"Mourning Glenn was a remarkable woman, kind, generous, charitable, a devout Christian, and much beloved by her acquaintances and offspring. Her children and descendants down through the generations gave a daughter her name [known as] 'Mourning,' showing their high estimation of Mourning Gleason (Glenn) Harris."
From the 1907 book, History and Genealogies (H&G), p 266, by William Harris Miller.
The claim is Mourning was the daughter of James Glenn Jr. and Mourning Winn, original source unknown. Family Bible records note her birth date as 3 March 1702/03; and her marriage date as 30 Jan 1720, in Hanover / New Kent co., VA, to Robert Overton Harris - son of William Claiborne Harris & Temperance Overton.
The dates listed for the birth of Mourning and for her children below, as well as for Mourning's marriage, were originally cited in DAR Magazine, Vol. 43 - No. 4, of Oct 1913, on page 596. The original provenance was claimed to have been documented from a Harris family Bible that was in the possession of one of Mourning's 2X great grand daughters, a Mrs G.W. Clardy, aka Malvry Atkins Harris (see the attached).
According to Albemarle County, Virginia, Will Book 2, 338, Mourning's will was dated as written on 8 May 1775, and was probated in Mar 1776, so she likely died in early 1776. Her will coexecutors were her sons-in-law, John Rodes and William Shelton.
"In the name of God Amen, I Mourning Harris of the county of Albemarle, being in perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally I recommend my soul to God who gave it to me, not doubting but this the merits of my redeemer to have full pardon and remission of all my sins and my body I recommend to the earth from whence it came, to be buried in such manner as my Executor hereinafter named shall think fit and touching such temporal Estate as have pleased God to bless me with, I give and devise in manner and form following. Imprimis, whereas by a will made the eighteenth day of June, one thousand seven hundred and sixty five by Robert Haris, my deceased husband, was given by a clause in the will was given to me all his lawful debts and all residue of his Estate be it of what nature or quality soever to me and my heirs forever. Item, As to the remainder of my Estate, I give and bequeath to all my Children, to be equally divided amongst them or their legal representatives be it of what nature or quality soever, I do constitute and appoint John Rodes and William Shelton to be my Executors of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this eighth day of May 1775.
Her Mourning M. Harris mark test. James Woodson, John Gilliam, William Tomberlin."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Mourning's husband, "Major Robert Harris, was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from Hanover County, 1736-38, 1740-42; was a Justice of the Peace of Louisa County in 1742; was a Surveyor in 1744." (H&G)/p 262.
"Major Robert Harris, took up land in Brown's Cove, in Albemarle County in 1750, he was one of the early settlers on Doyle's River. He obtained patent for more than 3000 acres in that vicinity. He died in 1765. His will bears the [written] date of 18 Jun 1765, and was probated on 8 Aug 1765". (H&G/p 267)
Known children of Robert Harris & Mourning Glenn, per H&G, pages 268 - 276, with alterations made via documentation from 2X g g daughter - Malvry Atkins Harris:
■ 1) Anna b. 31 Mar 1724 m. to
■ 2) Elder Christopher Sr. b. Feb 1725; m. twice
+ m.1 Mary Dabney - daughter of Cornelius Dabney II & Sarah Jennings
+ m.2 Agnes McCord - daughter of John McCord Sr. of Moorman's River.
■ 3) Tyre Sr. b. 8 Apr 1728; moved to and died in Caswell Co., North Carolina.
■ 4) Mary b 10 Feb 1730; m. her first cousin through her paternal grandfather.
+ James Harris Jr - son of James Overton Harris Sr (1703-1792) & Mary Crawford (1708-1762). James Overton Harris - son of William Claiborne Harris and Temperance Overton.
There is some conflicting information as to which one, Mary or James, was the child of Robert and Mourning Harris. In H&G, Miller has James as their son. In the DAR magazine, Robert's and Mourning's 2X great grand daughter, Malvry Atkins Harris, who possessed the Harris family Bible, claimed Mary was the daughter of Robert and Mourning. Additional evidence suggests the later scenario as correct.
■ 5) Mourning Glenn b. 27 Mar 1732; m. to
+ John Sr. Jouett - son of Matthew Sr. Jouett.
They were parents of Revolutionary War hero, John Jr. "Jack" Jouett.
■ 6) Lucy b. 12 Apr 1734; m. to
+ William Shelton, who was an executor of her father's will.
■ 7) Sarah b. 24 May 1736; m. 24 May 1756, to
+ John Rodes, who was an executor of her father's will.
■ 8) Robert Jr. b. 8 Mar 1741; d. 1809, in Surry Co., NC; m. to
+ Lucretia/Lucy Brown - daughter of Benjamin Brown Sr & Sarah Dabney.
