HARRIS of Frederica

William Harris and his wife, Anne Coles, from London, England, boarding The Ann at Gravesend 6 November 1732, arriving in Savannah on 1 February 1733. The Ann was the first vessel into the new colony of Georgia, with General Oglethorpe himself onboard. Also onboard were Anne's parents, Joseph and Anna Coles from London. About the same time, Francis Harris, the brother of William as proven by deeds, came to Savannah where he rose in importance.

William Harris was born 1720 in London, England, and died 1737 in Savannah, Georgia, a year after his father-in-law, Joseph Coles, possibly of malaria, or yellow fever, prevalent diseases of the coast. In April of 1737 he had been granted Lot No. 126 in Savannah by General Oglethorpe. Each freeholder colonist was allowed 50 acres of land, five acres being used for a house and a garden in the town, with 45 acres for farming outside the town. A freeholder was a person who paid his own passage from England to Savannah and was not an indentured servant or convict. We know that he was granted 45 acres outside of Savannah, because his son, William Thomas Harris, in his Last Will and Testament, left an unimproved Lot in Savannah, as well as a 45-acre Lot adjacent to Savannah, to his son, William Thomas Harris. Upon William's death, Anne and her mother (Anna Cassells Cole) took up residence. A List of Early Settlers of Georgia by Coulter: “Will Harris, Lot 126, Savannah, granted April 1737. Anne, wife on her husband's death, she and her son became inmate to Lot 68 with her mother, Ann Cassell Cole Salter. Lawrence Mellichamp possessed it before, who deserted June 3, 1736. Dead 1737. Will, son,was born in the Colony.&8221;

A description of the land granted in Frederica is that it was “on the road to the north end, crossing Military Road from the fort.” the former road also led straightway out of the fork easterly from the town into the farm area. In other words, it was one of the first streets to cross the main street, adjacent to the fort. His garden lot was two or three miles from Frederica and the fort, in an area called the “Garden Area” and adjoined a 500-acre lot of Lachlin McIntosh, 400 acres of James Arkin, and lands of James McKay.

Anne Coles Harris was born 1723 in England and died 1759 in Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia. She was left with many debts. She first operated a freight boat from Savannah to Frederica, however, on 3 December 1742 General Oglethorpe granted her Lot No. 27 in the North Ward of Frederica. This caused her to establish a successful mercantile store and shipping business in that village for a number of years.

After the War with Spain ended, and Oglethorpe withdrew his regiment from Frederica in 1748, residents began to move again. But apparently Anne remained at Frederica until about 1750 when she purchased some land on the North Newport River. Mrs. Ann Harris, widow, confirmed Ft. Fredericas military abandonment in a deed dated 18 June 1750 at Frederica, from John Rutledge “Lately disbanded from General Oglethorpe's Regiment” conveying 50 acres of land on Dickerson's Neck near Sapelo Sound (on the Newport River in Liberty County) to Ann Harris, widow, for 13 shillings, 6 pence, with her mother, Anna Salter and John Bennett as witnesses.

In 1752 Anne Harris married again, this time to Daniel Demetre. They located on the Newport River on a plantation called "Bethany". This marriage involved a Marriage Contract, drawn 2 April 1752 in Frederica, and was between six parties: Daniel Demetre, Mariner, Ann Harris (widow of Frederica), Anna Salter (widow), Noble Jones, Thomas Rasberry and James Habersham. This is because of the varied business interests involving the parties, which directly affected the Estates of Ann Harris Demetre and Anna Cassells Coles Salter. Ann Harris may have used the talents of her mother in this business, providing hats for the colony. In view of the extended business of this family, it appeared that the mother, daughter and husbands were actively engaged in rather lucrative business adventures. They had sloops which shipped lumber and merchandise throughout the colony and protected one another's rights of inheritance through the deed records.

Two years' later she married Daniel Demetre. They resided on his plantation called Bethany of 750 acres of land which, in 1758 included 350 acres of William Thomas Harris land, all in the Sapola District. (Land Grant 2/7/1758). The plantation was located on the South Newport River in McIntosh County.

