The Harris Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

The Harris family, originally of Massachusetts and Connecticut, send out many branches to other states. The family of Asa (3) Harris largely settled in New York state in Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. Descendants of these found their way to Pennsylvania, settling in Fayette, McKean and other counties.

The name Harris is of Welsh origin and means “The son of Harry.” The name is found in “A list of sixty of the most common surnames in England and Wales in 1838”, and is now found in every county in England. The name is very common in the United States and cannot be traced to a common ancestor, as many distinct emigrations of persons bearing the name appear at a very early period in New England.

(I) James Harris

The family herein recorded spring from James Harris, whose nativity, parentage and date of coming to America is unknown. He was born about 1640. He married, in 1666, Sarah Denison, of Boston. He moved to New London, Connecticut, about 1690, and died there in 1715. His will, dated June 14, 1714, probated September 13, 1715, bequeathed to his widow Sarah his entire estate during her lifetime.

Children

• Sarah. Born March 2, 1668.
• Deborah. July, 1670.
• James. April 4, 1673, married (first) Sarah Rogers, (second) Sarah (Harris) Jackson.
• Margaret. January 16, 1675, died in infancy.
• Mary. February 3, 1677, died aged six years.
• Elizabeth. June, 1678, married William Rogers.
• Asa. Of whom further.
• Hannah. April 22, 1682.
• Ephraim. Died in infancy.
• Mary (2). June, 1686.
• Ephraim (2). July 11, 1688, died 1710, unmarried.

(II) Asa Harris

Asa, son of James Harris, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, November 10, 1680, died in Preston, Connecticut, August 20, 1715. He married, March 17, 1709, Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Rogers and sister of Sarah, second wife of his brother James.

Children

• Asa. Of whom further.
• Amah. Born March 27, 1711, married Samuel Beebee.
• Ephraim. December 28, 1712.
• Mercy. November 14, 1714, married John Waterhouse.

(III) Asa (2) Harris

Asa (2), son of Asa (1) Harris, was born in Preston, Connecticut, November 27, 1709. He moved to Saybrook, Connecticut, where he was living as late as 1767, and probably died. He married (first) ———, who bore him a son Asa, of whom further. Married (second) Mary ———, by whom he had three children:

Children by second marriage

• May.
• Ely.
• Alpheus.

(IV) Asa (3) Harris

Asa (3), son of Asa (2) Harris, was born in Saybrook, Connecticut, May 21, 1737. He settled in Lebanon, Connecticut, later in Massachusetts at or near Pittsfield. He married, July 22, 1761, Faith McCall, born February 12, 1737.

Children

• Asa. Of whom further.
• Hannah. Born September 16, 1763.
• Eli. Settled in Niagara county, New York, later in Terre Haute, Indiana.
• Ann Mercy. Born March 19, 1769.
• James. Married Polly Roach.
• Daniel. Married Amanda Miller.
• John C. Born December 16, 1774.
• Nathaniel. March 4, 1778.
• Levi. August 19, 1779.
• Polly. February 9, 1782.
• Rachel. December 7, 1784.

(V) Asa (4) Harris

Asa (4), son of Asa (3) Harris, was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, April 18, 1762, and baptized the same day. It is not sure, but the presumption is that he joined other members of the family of his father who settled in New York state. He married Elizabeth Wright and left issue.

(VI) William Asa Harris

William Asa, son of Asa (4) Harris, was born in Connecticut, about 1783. He settled in New York state and in 1823 his name appears on a list of settlers in Farmersville, Cattaraugus county, New York. He was a farmer. He was a member of the Presbyterian church as was his wife, Marjorie Harris, who was also his cousin.

Children

• William. Died in Wisconsin.
• Alva. Died in Wisconsin.
• Delpha. Of whom further.
• Golpha. Died in Wisconsin.
• Ira. Died in Illinois.
• Parley. Died in McKean county, Pennsylvania.
• Rebecca and other daughters. Died in Wisconsin.

(VII) Delpha Harris

Delpha, son of William Asa Harris, was born in Connecticut, 1808, died in Bradford, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1884. He learned the trade of shoemaker. In 1884 he settled in Bradford, where he continued in business until his retirement from active life. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a Republican in politics, and a man of sterling character. He married Anna Moore, born May 25, 1811, died in Bradford, April 4, 1902, youngest daughter of Asa Moore (see Moore V). She was a woman of lovable disposition, very charitable and a devoted Methodist.