There were multiple men named Robert Harris living in North Carolina about the same time as the Robert Harris who married Lucretia/Lucy. Robert's will was written in March 1806, likely after his wife died, since she is not mentioned at all in his will. Although, Robert's daughter Lucy is mentioned. In 1796, a Robert Harris died in Mecklenburg Co, 100 miles away from Surry Co and is buried at the Rocky River Baptist Church. Both Miller who wrote 'Histories and Genealogies'; and Spraker who wrote 'The Boone Family' made the same error in their books, having Robert dying in 1796.
■ 9) Rachel b. 24 Jun 1744; d. aft. Jan 1819; m. to
+ William Dalton. Rachel noted as 'Miss Harris' in H&G, but William's name was known.
■ 10) Frances / Elizabeth b. 27 Jan 1746, m. to
+ Joel Crawford. Were parents of William Jr Harris Crawford, who served as a U.S. Senator from Georgia, and later as the Secretary of Treasury under Presidents Madison and Monroe. Elizabeth was not mentioned in the DAR magazine that provided the birthdates of Robert's and Mourning's children. In H&G, Miller has "Elizabeth Harris m. William Crawford". Frances and Elizabeth are likely the same person, in H&G.
■ 11) William b. 15 Mar 1752; d. 1776 or bef 1773; m.
Conflicting information on his death and his marriages.
+ Hannah Jameson, who 2nd m. to Daniel Maupin (per H&G).
+ Miss Mitchie and Miss Thompson (per DAR descendant).
His father's will: "my desire is that my son William Harris be under the tuition, direction and government of my son-in-law John Rodes, until he shall attain lawful age."
Compiler's notes:
In H&G, Miller has on page 268, "Major Robert Harris and his wife, Mourning Glenn had ten children", but on page 275, he ends with twelve. They likely had eleven children as shown in the DAR magazine. Therefore, in H&G, Miller likely made an error by citing France / Elizabeth as two, but they should have been counted as the same one.
The Archelaus Harris that was attached in the family links below, lacked reasonable circumstantial / direct evidence indicating he was a child of Robert & Mourning Harris, although descendants of Archelaus may have a dna connection to the Harris family through a sibling of Robert, or other direct ancestor of his.
Biography compilation by 6X great grandson, Mark Hayden.
"Mourning Glenn was a remarkable woman, kind, generous, charitable, a devout Christian, and much beloved by her acquaintances and offspring. Her children and descendants down through the generations gave a daughter her name [known as] 'Mourning,' showing their high estimation of Mourning Gleason (Glenn) Harris."
From the 1907 book, History and Genealogies (H&G), p 266, by William Harris Miller.
The claim is Mourning was the daughter of James Glenn Jr. and Mourning Winn, original source unknown. Family Bible records note her birth date as 3 March 1702/03; and her marriage date as 30 Jan 1720, in Hanover / New Kent co., VA, to Robert Overton Harris - son of William Claiborne Harris & Temperance Overton.
The dates listed for the birth of Mourning and for her children below, as well as for Mourning's marriage, were originally cited in DAR Magazine, Vol. 43 - No. 4, of Oct 1913, on page 596. The original provenance was claimed to have been documented from a Harris family Bible that was in the possession of one of Mourning's 2X great grand daughters, a Mrs G.W. Clardy, aka Malvry Atkins Harris (see the attached).
According to Albemarle County, Virginia, Will Book 2, 338, Mourning's will was dated as written on 8 May 1775, and was probated in Mar 1776, so she likely died in early 1776. Her will coexecutors were her sons-in-law, John Rodes and William Shelton.
"In the name of God Amen, I Mourning Harris of the county of Albemarle, being in perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally I recommend my soul to God who gave it to me, not doubting but this the merits of my redeemer to have full pardon and remission of all my sins and my body I recommend to the earth from whence it came, to be buried in such manner as my Executor hereinafter named shall think fit and touching such temporal Estate as have pleased God to bless me with, I give and devise in manner and form following. Imprimis, whereas by a will made the eighteenth day of June, one thousand seven hundred and sixty five by Robert Haris, my deceased husband, was given by a clause in the will was given to me all his lawful debts and all residue of his Estate be it of what nature or quality soever to me and my heirs forever. Item, As to the remainder of my Estate, I give and bequeath to all my Children, to be equally divided amongst them or their legal representatives be it of what nature or quality soever, I do constitute and appoint John Rodes and William Shelton to be my Executors of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this eighth day of May 1775.
Her Mourning M. Harris mark test. James Woodson, John Gilliam, William Tomberlin."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Mourning's husband, "Major Robert Harris, was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from Hanover County, 1736-38, 1740-42; was a Justice of the Peace of Louisa County in 1742; was a Surveyor in 1744." (H&G)/p 262.
