Second Generation

10. Eliza HARRIS was christened on 13 Apr 1836 in Black Torrington, Devon, England.⁵³ She was born about 1836 in England. She appeared in the census in Jun 1841 in Black Torrington, Devon, England, age 2. She died after 1906. She is reference number 78. Eliza Harris, who married William Knox, has proved to be the most illusive Harris descendent. There is a christening record in Black Torrington for Eliza on 13 Apr 1836. The 1841 census for Black Torrington shows her age as 2. If she was born around 1836 she would have been closer to 5 years old in 1841. The census also shows an older sister, Elizabeth, who is 15. There is a christening record Black Torrington for another Eliza, dated 5 Jul 1829. However, it is probable that the first Eliza was deceased prior to the birth of the second Eliza.

The 1850 census for John and Mary Harris in Clay, Onondaga County, New York, show an Elizabeth, age 13. This age matches much more closely the christening record from 1836. It is likely that this Elizabeth is the same person as Eliza. There is no further mention of the older Elizabeth after the 1841 census in Black Torrington. No manifest has been located for the trip to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, by the family. A further search of records in Hamilton may turn up further clues to Elizabeth and Eliza.

Miners 1906 History of Richland County, Pg. 463-4, which had information given by Eliza's brother, Thomas, indicates that Eliza is the husband of William Knox and they are living in Michigan in 1906. No search has turned up a couple that would match William and Eliza. No information is known about William Knox, other than his name, nor do we know where in Michigan they may have lived. A search has been done of the 1880 U.S. census and the 1881 Canadian census. No one that matches William and Eliza have yet been found.

William KNOX is reference number 2976.