Thriller Thursday - Anderson K. Harris

Thriller Thursday is a daily blogging prompt used by many genealogy bloggers to help them post content on their sites. Are there murders, bizarre accidents or other thrilling stories among your family history? Tell us about them through words and pictures during Thriller Thursday.

Fleming Matthew Harris and Augusta Ann Harris had a son named...
...Gamewell Calhoun Harris who married Sarah Breakfield and they had a son named...
......Edward Boyd Harris who married Ida Mae Shaw and they had a son named...
.........Clyde Harris who married Mabel Louise Cohen and they had a son named...
............William Clyde Harris "Billy" who married Peggy Annette Prince and they had a son named...
...............Stan!

Fleming Matthew Harris and Augusta Ann Harris (they were first cousins) had 14 children. Gamewell Calhoun Harris was the 12th of 14 children. But this story is about 3 of his older brothers, James Marion Harris, Anderson Kennedy Harris and William Edward Harris.

James Marion Harris was born 1/18/1834 in Union County, SC. He married Sarah Ann Bevill in 1857 in Union County, SC. They had 3 children before he leaves for the Civil War: James Riley Harris, Edna Harris, and Joseph Oscar Harris.

William Edward Harris was born 12/29/1845 in Union County, SC. He never married. In the 1860 Census he is listed as an "Idiot" but he was able to fight in the Civil War so it's debatable as to what that means.

Anderson Kennedy Harris was born 4/16/1848 in Union County, SC. This story is about Anderson.

1850 U.S. Census of Union County, SC, Roll M432_859, Pg 108, Image 463, Lines 29-30 "Samuel Harris", Lines 31-35 "S. P. Harris", Lines 36-49 next page Lines 1-6 "James C. Harris", Lines 7-11 "Thomas Harris", Lines 22-32 "Mathew Harris"
Dwelling 299, Family 299, Harris, Samuel, 78 yrs old (DOB would be 1772), M(ale), W(hite), Tenant, Born in SC (?), Can read and write
Harris, Tryvena, 75 yrs old (DOB would be 1775), F, W, Born in SC (?)
Dwelling 300, Family 300, Harris, S.P., 45 yrs old (DOB would be 1805), M, W, Planter, $1500 Real Estate Value, Born in SC, Can read and write
Harris, Sophia, 35 yrs old (DOB would be 1815), Born in SC, Can read and write
Harris, James, 16 yrs old (DOB would be 1834), Born in SC, Labor, Attends school
Harris, Jane, 15 yrs old (DOB would be 1835), Born in SC, Attends school
Harris, William, 11 yrs old (DOB would be 1839), Born in SC, Attends school
Dwelling 301, Family 301, Harris, James C., 37 yrs old (DOB would be 1813), M, W, Planter, $2000 Real Estate Value, Born in SC, Can read and write
Harris, Frances, 35 yrs old (DOB would be 1815), F, W, Born in SC
Harris, Hesterann, 12 yrs old (DOB would be 1838), F, W, Born in SC, Attends school
Harris, Maryann, 10 yrs old (DOB would be 1849), F, W, Born in SC, Attends school
Harris, Both, 6 yrs old, M, W, Born in SC
Harris, Samuel, 4 yrs old, M, W, Born in SC
Harris, Frances, 2 yrs old, F, W, Born in SC
next page
Harris, James, 6/12 mos old, M, W, Born in SC
Shell, Nancy, 62 yrs old, F, W, Born in SC, Can read and write
Floyd, Hyram, 27 yrs old, M, W, Labor, Born in SC, Cannot read or write
Floyd, John, 14 yrs old, M, W, Can read & write
Richard (nln), 10 yrs old, M, (There is a check mark in the box which is different from all the others, indicates black?), Born in SC
Harris, Louvinier (sic), 8 yrs old, F, W, Born in SC
Dwelling 302, Family 302, Harris, Thomas, 60 yrs old, M, W, Planter, $350 Real Estate Value, Born in SC, Can read and write
Harris, Sarahann, 30 yrs old, F, W, Born in SC
Harris, Leticia, 18 yrs old, F, W, Born in SC, Can read & write
Harris, Benjamin, 14 yrs old, M, W, Born in SC, Attends school
Harris, Jefferson, 1 yrs old, M, W, Born in SC
Dwelling 303, Family 303
Dwelling 304, Family 304
Dwelling 305, Family 305 Harris, Matthew, 40 yrs old (DOB would be 1810), M, W, Planter, $125 Real Estate Value, Born in SC, Can read and write
Harris, Gustyann, 37 yrs old (DOB would be 1813), F, W, Born in SC
Harris, Cornelia, 19 yrs old (DOB would be 1831), F, W, Born in SC, Attends school
Harris, James, 17 yrs old (DOB would be 1833), M, W, Born in SC, Labor, Attends school
Harris, Catharine, 15 yrs old (DOB would be 1835), F, W, Born in SC, Attends school
Harris, Taylor, 11 yrs old (DOB would be 1839), F, W, Born in SC, Attends school
Harris, Eugenia, 9 yrs old (DOB would be 1841), F, W, Born in SC, Attends school
Harris, Fisherann (sic, should be Patricia Ann), 7 yrs old (DOB would be 1843), F, W, Born in SC, Attends school
Harris, Edward, 5 yrs old (DOB would be 1845), M, W, Born in SC
Harris, Anderson, 3 yrs old (DOB would be 1847), M, W, Born in SC