The following deed from Daniel Demetre, Mariner, to Ann Harris, widow, dated 4 April 1752, in Frederica:

"And whereas, Thomas Salter, late of Savannah, aforesaid, saddler, deceased, in and by his Will and Testament in writing duly executed bearing date (blank) did give and devise unto the said Anna Salter and the said Ann Harris all that his town lott in Savannah with the lands thereto appertaining, they paying off the mortgage which was then on the premises (which the said Ann Harris has since discharged); Now the said Anna Salter and Ann Harris, for the considerations hereinbefore specified, do and each of them doth likewise covenant and grant to and with the said James Habersham, Noble Jones and Thomas Rasberry and their heirs, and the said town lott and premises, last mentioned, and every part and parcell thereof from and immediately after the solemnization of the said marriage (between Daniel Demetre and Ann Harris, widow) shall be and enure and is hereby intended to be settled and assured to the use of the said Anna Salter and her assigns during her widowhood, and from and after the death or marriage of the said Anna Salter (which shall first happen) to the use of the said Daniel Demetre and Ann (Harris) his wife, and their assigns during their joint lives and the life of the longer liver of them." There were 4 black cattle at the plantation "Bethany" which were to be sold to Anna Salter.

On 11 December 1752 Daniel Demetre, a mariner, was appointed guardian of William Thomas Harris, who was granted 350 acres of land located east on a creek of the Sapelo River and north of John Rutledge's land.

Thomas Salter had also come over on The Ann and was granted Lot No. 68 in Savannah. On 9 September of 1736 Anna Coles married Thomas Salter, a brickmaker. Salter resolved to make bricks, and, for this purpose was granted 136 acres of land on Dawbuss' Island, later named Salter's Island, which was about 3 miles south of Savannah. He did find the soil on Salter's Island suitable, and was later granted 500 acres on Hutchinsons Island. It was here that Salter established a successful brick business and built Deptford Plantation, which he later willed to the grandson of his wife (Anna Cassells Coles Salter): William Thomas Harris in 1749.

Upon the death of Thomas Salter, Anne provided her Lot at Frederica which to be used towards the life support of her mother, it containing 21 feet in width and 90 feet in depth, next adjoining Prices the publick bakers. After her mother's death, the lot was to be used by Anne and her husband, Daniel Demetre. She also granted four negroes, Nicholas, Hagar, Prince and Anthony for her mother's widowhood, with the stipulation that upon her mother's death, she (her mother) could leaver (in her Last Testament) the slaves to whom she pleased. However, in the event of default, the slaves were to be used for the benefit of Anne's son, William Thomas Harris. Also, the stock of goods, sundry sawyers, and half the profits arising by sawing were to become the property of Anna Salter to be used towards the support of William Thomas Harris during his minority. The sawing business had been a joint-venture between Anne Harris Demetre and her mother, Anna Cassells Cole Salter. The women had about ten workers assisting, seven head of black cattle and one mare.

When the mother, Anna Cassells Cole Salter died in 1753, her Last Will and Testament dated 19 December 1753 bequeathed to her grandson, William Thomas Harris "in care of my daughter, Ann Demetre, until he is twenty-one". She also bequeathed to both her daughter, Anne Harris Demetre and Pennellope Cassell Coles lands in Great Britain.

Anne Coles Harris Demetre's LWT was dated 20 February 1755, recorded 3 August 1758 in Savannah, wherein she referred to her agreements contained in the Marriage Contract to Daniel Demetre. Her husband, Daniel, died the same month, his LWT dated 12 July 1758, probated 10 August 1758 in Savannah.

The family members, Anne Harris Demetre and her mother Anna Coles Salter, Thomas Salter, and Daniel Demetre formed strong business connections. Demetre, already a mariner at the time of his marriage to Anne, provided the several sloops for their shipping enterprises undoubtably used for Thomas Salter shipping of bricks to the colonists, and Anne and her mother partners in lumbering. A profitable lumber trade commenced in the Darien area (McIntosh County). Daniel Demetre also owned a large plantation known "Dickenson's Neck" near Sapelo in Liberty County. There was a North and South Newport River, with the northern portion located in Liberty County, while the southern portion was located in McIntosh County.

The fortune acquired by these enterprising women and their husbands was passed on to William Thomas Harris, born 1738 in Savannah, Chatham County, and died January 1786 in Liberty County. LWT dated 15 August 1785, probated 20 January, 1786 Liberty Co. He took over the Bethany plantation of 500 acres in Liberty County By the time of his inheritance, huge rice plantations prospered in Liberty County. This was the time when slavery was permitted in the colony, and a whole congregations of industrious farmers were given land grants in Liberty County. The communities of Midway and Sunbury sprang up.

