306 Thomas Harris and Mary Lemaster Family Tree

Thomas and Mary Harris were both in their 30s when they married in 1867. And both had come from families which knew a lot of sorrow in the early deaths of many of their family members. Thomas was the third generation in the Harris family who was named for an older brother who died prior to his own birth.

Mary Oliver LeMaster married Jacob Henry Alley, a shoe cutter and son of Henry W. and Elizabeth Alley of Lynn, Massachusetts on 25 Nov 1852. Their first daughter Mary Elizabeth was born a few months later on 2 March 1853 and died of croup in Marblehead on 18 Nov 1857. Their second daughter Lizzie was born in Marblehead on 18 April 1858. Jacob Alley enlisted as a Private in Company H, 8th Infantry Regiment Massachusetts on 30 Apr 1861. He died of disease in Washington DC on 12 Mar 1862 in Company H, 20th Infantry Regiment, leaving Mary a widow with a child and a small military pension. Although Jacob's military record indicates he enlisted in the Union Army on 15 Apr 1861, the 1860 Federal Census, taken in April of 1860, indicates that Mary and their daughter Lizzie were living with her father George Lemaster. Husband Jacob Alley cannot be found in the 1860 census, which was taken a year before he enlisted in the Army. It appears that the couple was separated at the time.

Thomas Martin Harris (a shoe manufacturer working in his father's firm, Joseph Harris & Sons) and Mary Oliver Lemaster Alley were married on the 17 Jun 1867 by a Salem clergyman Reverend Spaulding. As with his parents, who both shared a maternal ancestry to a single family (the Pedericks/Pedricks), Thomas and Mary also shared a common maternal ancestry link in that both their mothers were descended from Martins within two generations. Thomas was 36 at the time of his first marriage, and Mary was 33 at the time of her second. Their first child Martha M. was born about a month and half after their marriage. In a time and locale where young people commonly married at 18 to 20, Thomas' extended bachelorhood was somewhat unusual (Mary and Jacob married at 18 and 19). If the records are correct, and they appear to be, the couple took several months to decide to marry once their first child was conceived.

Their daughter Mary Oliver was born a year and half later in October 1869 and then Thomas Martin Jr. two years later in October 1971. When the 1870 Federal Census was taken, Thomas and his wife with Lizzie and their two daughters were living in Marblehead and had a 19-year-old domestic servant. The 1880 Federal Census finds them with the addition of Thomas Jr. living in Philadelphia with a 16-year-old domestic servant Anna from Germany and a 42-year-old male servant Thomas Van Hagan (born in New York).

Thomas' father Joseph had died in 1870, and sometime between the two censuses, the family relocated to Philadelphia, taking at least part of the family business with him.

Thomas’ brother John F. Harris appears to have been the head of their father’s firm after Joseph's death.Thomas' older brother (the two were two years apart in age), Richard Pedrick Adams Harris, his wife Lucy, and their three children Annie, Willie, and Peter were also in Philadelphia at the time the 1880 Census was taken. (On the 1880 Census, Richard gave his profession as "shoe manufacturer", and under disabilities, listed "kidneys.") We know that Richard endeavored to expand his investments because the Grand Jury in Philadelphia charged him in 1878 with fraudulently incorporating a wool manufacturing enterprise.

Thomas set up his own shoe manufacturing firm in Philadelphia. As of the strike in 1884, he employed about 300 men, women, and children. Some of the ad slogans for his enterprise survive on the Internet and are quoted below:

Buy Harris' wedgeheels ... Thomas M. Harris & Co. Philadelphia

Ha, ha!! John, give it up it won't yield. ... Thomas M. Harris &Co. ... Philadelphia ... S.H. Powers, wholesale dealer, 132 Duane St. N.Y

It doesn't move ... Thomas M. Harris & Co. Trade marks reg. Aug.1882 & July 1884 ... Philad'a. ... S.H. Powers, New York City

Standard shoes. ... Thomas M. Harris & Co

See also the photos of the ad cards below, which were printed in about 1886, and survive as collectibles to this day.

In June of 1884, the employees' union of his firm called a strike which ended in November.