1860 U.S. Census of Union County,  South Carolina; Roll:  M653_1227; Page:  219; Image:  451; Family History Library Film:  805227, Lines 1-20, "John Harris" and "F.M. Harris"
John Harris, 61 yrs old (DOB 1799), M(ale), W(hite), Farmer, $1,500 Real Estate Value, $4,000 Personal Estate Value, Born in SC
Tabitha Harris, 62 yrs old (DOB 1798), F, W, Born in SC
Frances Bevel, 30 yrs old (DOB 1830), F, W, Born in SC
Iris Bevel, 6 yrs old (DOB 1854), F, W, Born in SC
John Bevel, 4 yrs old (DOB 1856), M, W, Born in SC
Fincher Harris (sic), 9 yrs old (DOB 1851), M, W, Student, Born in SC
Jahue Harris (sic), 18 yrs old (DOB 1842), M, W, Student, Born in SC
F.M. Harris, 50 yrs old (DOB 1810), M, W, Farmer, $125 Real Estate Value, $150 Personal Estate Value, Born in SC
Grstran Harris (sic, should be Augusta Ann Harris), 47 yrs old (DOB 1813), F, W, Born in SC
Frances Harris, 28 yrs old (DOB 1832), F, W, Born in SC
Taylor Harris, 20 yrs old (DOB 1840), M, W, Born in SC
Wyena Harris (sic), 17 yrs old (DOB 1843), F, W, Born in SC
Tesheran Harris (sic, should be Patricia Ann Harris), 15 yrs old (DOB 1845), F, W, Born in SC, Insane
Edward Harris, 13 yrs old (DOB 1847), M, W, born in SC, Idiot
Anderson Harris, 12 yrs old (DOB 1848), M, W, Born in SC
Havanah Harris, 9 yrs old (DOB 1851), F, W, Born in SC
Gamewell Harris, 7 yrs old (DOB 1853), M, W, Born in SC
George Harris, 5 yrs old (DOB 1855), M, W, Born in SC
Mary Harris, 6 yrs old (DOB 1854), F, W, Born in SC
Thomas Harris, 8 yrs old (DOB 1852), M, W, Born in SC

U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
Name: Anderson K. Harris
Side: Confederate
Regiment State/Origin: South Carolina
Regiment Name: 18 South Carolina Infantry
Regiment Name Expanded: 18th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry
Company: A
Rank In: Private
Rank In Expanded: Private
Rank Out: Private
Rank Out Expanded: Private
Film Number: M381 roll 14


