Another Harrison Family

From the Times Dispatch, Richmond, Va. About 1910

Andrew Harrison moved from Goochland County, Va in 1761, and bought lands in Pittsylvania and Halifax counties in Virginia and Caswell county, North Carolina. His will was probated in Hillsboro, N.C. and was dated in the "Providence of Orange" ( the Caswell county of today ). Tradition on his family says that he was of the James River family of Harrisons, Cousin of General William Henry Harrison, who was President of the United States, and of the Berkley and Brandon Harrisons. It has been suggested that he was descended from John Harrison, the Governor of Bermuda Islands. A John Harrison settled in Halifax county about the same time, who names in his will ( recorded in Halifax ) a son Andrew ( also wife Sarah, and Wifes brother John Williams Daniel ) and other sons.

Andrew Harrison names in will: Daughters Milley Moore ( wife of William Moore ) Ana Ware ( wife of John Ware ) and several other unmarried daughters, Elizabeth, Molly and others; sons : Thomas, William, Andrew and Ninian. Thomas the first son married first Miss Pendleton, second Miss Kennon ( see Goochland Marriage bonds ) Daughter of William Kennon ( Signer of Mecklenberg Declaration of Independence ) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel Charles Lewis of "The Byrd", Goochland county. There was issue by both marriages.

Thomas Harrison was Major of North Carolina Troops during the Revolutionary war ( see Wheelers History of North Carolina ). His will on record in Caswell county, N.C. William Harrison, second son of Andrew Harrison, married in Goochland county in 1764 ( see Goochland county marriage bonds ) Anna Payne, Daughter of Josias Payne and Ann Fleming, his wife. She was a sister of Colonel John Payne, father of Dolly Madison. He was Captain of Goochland militia in 1763; moved to Pittsylvania county in 1811. He was one of the trustees appointed to lay off the town of Danville in 1793. With Robert Wilson, Robert Payne ( wifes brother ) Paul Carrington and other "Gentlemen", he was appointed to have the channel of Roanoke and Dan rivers cleared ( see Hening's Statutes ). He and his wife were witnesses to the will of Colonel Charles Lewis, of "the Byrd". His family bible records twelve children, some died young, but those who lived to manhood and womanhood were first : Susannah Harrison, the eldest born 1766, married William Ware, her cousin. Second Robert Harrison married his cousin, Daughter of Robert Payne, Third Jane Harrison married a Mr. Henley. Fourth, Mary Dillard Harrison married Edmund Richardson ( son of James Richardson ). Fifth Anna Payne Harrison married Colonel Daniel Colemen, of Goochland and Pittsylvania. Sixth William Porter Harrison and his youngest brother ( seventh ) Nathaniel Harrison went south. Can some reader of this column give me more information of them?

Andrew Harrison, Third son of Andrew Harrison, married first Nancy Williamson, daughter of Stephen Williamson of Goochland and Caswell counties and second Mary Richardson, daughter of James Richardson, of Pittsylvania county, Issue by both marriages. Ninnian, the forth son of Andrew Harrison died unmarried. There are two deeds on record in Goochland made to Andrew Harrison bearing the same date, 1754. At his Majesties Honorable Council of Jan 25, 1773 at Newbern amongst numerous others a claim of Andrew Harrison for 6 pounds 15 shillings for expenses occurred "in the late expedition against the insurgents" was by committee moved to be disallowed; Journal of the Senate, Wed. Feb 10th, 1773, Colonial records Vol IX, p.489. Signer of Petition for formation of Caswell county, Colonial records vol. IX, pages 809,810. In Federal Census of 1790, he, Thomas and Ninnian listed among Caswell tax payers. Colonial records, vol. XXVI p.1249.