Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. IV, Part 20

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 878

USA > New Hampshire > Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. IV > Part 20

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of a physician was, however, uncongenial to him and therefore became one of absolute drudgery from which he longed to escape. Receiving the appoint -- ment of librarian of Harvard in 1831, he eagerly accepted it and thenceforward his energies were devoted to the interests of the university, both in the official capacity, which brought him back to it, and developing its department of natural sciences. During his term of service as librarian, which covered a period of twenty-five years, Dr. Harris was largely instrumental in increasing the number of volumes from thirty thousand to sixty-five thousand, and witnessed the removal of the library from old Harvard Hall to Gore Hall, its present repository. His work as librarian led him into various fields of investigation intimately connected with it, and among his most important efforts in this direction was a special study of the early voy- ages to this country and the settlements along the coast. He is best known, however, for his unceas- ing labors in the field of natural history and as the father of American entomology. As early as 1820 he began his researches relative to botany as applied to materia medica, and also to entomology and kindred subjects. The study of the character and habits of insects was never lost sight of, but was inerely held in abeyance by his official duties and to be taken up and carried forward at every oppor- tunity, and his progress in that science remains to-day as a fitting monument to his memory. His elaborate entomological collection, now possessed by the Boston Society of Natural History, represents the patient labor of many years, and that body, of which he was a leading member, published his entire list of papers in its transactions, numbering one hundred and forty-four. Besides the above he was a member of the Massachusetts Historical and Massachusetts Medical societies, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture; a corresponding member of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila- delphia, of the London Entomological Society; and an honorary member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He died in Cambridge, January 16, 1856. He married, in 1824, Catherine Holbrook, daughter of Dr. Amos Holbrook, of Milton, previ- ously mentioned. Among the children of this union was Charles.

(IX) Charles, son of Dr. Thaddeus W. and Catherine (Holbrook) Harris, was born in Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, October 2, 1832. His educa- tional opportunities were excellent, and having acquired a knowledge of civil engineering he fol- lowed that profession in the state of Ohio and in Boston from 1850 to 1864. For the succeeding eighteen years he was superintendent of streets for the city of Boston, and for twenty years following acted as New England representative of the Barber Asphalt Paving Company. He has since been living in retirement, spending his declining years at his home in Cambridge. In addition to his business ability, which was eminently superior, he possesses in- tellectual attainments of a high order, and as a gen- tleman of culture he occupies a prominent position in the exclusive social circles of the University City. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Massachusetts Consistory. His religious be- lief is in accord with the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, and he is a member of the Church of the New Jerusalem, Cambridge. He married Sarah Elizabeth Hovey, and reared two children : Thaddeus W., who is referred to at length in the succeeding paragraphs; and Marion, who became

the wife of Dr. William W. Pearce, and resides in Waukegan, Illinois.

(X) Thaddeus William Harris, Ph. D., son of Charles and Sarah E. (Hovey) Harris, was born in Cambridge, January 19, 1862. He took his bache- lor's degree at Harvard University with the class of 1884, receiving that of Master of Arts in 1885, and he remained there as instructor some nine years, taking the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1890. His taste and capacity for educational pursuits were so predominant in his character as to cause him to enter that field of usefulness in preference to the various other professional walks for which he is super-abundantly qualified, and accepting the re- sponsible position of superintendent of the public schools of Keene, in 1894, he thereafter performed his official duties with unusual energy and ability up to his retirement in 1905.

During his residence in Keene Dr. Harris has interested himself in educational matters apart from his legitimate duties, being at the present time a trustee of the Keene Public Library, and acting for 1904 as president of the New England Association of School Superintendents. He also participates actively in religious work as senior warden of St. James (Protestant) Episcopal Church, and as a director of the Young Men's Christian Association. His ancestors, included among which were physi- cians, ministers, and merchants, were all men of marked ability, and his intellectual attainments and executive ability are therefore in some measure in- herited.

He married, June 20, 1894, Winifred Parker, who was born June 18, 1867, daughter of Charles H. and Abby J. ( Rockwood) Parker. She is a descendant of (I) John Parker, born in England, September 4, 1575, through (II) Thomas, the immigrant, (1609- 1683) (see Parker) ; (III) Hananiah (1638-1724) ; (IV) John ( 1604-1741) ; (V) Andrew (1693-1776) ; (VI) Thomas, (1727-1799) ; (VII) Ebenezer, of Lexington, (1750-1839) ; (VIII) Quincy (1775- 1828); (IX) Ira (ISI4) and (X) Charles H., who was born in Providence, Rhode Island, March 22, 1839, and died in Cambridge, August, 1895. The latter served in the civil war with the Twenty-first Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and attained the rank of lieutenant. It is quite evident that her ancestry is the same as that Rev. Theo- dore Parker, the famous preacher of a half century ago. Dr. and Mrs. Harris have two sons-Thaddeus William, born October 1, 1895, and Charles Parker Harris, born December 28, 1898.

