Some Descendants of James Harper of MA

SOME DESCENDANTS OF JAMES HARPER
OF NEW ENGLAND
© Copyright 2001 by Virginia Deagan. However material on these pages may be freely used for personal research. Please contact me before using the material on other web pages.

This is the line from James Harper that descend from. I do not have much information on the other families in this file but will be glad to share anything I have with others who are interested in this family. Feel free to let me know of any corrections or additions to this family. I have placed some of my sources at the end of this page. E-mail to Ginny Deagan (NEW E-MAIL:[email protected])


1. James Harper came from Derry in Northern Ireland to this country with his four sons. They came with the colonists, led by Capt. Robert Temple, in 1718. His birth, death, and parents are not known. There was a James Harper who came from Linniuady, Newton Parish, Derry and married Jannett Lewis there but it is not known if this is the same person who came to America. James lived in Maine until at least 1725. Children of James Harper:
  1. William Harper . Wife was Rachel. Died Oct 1774, probably in Oakham, MA

  2. Moses Harper. He was probably the Moses who married Jane Hill 16 May 1723 in Boston (not verified).

  3. Joseph Harper

  4. John Harper


2. William Harper was born in Derry, Ireland. He came to America with his father and three brothers in 1718. William was assigned a lot in Topsham, Maine but he forfeited it. He did stay in Maine for a few years and served for 22 weeks and 1 day in Capt. John Giles' company at Fort George, Brunswick in 1722 as "Centinel". He apparently left Maine shortly after that time. His wife was named Rachel. Her surname is unknown.

William moved to Concord, MA and later bought land in Oakham, Worcester County, MA on 25 March 1742. William died in Oakham. His will was written 7 September 1774 and filed on 31 October 1774. Children of William and Rachel Harper:

  1. Jean Harper . Marr. Alexander McFarland

  2. George Harper, b. before 1722. Marr. Catherine Boyd . Died between 10 April and 6 May 1776.

  3. Sarah Harper , b. abt. 1717. Marr. 16 Dec 1736, James Henderson .

  4. Rachel Harper . Marr 31 Jan 1754, George Dunn of Oakham, MA. Died between 1802 and 1805.


3. Sarah Harper . See Henderson Descendants

4. George Harper , b. bef. 1822, probably at Topsham, Maine. He moved to Oakham, MA with his father in 1742. He was married 8 September 1743 in Brookfield, MA to Catherine Boyd . He died between 10 April and 6 May 1776 and left a will. Catherine was still living in 1784 when she signed a deed with her son, George, Jr.

Children of George and Catherine (Boyd) Harper: (May be more children- especially daughters)

  1. John Harper , b. 28 Apr 1744. Marr. 20 Dec 1764, Mary Bothwell . Served in the Revolutionary War. He moved to Kingsbury, Washington County, NY and then to Junius, Seneca County, NY where he died abt. 1819 at age 75.

  2. Robert Harper , b. 12 Feb 1748. Marr. Sarah McFarland in 1766. Served in the Revolutionary War.

  3. George Harper, Jr. , b. 29 Aug 1758. Marr. 18 Sep 1783, Ruth Wolcott of New Braintree, MA. Served in the Revolutionary War. Moved to Windsor, Broome Co. and became a judge. Died in Windsor in 1837.

  4. Benjamin Harper , b. 18 August 1762. Twin. No further information.

  5. Joseph Harper , b. 18 August 1762. Twin of Benjamin. Served in Revolutionary War. Marr. 13 Dec 1781, Abigail Bacon of New Braintree, MA. Moved to western NY and then to Huron Co. Ohio where he died.


SOURCES

Soldiers of Oakham, Massachusetts, Henry Parks Wright. 1914. p.96 and 97.

History of Oakham, Massachusetts pp. 761 - 766.