Volume 9, Number 1 - Fall 1985
Descendants of William & Charlotte (Harrison) HARP
Compiled by Edna Hazel McCuilogh Lowery & Mildred Lander Roden-1983
This is an account of the early Harp families that were uncovered in research by various individuals; mainly the Harps who were in Granville County, North Carolina before the Revolutionary War and whose descendants moved south into Tennessee.
We are more concerned in finding our direct line back to the Harp immigrant, whoever he may be. We succeeded only in establishing our line to William Harp, born about 1783, and wife Charlotte Harrison, who were married in Granville County, North Carolina in 1804 and moved soon afterward to Overton County, Tennessee. He could have been son of William Harp or the Revolutionary War soldier, Sampson Harp, who came to Overton County, Tennessee. I feel sure these two were brothers.
The Harps were brave, hardworking, rugged pioneers. They were poorly educated, as were early pioneers, living off the land, and having a hard time doing that. Perhaps many of them were working in the freighting business, while other family members supplied the goods transported by the freighters.
In collecting and assembling this information a search was made into records in the National Archives, Census Records, Courthouses, Cemetery Records, Marriage Records, and much genealogical material. Many letters were exchanged with Harp descendants, many visits to family members, to try to make this account as accurate as possible. No doubt there are errors in this compilation.
I trust that this volume will serve it’s purpose to provide a family history for the present generation and to serve as a guide to future family researchers. I am happy to report that a great deal of interest has developed among our family members and I feel sure that a great deal more will be accomplished in the years to come.
To those who took time to do research, write or talk to us, we wish to express our sincere appreciation. To name a few: Mr. and Mrs. James H. Gaskill, now of Okla; Mr. T. Y. Harp, Mer Rouge, La., who loaned his data to copy, Ilona Harp, Rogersville, MO; Mr. James H. Stevens, who sent word about finding the name of Charlotte Harrison Harp, in the Revolutionary War record of James Harrison; Mr. and Mrs. Carl I. Harp, Overland Park, Kansas; Joyce Lindsey of Harrison, AR; Virginia Rollings and Robert Bare, Springfield, who accomplished so much in so short a time. And to the many others, a very special thank you.
JAMES HARRISON - WINNIE REDDIN
JAMES HARRISON, born (probably as early as 1735 ?) Died about 1806, Madison Co., KY.
WINNIE REDDIN, born (probably about 1837 in Wales. Died 1847 in Overton Co., TN.
JAMES HARRISON served as a private in the Revolutionary War from Halifax County, North Carolina, under General Green and Captain Harrison.
James Harrison and Winnie Reddin were probably married in Amelia County, Virginia.
In the book "A REMINISCENT HISTORY OF THE OZARK REGION" by Goodspeeds Publishers, 1894 (Reprint editon, pg. 488; "JAMES HARRISON, father of Eli Harrison, died in Kentucky where he lived for several years, having served his country in the Colonial Army during the Revolution. His wife Winnie, was born in Wales and died in Overton County Tennessee at the age of one hundred and ten years.’~ (From the biography of John W. Garrett).
Winnie Reddin Harrison died in Overton County, Tennessee, 25 October 1847 at the home of her son Eli; (see affidavit of Eli Harrison below.)
Winnie married second, Daniel Campbell, a school teacher. See following records.
Eli Harrison filed for any money, which might have accrued as a fund owed his father for his service in the Revolution. Application is filed as R-1653, and located in the National Archives, Washington, D.C. Dated 1 June 1854, from Overton County,
Tennessee:
JAMES HARRISON Service; No. R-1653 CAMPBELL, Winny (Former widow) Revolutionary Claim Act of July 4th 1836 Attorney, Benj. H. Baldwin Washington, D.C. State of North Carolina Comptrollers, Dept. I, George W. Brooks, Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office, among the payments made to sundry persons for military service in the Revolutionary War as follows Viz:
JAMES HARRISON, A Privatel782 (year)
Book 5 pg. 40 L 2 - 5 - 0 Salisbury Dist
Book 14 pg. 29 L 9 - 2 - 0 Hillsbury Off.
Book 19 pg. 31 L 6 - 10 - 0 Currency
Book 3 pg. 20 L 1-0-0 Specie
Book 13 pg. 6 L 38-12-7 Specie
Book 13 pg. 11 L 4 - 1 -1 Specie
Book 28 pg. 17 L 186 - 12 - 8 Warrenton
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Statement
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office in the city of Raleigh this the 10th day of October 1855; George W. Brooks, Comptroller.
Overton County, Tennessee
Eli Harrison of said County, aged 85 years makes the following statement Viz: That he is the son of JAMES HARRISON and his wife WINNY HARRISON, both of whom are dead Viz:
The said JAMES HARRISON died in Madison County, Kentucky about the year 1807 as well as I now recollect. I was not there when he died, my residence being here, but I heard of it soon afterward; and went up a few years afterward and found my mother, the above named Winny, there and that she had married again to one named Campbell whose given name I believe was William.
I did not see my mother again until about twenty years since; When I heard that she was still alive and I went for her and found her in Estill County, Kentucky, and the above named Campbell had died several years before leaving her his widow, and that she was still his widow.