HARRIS The families of Harris in the United States are very numerous, and can not be traced to a common ancestor, as many distinct emigrations of persons bearing the name appear to have taken place at a very early period in the history of New England. Previous to 1640 many of the name were in New England, and were among the carly settlers of different towns.

(VII) Thomas Harris, who was born in Massa- chusetts, died in Hudson, New Hampshire, in 1856, aged eighty-three years. For years he was employed as a sail maker in Salem, Massachusetts. He re- moved to Hudson, New Hampshire, several years before his death, and was there engaged in agricul- ture. He was a Democrat in political sentiment. He married (second), in Hudson, Lydia Colburn, of Hudson, he had five children: Eliza, Thomas, Wil- liam, a daughter (died young) and Albert, the sub- ject of the next paragraph.

(VIII) Albert, youngest child of Thomas and

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Lydia (Colburn) Harris, was born in Salem, Massa- chusetts, November, 1811, and died in Hudson, No- vember 19, 1875. He was educated in the common schools of his native town, and worked on his father's farm in Hudson until he was of age, and then bought the place adjoining, where he spent his remaining years. In his early manhood he was a Whig, but when the questions of slavery and re- bellion were agitated he became a Republican and a supporter of Abraham Lincoln and his measures. He married Sarah F. Wellman. who was born at Washington, New Hampshire, daughter of Thomas Wellman, of Washington, New Hampshire; she died, and he married (second) Amanda Stuart of Hudson. There were seven children by the first wife : Edward P., lives in Topeka, Kansas ; Cather- ine, died in youth; Myron W. lives in Amherst ; Lydia Frances, married George W. Connell, of Hudson : Henry Albert, the subject of the next paragraph : Harriett A., married O. B. Robinson ; Charles Austin, married (first) Georgiana Hill, and (second) Leah Boothby. of Lowell, Massachusetts, and lives in Lowell. Mary F., the only child of the second wife, was born April 15, 1856, and married George W. Bartlett, of Goffstown.

(IX) Albert Henry, who often writes his name Henry A. Harris, third son and fifth child of Albert and Sarah F. (Wellman) Harris, was born in Hud- son, October 27, 1842. He attended the public schools of Hudson and Lowell until he was eighteen years of age, and worked at farming and taught school two terms before the outbreak of the re- bellion. August 28, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany L, First Maine Cavalry, and served two years and nine months, being discharged May 28, 1865. He took part in many battles and minor engage- ments, some of the most important of which were the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Mine Run, and Appo- mattox, being present at General Lee's surrender. In his campaigning he had two horses shot under him.

After the war he returned to Littleton, Maine, where he taught school four winters and carried on a farm the remainder of the time. In 1870 he re- turned to Hudson and engaged in agriculture two years, and then removed to Merrimack, and was station agent of the Boston & Maine railroad at South Merrimack for five years. The next five years he lived on a leased farm and then (1886) bought the place he has since occupied. Mr. Harris has so deported himself as to command the con- fidence and respect of those who know him, and by them he has been placed in all of the offices of the town but representative. He is a trustee of the pub- lic library, was chairman of the school board nine years, and built the school house at Reed's Ferry, and has been a member of the board of selectmen three years. He is a member of John H. Worcester Post, Grand Army of the Republic. of Hollis, and of the Order of the Golden Cross, of which he is a past commander. He is a Republican in the princi- ples for which he fought in the dark days of the rebellion. He is a member of the Union Evangelical First Church of Merrimack.

He married, first, May 9, 1866, Dora F. Hill, who was born in Littleton, Maine, May 1, 1851, daughter of Bradford and Hannah J. (Delaite) Hill of Little- ton, Maine. She was a member of the Christian Church (Disciples), a lady of intelligence, and taught school a number of terms before her mar- riage. She died September 26. 1891, and he married (second) January 5, 1893, at Nashua, Fanny E. Brown, who was born in Amherst, September 25, 1855, daughter. of William E. and Elizabeth G. (Cragin) Brown, of Merrimack. She was educated

in the public schools of Manchester and at Magaw Institute. She subsequently taught school in Merri- mack for sixteen successive years, and was regarded as one of the most successful instructors in that region. She is a member of the Union Evangelical Church. The children of the first wife were: Viola W., died young; Albert H., born February 16. 1876, married Nellie F. Patterson, daughter of George E. and Anna Patterson, of South Merri- mack: and Leroy E., born November 21, 1877, inar- ried Carolyn Francisco, of New York.

