Name/Title
AU Harris, Joseph Hastings - 1933-09-01 letter to Mrs. Charles E. CrewEntry/Object ID
1990.1.199Context
September 1, 1933.
Mrs. Charles E. Crew,
Chester Hill, Ohio.
Dear Cousin and Friend:
In looking over some of my papers, I noted a letter from you, which was somehow overlooked, inquiring about the Work family. My time has been very limited, but while Grandmother Harris and my father were living, I used to get them to talking and then take notes. Out of these notes I have prepared some charts for several of our ancestral families. The enclosed may give you a little idea of what I have in mind.
As indicated, David and Mary Ann Porterfield Work come from Ireland to a point near Philadelphia, thence to St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio, where all their children were born and reared. The oldest son, David Work, married Theodate Todd. Father used to give this incident concerning that David Work. He was a lieutenant in the war of 1812. His team was pressed into service in the army. When he came home, his team had not come and he went to see about it and on the way, he came into a forest and heard Indians blowing on their gun chargers. The Indians came up and David said his hair felt like it was standing on end, but they turned the muzzles of their guns down (which meant peace). They took him to their camp and fed him on the jerked venison, etc., and let him go on his way.
He lived near St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio. His sword is now in the hands of Austin Harris, of Springfield, Ohio. He died of tuberculosis and was buried in Cadiz cemetery.
His wife, Theodate Todd, came from Georgie [sic] when 18 years old, drove through with her father, mother, brothers and sisters, to Captina, Belmont County. Theodate lived with her daughter, Nancy, sixteen years and died there, aged 87 years, 11 months and lies buried in buried in the Mount Hermon Cemetery, Athens County, Ohio. My brother, Howard Harris, lives on the hill east of the Mount Hermon Church, on the south side of the road.
I have never had time to trace the family as I had hoped to do and you will note that it is very incomplete. I take it that in the chart your father was William Stubbs. I shall appreciate it very much if you will trace your family as accurately as possible, beginning with Isaac Clendennin and Sarah Ann Work. I shall be glad to give you an outline of the other families the best I can. Where there are errors, kindly correct.
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C.E.C. #2. 9/1/33.
My father was John W. Harris and his mother was Nancy Work. this will give you the connection. I was born near the Bethel M. E. Church, near Plantsville. I was graduated from Otterbein College in 1898 and Bonebrake Seminary in 1903. I spent seventeen years in the pastorate at Portsmouth, Hillsboro and Columbus, Ohio, then superintended the Southeast Ohio Conference for ten years, living in Westerville. Since July 1, 1929 I have been President of our Seminary. I sever my relation with the institution today and Mrs. Harris, our youngest son, Richard, and I will drive to Florida for a little vacation. If we like the place, we will remain this winter and Richard will enter school. You may know that I married Bertha Lambert, daughter of Rev. D. W. Lambert, who used to live near Plantsville. My wife's mother, Deborah Embree, was reared southwest of Connellsville. But you did not ask for a story of myself. I should have left that out.
I regret overlooking your letter. Your spoke of a David Work being the body guard of General Washington. I have heard that too, but am not certain about the matter.
I shall be very glad to hear from you relative to the family. I was in Chester Hill perhaps two hours last week, calling on a few of the folk. I wanted to visit the cemetery, but did not have time. Watson and Nancy Harris are buried there.
I do not know what our new address will be, but if you address me at Bonebrake Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, it will be forwarded to me.
Very sincerely yours,
J. H. Harris
President.
JHH:DK
Encl.
