harris families, but I do not know the author, and another book: The History of George Hunt and Mary Ogilvie Allen and Their Descendants written by Bill Allen. For more information, you might contact Mr. Allen at his email address. Both authors based their information from DAR records, deeds, wills, marriage records, and others. (NOTE: This Robert Harris is not to be confused with Robert Harris of Mecklenburg Co. NC.) The Harris family married into the Ogilvie family. The Ogilvie family married into the Manire family, and these families are my direct ancestors.

Robert Harris was born about 1710 in the Colony of Virginia and married Leminder Smith about 1732 in Brunswick County, Virginia. They had eight children. Col. Harris moved to North Carolina about 1748. He was quite active in politics, serving in the Colonial House of Representatives from 1752 until 1768. He was in the Granville Militia 1763 until 1773 where he earned the title of colonel, a post similar to clerk. He was also a sheriff of Granville County, and served two terms in the North Carolina State Senate in 1778 and 1783. Col. Harris died in 1786 in Granville County, North Carolina and his will was probated in the August, 1786, court session.

In 1752 Robert Harris, known as Robert Harris, Sr. was sworn in as a member of the colonial House of Representatives from Granville County, North Carolina. He was a State Senator, Upper House of North Carolina during most of the period of the American Revolution, serving several terms. He was sworn in for one year April 14, 1778, and the last session of this Senate year was Third Session which started on Jan. 19, 1779. He was sworn in for a second term April 18, 1783. Both times he was sworn in as Col. Robert Harris, Sr., Granville Co. NC.

On the opening day of the State Assembly April 14, 1778, Col. Harris, Granville Co., moved that 21 rules be adopted to be observed in the Senate. This was adopted by the Senate. Col. Harris also proposed for Speaker of the Senate Whitmel Hill, Esq. who was unanimously chosen, and placed in the chair. Col. Harris, as State Senator, was dedicated to the cause of the State of North Carolina against King George of England.

As a member of the Assembly he was brought before Governor Dobbs and penalized by having his name left off the lists of Justices for Granville county. (Justices of the Peace at that time were appointed by the Assembly.)

At one time he had been sheriff of Granville Co. and later he was a Colonel of the Granville Co. Militia 1768-1773, thereafter he was known as Colonel.

Robert Harris died abt. 1786 while living in Leeds District. He died between June 1, 1785 and August 1786 when his will was probabed. This is from his will:

Will of Robert Harris, Sr. Granville County, North Carolina

To my niece Mary Harris, daughter of David Harris, my best bed and furniture and a cow and calf; to my grandson, Thomas Harris, son of Thomas Harris a negro and all land I own adjoining Kimbrough Oglivie and Thomas Willbourne, except, 100 acres which is laid off for Thomas Willbourne; to dau Mary Oglivie 50 pounds, to daughter Limender Hampton 50 pounds; all else to be sold and divided amongst my sons, Christopher, Sherwood, David and Samuel Harris.

To my wife Leminder Harris, a negro and all property she has in her possession if she can show just cause for leaving her marriage bed if not, all to be sold and divided as heretofore directed. Executors: Son Sherwood Harris, Son Samuel Harris, Friend Col. Joseph Taylor. Witnesses: R. D. Cooke, Temperence Willbourne, John Oglivie

Who Was Colonel Harris?

Paula Eubanks: Harris/Ogilvie Descendant

Scott Fraser: Harris/Ogilvie Descendant

Brunswick Co. VA Genealogy

Granville County NC GenWeb Site

© July 1998 All rights reserved.