Ben

Ben

• Ben was born circa 1817 in Georgia.
• He was known as Ben Harris.
• Although Ben Harris is not found in the Greenwood plantation records, it appears that he was part of Sarah Anne Harris Wood's household, based on some legal advice obtained related to Willis Breazeal Wood's estate: "That given to the wife before or during marriage is her seperate property, in which will be included Angus, Ben, Kizziah and her two children and Edmond. . ."
• He and Feraba were the parents of Ellen, Murphy and Jessie.
• Promissory Note from Green Wood to Bolling Hall, dated 5 January 1850
       Notation across text of the second page, “Cancelled, Bolling Hall, February 16th, 1855”
       State of Alabama, Montgomery County (Deed Book Vol. N, pages 382-383)
       Whereas I am indebted to the Estate of the late Doctor Thomas Brown in the sum of Thirty Eight Thousand five hundred and fifty four Dollars and thirty nine cents and to secure the evidence and payment thereof have executed to Bolling Hall Executor of the last will and testament of said Thomas Brown a note of which the following is a copy – “$38,554.39. Twelve months after date, I promise to pay Bolling Hall executor of the Estate of Thomas Brown Dec’d or bearer Thirty Eight Thousand five hundred and fifty four Dollars and thirty nine cents for value received with interest from date – January 5th 1850. “Green Wood.”
       Now, therefore, know all men by these Presents, that I Green Wood, for and in consideration of the premises, and to secure the payment of said sum of money in said note mentioned and also in consideration of the sum of One Dollar to me in hand paid by Bolling Hall at and before the Sealing and delivery of these Presents, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have bargained, sold and conveyed, and do by these Presents, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Bolling Hall the following named negroes slaves viz. Neptune & wife Pleasant and her two children Richmond & Butler; Henry and wife Crecy and her five children, Andrew, Sarah, Charles, Sandy and Mahala; Ned, Sylvy, Bill, Stephen, Turner, Warren, Granville; Little Bob and wife Eliza and their three children, Frank, Aleck and an infant not recollected, but believed to be Montgomery. Peter and his wife Darcas and her two children Dilsey and Charity, Peter Quarles, Ben, Hansel, Dave and wife Clarisa; Little Sam and Wife Fereby and her three children Beverly, Alfred and an infant name not recollected [Elbert]; Big Sam and wife Caroline; Jenny and her child Joe, John, Tom; Edmond and wife Ailsey; Maria and her two children Ann and Cass; Mary and her children Jerry, Morris, Sue, Rhoda, Wesley and Jane; Old Bill and wife Margaret and her children Len, Amanda, Harriet, Rose, Smith and an infant name not recollected [Frances]; Big Bob and wife Kizzy and her six children, Matilda, Ben, King, Lucey, Augustus and Cummings; Leah and her nine children Jim, Little Guilford, Archy, Chloe, Abraham, Satan, Jefferson, Dallas and Patsy, and Flora, a child of Patsey; Toby and Hannah and her children Ephraim, Rachel, and two other small children names not recollected; Daniel Adam and wife Caroline and her two children not recollecting their names [Mary and Thornton], and also her children Charles, Adam, Daniel and Oliver; And also another woman Letty. To have and to hold the above bargained and sold negroes to the said Bolling Hall, his executors, Administrators and assigns, Provided always and these presents and this Sale and Conveyance are upon the express condition, not if I the said Green Wood shall pay or cause to be paid and discharged the above mentioned debt with interest at Maturity of said note according to its tenor and effect, then this deed of conveyance and all and every interest title and estate in and to the above named negroes, Shall cease, determine, and be utterly null and void; but otherwise shall remain in full force and virtue. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and affixed my seal this the fifth day of January One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty. Signed sealed and delivered in presence of J. A. Elmore & W. Garrett. Green Wood [seal].
       The State of Alabama, City & County of Montgomery
       Personally appeared before me William Garrett, a commissioner duly commissioned & qualified a Commissioner to take proofs & acknowledgements of Deeds etc. executed in the State of Alabama, to be read or recorded in the State of Texas: Green Wood, the maker of the foregoing Deed to Bolling Hall, Executor etc. and executed the same by signing, sealing and delivering the same in my presence, on the same day that it bears date – given under my hand and seal this fifth day of January AD 1850. W. Garrett [seal], Commissioner.
• On Monday, 29 July 1861, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: Mr. Powell & his company left this morning for Virginia. Campbell Wood went off in fine spirits for the war. . . . Bob & Ben went with the waggon to Hempstead to carry Bagage.
       We must remember that Campbell was a youngster of eighteen, fresh from his training at Texas Military Institute.
• On Tuesday, 13 August 1861, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Started my Waggon (Ben driving) Doctor Campbell and Judge Goldthwaite Waggons to Nibletts Bluff Sabine river to meet Captain R. M. Powell & company & take them to Berwicks Bay."
• On Tuesday, 19 November 1861, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Started Ben Harris with 6 mule team to Houston."
• On Monday, 7 April 1862, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Capt. Wooldridge & company left this morning. Started a Waggon Ben (Harris) driving to red river Alexandria with Lieut. Hill and his recruits for Capt. Powell's company." And on Sunday, the 27th, "Ben got back with waggon from Alexandria, Lieut. Hill & [illegible], 3 weeks trip."
• On Monday, 30 June 1862, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Started a Waggon & 6 mules for Salt, Ben Driving, sent $80." And on Saturday, 13 July, "Ben got home from Matagorda, mules all safe, with 2700 lb salt, $75."
• On Thursday, 16 October 1862, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent Ben with mule team to Dunns Mill for ruffedge," and on Monday, the 27th, "Sent Ben with mule team for plank to Dunn's Mill."
• On Saturday, 20 December 1862, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Started 4 hands, Tom, Charles, Laurens & Ephraim to work on public defences. G. M. Wood was Overseer. In all sent from this neighbornood 15 hands." And on Wednesday, the 24th, "Ben returned from carrying baggage to Houston for the hands sent to work on defences."
• On Sunday, 30 July 1864, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Ben Got home yesterday with about 2400 lb Salt from Steans Saline, 17 days, all safe. Brot also 600 lb flour."
• On Saturday, 14 October 1865, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Waggon started to Houston last Teusday & got home to day, carried 5 Bales cotton, 6 mules, Ben Driver."
• On Saturday, 21 October 1865, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Started a Waggon with 5 Bales old cotton and one with 40 Bushels peas, Campbell Wood went with them," and on Wednesday, the 25th,"Ben got home from wagon from Houston."
• On Thursday, 2 November 1865, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mule Wagon with 5 Bales new cotton to Houston," and on Wednesday, the 8th, "Ben got home from Houston with the Wagon."
• Following emancipation, Ben adopted the name Benjamin Harris.
• On the voter registration list for Montgomery County, Danville Precinct, dated 6 August 1867: Frank Venable, Frank Venable, Daniel McLemore, Adam Moses, Ben Harris, Smith Barnes, Beverly Harris and Charles Moses.
• He married Feraba on 22 September 1867 in Montgomery County, Texas, with John E. George, JP, officiating.
• Ben and Feraba appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Danville, Montgomery County, Texas, enumerated next to Feraba's son Dan McLemore, who lived next to William Barnes Wood.. Other members of the household included Murphy, Jefferson, Susan and Mit. The identities of Jefferson, Susan and Mit are as yet unknown, although they likely are grandchildren.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1870 census.
• Ben became a widower at the between 1870 and 1880 death of his wife Feraba.
• Ben died circa 1880.
• Children of Feraba born between 1836 and 1854, were recorded by Green Wood.

• Last Edited: 18 Sep 2015