by Richard H. Bullock The Harris Family

Transcription

1 The Ship Brooklyn Story - Volume 2 by Richard H. Bullock The Harris Family The Harris family consists of Henry Harris, the father, and Mary Murray his wife whom he married after joining the ship Brooklyn voyage in Hawaii. Mary Murray was an original passenger sailing from New York with the rest of the passengers. Henry Harris Henry Harris had been born 25 June 1819 in Surrey, London, England to Jacob Harris of Prussia and Catherine Phillips. His parents were Jewish but Henry never followed their religion. He grew up around the carpentry trade and became a skilled carpenter as a young man. He had five brothers and sisters named Nancy Ann (Solomons), Morris Monny Harris, Sarah (Simmons), Elizabeth (Chapman) and Nathaniel Harris who also pioneered in the San Jose region. He migrated from England about 1840 to Australia, Chile, Mexico, and then Hawaii 1 where he practiced his trade of cabinet maker. It was while living in Honolulu that twentyseven year old Henry met thirty-six year old Mary Murray who had arrived in Honolulu on the ship Brooklyn. Mary Murray Mary Murray had apparently been born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1814 to Simeon and Mary Murray, and may have joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while living there. She migrated to America arriving about the summer of 1841, and took a job at one of the millinery factories near Lowell, Massachusetts. She maintained a savings account in one of the local banks in Lowell. She sought out Patriarch John Smith and received her Patriarchal Blessing from him 23 September After hearing about the Church migration to the West and the voyage of the ship Brooklyn she and several other girls in the factories withdrew all their meager savings to pay for the passage and decided to join together with Samuel Brannan. Some of her friends that joined the voyage were Lucy Nutting, Sophia Patterson Clark, Angeline Lovett and Susan Savage. They shared a stateroom and endured all the voyage problems before reaching Honolulu. Henry Harris saw Mary walking along the wharf one day and fell absolutely head-overheels in love with the young and attractive Mary. They spent many hours together in Honolulu as the Brooklyn prepared to sail on to San Francisco. Henry had such strong feelings for Mary that he pleaded with Samuel Brannan to join the passengers for the rest of the voyage. The proposal of Harris, however, to become one of the party, was at first opposed by Mr. Brannan, who foresaw difficulties and future contention in the scheme; but when much intercession was used by influential people, whom he regarded, that Harris should join the expedition, he consented. 1 Lockyer, Keira, Australia - Harris family descendant 1

2 Harris paid accordingly his fifty dollars for a passage, and no more. 2 Harris and Mary Murray were married aboard the ship Brooklyn soon after sailing from Honolulu by Samuel Brannan and settled down to marital bliss, as far as is possible in a crowded ship. Robert Smith, and Samuel G. Ladd, helped train the Brooklyn men in how to handle weapons and prepare for battle. Young Harris joined the other men and marched daily when possible and they were getting ready for the upcoming battle for California. As the Brooklyn approached San Francisco and hit the doldrums Henry Harris came under the influence of Lucy Eagar, who had been excommunicated earlier by Brannan. Lucy planted seeds of discontent that took root and grew in Harris mind. After their arrival these seeds took full root and grew quickly to the point of Harris challenging Brannan about the shared pool of assets and wanting his $50.00 returned. He became so vociferous about the issue that his friend Isaac Addison became involved as well. Brannan had more than enough! He excommunicated Isaac Addison and also Elisha Hyatt and James Scott for various reasons. Soon Brannan had excommunicated some twenty others who expressed resentment about their treatment. Harris continued pressing the matter, as he had not been a member of the faith in the first place. Young Henry should have taken a hint from the outcome of the first trial against Brannan On arrival, some of the company had already registered complaints against him, specifying bad treatment during the journey, but a legal investigation by Captain Montgomery cleared his name. As Brannan himself put it, the truth was mighty and prevailed. 3 Finally the rumbling became so extreme that a second trial had been called against Brannan and the S. Brannan & Company for holding all the assets and common effort profits for the next three years. Harris, after three months connection with the association, grew tired of it, and wished to separate. He therefore asked the directors to let him go, and pay him the share of the common stock to which he thought he was entitled. His application was refused on many plausible grounds; and particularly, in regard to the payment of anything; for this very good reason, that the association, after paying its debts, had nothing to divide -- neither money nor goods, that could be shared. They further urged, that Harris himself had been all along supported out of the common stock of provisions, and had received in that way a great deal more than his services were worth. Still dissatisfied, Harris raised an action, not against the whole association nor the directors conjointly, but against Mr. Brannan himself, as an individual. The suit terminated in a formal jury trial, the first that ever took place in California. The alcalde of the day, Washington A. Bartlett, presided as judge; and Colonel W. H. Russell acted as counsel for the defendant. The jury found for Mr. Brannan. Upon these simple circumstances, and the subsequent dissolution of the association, people have raised calumnies against the subject of our sketch, and have pretended to consider him indebted for his present position and wealth to the money he wrongfully withheld from his fellowpartners in the firm of S. Brannan & Co., under which name the association had conducted its business transactions. The fact was, that Mr. Brannan had supplied everything to that association, and received nothing from them but the original moderate passage-money, that being only from 2 Gihon, John H., Nisbet, James, Soule, Frank, The Annals of San Francisco, D. Appleton & Company, San Francisco, CA, 1854, page Muscatine, Doris, Old San Francisco - The Biography of a City, G. Putnam and Sons, New York, page 48. 2

