JESSE HARRIS NOTES
Written in the hand of Panola Harris Weaver, daughter, near the end of his life in 1925.
[In upper left corner]
Born March 8 1844 in DeKalb Co Ga.
[Main body of document]
I Jesse E. Harris of Hamlin, Jones Co. Tex. Son of Bradley Smith Harris and Matilda E. Harris—formerly Matilda E. Stokes. Father born in 1818 in Jackson Co GA. Mother born in 1819 in Spartanburg Dist. [District] S.C. My maternal grandparents born in Spartanburg Dist. also. My Paternal grandparents born in Jackson Co. Ga.
My parents were married in 1837 and moved to DeKalb Co. GA. In 1857 They moved to Cherokee Co. Ala. There were 13 children 9 boys and 4 girls—LaVinnia E., John B.F., William L., Elisha J., Sarah E., Bradley T., G.L.W., Walter A., Matilda A., Milley E., Joseph L., Marion A.J. and Victor B.
My mother died in 1868 and father remarried Mrs. Joyner and to this union was born a daughter Nannie. Father died in the spring of 1906.
In 1863 I joined the army under Brogg Weathers Div. And Polk’s Core 37th Ala Co [company] H as the army left Tenn. serving until the end of the war. Later assisting in the organization of the Knight of the KKK and to quell the Union League and Freedmans Bureau.
I was married May 19 1867 to Artemetia Lazora Germany and she was born in Merriweather Co. GA Nov 1 1851 a daughter of William and Catherine Germany & [illegible, but probably “their”] parents Dr. Thrash & wife. To our union was born 13 children, 7 boys & 6 girls. We lived in Ala from 1857 until 1876 at that time coming to Texas and settling in Wise Co. going in the spring of 1891 to Jones Co.
Bradley Smith Harris
Born in 1818 in Jackson County, Georgia,
he died in the spring of 1906. This picture
was taken in the 1890's
Contributed for use on this site by Maggie Stevens 08/05 DWSBiology@msn.com
Note: I have tried to preserve the spelling and punctuation as much as possible, but some additions have been made to make this more understandable. My great-grandfather spelled Artemitia’s name different ways in other notes. Artemisha is the spelling in the family Bible. His name appears as Elisha Jesse in many places, but he was known as Jesse Elisha. The daughter’s name Lavinnia was probably Lavina. Her grandmother’s name was Lavina. Milley was the spelling of the other grandmother’s name thus the spelling of Milley Harris.