(Third Family.)

This is an old New England family,

HARRIS originating in 'England or Wales, and has furnished many excellent citizens in New Hampshire. It is identified with the earli- est pioneer period along the Merrimack river, and is still conspicuous in business circles of the region.

(I) John Harris, progenitor of many of the name in New England is found of record in Charlestown, Massachusetts, as early as 1658, when he was granted two parcels of land. He married Amy Hills, daughter of Joseph and Rose (Dun- ster) Hills. Her father was a woolen draper, who came from Malden, England, and lived in Charles- town and Newbury. Massachusetts. Her mother was a sister of President Dunster of Harvard Col- lege. John Harris' sons were: Samuel, John, Thomas and Joseph.

(II) Thomas, third son of John and Amy (Hills) Harris, was born March 18, 1664, in Charlestown, and was a tailor residing in that town. where he died about 1747. He married, February 25. 1686, Hepzibah Crosswell, who was born May 20. 1668, daughter of Thomas and Priscilla (Up- ham) Crosswell. of Charlestown. Their children were: Thomas, Hepzibah, Silence, Ebenezer, Wil- liam. John, Abigail, Rachael and Elizabeth.

(III) Ebenezer, second son and fourth child of Thomas and Hepzibah (Crosswell) Harris, was born June II, 1698, in Charlestown, and died in Dun- stable, New Hampshire. He was a tailor by occit- pation, and settled in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. where he resided until about 1715, when he removed to Dunstable. The land records show that he pur- chased land there about that time. He married Elizabeth Spalding, who was born January 17, 1700, in Chelmsford, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Colburn) Spalding. Their children were: Ebe- nezer, Hepzibah. Hannah and Thomas, born in Chelmsford, and probably others born in Dunstable. (IV) Ebenezer (2). eldest child of Ebenezer (1) and Elizabeth (Spalding) Harris was born June 12, 1731, in Chelmsford and was a child when he removed with his parents to Dunstable. He served from that town as a soldier of the Revo- lution. His wife's name was Dorcas, but no record of his marriage is found. It is known that his daughter Silence was born in Dunstable, September 20, 1755, and his son Thomas, March 29, 1757. He was still living in 1783.

(V) Ebenezer (3), second son of Ebenezer (2) and Dorcas Harris, was born July 24. 1759. in Dunstable, and died in Merrimack, March 17. 1843. aged eightv-four. He married Rebecca Hills, who was born in Nottingham West. March 6, 1762, and died March 20, 1852, aged ninety. Ten children were born of this union : Rebekah, June 26, 1782. died January 16, 1874. Esther, July 16. 1784. died October 10. 1857. Reuben, May 2. 1786, died April 23, 1835. Rhoda, February 21. 1788. died April 25, 1872. Ebenezer, June 1. 1700. died March 204 1869. Anna, December II, 1793. died December 26, 1883. Hannah, April 7, 1795, died January 5, 1878. Oli-

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ver, May 19, 1798, died May II, I803. Pauli,

March 22, 1801, died August 23, 1888. Robert, March 15, 1807, see forward.

(VI) Robert, son of Ebenezer (3) and Rebecca (Hills) Harris, was born in Merrimack, New Hampshire, March 15, 1807, died in Nashua, Sep- tember 1, 1889. He was a farmer and resided in Nashua. He married. March 7, 1837, Mary Glines, who was born in Franklin, New Hampshire, Oc- tober 4. 1816, died January 30, 1899. She was the daughter of William and Naomi (Hancock) Glines, and a descendant of the pioneer Glines settler of Londonderry; she is also of the same stock as John Hancock. There were nine children born of this union: Mary M., June 10, 1838. Alonzo, June 29, 1840, died August 6, 1842. Har- vey W .. May 23, 1842, died December 6, of the same year. Orin B., May II, 1845, died September 16, of the same year. George A., March 26, 1846, died August 17, 1870. Lucius L., July 5, 1848. Frank M., July 5. 1851, died August 3, 1892. Ida F., November 8, 1855, died aged seven years, and Ira F., November 8, 1855.

