Harris, William Plunkett, 1797-1843

William Plunkett Harris was born on February 27, 1797, in Cayuga, New York, the second child of John Harris and Mary Richardson. With partner Robert Wilson he owned and operated a number of ships on the Mississippi River between 1826 and 1830. In 1830, Harris and Wilson journeyed to Texas to present large claims agains the estate of William's brother, John R. Harris. Harris participated in the Anahuac Disturbance in 1832 and was active in the provisional government serving as chairman of the committee on naval affairs, as a representative of Harrisburg at the Consultation, and as a member of the General Council. During the Texas Revolution, he was a collector at the Port of Galveston and operated his steamboats for transporting materiel to the Texian Army. Later Harris was land commissioner of Harrisburg County (1838), an alderman of the town of Harrisburg (1842), and a director of the Harrisburg Town Company. In 1840, William Plunkett Harris married Caroline E. Morgan with whom he had 2 children. He died at his estate in Red Bluff in 1843. His wife, Caroline, became administrator of his estate.

From the description of William Plunkett Harris papers, 1828-1849. (San Jacinto Museum of History). WorldCat record id: 50105483

William Plunkett Harris was born on February 27, 1797, in Cayuga, New York, the second child of John Harris and Mary Richardson. With partner Robert Wilson he owned and operated a number of ships on the Mississippi River between 1826 and 1830. In 1830, Harris and Wilson journeyed to Texas, to present large claims against the estate of William's brother, John R. Harris. Harris participated in the Anahuac Disturbance in 1832 and was active in the provisional government serving as chairman of the committee on naval affairs, as a representative of Harrisburg at the Consultation, and as a member of the General Council. During the Texas Revolution, he was a collector at the Port of Galveston and operated his steamboats for transporting materiel to the Texian Army. Later Harris was land commissioner of Harrisburg County (1838), an alderman of the town of Harrisburg (1842), and a director of the Harrisburg Town Company. In 1840, William Plunkett Harris married Caroline E. Morgan with whom he had 2 children. He died at his estate in Red Bluff in 1843. His wife, Caroline, became administrator of his estate.

From the guide to the William Plunkett Harris papers MC065. 50105483., 1828-1849, (Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library, )