I brought her home with me to this county where she remained a widow and never married again. She died at my residence in this county on the 25th day of October 1847; (Eighteen Hundred and forty seven) as I well remember but I have no memorandum of it
We have no record of her age but she was more than a hundred years old, perhaps several more.
My parents above named as I always heard and believed, were lawfully married in the State of Virginia and I think it was in Amelia County; and I expect it has been at least 96 years ago for their first child was seven years older than I. My father moved to Halifax County, North Carolina before I was born and settled on the Roanoke River where he lived until after the Revolutionary War.
My mother’s maiden name was Winney Reddin.
My father, the above named James Harrison served in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War in the North Carolina Troops (militia) I think for nine months. Viz: He always told me that he served three tours of three months each. I remember very distinctly his starting and his return from the last tour after the taking of Cornwallis. But whether he was at the seige or not I do not remember.
I think he was under different Captains but the name of them I do not now remember except one Captain Harrison, no kin to him however, that he knew of nor do I remember his given name. One of his tours was under General Green but that is the only commanding or General Officer that I now remember.
The only battles I remember hearing him say he was in was the Battle of Eutaw Springs and the capture of Captain Rugeley. For the exact years and dates of my father and stepfather I must refer to proof to be obtained from Kentucky, near where they died.
My mother, after she came to live with me used to often speak of trying to get a pension on account of my father’s service in the Revolutionary War as above stated. She was told that her second marriage would prevent it so she never tried.
Her second husband, the above named Campbell, told me when I saw him that he had also served in the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution. I have no memorandum of the marriage of my parents or of my own age.
My parents, above named, had seven children:
1.HARRISON, Betsy who died in childhood
2.HARRISON, Sally who died in childhood
3.HARRISON, Polly who married Benjamin Moore; both are dead as I am informed by letter from their children in Arkansas.
4. HARRISON, Robertwho was living in Maury County, this state when I heard from him last, a few years since.
5. HARRISON, Elizabeth who married Thornton Hardin; both died in Granville County, North Carolina upward of fifty years ago.
6. HARRISON, Elithis declarant
7. HARRISON, Charlotte widow of William Harp, when I heard from her last she was living in Arkansas a few years ago.
I make this declaration for the purpose of receiving such arrears of pension as may be due the surviving children of the above named JAMES HARRISON and Winy HARRISON, his wife, leaving open for further proof whether the above named Robert Harrison and Charlotte be still living.
Witness my hand in Overton County, Tennessee on this 21st day of June A.D. 1854. With further remark that unless proof be furnished of the death of brother Robert and sister Charlotte, the Commissioner of Pensions may take it for granted that I have heard that they are still living.
ELI HARRISON
2 witnesses Sarah Steward)
Franklin M. Smith) Overton County, Tennessee
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Columbia, Aug. 1854
Dear Sir: Yours 25 Ult has been before me for several days and has not been answered from the fact that I was not able to give the information sought.
Today I learned that a very old man by the name of Robert Harrison died in this county about a year ago. He was not possessed of any property, at least no Administration has been granted upon his estate. I can learn nothing more about the person in question.
Yours truly,
John B. Padgett
Overton County, Tennessee: Sct
Mrs. Charity Johnson, of said County, aged nearly 90 years makes the following statement Viz: That soon, after the Revolutionary War she became acquainted with one JAMES HARRISON and his wife WINNY HARRISON. They were then living together as husband and wife and were reputed to be among their neighbors and acquaintances and so continued, to do so up to the time of the death of said James Harrison according to my belief as I never heard it called in question. They moved to Kentucky where I heard the said James Harrison died not many years afterward; and that said Winney there married again to one Campbell.
I knew the children of James and Winny Harrison
Viz:
1. HARRISON, Polly wife of Benjamin Moore, and they moved to Arkansas and are both dead as I believe. The said Polly was older then myself.
2. Harrison, Robert about my own age and as I understand was living a few years since.
3. HARRISON, Betsy who married one Hardin; she died while I lived in North Carolina.
4. HARRISON, Eli who now lives in this County
5. HARRISON, Charlotte, who now lives in Arkansas and is the widow of William Harp
These are the only children I now remember ever seeing and with all of them I was well acquainted.
I always heard and believed that the above named JAMES HARRISON served in the service of the United States in the North Carolina Troops, in the Revolutionary War and such his general reputation. I always heard and believed that the above named JAMES HARRISON and WINNY his wife had been lawfully married Long before I knew them but by whom or what her maiden name was I have probably heard but have now forgotten.
I never saw said Winny after she left North Carolina until about twenty years since when she came to this county to live with her son the above named Eli Harrison and she was then the reputed widow of her second husband the above named Campbell; and I understood the said Eli Harrison had gone to Kentucky and brought her here where she remained until her death never having married again after the death of said Campbell.
Her death took place in this county as well as I can remember some 6 or 7 years since although I was not at her funeral but heard of her death at the time. I am disinterested. Overton County, Tennessee this 17th day of June A.D. 1854.
CHARITY (X) JOHNSON
(her mark)
2 witnesses F. M. Smith)
Ormel Fisk) Overton County, Tennessee Sworn to before me F. M.
Smith (seal)
J. P. for Overton County; (Charity Johnson did not come in to court because of old age and bodily infirmities and was interviewed at home).
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