3 fifty to seventy-five dollars for each passenger. 4 All of the passage money was spent in converting the ship to a carry passengers instead of a cargo ship, and purchasing supplies, as well as covering the $1,500 a month fee that Captain Richardson was charging for the use of the Brooklyn. Henry Harris bought lots in early San Francisco and tried to make a living among the Saints. It is really hard for one who is not a member to receive the same consideration in business dealings as someone who has been upheld as a steadfast member. Harris established a small business but they struggled to make a living. Mary and Henry Harris were expecting their first child while living in San Francisco. Their firstborn son received the name of Henry William Harris but died 28 June 1848 as was printed in the local newspaper 14 August Mary had another child born 21 December 1849 in San Francisco they named Miriam E. Harris. Henry made arrangements to begin a business in Honolulu and Mary and the child then traveled to Honolulu to meet her husband where we find: View of Honolulu from the harbor, 1853, showing the town and the Nuuanu Valley. It appears much as it was when Mary returned to Hawaii in (Paul Emmert lithograph, courtesy Hawaiian Historical Society) 14 Dec. 1850, Saturday Dec.14 the Elders in Honolulu were introduced to a Mr. & Mrs. Harris, who had come to 4 Gihon, John H., Nisbet, James, Soule, Frank, The Annals of San Francisco, D. Appleton & Company, San Francisco, CA, 1854, page 750 3

4 California in the ship Brooklyn in 1846; from California this couple had removed to the Hawaiian Islands, and they now kept a store in Honolulu. Mrs. Harris was a member of the Church, but her husband was not. 5 Perhaps it would help the reader to understand some of the Hawaiian history that Mary Harris was witness to during her short years in Honolulu. I pay special attention to the writings of the last Royal Queen, Queen Liliuokalani. She was born 2 September 1838 near the site of the Queens Hospital near the Punch Bowl just outside Honolulu. Her father was Kakaakea, and her mother was Keohokalole who was one of the fifteen counselors to king Kamehameha III. She was very quickly given to foster parents to be raised. Paki, a high chief, and Konia his wife. After that, she seldom recognized her true parents. There had been a tradition among the Hawaiian peoples for many years of giving their children to foster parents to be raised, seldom did they raise their own. The tradition came about as a way to prevent hard feelings between family members and friends. If they had your child to raise they would cherish it and therefore have no hard feelings toward you. Conversely if you had one of their children to raise you would treat it with kindness and love and not have hard feelings towards the true parents. It seems a strange thing to us but the system worked for them and made for peace in the villages and among the people. The young child grew to love the foster parents perhaps stronger than their own. She was frightened on her first day of school but seeing all the friendly faces among the children she soon forgot her fright and grew to love going to school and seeing the other children. The long time tradition in Hawaii had been that boys and girls went to different schools from each other. The boys would frequently climb up the wall or fence to look at the girls who were of royalty. Among them was a young boy named was a boy named John O. Dominis. His father was a sea-captain who had originally come to Honolulu on Cape Horn voyages, like the Brooklyn, and had been interested in trade in China and California. His mother was of English descent and she had been born in Boston. He plays a role later in her life. While a young growing princess she showed particular talent for music and learned quickly how to read and then to write music, something which was unknown among most Hawaiians. She continued this her entire life and many of the songs of Hawaii were written by her. The people of Hawaii today can be most grateful for her recording such songs as the first Hawaiian National Anthem. She is credited with saving hundreds of the old Hawaiian songs that had been passed down verbally over the years and would have been lost without her talent and dedication. To compose was a natural to me as to breathe; and this gift of nature, never having been suffered to fall into disuse, remains a source of greatest consolation to this day. 6 On 13 June 1855, Paki, her foster father died. Soon after a royal wedding was announced between Alexander Liholiho and Emma Rooke. The royal wedding took place on 19 June Honolulu was for a time the scene of a great festival and many parties. The ceremony filled the 5 FHL film History of Hawaiian Mission, written 15 Feb Hawaii s Story by Hawaii s Queen, Liliuokalani, Charles Tuttle Co., Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo, Japan, 1964 pp. 31 4

