The Harrison Family of Petersburg, Virginia

My direct maternal line goes straight back to the Unknown Harrison woman from the Petersburg, VA area who married the Unknown Dickson male.  The couple died early leaving a young Jane Dickson to live with her wealthy Harrison uncle.  It would make my year if someone would read this paragraph and recognize this family.

What we know about our Harrison heritage comes from a letter Anna Belle McNair wrote to her nieces and nephews.

I am often asked by my nephews and nieces to tell them something about their ancestors, and also relatives who are now living. My knowledge of them is very imperfect but the little I know myself and what I can ascertain from others I will write down for their benefit hoping it may give them as much pleasure to read it as it is to write.

Your grandpa was a great man and one of the most talented ministers of his day, was for twenty years Pastor of Centre, Ashpole, Laurel Hill and Red Bluff, was born 26th August 1776 and died on the 4th August 1822 and was buried at Laurel Hill which was then the home of his nephew Tryam McFarland and one of his own Churches. He married your grandma who was a native of Petersburg, Va. and was then living at Laurel Hill the home of his half-brother Duncan McFarland, and her Uncle by marriage in 1809. I cannot tell much about my Grandma's relatives. She left Petersburg when only twelve years of age. I used to sit for hours when a child and hear her and my grandma tell about Petersburg and their friends there but I have forgotten it now. Her mother's maiden name was Harrison. She was an Orphan and was raised by her Uncle by the name of Harrison who was wealthy but had a large family so she did not inherit any of his wealth but I remember hearing her speak of style in which her uncle lived. She was of English extraction and was a member of the Church of England as she called -- Episcopal -- She used to say that she was a descendant of the great Indian Queen Pocahontas. She was a distant relative of Rev. Daniel Baker who was a great Revivalist and passed through this country some forty-five or fifty years ago, and stayed at John R. Buie's and in the course of conversation spoke of the Harrisons' as his relatives. Cousin Margaret Buie told him of your grandma and where she was living and he said he was sorry he did not have time to call on her as she was his relative. Your grandpa sent for grandma after he married but she never was satisfied and always wanted to go back to Petersburg. She was one of the nicest Old ladies I ever saw. I can remember her so well although she died when I was a child at the age of 68. Grandpa was a widower with two children when he went to Petersburg and married grandma. The children were Aunt Katie Wilkinson -- Polly Wilkinson's mother -- and Uncle John Little who died many years ago. Grandpa had no brother but four sisters. His sisters were Aunt Molly McFarland -- Uncle Duncan's wife -- and Jennet Alford -- Uncle Marrow's wife -- and for whom your grandma was named, Aunt Effie McNair -- Judge McNair's mother died in Brook Haven, Mississippi some years ago, and Aunt Barbara Cade. Grandpa had but two children after he married grandma, that was your grandma and Aunt Margaret Surles, you have all heard of her. Grandpa's name was Neill Little. He died and was buried in Petersburg, Va.

And now my pen is worn out and I am very tired. I have told you all I can recollect. You have often asked how you were kin to McFarlands, Alford, Buies of Philidelphus, and now you can see for yourself and if it will afford any satisfaction for which it was written will be answered.
Your Aunt Belle

The Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia 1720 - 1789

Arthur son of Gab & Grace Harrison born 15th Jan: Bap 30th Jan 1720-1

Benjamin S. of Richard & Elizabeth Harrisons was born Jan 25th 1745-6 Bap Ap 27th 1746

Peyton, Son of Henry Harrison (of Sussex) & Elizabeth his Wife, born March 3d & bap May 13th 1792

Peggy Dau of Nancy a Negroe Slave belonging to Edmund Harrison born February 15th & baptized July 22 1792

Marry Murray Dau of Edmund Harrison & Mary his Wife, was born _______ & baptized May 2d 1793

Martha Ann, and Mary Murray, Daughters of Edmund Harrison & Mary his Wife, died ____and were buried 17th April 1794

August 9th 1725: Bristol Parish—ss: At a Meeting at the Chapple: It is agreed that the Price Curr of Tob be as Col Harrison, Maj John Bolling, Maj Rob Bolling, Maj Rob Munford & Maj Wm Kennon doth allow or any three of them.

