HARRIS, Joseph Ebenezer

In Charlton, Wayne, and Brantley Co., Georgia

Joseph Ebenezer Harris was born on January 15, 1853 in a portion of old Wayne County which was realigned  to Charlton and subsequently to  Brantley County. He was the son of Jimpsey Harris (brother of Ebenezer Harris, PWG Vol #7), and Civility Robinson, daughter of James Robinson (PWG Vol #3).

Ebenezer (Eben or Eb as he was known), was married to Julia Ann Wainwright, daughter of James Wainright (PWG Vol#4). Julia was born on February 4, 1856. They had 10 children:

1. Ruth Annie B. 6/12/1876 M. Tom Highsmith D. Unknown. 2. Noah Thomas B. 9/12/1878 M. Clifford Amanda Highsmith (PWG Vol IX) D. 11/2/1961.  3. Ocie Estelle B. 4/12/1880 M. George Alexander Young; D. 4/12/1940 4. Henrietta B. 2/22/1882 Infant. D. 8/07/1884.  5. Christa Ida B. 2/29/1884 M. Allen Jackson Highsmith D. 1/06/1939.  6. Seaborn Brantley B. 5/21/1886 M. Ethel Hickox; D. Est 1950.  7. William Patrick B. 3/12/1889 M. Jeannie Lewis D. 1/25/1940. 8. Verdonia (Verdie) B. 3/26/1892 M. Avner Thomas Rowell; D. Unknown.  9. Minnie Mae B. 6/26/1894 M. (1) Aubrey Johns; D. 12/26/1964 (2) W.M. "Bob" Dowling. 10. Cannie Fadonia B. 5/03/1896 M. Ebenezer (Ebb) Morgan; D. 3/15/1935. 

Ebb and Julia lived on a farm located approximately two miles southeast of Nahunta, Georgia (now Brantley Co.). Farming was Ebb's primary source of livelihood. In off-farming seasons, at a time when the Coastline Railroad was expanding south, he harvested timber and hewed-out "cross-ties" for railroad tracks. These "cross-ties" were transported by a "two wheel cart" drawn by oxen to Lulaton, Georgia, for marketing.

A warranty deed dated November 13, 1901, records the purchase of 245 acres (more or less) of land by Julia Harris (wife of Ebb Harris) from Author L. Jones for the consideration of $432.50. This property was located in Wayne County and identified as "east half of lot of land number 171." It was further identified as part of the lands obtained from the Creek Nation of Indians by the United States Commissioners in a treaty entered into at, or near Fort Wilkinson, on June 16th, 1802, and distributed by Georgia Governor John Milledge to John Nelson (Wilkes County). Lot number 171 (initially totaling 490 acres. At Julia's death the residue of this property was inherited by her son Seaborn Brantley, and later passed on to J. E. Harris (grandson) and his wife Iva.

Ebb Harris died on 6/15/1918 at the age of 65. His wife Julia Ann Wainright Harris continued to live on the farm with her son Seaborn Brantley (S.B.) until her death on July 23, 1934. Both are buried at the New Hope Primitive Baptist Cemetery at Hickox (four miles south of Nahunta). 

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