5 7 Kawaiahao church; and thereafter there were picnics, parties, luaus, and balls, without number. Each of the nations represented on the island, even the Chinese, gave its own special ball in honor of the wedding. Surely Mary Harris participated in one of the many events held then. Sadly Liliuokalani s mother Konia fell ill and on 2 July 1857 she died. The young girl was placed under the care of the Bishop family and when Liliuokalani was asked to marry by Prince William Lunalilo, Mr. Bishop asked the king if he thought it would be a good match, and the king recommended against it. Liliuokalani became engaged to the young man peeking over the fence, John O. Dominis, and after a two year engagement they were married on 16 September It was celebrated at the house of Mr. And Mrs. Bishop known as the Arlington Hotel. The house had been built by her father Paki, and is still considered one of the most beautiful mansions in Honolulu. In 1863 when Prince Lot, later known as Kamehameha V, was to be sworn into office he refused to take the oath to obey the current constitution. In 1864 a constitutional convention was called and he toured the islands to explain his new one. He listened intently to all the opinions of the delegates and on 13 August 1864 he dissolved the current constitution and installed one of his own writing, which stood in force for the next twenty-three years. King Kamehameha V died unexpectedly in December 1872 without naming a successor 7 Ibid, pp

6 to the throne. There became a political battle between several of the leading royal families and riots broke out in Honolulu s business section. Neither the police nor the Hawaiian guards could control the rioters and if Henry and Mary Harris still had their business in Honolulu they may have been affected by the riots. Queen Liliuokalani took over as heir apparent to be the ruler of Hawaii on 10 April She was later made ruler and then relinquished her position on 29 October During her reign, about early 1881 there occurred an outbreak of smallpox, coming to Hawaii from China. It had proven deadly in the past and this time every effort was made to confine it to a local area. Unfortunately the area in question was Honolulu. The disease ravaged the city but didn t spread beyond. There occurred eight hundred cases in the city and three hundred proved to be fatal. Is this what happened to Henry and Mary Harris? Only further research can tell. One last piece of Hawaiian history should be discussed. How did the United States gain control of Hawaii as a Territory? It is best to quote what the Queen had to say about it. A conspiracy against the peace of the Hawaiian Kingdom had been taking place since early spring th [1887]. By the 15 of June, prior to our return [to the islands], it had assumed a no less definite shape than the overthrow of the monarchy. For many years our sovereigns had welcomed the advice of, and given full representations in their government and councils to, American residents who had cast in their lot with our people, and established industries on the Islands. As they became wealthy, and acquired title to lands through the simplicity of our people and their ignorance of values and the new land laws, their greed and their love of power proportionately increased; and schemes of aggrandizing themselves still further, or for avoiding the obligations which they had incurred to us, began to occupy their minds. So the mercantile element, as embodied in the Chamber of Commerce, the sugar planters, and the proprietors of the missionary stores, formed a distinct political party, called the down town party, whose purpose was to minimize or entirely subvert other interests and especially the prerogatives of the crown, which, based on ancient custom and the authority of the island chiefs, were the sole guarantee of our nationality. Although settled [and living] among us, and drawing their wealth from our resources, they were alien to us in their customs and ideas respecting government, and desired above all things the extension of their power, and to carry out their own special plans of advancement, and to secure their own personal benefit.....king Kalakaua... freely gave his personal efforts to the securing of a reciprocity treaty with the United States, and sought the cooperation of the great and powerful nation, because he was persuaded it would enrich, or benefit, not one class, but in a greater or less degree all his subjects.....his investigations into the labor problems, which the success of the Hawaiian plantations demanded, [wanting to pay less to the workers] were all means to the same end, an increase of domestic prosperity. He succeeded and the joy of the majority was great. The planters were elated, the merchants were encouraged, money flowed into their pockets, bankrupt firms became wealthy, sugar companies declared fabulous dividends; the prosperity for which Kalakaua had so faithfully worked he most abundantly secured for his people, especially for those of foreign birth, or missionary ancestry, who had become permanent residents of Hawaii..... Some foresaw that this treaty with the United States might become the entering wedge for the loss of our independence. What would be the consequences should the Islands acquire too great a commercial attraction, too large a foreign population and interests? Would not these interests demand the protection of a flag backed by a great military or naval power? But Kalakaua, aware that under the provisions of international law no nation could attack us without cause, and relying on the established policy of our great ally, the United States, fully assured that no colonial scheme would find acceptation there Ibid, pp