Children

• Marshall Delos. Of whom further.
• Louisa Elvira. Born in Chautauqua county, New York, 1835, died December 13, 1909; she married Oscar Howe, of Cattaraugus county, killed in the civil war, a descendant of General Howe of the revolution; children:
  • William. Deceased.
  • Pherson. Resides in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
  • Frank. Resides in Marietta, Ohio.
  • Llewellyn. Resides in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
  • Luella. Resides in Freedom, Pennsylvania.
• Victoria Leona. Born in Chautauqua county, New York, 1837; married Rev. Almond Horton, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now living retired at Wellsville, Ohio; children:
  • Abby. Resides in Ulysses, Pennsylvania.
  • Clement. Deceased.
  • Mary. Deceased.
  • Arthur. Resides in Wellsville.
• Sarah. Born 1839, died 1845.
• Frederick James. Born in Bradford township, McKean county, Pennsylvania, 1841; now a farmer and oil producer of Great Valley, New York; married Emily Howe; children:
  • Allen. Resides in Great Valley.
  • Mary. Resides in Kennedy, New York.
  • Orphia. Resides in Watts Valley, New York.
  • Milton. A Baptist minister at Shingle House, Pennsylvania.
• Nancy Belma. Born 1843; married James Malona, born in New York state, now engaged in the oil business at Kennedy, New York; children:
  • Wilma. Residing in Moosejaw, Canada.
  • Lulu. Resides in Kennedy, New York.
  • Paul. Resides in Youngstown, Ohio.
• Fernando Cortez. Born 1845; resides in Independence, Kansas, engaged in the oil business; married Clara Inglesby; children:
  • John. Resides in Independence.
  • Delpha. Deceased.
  • Ruth. Resides in Tacoma, Washington.
  • Alice. Resides in Cour d’Alene, Idaho.
  • Leslie. Resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Fernando. Deceased.
• Mary Rebecca. Born June 7, 1848; married Emory Slocum, of Sagaerstown, New York, now deceased; she is now living in Buffalo, New York, but has a residence in Bradford, Pennsylvania; children:
  • Carrie. Deceased.
  • Harry. Resides in Copan, Oklahoma.

(VIII) Marshall Delos Harris

Marshall Delos, eldest child of Delpha Harris, was born in Frewsburg, Chautauqua county, New York, June 7, 1833. He was ten years of age when his parents moved to Bradford township, McKean county, Pennsylvania, where his education was completed in the public schools. He early became engaged in lumbering, the splendid forests of McKean county affording ample scope for his energy. He owned timber lands, which he cleared, converting the logs into lumber in his own sawmill. In 1854 he began speculating in real estate, buying and selling improved farms and timber lands. He was also for nine years employed by the Erie Railroad Company. In 1874 he engaged in the drug business in Bradford and continued successfully in that line of activity until his retirement from business in 1909. He has spent an active, useful life, and now, respected and honored, resides in his comfortable home, No. 87 High street, Bradford. He has always voted the Republican ticket, and has been a pillar of strength to his party. He has held the offices of justice of the peace, school director for many years, constable, and is now poor master. In religious belief he is a Methodist, his wife also belonging to that denomination. He is a member of Bradford Lodge, No. 334, Free and Accepted Masons.

He married, January 23, 1861, Abby Edson, born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, May 14, 1837, daughter of Nathaniel Edson (see Edson).

Children

• Luella Alzina. Born in Limestone, New York, October 26, 1862; now a teacher in the schools of Kane, Pennsylvania.
• Anna Dorothy. Born at Bradford, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1867; married Samuel F. Neill, a draughtsman; now resides in Denver, Colorado; children:
  • Dorothy. Born July 21, 1897.
  • Loraine. Born 1900, died in infancy.
  • Cecil Luella. Born January 28, 1906.
• Inez Abby. Born in Bradford, June 10, 1873; married George F. Robinson, now in the insurance business at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
• Mary Elizabeth. Born in Bradford, May 30, 1875; married Louis Langworthy, born January 1, 1877, in Hornellsville, New York, now an electrician of Bradford; children:
  • Lawrence. Born September 13, 1900, died December 12, 1906.
  • Kenneth Louis. Born August 14, 1903.
  • Martha Deloris. Born February 1, 1909.

The Moore Line

(I) Deacon John Moore

Deacon John Moore, the first of the line here under consideration, landed in Massachusetts and crossed to the Connecticut river with the early settlers of Windsor, Connecticut. He married and had a son, Joseph, of whom further.

(II) Joseph Moore

Joseph, son of Deacon John Moore, married and had a son, Joseph, of whom further.

(III) Joseph (2) Moore

Joseph (2), son of Joseph (1) Moore, was born in 1716, died May 3, 1790. He married Elizabeth Allen, born 1716, died May 10, 1790. Twelve children, among whom was Joseph, of whom further.

(IV) Joseph (3) Moore

Joseph (3), son of Joseph (2) Moore, married (first) Margaret Kellogg, (second) Hannah Phillips.

