John Harris

Ancestor Number

A051708 »

Date of Birth

August 22, 1727

Place of Birth

Fort Harris, Pennsylvania

Date of Death

July 30, 1791

Place of Death

Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

Spouse(s)

Elizabeth McClure, Mary Read

Children

Elizabeth – Anna, Mary McClure, David, John, Mary – Robert, Mary Read

American Revolution Service

Paid the Pennsylvania Supply Tax in 1779

State of Service

Pennsylvania

Donor

Harrisburg Chapter, NSDAR, Harrisburg Pennsylvania

John Harris Jr. was born August 22, 1727, in Fort Harris, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, son of John Harris Sr. and Esther Say.

He was the first white child born in Pennsylvania, west of the Conewago Hills, who lived to adulthood. He was taken by his mother to Philadelphia to be baptized at Christ Church on September 22, 1728. John inherited the portion of his father’s estate where the borough of Harrisburg was eventually laid out. For three quarters of a century the site was known as Harris’ Ferry. The ferry site was granted in 1753 by Thomas and Richard Penn.

John Harris Jr.’s tombstone and marker from Paxton Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Harrisburg, PA

John Harris Mansion. Photo by Deborah Hershey.

John Harris plaques. Photo by Deborah Hershey.

John Harris grave site info. Photo by Deborah Hershey.

John Harris directory. Photo by Deborah Hershey.

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In 1766, John Harris erected a stone house along the Susquehanna River. It took three years to complete and the building still stands.

It remained in the Harris family until 1838 when it was purchased by Colonel Thomas Elder. It was also the home of Pennsylvania Female College and eventually the home of General Simon Cameron, who served as Secretary of War under President Abraham Lincoln.

John Harris Jr. married Elizabeth McClure on May 3, 1749. With her, he had daughters Mary McClure, Elizabeth and Anna, sons David, William and John. Elizabeth died January 20, 1764, at Harris’ Ferry, and he married Mary Reed. Mary and John had sons Robert, Adam, James, Joseph, William, Read and a second James. They also had daughters Mary Reed, Susanna Jean and Elizabeth (#2).

John Harris Jr. provided Patriotic Service by paying the Pennsylvania Supply Tax and serving as Superintendent of Elections appointed by Provincial Conference in 1776. Numerous descendants of Harris have proven their lineage for the Daughters of the American Revolution. Reading the list of descendants is like reading a history of Harrisburg with many of the ladies’ last names now street names in the city.