William Thomas Harris bequeathed the unimproved Savannah Lot and 45 acres adjacent to Savannah first belonging to his father (William Harris) to his son, John Harris, to be his after he reached aged 21 years. The remainder of his estate, he divided between his three sons, William T. Harris, Jr., John Harris and James Harris, subject to an encumbrance of his wife (Mary), she to have the right of residence on any part of the land. He gave to his daughters, Ann, Mary, Jane and Sabra, as well as to his sons, John, James and William T. and wife, Mary, all of his personal property. Executors to the LWT were son, William T. Harris, Jr. and friend, James Gignilliat.

Issue:

1. William Thomas Harris b. ca 1758 Liberty County, died 1792 Glynn Co. His LWT in Glynn Co. Book 1793-1809. Mentioned his wife, Margaret, and William Harris, Sr.
   
   
2. James Harris was b. ca 1760 Liberty Co., died 7 January 1804 in McIntosh County, according to a McIntosh County newspaper article.
   
   
3. Ann Harris was b. ca 1760 Liberty Co., named in the LWT of her step-grandfather, Daniel Demetre dated 12 July 1758, probated 10 August 1758, Chatham Co.; also named in the LWT of her father.
   
   
4. Mary Harris b. ca 1761 Liberty Co.
   
   
5. Sabra Harris.
   
   
6. Jane Harris b. ca 1769 Liberty Co., died ca 1822 Warren Co., m. Andrew Danielly on 29 February 1790 in Richmond Co., Ga.
   
   
7. John Harris born ca 1770 Liberty Co., d. Aug 1827 Glynn Co. John was not 21 years old at the time of his father's death. He resided on St. Simon's Island, where he was Sheriff in 1812. There is a 1794 deed which mentions John Harris and his wife, Jane, of Glynn Co.

Footnote: Francis Harris of Savannah was in partnership with James Habersham, both of which were Executors of the LWT of Daniel Demetre. According to an early land transaction, Francis Harris was the brother of William Harris (died 1737). Francis Harris returned to England where he reported married a rich widow and built Wild Heron in Savannah.


The Newport River in McIntosh County. Mrs. Ann Harris Demetre built Bethany plantation on Dickerson's Neck, overlooking this river.

Apparently it was a rice plantation, because Ann's son, William Thomas Harris died at home in Liberty County. I made a personal tour of the South Newport River and discovered that the only spot where Bethany could have stood is on the present-day site of the Harris Neck Preserve. It appears to me that the name came from William Thomas Harris. The records of McIntosh County have burned.


Dickerson's Neck was renamed Harris' Neck.




Notes: I have been unable to locate Francis Harris on a passenger list. He was very active in colonial affairs throughout the colony, and for many years his name appeared jointly in deed transactions with James Habersham, Daniel Demetre, and Anne Harris Demetre.

The Little Ogeechee River is located in Chatham County, and flows into the Ossabaw Sound. The original land grant went to Henry Parker, however, during the drought of 1738, Henry Parker and others went to Charleston with the Scotch Club (dissatisfied residents). Capt. Noble Jones and his son, Noble Wimberly Jones, owned large tracts of land in downtown Savannah (now Bonaventure Cemetery). It would appear that the 500 acres granted to Thomas Harris adjoined their property.

Colonial Records of Georgia by Candler: On 12 May 1752 Francis Harris applied before the Board for 500 acres for his brother Thomas Harris continguous to lands formerly laid out for him on the north branch of Little Ogeechee River, 200 acres bounding on the west by his lands, south by lands granted to Henry Parker Esq., east by lands granted to William Spencer, and North vacant, and 300 acres bounding on the south by his lands, west by lands granted Capt. Noble Jones, north by lands granted Noble Wimberly Jones, and east by vacant lands. 500 acres granted Thomas Harris.

There was no other Harris family in the colony for those years. William Harris' widow (and son, William Thomas Harris) dominated the province in Savannah, Frederica and Liberty County. Also, there was no other Thomas Harris who could have been the one named in the above 1752 deed. Since William Harris was deceased, it would appear that Francis Harris was acting for his nephew, Thomas Harris, as had been done on other documents for that child. (Also, no known children of Francis Harris). This means that Francis Harris and William Harris were brothers, from London.

Ref: Colonial Deed Book C-1, pp. 40-41; Colonial Records of Georgia by Candler; Chatham Co., Ga. Estates; Edinburgh Parish, Scotland; Chatham Co. Wills; Liberty Co. Wills; Glynn Co. Wills; Early Days on the Georgia Tidewater by Buddy Sullivan; Colonial deeds and estates.

Colonial Georgians by Jeannette Holland Austin

List of Emigrants