James Marion, William Edward and Anderson Kennedy Harris joined the C.S.A. 18th SC Infantry Regiment, Co. A. The sad story is about William Edward and A.K. Harris who were at the seige of Petersburg. The Union troops had dug a tunnel beneath their position and set off an explosion that killed most of Co. A. After the explosion there was the Battle of the Crater. The explosion created a crater and the Union soldiers ran into the crater but, in the confusion, they didn't realize they were sitting ducks. Confederates rushed to the edge of the crater and began shooting into the mess. After the battle, A.K. became conscious. He was in a pile of dead bodies with his gun across his shoulders. He can hardly move but as he does, a Union soldier runs up and raises his gun to shoot A.K. but another one stops him from shooting a helpless and unarmed man. A.K. asks them to help him out and they do. Then he begins to look for his brother and saw William Edward's feet sticking out of the bodies. The Union soldier helped him get the body out and bury him and then took A.K. as prisoner. A.K. ends up at City Point Prisoner of War Camp and was transferred to Elmira Prisoner of War Camp in NY on 8/8/1864. He was released from Elmira on 7/7/1865 and he made his way home. He found out that his other brother, James Marion Harris had been killed right before the War ended at Burgess Mill, VA in April, 1865 on Lee's retreat to Appomattox.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy put together stories by veterans in "Recollections and Reminiscenses, 1861-1865 Thru WWI", Vol 6, Pg 329, Reminiscences as told by Anderson K. Harris to Mrs. J.W. Mixson
At the last celebration of Memorial Day in Union, SC, I met the bearer of the above name and he told me the following story: "I was behind the breastworks at Petersburg when the explosion of the mine occurred. When I came to myself I was lying on top of a pile of dead men in the crater (Petersburg Crater). I had evidently been left for dead along with the others for there was not a man in sight.
"I was pinned in, and could not move my feet at all, and my gun, or at least a gun, was lying across my neck and left side. After a while a young soldier in blue uniform came in sight; about this time, the gun on my neck began to feel very heavy and I made an effort to free my right arm sufficiently to push the gun off of my shoulders.
"Just then the Yankee raised his gun to fire at me, but almost instantly a big soldier stepped out from under cover and knocked up the young soldier's gun so that he fired into the air. The newcomer reprimanded the first solder for firing at a helpless man -- the boy explained that when he saw me move my hand toward the gun on my shoulder he thought I intended to shoot.
"I thanked the big solder for saving my life and begged him to help me get out of the hole into which I was tightly wedged by the forms of the dead men around me.
"I had nothing left to offer my rescuer but a chew of tobacco, but he seemed to appreciate it. After I got out, I was taken prisoner but requested my captors to allow me to examine the dead carefully to see if I could recognize any of them. Looking closely, I thought the legs of a solder seemed familiar -- the head and body were entirely covered by forms lying jumbled together, but the legs were straight in the air, he evidently having been thrown head foremost into the pit at the time of the explosion. The trousers leg was split, and I verified my suspicions as to the identity of the wearer by seeing the name, or rather the initials, on underclothes of my brother.
"Our mother had made the garments for us and marked them by working our initials in black threads on our 'smalls'. I secured permission to remove and bury my brother -- after which I was again taken into custody, and carried to prison."
Source: William Wallace Chapter, U.D.C., Union, SC

Civil War Prisoner of War Records, 1861-1865
Name: A K Harris
Side: Confederate
Roll: M598_113
Roll Title: Selected Records of the War Department Relating to Confederate Prisoners of War, 1861-1865

Name: A K Harris
Side: Confederate
Roll: M598_117
Roll Title: Selected Records of the War Department Relating to Confederate Prisoners of War, 1861-1865

Name: A K Harris
Side: Confederate
Roll: M598_65
Roll Title: Selected Records of the War Department Relating to Confederate Prisoners of War, 1861-1865

Name: A K Harris
Side: Confederate
Roll: M598_67
Roll Title: Selected Records of the War Department Relating to Confederate Prisoners of War, 1861-1865


1870 U.S. Census of Pickney,  Union County,  South Carolina; Roll:  M593_1510; Page:  504B; Image:  364; Family History Library Film:  553009, Lines 34-40, "F.M. Harris"
F.M. Harris, 60 yrs old (DOB 1810), M(ale), W(hite), Farmer, $1,000 Real Estate Value, $400 Personal Estate Value, Born in SC
Gustianna Harris (sic, should be Augusta Ann Harris), 57 yrs old (DOB 1873), F, W, Born in SC
Cornelia Harris, 39 yrs old (DOB 1831), F, W, Born in SC
Eugenia Harris, 24 yrs old (DOB 1846), F, W, Born in SC
Anderson Harris, 21 yrs old (DOB 1869), M, W, Born in SC
Havanna Harris, 17 yrs old (DOB 1853), F, W, Born in SC
Gamewell Harris, 16 yrs old (DOB 1854), M, W, Born in SC
Thomas Harris, 18 yrs old (DOB 1852), M, W, Born in SC
Mary Harris, 16 yrs old (DOB 1854), F, W, Born in SC

A.K. married Sallie Austin about 1874 (according to the 1900 Census) and they had a set of twins named Willie and Ollie Harris. But Anderson had an affair with his brother's widow, Sarah Ann Bevill Harris. She became pregnant and they had Robert Jackson Harris on 2/10/1872 in Union County, SC.

