Family:John Harrison and Lavina Freeman (1)

1830 Census

John Harrison is head of household of 7 "Free Colored Persons" in 1830 in Bath, Maine. There are three other "Free Colored Persons" households in this portion of the census: Sandy Hill, John Freeman, and James McDonald. See also Thaddeus Chambers and John Taylor, in earlier census pages.

Single people listed in this census as Free Colored Persons include: Anthony G Freeman Eben. Hitchcock Daniel Furbelow Hector McNeil Daniel Godlow Andrew Folsom John Gilbert Levi Davis Parkman C Dob John McPherson

1840 Census

John Harrison is head of a household of 22 "Free Colored Persons" in 1840, in Bath, Maine. His name is followed in the census by two other free persons of color households: M Jackson, a household of 12; and Wm Jackson, a household of 5. Residence: Bath, Lincoln, Maine, United States

Source: Source:Lincoln, Maine, United States. 1840 U.S. Census Population Schedule, Year: 1840; Census Place: Bath, Lincoln, Maine; Roll: 382; Page: 145; Image: 779; Family History Library Film: 0009705.

1850 Census

John Harrison, 50, is a farmer in Bath, Maine. Based on his neighbors, he lives in North Bath. He was born in Baltimore, and is African-American, as are most of the members of his household. His farm is valued at $2,000. His household includes Lavina Harrison [his wife], age 44, born in Maine; George W Harrison, 21, a mariner; Adrianna Harrison, 16; John Harrison, Jr, 14; and Philena Harrison, 5. The three youngest children are attending school. His household also includes Albert Cobbison, 30, a mariner born in Pennsylvania, and Esther A Cobbinson, 20, born in Maine. They were married in the last year; Esther is assumed to be John and Lavina's daughter.

Two other African-American children are in the household: Henry Smith, 8; and Sarah McDonald, 12; both are attending school and were born in Maine.

Three other men are apparently boarders at the Harrison farm. Benjamin Marston (?), 21; James North, 19; and Robert Kincaid, 22. All three are fisherman who were born in Maine, all three are white.

Next door is James McDonald, 24, a hack driver with real estate valued at $100. He was born in Maine and is African-American. It is likely that Sarah McDonald is his sister. In James' household is Delia McDonald, age 22 and born in Maine. Perhaps Delia is also John Harrison's daughter?

A bit further away is the John Roberts family, also African-American.

1860 Census

John Harrison, 60 and born in Maryland, is a farmer in Ward 7 (North Bath), Bath, Sagadahoc, Maine. His real estate is valued at $2,000, and personal estate valued at $150. Lavina Harrison [his wife] is 56 and is born in Maine. John Harrison is 24, and a mariner, born in Maine, and Philena Harrison is 16 and attending school (and born in Maine). In addition, the household included F. Chandler Gardner, age 16. All the household members are noted as "mulatto" by the census taker.

Next door is James F Hill, 36, a farmer. His real estate is valued at $800; personal estate is $100. He was born in Maine. In his household are Mary J Hill, 35; Aravesta S Hill, 6; Alfred A Hill, 4; and Philena Hill, 2. All are also noted as "mulatto" by the census taker. Aravesta is attending school.

1870 Census

John Harrison, 70 and born in Maryland, is a farmer in Ward 7 (North Bath), Bath, Sagadahoc, Maine. His real estate is valued at $1,500 and his personal estate is valued at $500. Lavina Harrison [his wife], is 66 and born in Maine. Their daughter Lena [Philena] Swain, 25, is living with them, along with her husband William Swain, 26 and their daughter Orrie St. C. Swain, age 11 months (born in July 1869). All were born in Maine. William Swain is a seaman. All are noted as "black" by the census taker. Waldron Marr, 65, is also in the household. He works on the farm and is white.

The James F Hill family still lives next door.

1.   Lincoln, Maine, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedules. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M432)
   Census Place: Bath, Lincoln, Maine; Roll M432_261; Page: 212A; Image: 213., 1850.

   See text.

2.   Sagadahoc, Maine, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   Census Place: Bath, Sagadahoc, Maine; Roll M653_448; Page: 308; Image: 308; Family History Library Film: 803448., 1860.

   See text.

3.   Sagadahoc, Maine, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   Census Place: Bath, Sagadahoc, Maine; Roll M593_557; Page: 329B; Image: 206; Family History Library Film: 552056., 1870.

   See text.

4.   Giles, Bruno. "Peter and Jane (___) Freeman of Ispwich, Massachusetts, and their Descendants in Maine: An African-American Family", in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society)
   Vol 164 p. 47-48, Jan 2010.

   Excellently researched article on this family. Cites vital records, deeds, census records as sources for this family.

5. ↑ John Harris & Lavina Freeman, in Bath (Maine). City Clerk. Vital records, 1779-1903. (Bath, Maine)
   Online database, FamilySearch Record Search, Maine Marriages, 1771-1907, Accessed 28 Aug 2010.

   Groom's Name: John Harris
   Bride's Name: Lavina Freeman
   Marriage Date: 20 Nov 1827
   Marriage Place: Bath,Sagadahoc,Maine
   Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M52240-1
   System Origin: Maine-ODM
   Source Film Number: 10562
   Collection: Maine Marriages, 1771-1907

6.   Marriages, in Bath (Maine). City Clerk. Vital records, 1779-1903. (Bath, Maine)
   p 209.

   See image: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9FP-NVFQ