John Harris and Frances Harpe
The history of John Harris began in Alabama on August 27, 1827. He was born in this state in Jackson County. He married here in DeKalb County where his parents, John and Catherine, had moved. He was married here to Frances Harpe and their children were born here. We are now in the area where they lived - This, "Smith Cemetery", was a family cemetery - In the 1850 Federal Census John and Frances Harris were shown to be living here in this area with two daughters, Sarah, born in 1847 and Partheny, born in 1849.
When the next Federal Census was taken in 1860 they were still in this same area of DeKalb County and the family was complete, Three more children had been born. Robert Cobb, their only son, born in 1851, Amanda Ann, born in 1854 and the baby, Mary Elizabeth, born in 1856.
But by the time of the 1860 Federal Census the State of Alabama was full of volunteers. In September 1860 Colonel J.H. Clanton, of Alabama, had a large company of Alabama Cavalry stationed with him at Pensacola, Florida. John Harris had already volunteered in 1860 when the Federal Census was taken.
During December 1860 and January 1861 Governor Moore had taken possession of Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines and the Arsenal at Mount Vernon. The Forts were strongly garrisoned, and when the Ordinance of Secession was passed January 11, 1861 the state was full of volunteers busily drilling and preparing for hostilities. By October 1861 the state had furnished 27, 000 men to the Confederate cause. Before the close of 1863, nearly 9,000 of these soldiers had been killed or died of wounds, camp diseases and exposure.
The First Alabama Cavalry Regiment was organized at Montgomery November 1861 under Colonel J.H. Clanton who had been recalled from Pensacola, Florida. John Harris joined Company "A", 1st Regiment. The Regiment was ordered to north Alabama and Tennessee to scout and draw supplies from the north side of the Tennessee River. It moved to Jackson, Tennessee March 6, 1862; then ordered to Monterey March 31st and opened the battle of Shiloh.
The official records of this regiment is a record of valor and bravery unto rashness. At Florence, Alabama in December 1861 they were 800 strong in General Wheeler's Corps, They could have won no higher acclaim then to have been sent for by General Lee in the summer of 1863.
Alabama, which was the cradle of the Confederacy was also its grave; for on her soil was fought, at Fort Tyler April 16, 1865, the last bloody conflict of the war.
The soldier we honor to-day [Thursday 4:00 pm, July 11, 1968] did not hear the call from General Lee in 1863. He had made his supreme sacrifice on Christmas Day of 1861. He became mortally ill in camp in December and his family was sent for. They brought him home here, to the foot of Sand Mountain, where he died, but his death did no end the history of John Harris. A grieving wife and give little were left to carry on.
After the war the family moved to Martling, in Marshall County. The children married and began rearing their families. Seventy-give years ago the only son of John Harris brought his mother to this grave yard for her to be here "just once again". My mother , Cora Harris Isbell, came in the buggy with them and they visited relatives and friends in the area. This visit back here seventy-five years ago was just another extension of the History of John Harris.
The history of John Harris is the loving hands that fashioned the rock marker that marks the grave; and the awesome task of placing the heavy rock over the grave.
The history of John Harris is Lucille Johnson Lindsey who wanted to be here to-day to represent his daughter Partheny upon this dedication date - The history of John Harris is having great-grandson German Harris fly in from Dallas, Texas just to be here to-day.
The history of John Harris is great-grandson J.D. Scott and his ministry - The history of John Harris is his grandson Dr. John harris that we miss so much. The little great-great-grandson John Harris Walker that we love so much.
The history of John Harris is a young navy doctor in Vietnam - Dr. E.A. Isbell, Jr. and another great-grandson, Marine Dee Walker, ready to go.
The history of John Harris is Randy Beard trying a case in court and studying hard to win it.
The history of John Harris will never end - It is the United Daughters of the Confederacy - It is the friends here with us to-day - It is the valor of America that was described so beautifully in the July issue of the UDC magazine:
As a Tribute to American Valor
To the lasting memory of all the men
Who fought in the "Great Brothers War"
Those who fought and lived
Those who fought and died
Those who gave much
And those who gave all
To the lasting memory of John Harris we dedicate this marker.
It will be unveiled by my mother who is his grand-daughter - Cora Harris Isbell, and my nephew who is his great-great-grandson, John Harris Walker.
The memorial wreath will be placed on the grave by Kyle Johnson a descendant of Partheny Harris Johnson.
I would like for the descendants of Sarah Harris to stand now, now Partheny Harris, Robert C., Amanda Ann and Mary Elizabeth. All five children have descendants present.
Benediction by Rev. J.D. Scott, a descendant of Mary Elizabeth.
Thursday 4:00 pm, July 11, 1968.1
The history of John Harris is the loving hands that fashioned the rock marker that marks the grave; and the awesome task of placing the heavy rock over the grave.
The history of John Harris is Lucille Johnson Lindsey who wanted to be here to-day to represent his daughter Partheny upon this dedication date - The history of John Harris is having great-grandson German Harris fly in from Dallas, Texas just to be here to-day.
The history of John Harris is great-grandson J.D. Scott and his ministry - The history of John Harris is his grandson Dr. John harris that we miss so much. The little great-great-grandson John Harris Walker that we love so much.
The history of John Harris is a young navy doctor in Vietnam - Dr. E.A. Isbell, Jr. and another great-grandson, Marine Dee Walker, ready to go.
The history of John Harris is Randy Beard trying a case in court and studying hard to win it.
The history of John Harris will never end - It is the United Daughters of the Confederacy - It is the friends here with us to-day - It is the valor of America that was described so beautifully in the July issue of the UDC magazine:
As a Tribute to American Valor
To the lasting memory of all the men
Who fought in the "Great Brothers War"
Those who fought and lived
Those who fought and died
Those who gave much
And those who gave all
To the lasting memory of John Harris we dedicate this marker.
It will be unveiled by my mother who is his grand-daughter - Cora Harris Isbell, and my nephew who is his great-great-grandson, John Harris Walker.
The memorial wreath will be placed on the grave by Kyle Johnson a descendant of Partheny Harris Johnson.
I would like for the descendants of Sarah Harris to stand now, now Partheny Harris, Robert C., Amanda Ann and Mary Elizabeth. All five children have descendants present.
Benediction by Rev. J.D. Scott, a descendant of Mary Elizabeth.
Thursday 4:00 pm, July 11, 1968.1
Figures
Fig. 1 - "John Harris" - This picture is from findagrave.com Sidney Key is the contributor
Fig. 2 "Frances Harris" - This picture is from findagrave.com Sidney Key is the contributor
Fig. 2 "Frances Harris" - This picture is from findagrave.com Sidney Key is the contributor
Sources
1. All biographical material provided by "The History of John Harris." 1968.