Person:Dorothy Harris (5)

Dorothy (Dolly) Harris was the daughter of Absalom Harris of Hancock Co., GA. This is proved by the will of Absalom Harris.

I have not seen Absalom Harris's will. Here is an abstract: Hancock Co., GA, WB L, 1824. Absalom Harris: “w. Clara; s. Henry, Edmund S.; d. Dolly Young, Clara Jackson; g.d. Louisa Jane Jackson, Elizabeth R. Harris.” Source: Elizabeth Wiley Smith, The History of Hancock County, Georgia, Vol. 1, History, Heritage and Records, Wilkes Publishing Co., Washington, GA, 1974, p. 84.

Below is a transcription, provided by Elizabeth Russo in 1999:

The following is a re-typed version of a photocopy taken at the Georgia Archives of a typed version of the will. It is presented here exactly as it was typed (misspellings and typos included), which of course may differ from the original. Corrections always sought and welcomed.

EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS & GUARDIANS RETURNS, Returns Book 1851-52. J-44 Ordinary, LaGrange, Ga.

Will of Absalom Harris ECEMPLIFICATION FROM THE COURT OF ORDINERY HANCOCK CO.GA.

"In the name of God Amen. I, Absalom Harris of the state of Georgia and County of Hancock being weak of body but of sound mind and memory do make and (construct) constitute this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others made by me heretofore made confirming this my only will. I commit my soul to God who gave it and my body to be buried decently. Touching my estate I dispose of it in form following.

1st I give to my beloved wife Clara Harris during life the following property and after her death it is then to return to my estate and to be equally divided among all my children, the following negroes, Pock and Lucy his wife, Meschack, - - ? - - and child to bed steads and furniture her choice of a chest and table a cupboard half dozen chairs four cows and calves or cows twith calf. Yoke of oxen, Ox Cart, Choice of two horses, ten head of sheep two thousand weight, pork, ten shoats, two sows and pigs and two hundred and fifty dollars, in cash, half the kitched furniture, seventy barrells corn twenty bushels wheat and fodder in proportion at the time of division, all the fowls I also lend to my wife the tract of land I now live on during life after her death to be sold and the money to be equall divided amongst al my daughters that part of the money coming to my Daughter Polly [sic] Young one half to her children she had by Mr. Chappell.

2nd It is my desire that my son Henry have my Negro Cesar thus he may be with his wife at his valuation and that my Daughter Polly Young should have Amy at her valuation should she own her husband at my death the above two Negroes to be valued by three disinterested persons and delivered.

3rd I give to my Daughter Clara Jackson one hundred and twenty dollars to make her property equal to that I have given her before to Jean Sledge and to be taken out of Jean's part of my estate.

4th I give to my Grand Daughter Louisa Jane Jackson one negro girl by the name of Martha to her and her heirs forever.

5th It is my desire that all the property that I have given my children heretofore they should have and not to be considered any part of my estate.

6th I give to my Grand Daughter, Elizabeth R. Harris one negro girl by the name of Mariah and six hundred and twenty three dollars as her full portion of my estate but should she die before she marries or have a lawful heir of her body the property and money I give her is to return to my estate and be equally divided among my children. There is some three hundred and fifty four dollars in the hands of my son Henry which he is to pay.

7th It is my will and desire that all of my estate after paying my just debts not already lent or given away be equally divided among all my children.

8th I do fully authorize my Executors to make good and lawful titles to my land when it is sold.

9th I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons Henry Harris Edmund S. Harris and my son-in-law Edmund Jackson my Executors to carry into effect this my will. I do hereby publish the foregoing instrument as my last will and testament. In witness whereof I do set my hand and affix my seal this fourteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen.

In presence of, Samuel Harris Absalom Harris Seal John Roper Peterson Harris

Georgia Inferior Court setting for Ordinary purposes Hancock County 6th December 1824 the last will and testament of Absalom Harris late of this county deceased being produced in court by Henry Harris and Edmund S. Harris two of the Executors therein named and being duly and fully proven in its execution by John Roper and Peterson Harris two of the attesting witnesses. It is ordered that the said will be recorded and that the Executors etc. etc.

1.   The earliest deed I've found for Absalom Harris in Georgia occurs on 16 Oct 1792 when Absalom Harris of Columbia Co., GA, purchased land in Greene Co., GA. In 1793, Hancock Co., GA, was formed from portions of Greene Co. and Washington Co.
2.   The Absalom Harris Bible (owned in 1974 by John D. Harris of Greenville, Meriwether Co., GA) gives the birth of Dorthy Harris: "Dorothy Harris, dau of Absalom and Elizabeth was born 7 Jan "
   
   The record of Dorothy's birth is after that of Henry Harris (b. 15 May 1781) and before Jane Jeter Harris (dau. of Absalom and Clara, born 20 Dec ....) and Clara Harris, born 23 Oct 1791.
   
   Source: Bible Records, compiled by The Genealogical Society of the Original Muscogee County and The Oglethorpe Chapter, DAR, Columbus, GA, 1980, p. 30.