(VII) Ira Francis, youngest child of Robert and Mary (Glines) Harris, was born November 8, 1855, in Nashua. Previous to the age of sixteen years he was a student in the public schools of his native town. after which he went to Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and remained a short time. He next took up his residence at New Albany Indiana, and was employed for some time in the navigation of the Ohio river, acting as assistant pilot. In 1875 he returned to Nashua and took up the study of dentistry in the office of Dr. L. F. Lock, where he read two years. At this time he was offered an advantageous position in the Indian Head National Bank and accepted. His duties were so faithfully discharged that he was made assistant cashier in 1886, and after nine years' further service became cashier in 1895. This position he has since held and has become interested in many of the busi- ness and social institutions of his native city. He IS secretary of the First Congregational Church Society and of the Fortnightly Club. He is treas- urer of the local and also of the State Board of Trade, has administered on a number of important estates, and is interested in various business en- terprises of the city. He is recorded among the prosperous and most substantial citizens of his na- tive town. Mr. Harris has been an extensive trav- eler, is a keen observer, and his contributions to literature have been gratefully and happily accepted by the public. His illustrated lectures on the Mer- rimack Valley, Colonial Homes. Historic Nashua, and other subjects, have delighted many audiences. Mr. Harris is a cultivated gentleman, whose man- ners are pleasing: whose heart is large, and he is respected and honored by a large circle of friends. Hle naturally became affiliated with fraternal or- ders, and is now a Knight Templar Mason, who has attained the thirty-second degree.

He was married in Nashua, June 7, 1881, to Mary C. Proctor, who was born August 29. 1852, daughter of Joseph B. and Sarah J. Proctor of Nashua. (Sce Proctor, VII). Mrs. Harris is reg- istrar of Nashua Chapter, Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution, and is an active member of the Woman's Club of Nashua and other social organ- izations.

(Fourth Family.)

Among the prominent citizens of HARRIS Portsmouth, this state, are represen- tatives of the line herein traced, of whose ancestry very little is known. The first of

whom record now appears was Abel Harris, who resided in Portsmouth.

(II) William Coffin, son of Abel Harris, was born November. 1767, in Portsmouth, New Hamp- shire. He married Mary Johnson and resided in that town.

(III) Captain Thomas Aston, son of William Coffin and Mary (Johnson) Harris, was born June 13, 1824, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Intro- duced to the active matters of life at an early age, the wide awake lad developed a passion for the sea, which nothing could dispel or divert. His first voyage was to India in the ship "Mary and Susan," commanded by Captain William F. Parrott, a voyage which he heartily enjoyed, and so bene- ficial that thereafter he was "in all seas." In 1847 he sailed from Norfolk with government stores for California. and arrived at Monterey, February 6. 1848, when the gold fever was at its height. The republic of California was an accepted and wide- awake fact in those days, and of which Mr. Harris received a tangible reminder early in the summer of 1890 in the shape of a handsome flag, one of the original banners of the infant republic. It is of white bunting, ten feet long and four feet wide, with a broad stripe of red on the lower edge, a red, five-pointed star in the field (the star of the republic) ; in the center of the white a large Cali- fornia bear, walking, known as "Nahl's bear," and underneath the legend "California Republic." This souvenir is very valuable, and of course highly prized by the fortunate receiver. Captain Harris returned to the United States the longest way, via China, and soon after returned to San Francisco. arriving in 1850. As is generally known there is a society in that state known as the California Pioneers. A "forty-eighter" is eligible to what is termed a Golden Bear membership, a forty-nineer to a Silver Bear, but a pioneer of '50 has no status in the association. Gold and silver badges are in- dicative of these ranks. Captain Harris was the possessor of the golden trophy and this certificate :

This is to certify that Thomas Aston Harris, who , arrived in California, February 6, 1848, is a member of the Society of Cali- fornia Pioneers.

(SEAL)

(Signed) EDWARD KRUSE, President. W. H. GRAVES, Secretary.

San Francisco, California, May 20, 1890.