Bristoll Parrish—ss: at A Vestry held at the ferry Chapple Jully 24th 1727 for procssioning: The Bound of James W and George Williams Processioned the parties Concerned Being present Except Ralf Jackson and Gabrill Harrison they not appearing.

Returns or Processing for the Year 1739: Same expecting Tho Carklons and James Harrisons nobody appearing.

September 1, 1742: To Ja Harrison for one Acre of Lane where Jones Hole Church is built.

At a Vestry held at the Brick Church for Bristol parish the Second day of March 1752: Ordered That Thomas Evans and James Harrison with the freeholders of their precinct procession the Lands on the South Side Stony Creek in this parish, which was taken out of the Bath parish to the parish Lines, and make Return as the Law directs.

At a Vestry held at the Glebe for the Bristol parish the Second day of August 1755: That Thomas Evans and James Harrison with the Freeholders of their precinct procession the Lands on the South Side Storny Creek in this parish, which was taken out of Bath parish, to the parish lines.

1759 Bristol Parish Dr. – To 6 Tyths listed in Cap Eatons name for Benj Harrison not Paid

At a Vestry Held at the Brick Church of Bristol Parish the 5th of January 1760: That Thomas Eavins and James Harrison with the freeholders of their precincts Possission the lands on the South Side of Stoney Creek in this parish which was taken out of Bath Parish to the Parish line….That Roger Adkerson and Robert Harrison with the freeholders of their precincts Possesion from the Indian Town Run to the parish line.

Nov 11 1762: By Rich Harrison & R Harrison Jun and Peter Aldridge for Profane swearing 5 / Each

At a vestry held for Bristol Parish at Mr. Walter Boyds in Blandford, Novem 22d 1762. Ordered that the Revd Mr. William Harrison be Recd ministor of this Parish in the Room of Mr. Thomas Wilkerson who has Resign'd the same.

At a vestry held for Bristol Parish at the Brick Church Feb 19th 1763: Present: the Rev. Mr. William Harrison

At a vestry held for Bristol Parish at the Brick Church July the 6th 1763: That Thom Evins & James Harrison with the freeholders of their precincts procession the lands on the south side of stoney Creek in this Parish which was taken out of Bath parish to the parish line.

At a vestry held for Bristol Parish at the Brick Church July the 26th, 1763: That Nathaniel Harrison & Thomas Willson with the freeholders of their precincts Procession from the Puddle Dock to Leutenants Run between the River and the Great Swamp on Munks Neck Road.

At a Vestry held at Blandford for Bristol parish Aug 31, 1767: Present: the Rev. William Harrison….that Nathan Harrison & William Pyonthress be appointed to see the same perform’d and to make and Return to the Vestry on Acc of Every Persons Land they shall procession and of the persons present at the same and what Land.…that Thomas Eavans & James Harrison be appointed to see the same perform’d & C. That Nathaniel Harrison be appointed a Vestryman in the Room of Alex Bolling Gen dect. And that he be acquainted with the same by the Clk.

At a Vestry held for Bristol Parish, Blandford Nov 13th day 1767. Present: the Reverend Mr. William Harrison….Nathan Harrison….To the Reverend Mr. William Harrison 17,280

At a vestry held at Blandford for Bristol Parish Feb 20th day 1768: Present: The Reverend Mr. William Harrison….Mr. Nathan Harrison appeared in Vestry and Resign’d being Vestryman.

At a Vestry Held at Blandford for Bristol Parish Jan 15, 1772. Present: the Rev William Harrison…

At a Vestry held at Blandford for Bristol Parish May 21, 1772. Present: the Rev William Harrison….Ordered That the Several List of Processions, be Recorded: Thomas Evans & James Harrison

Descendants of Rev. William Harrison

1. Petersburg, Virginia Blanford Cemetery.
2. Petersburg Court Deeds 1784-1790, 60.
3. Petersburg, Virginia Blanford Cemetery.