Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

HARRIS The Welsh custom of adding to a name the father's name in possessive form, to distinguish one from another of the same Christian name, was the origin of this patronymic. In the short four centuries that surnames have prevailed in Great Britain time has sufficed to make many changes and modifications in the form of all classes of words, and names are no exception. The Harris family was among the earliest in New England; it ha contributed much to the advancement of the nation, and is now found in connection with all worthy endeavor. It has been especially active in the fields of invention and pioneer development. Almost every state has found the name among those of its pioneer settlers, and it has spread from the Atlantic to the Pacific. (I) Samuel Harris, with his wife Catharine, were living on Cape Newagen Island, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, in 1774. He died March 7, 1836, and she died May 19, 1837. They must have been well past eighty at the time, because their first child was born in 1773. They are said to have come from the neighborhood of Exeter, N. H., but the birth of Samuel Harris is not recorded in any of the New Hampshire town records, and Harris is not a name found in Exeter. It is common, however, in many parts of New Hampshire, notably Portsmouth, Windham, Hopkinton and Warner; but no Samuel appears upon the lists that could possibly be identified with the one living at Boothbay. The name is numerous in Massachusetts also, and it is quite likely that the Maine Harrises may have come from that state, but the early records are imperfect and give no clue. Children: 1. John, born Feb. 21, 1773. 2. Kitty, born Sept. 8, 1775, married Benjamin Webster. 3. Sarah, born Sept. 30, 1777, married Major John McKown. 4. William, born Dec. 6, 1780. 5. Samuel (2), whose sketch follows. 6. Paul, born April 6, 1785, died Nov. 19, 1813. 7. Benjamin, born March 6, 1787. (II) Samuel (2), third son of Samuel (1) and Catherine Harris, was born at Cape Newagen Island, or Southport, Maine, Aug. 26, 1783, died Aug. 15, 1859. He lived on the homestead of his father, and was the only one of the sons who did not migrate from Southport. None of the name are now on the tax list of that town. In 1809 Samuel (2) Harris married Mary, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Thompson) Pierce, of Southport, born July 29, 1789, died March 3, 1881. Children: 1. Almira, born May 14, 1811. 2. Nancy, born Dec. 9, 1812. 3. Elizabeth, born Aug. 3, 1815, married Michael McManus. 4. Catherine, born Feb. 2, 1818, married George Love (2). 5 & 6. Sarah and Isabella (twins), born Oct. 15, 1821. 7. Emily, born April 27, 1824. 8. John McKown, born April 6, 1828. 9. Benjamin, whose sketch follows. 10. Charles, born July 22, 1835. (III) Benjamin, second son of Samuel (2) and Mary (Pierce) Harris, was born at Southport, Maine, Feb. 17, 1832, died Feb. 1, 1867. He was a sea captain and dwelt in the old homestead of his grandfather at Southport. About 1861 Capt. Benjamin Harris married Fanny L., daughter of Arber and Hannah (Huff) Marson, born at Bath, Maine, Feb. 5, 1842, died at Boothbay, Maine, in 1907. Children: George and Sewell, died in infancy. Lincoln M., born Feb. 9, 1862. Fred H., whose sketch follows. After the death of Capt. Benjamin Harris, his widow married (second) Hiram L. Ingraham, and lived at Boothbay Harbor. (IV) Fred H., younger son of Capt. Benjamin and Fannie L. (Marson) Harris, was born at Boothbay, Maine, Aug. 21, 1865. He was educated in the schools of his native town, and at the age of fifteen years went into the hardware store of J. C. P. Poole, at Boothbay, where he remained five years. In 1885 Mr. Harris went into partnerhsip with his stepfather, Hiram L. Ingraham, and together they conducted a hardward business, which is still carried on under the firm name of Ingraham & Harris, though it is only one of several interests which now engage the attention of the junior partner. In 1890 Mr. Harris began his successful hotel career by taking charge of the Boothbay House, which he has managed ever since. In 1900 he went into the drug business with Henry C. McLearn, under the firm name of Harris & McLearn, and has carried that on since then. In Feb., 1908, Mr. Harris undertook a more important venture than any of his previous ones, and bought the famous Squirrel Inn, on Squirrel Island, a large hotel of one hundred rooms and one of the finest along the coast, of which he is now sole owner and manager. Besides these various business interests, Mr. Harris is an extensive owner of real estate in Boothbay Harbor, and is a director in the First National Bank of that place. He is a Republican in politics, and was presidential elector for the second district of Maine in 1904. He is prominent in fraternal organizations, and is a member of Seaside Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Pentecost Royal Arch Chapter, of Boothbay Harbor; of Dunlap Commandery, Knights Templar, of Bath; of Aleppo Temple, Boston; of Maine Consistory, Portland; and is a Mason of the thirty-second degree. He also belongs to the Boothbay Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and to Lewiston Lodge of Elks. In June, 1904, Fred H. Harris married Eldora A., daughter of Andrew Boyd, of Boothbay. One child: Frances Louise, born Jan. 21, 1908, at Boothbay Harbor.