About this time Captain Harris entered the ser- vice of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, where he remained a considerable time. On returning east he built a vessel for the Russian government, during the Crimean war, an armed steamer, the "Astoria," and sailed thence under the American flag. On arriving at Sitka her name was changed to "Alexander." The vessel made a grand record, and was the same one sent to take Hon. William H. Seward to Sitka when he went there to inspect his purchase for the United States government. While there Captain Harris was urged to take a high position in the Russian navy, and the rank and privilege of a nobleman, but it was satisfaction to believe that the Yankee nobility was good enough for the Portsmouth sailor, and the proffer was gratefully and gracefully declined. At the close of the Crimean war he returned to the United States. arriving in February, 1857. He remained only a few months. however, when in the latter part of that year he sailed for San Francisco in the United States light house steamer "Shubrick," and deliv- ered the vessel. and remained there nearly two years, when he returned. Captain Harris then took charge of steamer "Pei Ho," an armed vessel built for Russell & Company, to open trade with Japan.

Отаными!

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Reaching Hong Kong, the ports of Japan having been opened by treaty, the vessel was sold to the French government for a despatch boat. He then returned to the United States overland late in 1860, arriving in the midst of the John Brown trouble at Harper's Ferry. Imbued by the excitement. Cap- tain Harris took a trip south, going as far as Texas to see how matters were looking and to ascertain the sentiments of the people. After thoroughly ac- quainting himself with southern affairs he returned north and entered the United States navy as act- ing master, his commission dating from May, 1861. On April 27, 1863, he was advanced to acting volun- teer lieutenant "as a reward for gallant conduct in the face of the enemy," the official record states. The event referred to was the capture of a battery of six guns at Hill's Point, on the Nansemond river, in Virginia. In this action was a detachment of eight companies of the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, Captain George W. Towle and Captain James Albert Sanborn, both of Portsmouth, in command. In April, 1865, he was promoted to act- ing volunteer lieutenant-commander, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. and was honorably mustered out and discharged October 24, 1865. Captain Harris' first government ship was the "Penguin," of which he was executive offi- cer. His other commands were, in the order named, the "Henry Andrews," "Stepping Stones," "Newbern" and "Lillian," of the North Atlantic Squadron, and the "Preost" and "Abeona," of the Mississippi Squadron. On leaving the United States service he resumed service with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and was in command on the Atlantic coast until 1867, whence he went to Acapulco, Mexico, as agent of the company there. Two years later he was transferred to Hong Kong in a similar capacity, and remained there nearly five years. when, and only because of im- paired health, he was obliged to come home. On leaving Hong Kong he was presented by the guild of merchants, and with great ceremony, a testi- monial made of white satin with handsomely em- broidered border and inscribed in golden letters, with the fulsome compliment of the Chinese people. This missive measures four feet by three feet, and attractively framed, has for years held the chief place of honor upon the wall in the captain's li- brary. The change of climate having effected a considerable improvement in his health, he returned to Japan as general agent of the Pacific Mail Steam- ship Company for Japan and China, with headquar- ters at Yokohama. In 1876 he was ordered home by medical survey, too long residence and continuar overwork having completely prostrated a physique perfect in every point, and for which change of climate and rest were imperative. There was pro- test but no escape from the plain alternative, and the wanderer, having acquired a competency, re- turned to Portsmouth, which ever held the dearest corner in his heart and for whose welfare and pro- gress he had undivided interest. Captain Harris was prominent in organizations, and among these was a member of Saint John's Lodge, No. 1, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, of Portsmouth. the Massachusetts Commandery, Loyal Legion. and a comrade of Storer Post. No. I, Grand Army of the Republic. of Portsmouth. His gift to the latter organ- ization of a large and centrally located burying ground for soldiers and sailors at Harmony Grove Cemetery, is a memorial to the patriotism and thoughtfulness of the comrade which will be as enduring as time. For many years Captain Harris was a director in the New Hampshire National

Bank; and on the resignation of Edwin A. Peter- son as president, was unanimously chosen his suc- cessor. He was an able, far-seeing financier, and devoted the latter years of his ever active life to its interests. His interest in young men was par- ticularly noticeable, and in the most unostentatious ways. helped many to enter upon successful busi- ness careers. Captain Harris was a writer of much force and attractiveness, and was never happier than when seated at his desk, though unfortunately for the community he modestly kept his literary light almost completely hidden. He was a gentle- man of culture; had positive convictions; the ten- derest sympathies ; possessed the most courtly grace; was a fine conversationalist, and had the deepest attachments. Of him it can truthfully be said that he was personified nobleness. Captain Harris married Mary Elizabeth Langdon Picker- ing, daughter of John Pickering, esquire, of Ports- mouth. (See Pickering). She was born April 14, 1835, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

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Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. IV, Part 20

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 878

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 878