Harris, DeWitt Clinton, 1814-1861

DeWitt Clinton Harris was born on July 17, 1814, the eldest child of John Richardson Harris and Jane Birdsall. In 1833, he and his mother traveled to Texas and settled in Harrisburg. Not long after arriving, Harris became involved in the growing hostilities between the Mexican government and American settlers. In 1835 he, along with merchant Andrew Briscoe, was imprisoned by Mexican customs officials at Anahuac. In the Republic of Texas, Harris served in the early Harris County and Harrisburg governments. In 1837, he became the first county clerk of Harris County and remained in office until 1841. He was elected alderman in the first Harrisburg municipal elections in 1842. He and Andrew Briscoe were not only united by marriage when Briscoe married Harris' sister, Mary Jane, in 1837, but they also conducted business ventures together. They were administrators of the estate of John Birdsall, cousin to Harris' mother. In 1839, they formed the Harrisburg Town Company to which Harris was a director and later the agent. In 1839 Harris formed a partnership with Charles W. Adams; Harris agreed to provide store space and Adams the merchandise. From 1850 until his death, Harris was involved in the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos, and Colorado Railway Company. DeWitt Clinton Harris married Saville Fenwick on March 16, 1849. They had four daughters, Mary Columbia, Mary Cornelia, Annie Belle, and Mary Clinton. He died on January 2, 1861.

From the description of DeWitt Clinton Harris papers, 1836-1861. (San Jacinto Museum of History). WorldCat record id: 50131726

DeWitt Clinton Harris was born on July 17, 1814, the eldest child of John Richardson Harris and Jane Birdsall. In 1833, he and his mother traveled to Texas and settled in Harrisburg. Not long after arriving, Harris became involved in the growing hostilities between the Mexican government and American settlers. In 1835 he, along with merchant Andrew Briscoe, was imprisoned by Mexican customs officials at Anahuac. In the Republic of Texas, Harris served in the early Harris County and Harrisburg governments. In 1837, he became the first county clerk of Harris County and remained in office until 1841. He was elected alderman in the first Harrisburg municipal elections in 1842. He and Andrew Briscoe were not only united by marriage when Briscoe married Harris' sister, Mary Jane, in 1837, but they also conducted business ventures together. They were administrators of the estate of John Birdsall, cousin to Harris' mother. In 1839, they formed the Harrisburg Town Company to which Harris was a director and later the agent. In 1839 Harris formed a partnership with Charles W. Adams; Harris agreed to provide store space and Adams the merchandise. From 1850 until his death, Harris was involved in the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railway Company.

DeWitt Clinton Harris married Saville Fenwick on March 16, 1849. They had four daughters, Mary Columbia, Mary Cornelia, Annie Belle, and Mary Clinton. He died on January 2, 1861.

From the guide to the DeWitt Clinton Harris papers MC064. 50131726., 1836-1861, (Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library, )