7 It was not long before the King was forced to write a new constitution granting more powers to the men of foreign birth. This eventually resulted in establishing a new form of government called the House of Nobles in the late 1880's. This group eventually gained control of the Kingdom of Hawaii and forced military control over Hawaii. Several annexation commissions were sent to Washington that bypassed the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii and falsely represented themselves as having the approval of the royals of Hawaii At this point it was an easy objective to grant control of Hawaii as a Territory of the United States as the President of the United States, William Henry Harrison was duped into a lie! Remember, there was another ship Brooklyn person in Hawaii during this period, John Meirs Horner and his wife Elizabeth. See the chapter on the Horner family for detailed information. Suffice here to say that John was one of those fortunate planters that grew very wealthy in the sugar plantation business. He was not the same as the other farmers in that he treated his native Hawaiian workers fairly and with respect. He purchased land at fair prices, and proposed a monetary system that was adopted by the nobility. He was a trusted member of the House of Nobles and had great respect from the King and Queen. Returning to the story of Henry and Mary Harris. Henry traveled to the mines and tried his hand at gold mining but had little luck. He purchased a ranch property in Milpitas and opened a furniture and cabinet making shop. He found many profitable investment opportunities and soon found he was wealthy enough to retire. He wrote to his younger brother Nathaniel about the opportunities in California and in 1853, Nathaniel Harris and his wife Rebecca Parker arrived in Santa Clara and started ranching north of San Jose. Nathaniel also became quite wealthy. 9 Henry purchased a thirteen acre property of mostly prune orchards in Santa Clara in 1865 at 1889 Market Street and constructed a large 2 story wooden Italianate style house. The house and barn are still standing. They have been restored and are open to visitors as the Harris- Lass House Museum. 10 Side view showing attached kitchen Several views of the Harris-Lass Museum today 9 Evening News, Nathaniel Harris - Death of a Pioneer Resident of Santa Clara County, San Jose, Friday, May 4, Harris-Lass House Museum - 7

8 Front of House Restored barn originally built by Henry Harris Another view of the front. 8

9 Quoting from the Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara, who now owns and oversees the Harris-Lass House Museum. Henry Harris appears in the 1870 US Census as living in Santa Clara Township. The date indicates that he was then 51 years old, born in England, and living with his 56 year old wife Mary who was born in Scotland. Also living with them were their two California born children, 20 year old Miriam and 19 year old Albert. Henry s occupation is listed as Cabinet Maker and Mary s as Keeping House. Henry Harris also appears in the 1880 US Census still living in Santa Clara. His occupation is listed as Capitalist and he is 61 years old. His 65 year old wife Mary is still listed as Keeping House. Also still in the household are his 29 year old daughter Miriam, who is described as at home and his 28 year old son Albert who is described as an Orchardist. They had been raising and selling chickens, fruit, tomatoes and other vegetables. They built an attached kitchen that was used for canning, laundry and soap making during the warm summer months. The family thrived together until the death of Mary on 25 September

