Thomas Harris

1580 - 1632  (52 years)

• Name	Thomas Harris
  Birth	1580
  Gender	Male
  Death	1632
  Person ID	I27820	Master
  Last Modified	18 Jun 2017

  
  

  Children	+ 1. Daniel Harris,   b. 1615, Hatherup, Gloucestershire, England d. 30 Nov 1701, New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (Age 86 years)
  Family ID	F7023	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	17 Jun 2017

  
  

• Notes

  THOMAS HARRIS (1580-1632) The founder of the American Enclave of the Harris Family; was Thomas Harris (Williams) (1580- 1632). He brought his wife and six children to Salem on the "LYON", an Early part of the Winthrop Fleet (Puritans). Indications are that most of the original colonists did not stay in Salem but... " Moved onto (Winnisemmet) Charlestown, set up their tents on the slope of the hill, and on Aug. 23rd held the first official meeting of the Massachusettes Bay Colony on American soil " Many moved onto what would become BOSTON. In May 1631, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony granted Thomas Harris the right to operate a ferry between Winnisimmet and Boston. The first in the country. He began service in 1631 and that Ferry (under various ownership) would last until 1917. Thomas Harris passed away shortly after starting his ferry. and before land and wills were filed. He does not appear on any Town Registers (likely because he lived by his Ferry). William Stitson married his widow and continued operation of the ferry. In 1634 the Court ordered that the franchise be passed to Mr. Samuel Maverick (The original site of the ferry was on his estate -- now Admiral's Hill). and that Winnisemmet (Chelsea) be incorporated into Boston. Maverick granted Stitson a "lifetime interest" in the ferry. In 1635 Maverick sold his license to Richard Bellingham. at this time William Stitson sold his "lifetime interest for a Lifetime Annuity". Bellingham moved the ferry twice. The ferry operated in its final location for more than 250 years. Thomas Harris' children appear to have immediately dropped the "Williams" name that Thomas used and did not stay long in the Boston area. Captain Daniel Harris (Senior) 1619-NOV. 30, 1701 Daniel Harris was born in England (like all his siblings). they all came to America with their father THOMAS & mother Elizabeth Hills. By 1644, at the age of 25 he was assigned one of the first homesites in Rowley, Mass. During his time in Rowley, he made his living as a Wheelwright and Carpenter. He and his wife (Mary Weld of Roxbury ) had 10 children.) in early August of 1652 he sold his property in Rowley and moved to Middletown, Conn. In this colony he held the office of Captain (in the military). He was also a licensed Inn-Keeper in Middletown. Thomas Harris (1657-1697) Thomas was born in Middletown, Middlesez, Connecticut. In 1680, He married Ruth James (1650-1723). They had four children Mary, Thomas, Nathaniel and Samuel. Ruth's father was the Reverend Thomas James. Samuel Harris (1697-1773) Samuel was born in Connecticut . He moved to New Jersey when he was 18 years old (1715). He lived in Cumberland County, New Jersey his entire life. In 1720 he married Sarah Johnson and they had five children. Sarah died in 1761 and inthe same year, he married Rachael Hood and had one more child. His first son by Sarah was John (1721-1821). Samuel appears to have served in the French/Indian War.