Richard HARRIS - d. Mar. 30, 1785-May 1787, Granville Co., NC. Son of
Richard HARRIS and Sarah. By 1739, Richard and Margaret HARRIS were in
that portion of Edgecombe Precinct, NC that became part Granville County.
Perhaps the Richard HARRIS who was Sgt. in the company of Capt. John
SALLI, 1754, Granville, Co., NC. A 2-great granddaughter relates that he
was the Richard HARRIS of Tar River who signed the Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence on May 20, 1775. He may have been the Richard
HARRIS who took an oath to defend NC against George III in Tar River
District, Granville Co., NC on May 22, 1778. Various land records include
the names of Richard and Robert HARRIS, probably brothers, and Richard
HARRIS, Jr. An extract of the will of Richard HARRIS follows:
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Richard Harris - March 30, 1785
[Will Book 2, page 11]
March the 30th 1785
In the name of God amen
I Richard Harris of the County of Granville & State of North Carolina
being in perfect mind & memory & calling to mind the mortality of this
Body
& that I must shortly put it off and appear before God do make & ordain
this my last Will & Testament that is to say
principally & first of all I give my Soul to God from whence it came &
my
body to the earth to be buried at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter
named not doubting but at the resurrection I shall receive the same by the
power of God
and as Touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me
with in this life I give devise and Dispose of in manner & form followeth
that is to say
I give & bequeath to my Daughter Jemima Ford one negro girl named
Hannah
which is now with her and to Molly Beardin I give one negro girl named
Cate
which is now with her to them & their heirs forever.
And to Lucy Parker one negro girl named Philis to her and her heirs
forever.
And to my Daughter Mary Harris I give one negro girl named Winne & one
feather Bed & furniture to her & her heirs forever.
And to my Son Richd. Harris I give & bequeath one negro boy named Peter
to him & his heirs for ever
and to my son Charles Harried I give & bequeath all my land on the east
side of Catlact Creek to him & his heirs forever
and to my Son Samuel Harris I give & bequeath all my land lying on the
west side of Owen Creek and one negro Boy named Harry to him & his heirs
forever
And to my Son Tyre Harris I give all the land I had of Grigs on the
east
side of Owen Creek my wifes lifetime excepted & one negro boy named Bob to
him & his heirs forever
the land I bought of John Corder Desire to be sold for the best price
may be got to pay my Just Debts & to my beloved wife Prissilla harris I
give the use & benefil of my plantation & stock of all kind & five negroes
(to wit) Abram Will Jene Sall Line During her natural life or widowhood
then to be Equally Divided between the whole of my children
And I appoint Benjamin Beardin & Samuel Harris my Son & wife Prissilla
Harris whole & sole Executors of this my last Will & Testament making void
all other by this
Given under my hand & seal the day & year above written
richard Harris (Seal)
Signed Sealed of us
John Badget
Peter Badget
Jonathan Badget
Granville County ss May Court A.D. 1787
This will was duly proved by the oaths of John Badget and Peter Badget
which
was ordered to be Recorded Then Prissilla Harris qualified as Executrix
& Benjamin Beardin & Samuel Harris qualified as Executors to the said will
Teste
Reuben Searcy CC.
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Richard was married first before Oct. 24, 1739 to Margaret KIMBROUGH,
sister of Marmaduke KIMBROUGH, probably the mother of his first two
children. By 1749, Richard was married to Priscilla.

1. Mary HARRIS b: 1770 in Granville Co, NC