10 Mary was buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA. Her grave is located in Section B, Block 74, Lot 1, Grave 5. See photo of marker above. The family was greatly saddened by the loss of Mary and Henry seemed to have lost his spirit after her death. Henry and Miriam moved to a house in San Jose in 1886 and Albert operated the farm. Henry and Miriam continued living in San Jose until Henry s death 6 March His obituary appeared in the local The Evening News, on March 6, Here is a transcription of the article: The death of Henry Harris, a retired capitalist and one of the pioneers of this valley, occurred this morning at his residence, 415 West San Fernando street. He was a widower and leaves two children, Albert, a son, and Miriam, a daughter. Paralysis was the immediate cause of death. Deceased came to this State July 31, 1846, and for many years he resided in Santa Clara. He was a brother of the late Nathaniel Harris. He was a successful businessman, and had a wide reputation for integrity and honesty and his death is greatly regretted. 11 The following information was compiled by Harris descendants Keira Lockyer and Sue Woolf of Australia: Father: Jacob Harris, c , born in Prussia, died in London Mother: Catherine Phillips, Born c Surrey, London, England Religion: Born into a Jewish family but married out. His family may have followed the Presbyterian religion. Siblings: Nancy Ann (Solomons), Morris (Monny Harris, Sarah (Simmons), Elizabeeth (Chapman), and Nathaniel Harris who was also a pioneer in the San Jose region. Left England: Possibly 1839, but before 1845, for Australia, Chile and Mexico. Arrived California: July 31, 1846 [Ship Brooklyn was only vessel arriving that day in San Francisco] Occupation: Cabinet maker, Miner, farmer and then Capitalist. Married: Between late 1846 and early Wife: Mary Murray c of Aberdeen, Scotland. Children: Miriam E. Harris Unmarried. Albert married Ada M. Jordan and had one child Miriam A. (Blanchard). 12 We have also been fortunate to have available the hand written Will of Henry Harris. Transcribing the Will: I, Henry Harris of the County of Santa Clara, State of California, do hereby make and publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament, in he manner following, that is to say: I hereby revoke all Wills and codicils heretofore by me made. I give, devise and bequeath all of my property and estate of whatever king, character and description, and whatsoever situated unto my son Albert Harris and my daughter Miriam E. Harris, share and share alike. I hereby appoint my said son Albert Harris and my daughter Miriam E. Harris Executor and Executrix respectively of this my last Will and Testament, and I direct that no bonds be required of them or either of them as such Executor and Executrix. I declare I owe no debts, but should there any arise, I desire and direct that my Executor and Executrix pay the same out of my estate as soon as possible. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty-second day of November A.D The Evening News, San Jose California, March 6,

11 Henry Harris (Seal) 13 Henry Harris was buried by the side of his wife Mary in the Oak Hill cemetery at 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose. See photo of headstone above. The author is including the obituary for Henry s daughter Miriam as it shows her devotion to her mother and father. Biographical sketch of Miss Miriam Harris: A charming personality and a life that was characterized by filial devotion and care for others. After an illness of a few days Miss Miriam E. Harris died suddenly at her residence at No. 416 West San Fernando Street on Thursday night at 11:15. Miss Harris was the daughter of the late Henry Harris, a California pioneer of 1846 and Mary Harris and she was born in San Francisco December 21, In the early 1850s Mr. and Mrs. Harris came to this county and resided for some time on a ranch near Milpitas. Later they moved to Santa Clara where Miss Harris was placed in the University of the Pacific, where she completed her education. The mother of Miss Harris died seventeen years ago and the long suffering preceding her death was softened by the constant and loving care of her daughter. Fifteen years ago Henry Harris and his daughter moved to this city of San Jose and from that time to his death on March 6, 1899 she devoted her entire time and energies to her father being with him constantly and studying his every wish and ministering to all his wants. Since the death of her father, Miss Harris has commemorated his memory by devotion to her brother and his family and by many acts of unostentatious charity. Like her father she had a kindly thought and word for all, and the sweet and dignified simplicity and earnestness of her life and bearing won her admiration and affection of all who met her. Miss Harris leaves surviving her a brother, Albert Harris of Santa Clara, who was in New York when the sad news of his sister s death reached him. With his wife and daughter he immediately started for San Jose to pay his last tribute to the sister he loved so well. During the few days of her illness he Misses Percy and Julia Harris, cousins of the deceased were with her and were at her bedside when she died. The arrangements for the funeral will be perfected on the arrival of Albert Harris on Tuesday or Wednesday next. 14 Miriam Harris was buried next to her father and mother at the Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose, California. The author was able to confirm the burial of Miriam with a death date of 17 October 1901 and her marker is located on the rear of her parents marker. Albert is also buried next to his parents and is marked with a small stone. A copy of his death certificate was supplied by Bill Ballen and was supplied to the author. There is also an infant male child buried in the family plot with a death date given of 28 February The parentage of the infant is not known other than it is a Harris. This could have been a child of Albert Harris. The infant is buried in San Jose, Oak Hill Cemetery, 300 Curtner Ave. Section B, Block 74, Lot 1, Grave 1. Miriam is in grave 3, Henry in grave 4 and Mary Harris in grave 5. RHB Handwritten copy of the Will on file in the History San Jose Research Library & Collection Center 1661 Senter Road, San Jose, California 14 San Jose Mercury News, October 20, 1901, page 11 11

12 This shows Miriam E. Harris on the reverse side of her parents marker 12

13 Albert Harris Obituary - Courtesy of Bill Ballen 13