Person:Thomas Harris (128)

! BIRTH: Thomas George HARRIS was born in IRELAND to an English Protestant family. He was an officer in the British army, in which he served for 23 years including time in the Napoleonic Wars. When he was discharged for physical disability, he was given an appointment as an agent of an estate. He married Margaret Payne, whom he had met in England when she was visiting a married sister there, around 1810. They lived in England for several years before Thomas recieved a transfer back to Ireland. He brought his family to CANADA in 1845 to take up his new land recieved as part of his retirement. Besides they were fairly poor and the 99 year lease on their manor home in Carlow Co. was shortly to expire. They emigrated with two neighbor families, the Salisburys and the McAsseys, and settled in Megantic County, Quebec. Troubles came, however in the form of Thomas' foot being crushed by a falling tree( he was crippled for life from this) and the family's money being sought by local speculators taking advantage of emigrating veterans. Walter O. Hargrave, a neighbor and Crown land agent, had heard of good land available in Wisconsin from relatives who had just moved there. The Harrises moved to Metomen Township, just south of Ripon, Wisconsin, in late 1846 or early 1847. It is not known how long Thomas lived, but he was alive and farming in Metomen in 1850. (from Richard Harris) born in Ireland of English parents. Officer in the British Army for 23 years. Fought in the French Rev. discharged for physical disabilty. Crippled from a tree falling on his leg in Quebec. Married Margaret Payne (Paine) of English Quaker stock. Brought family over from Carlow County Irelan 1845 first to Canada and then to Metomen Ripon Wisconsin 1850. Overshadowed by a domineering wife.

All the younger children were listed as living with the parents in the 1850 census for Ripon except Amelia