Children of first wife

1. Margaret.
2. Asa. Of whom further.
3. Joseph.

Children of second wife

1. Orpheus.
2. Seth.
3. Ebenezer.
4. Abigail.
5. Hannah.
6. Mary.
7. Anna.

(V) Asa Moore

Asa, son of Joseph (3) Moore, was born June 20, 1762, died in the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, New York. He served in the revolutionary war from July 1, 1780, to December 16, 1780, as a private in Captain Prior’s company, Fifth Regiment Connecticut Line. He married, November 1, 1790, Huldah King, born 1767, died 1840.

Children

1. Joseph K.
2. Amanda.
3. Asa.
4. Roderick.
5. Jesse.
6. Huldah.
7. James.
8. David.
9. Nancy.
10. Frederick.
11. Anna. Married Delpha Harris (see Harris VII).

The Edson Line

(I) Deacon Samuel Edson

Deacon Samuel Edson, the emigrant ancestor, traced his ancestry in England to Thomas Edson, born 1480, twelve years before the discovery of America. Deacon Samuel Edson arrived at Salem, Massachusetts, in July, 1639. He was then twenty-five years of age, and was accompanied by his bride, Susanna (Orcutt) Edson, aged twenty-one years. He resided in Salem until 1651, when he moved to Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He was one of the fifty-six original proprietors of that town, and one of the earliest if not the first settlers. Besides his own original share in the town, he purchased other land and became a very large landowner and prosperous farmer. He owned two sawmills and built the first corn-mill there. The site of his mills has been continuously occupied by a mill ever since. He was most active in town affairs; was selectman nine years; was representative to the general court and filled other important offices. He was one of the first deacons of the Bridgewater church, elected in 1664, and so continued until his death. Although not liberally educated, he was of keen intelligence, enterprising, and essentially a man of affairs. He died July 19, 1692. His wife, Susanna, had a happy disposition, modest deportment, dignified presence and graceful manners. Her education and natural abilities were said to be fully equal to his own. She died February 20, 1699. In the old burying-ground at Bridgewater the oldest monument of the kind is that standing over their graves. They had three sons and five daughters. Susanna, their oldest daughter, married Rev. James Keith, the first minister in Bridgewater.

(II) Joseph Edson

Joseph, son of Deacon Samuel Edson, married Experience Field, and among their children was Samuel, of whom further.

(III) Samuel Edson

Samuel, son of Joseph Edson, married Mehitable Brett, and among their children was Nathaniel, of whom further.

(IV) Deacon Nathaniel Edson

Deacon Nathaniel Edson, son of Samuel Edson, married Joanna Snow, and among their children was Nathaniel, of whom further.

(V) Nathaniel (2) Edson

Nathaniel (2), son of Deacon Nathaniel (1) Edson, married Betsey Howard, and among their children was Nathaniel, of whom further.

(VI) Nathaniel (3) Edson

Nathaniel (3), son of Nathaniel (2) Edson, born April 6, 1805, died June 6, 1881. He married, May 9, 1827, Dorothy Ingalls, born October 29, 1802, died April 3, 1868.

Children, all born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts

1. Dolly Ophelia. Born August 29, 1828, died September 9, 1851.
2. Elizabeth. Born September 27, 1829, died February 23, 1892; married Royal Baron, a farmer, and died in Erie county, New York; no children.
3. Samuel. Born October 30, 1832, died the following day.
4. Adelia. Born February 15, 1835; married Rev. Reuben Du Bois, of Friendship, New York, a Methodist minister; no children.
5. Abby. Married Marshall Delos Harris (see Harris VIII).
6. Huldah. Born October 26, 1841, died in Eldred, Pennsylvania; married Truman Bennett; children:
   1. Walter.
   2. Evie. Resides in Eldred, Pennsylvania.
   3. Wellman. Deceased.
   4. Dolly. Deceased.
   5. Lowell. Resides in the west.

Dorothy (Dolly) (Ingalls) Edson was a descendant of Henry Ingalls, “one of the twelve men who came from Lynn to Andover and bought that town for five pounds sterling and a few articles of clothing.” Henry was a son of Edward and Ann Ingalls, who came from Lincolnshire, England, and settled at Lynn in 1629. The line of descent from Edward and Ann Ingalls to Dorothy is as follows: Henry (1), Henry (2), Francis, Elijah, Ezra, born April 12, 1773, died March 6, 1828, married Dolly Wilson, of Andover, born April 29, 1777.

Children

1. Dorothy (Dolly). Born October 29, 1802, died April 3, 1868; married Nathaniel (3) Edson.
2. Ezra Jr. Born January 7, 1804, died March 6, 1828.
3. Lucy Foster. Born September 18, 1807, died August 10, 1839; married, November 28, 1826, Adoniram Whiting.
4. Wilson. Born March 25, 1809.
5. Harriet. Born March 12, 1814, died June 7, 1839; married, May 26, 1836, John Burrell.
6. Maria Caroline. Born April 3, 1817; married, November 15, 1839, Thomas Cunningham.
7. Mary. Born September 9, 1819; married April 9, 1836, Ezra Abbott.

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.