"Major Robert Harris, took up land in Brown's Cove, in Albemarle County in 1750, he was one of the early settlers on Doyle's River. He obtained patent for more than 3000 acres in that vicinity. He died in 1765. His will bears the [written] date of 18 Jun 1765, and was probated on 8 Aug 1765". (H&G/p 267)
Known children of Robert Harris & Mourning Glenn, per H&G, pages 268 - 276, with alterations made via documentation from 2X g g daughter - Malvry Atkins Harris:
■ 1) Anna b. 31 Mar 1724 m. to
■ 2) Elder Christopher Sr. b. Feb 1725; m. twice
+ m.1 Mary Dabney - daughter of Cornelius Dabney II & Sarah Jennings
+ m.2 Agnes McCord - daughter of John McCord Sr. of Moorman's River.
■ 3) Tyre Sr. b. 8 Apr 1728; moved to and died in Caswell Co., North Carolina.
■ 4) Mary b 10 Feb 1730; m. her first cousin through her paternal grandfather.
+ James Harris Jr - son of James Overton Harris Sr (1703-1792) & Mary Crawford (1708-1762). James Overton Harris - son of William Claiborne Harris and Temperance Overton.
There is some conflicting information as to which one, Mary or James, was the child of Robert and Mourning Harris. In H&G, Miller has James as their son. In the DAR magazine, Robert's and Mourning's 2X great grand daughter, Malvry Atkins Harris, who possessed the Harris family Bible, claimed Mary was the daughter of Robert and Mourning. Additional evidence suggests the later scenario as correct.
■ 5) Mourning Glenn b. 27 Mar 1732; m. to
+ John Sr. Jouett - son of Matthew Sr. Jouett.
They were parents of Revolutionary War hero, John Jr. "Jack" Jouett.
■ 6) Lucy b. 12 Apr 1734; m. to
+ William Shelton, who was an executor of her father's will.
■ 7) Sarah b. 24 May 1736; m. 24 May 1756, to
+ John Rodes, who was an executor of her father's will.
■ 8) Robert Jr. b. 8 Mar 1741; d. 1809, in Surry Co., NC; m. to
+ Lucretia/Lucy Brown - daughter of Benjamin Brown Sr & Sarah Dabney.
There were multiple men named Robert Harris living in North Carolina about the same time as the Robert Harris who married Lucretia/Lucy. Robert's will was written in March 1806, likely after his wife died, since she is not mentioned at all in his will. Although, Robert's daughter Lucy is mentioned. In 1796, a Robert Harris died in Mecklenburg Co, 100 miles away from Surry Co and is buried at the Rocky River Baptist Church. Both Miller who wrote 'Histories and Genealogies'; and Spraker who wrote 'The Boone Family' made the same error in their books, having Robert dying in 1796.
■ 9) Rachel b. 24 Jun 1744; d. aft. Jan 1819; m. to
+ William Dalton. Rachel noted as 'Miss Harris' in H&G, but William's name was known.
■ 10) Frances / Elizabeth b. 27 Jan 1746, m. to
+ Joel Crawford. Were parents of William Jr Harris Crawford, who served as a U.S. Senator from Georgia, and later as the Secretary of Treasury under Presidents Madison and Monroe. Elizabeth was not mentioned in the DAR magazine that provided the birthdates of Robert's and Mourning's children. In H&G, Miller has "Elizabeth Harris m. William Crawford". Frances and Elizabeth are likely the same person, in H&G.
■ 11) William b. 15 Mar 1752; d. 1776 or bef 1773; m.
Conflicting information on his death and his marriages.
+ Hannah Jameson, who 2nd m. to Daniel Maupin (per H&G).
+ Miss Mitchie and Miss Thompson (per DAR descendant).
His father's will: "my desire is that my son William Harris be under the tuition, direction and government of my son-in-law John Rodes, until he shall attain lawful age."
Compiler's notes:
In H&G, Miller has on page 268, "Major Robert Harris and his wife, Mourning Glenn had ten children", but on page 275, he ends with twelve. They likely had eleven children as shown in the DAR magazine. Therefore, in H&G, Miller likely made an error by citing France / Elizabeth as two, but they should have been counted as the same one.
The Archelaus Harris that was attached in the family links below, lacked reasonable circumstantial / direct evidence indicating he was a child of Robert & Mourning Harris, although descendants of Archelaus may have a dna connection to the Harris family through a sibling of Robert, or other direct ancestor of his.
Biography compilation by 6X great grandson, Mark Hayden.
Gravesite Details
The precise location of the gravesites of Mourning and husband Robert on their Brown's Cove, 3000 acre Doyle's/Moorman River plantation, are currently unknown.
