Correspondence: Harris, Nancy to nephew, 1889 - Mercer Co, KY -------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed by: Smith, Elizabeth Date: June 16, 1998 , Mercer County, KY Archives -------------------------------------------------------------- I would like to submitt the following letter to be included in the Mercer Co., KY GenWeb Archives. I found it in the Harris Family Folder at the Harrodsburg Historical Society Research Library. The writer is Nancy Harris, the youngest daughter of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Van Cleave. Samuel and Elizabeth were among the founding members of The Society of Believers, commonly known as "Shakers" at Pleasant Hill in Mercer Co., KY. >From clues in the letter, Nancy is probably replying to a genealogical type query from her nephew. The nephew is probably a son or grandson of her brother, John Moses Harris, who had left the Shakers, married, and moved to Oregon. John Moses Harris did have a daughter, Martha. Nancy says she doesn't know anything of her grandparents. Her grandparents were, on her father's side, Daniel Harris and Elizabeth Demaree. Her maternal grandparents were William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost. (William and Abigail came to KY with the Boones. His sister, Jane was married to Squire Boone.) I am descended from Nancy's brother, Daniel, who did not join the Shakers, as he was opposed. Elizabeth Smith esmith@montgomery.k12.ky.us Pleasant-Hill Ky May 4th / 89 Dear Nephew, I received your interesting letter and was much pleased, with hearing of the prosperity-and well-doing of our family, and that it has so good a record - I do not know any thing of my grand-parents. I was so young when we came to Pleasant Hill, and never knew them. My parents came here in Feb 1806. My Mother's brother Jonathan Vancleve and his wife came here. both died here. My Father died Feb 28th 1852. My Mother died July 1st 1852. both were honorable and respected members of the community--where they lived. Sr Polly died in 1875. and Sr Rachel in 1876. the latter had just attained to her eighty-sixth year. We have endeavored to live peaceful, quiet and christian lives and feel thankful for the blessings we have enjoyed. I would be glad to have you come and see me, and perhaps you could obtain more information than I can write. I will also enclose a paper, the names and births of our family are on it. I am very glad to know you have succeeded so well in life, and that you are in good business. You must remember me in much love to your family, and also to your brothers and sisters with their respective families. We have received letters from your Sr Martha who lives in Washington, and we were well pleased to hear from her. Accept much love and many kind wishes from Your Aunt Nancy Harris [Enclosed:] Samuel Harris was born Nov. 21st 17,63 Elizabeth Harris was born May. 16th. 17,66, William Harris was born Sept. 28th 17,86, Daniel Harris was born Oct. 28th 17,88, Rachel Harris was born April. 11th 17,90, Leaher Harris was born June. 12th, 17,93, David Harris was born Dec. 2nd, 17,95 Polly Harris was born March 24th 17,97 Phebe Harris was born Dec. 10th 17,99, [inserted here, above the following name, in another hand: "my Grandpa" John Harris was born April 1st 18,03, Nancy Harris was born Oct. 24th, 18,05 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.