1880 U.S. Census of Pinckney,  Union County,  South Carolina; Roll:  1242; Family History Film:  1255242; Page:  599D; Enumeration District:  158, Lines 24-39, "Mattie Harris", "George Harris", "Anderson Harris"
Mattie Harris, W(hite), M(ale), 71 yrs old (DOB 1809), Head, Married, Farmer, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Gusta A. Harris, W, F, 67 yrs old (DOB 1813), Wife, Married, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Havana Harris, W, F, 29 yrs old (DOB 1851), Daughter, Single, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Gamewell C. Harris, W, M, 27 yrs old (DOB 1853), Son, Single, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Sallie C. Harris, W, F, 17 yrs old (DOB 1863), Dil, Single, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
E. Boyd Harris, W, M, 3 yrs old (DOB 1877), Grandson, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
James M. Harris, W, M, 11/12 mos old (DOB 4/1879), Grandson, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
William Fraser, W, M, 35 yrs old (DOB 1845), Son-in-law, Works in field, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Frances Fraser, W, F, 49 yrs old (DOB 1851), Daughter, Works in field, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
George Harris, W, M, 24 yrs old (DOB 1856), Head, Married, Farmer, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Mary A. Harris, W, F, 21 yrs old (DOB 1859), Wife, Married, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Anderson Harris, W, M, 32 yrs old (DOB 1848), Head, Married, Farmer, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Sallie Harris, W, F, 32 yrs old (DOB 1848), Wife, Married, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Oliver R. Harris, W, M, 12 yrs old (DOB 1868), Son, Worsk in field, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Willie E. Harris, W, M, 12 yrs old (DOB 1868), Son, Works in field, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC

According to the Union County, SC Death Notices from Early Newspapers 1852-1914, compiled by Tommy Vaughn, pg 12, 9/27/1878 (Union Times), "Henry Smith, son of Newell Smith, was killed by Anderson Harris on a difficulty Wednesday AM last (9/18/1878) on Mount Tabor Rd." In issue of 6/20/1879 Harris was found not guilty.


It seems that Anderson found Henry Smith teasing and making fun of James Marion and Sarah Bevill Harris' son, Joseph Oscar Harris. He demanded the man quit and he wouldn't, so Anderson hit the man with a pick ax killing him.

1900 U.S. Census of Main St, Union,  Union County,  South Carolina; Roll:  T623_ 1544; Page:  30A; Enumeration District:  78, Lines 36-37, "A.K. Anderson"
A.K. Anderson, Head, W(hite), M(ale), Born Apr, 1847, 53 yrs old, Married, 26 yrs, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC, Carpenter, Rents home
Mrs. A.K. Anderson, Wife, W, F, Born Sept, 1847, 52 yrs old, Married, 26 yrs, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC

1910 U.S. Census of Glenn Springs,  Spartanburg County,  South Carolina; Roll:  T624_1472; Page:  5B; Enumeration District:  79; Image:  658, Lines 76-77, "A.K. Harris"
A.K. Harris, Head, M(ale), W(hite), 62 yrs old (DOB 1848), 2nd marriage, Married 63 yrs (?), Born in SC, Both parents born in SC, Farmer of general farm
Sallie Harris, F, W, 63 yrs old (DOB 1849), 1st marriage, Married 63 yrs (?), 4 children with 2 still living, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC

1920 U.S. Census of Gist Bridge and Cidalia Rd, Union,  Union County,  South Carolina; Roll:  T625_1713; Page:  1A; Enumeration District:  143; Image:  902, Lines 14-15, "Anderson C. Harriss" (sic)
Anderson C. Harriss, Head, Rents farm, M(ale), W(hite), 71 yrs old (DOB 1849), Married, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC, Farmer of general farm
Sara Harriss, Wife, F, W, 72 yrs old (DOB 1848), Married, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC

Anderson Kennedy Harris died 3/26/1938 and is buried at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Union County, SC. At this time I don't know when Sallie Austin Harris died. I would assume she is buried with Anderson Harris at Wesley Chapel.
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