Marriages of Their Children:

Lizzie Alley was going by the name Lizzie Harris on the 1880 census, when she was 21. The notice in the Philadelphia Inquirer indicates she may have married a man named David W. Hinds in 1895.

Martha Harris and Samuel Ruggles Henderson, our direct ancestors, were married in Philadelphia in 1885. They had four children: Harris (who died before he was a year old), Joseph Harris, Samuel Ruggles, Jr., and Marto Henderson.

Thomas M. Martin Jr. may have married Mary McGuinley on 17 Dec 1896.

Mary Oliver Harris married Senator Edward S. Lee of Atlantic City, New Jersey on 25 Jun 1903, and had their one (known) child, Robert Harris Lee on 30 Mar 1904. (In a striking coincidence, Senator Lee was a political rival of Commodore Louis Kuehnle, an uncle on the side of Florence Kuehnle, who married Martha Harris Henderson's son Joseph Harris Henderson.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a Thomas M. Harris and Mary E. Harris received a divorce decree from the Court in July of 1902. I don't know for certain that this is our Thomas M. Harris, but if he is the one who married Ms. McGuinley, then they were divorced five years after their marriage.

Mary Oliver Harris Lee and her husband are both buried with her sister Martha Harris Henderson at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Unfortunately, no census information can be found on Lizzie or Thomas Jr. which would assist in verifying that the newspaper articles refer to our particular Lizzie and Thomas Jr. The family of Joseph Harris Henderson has the wedding invitation for his parents Samuel and Martha, which substantiates the date of their marriage. The existence of a military enlistment record tells us that Thomas Jr. served in the military and was discharged with a rating of "Excellent." And we know from that enlistment record and his passport application that he had either blue or light gray eyes.

A Philadelphia Directory from 1895 has a listing for Thomas Harris Sr. sharing an address with his son-in-law, Samuel Henderson.

Martha Harris Henderson died in 1899 when her three surviving children were still young.

Thomas M. Harris and his wife Mary Oliver Lemaster Harris were listed on the Federal Census in 1910 living in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Since they cannot be found on the 1920 census, I'm guessing that they both died between the two census years. Their grandson Joseph Harris Henderson, who bears the name of both his maternal grandfather Joseph Harris as well as that of his paternail grandfather Joseph Henderson, settled in Egg Harbor City, 17 miles outside of Atlantic City, where he met his future wife, Florence Henderson Kuehnle. I wish I knew what happened to the Harris/Henderson relationships following the death of Martha Henderson. Did he visit with his grandparents and his aunts and uncle while they lived in Atlantic City?

Notice in the Salem Register about Mary LeMaster's marriage to Jacob Alley

The Military Record for American Civil War Soldier, Jacob Alley, Mary Oliver LeMaster's first husband:

Thomas M. Harris and his family were traced initially through the Federal Census records. Using the knowledge that his daughter Martha was in Philadelphia when she married Samuel Henderson the 1885, the 1880 census record was located. On this record was found the information that Martha, her parents, and her siblings had all been born in Massachusetts. With this knowledge, expanded information about the family could be obtained. The census record for 1870 below finds the family (Thomas Jr. had not yet been born) still in Marblehead.

Thomas M. Harris and his family were traced initially through the Federal Census records. Using the knowledge that his daughter Martha was in Philadelphia when she married Samuel Henderson the 1885, the 1880 census record was located. On this record was found the information that Martha, her parents, and her siblings had all been born in Massachusetts. With this knowledge, expanded information about the family could be obtained. The census record below is the first census record that was found.. The family was living in Philadelphia, and we see our ancestor Martha at 13 years of age.

Below are three advertising cards printed for Thomas M. Harris & Co. Notice that in the third one, a drawing of the factory is included. After discovering the news article about the workers' strike, I'm guessing the factory may have been this large.

Ad Card 3

Ad Card 2

Ad Card

Notice of a real estate sale by Thomas Harris. Was this the factory?

Not long after he was indicted by the Philadelphia Grand Jury for fraudulently incorporating a woolen corporation, Thomas's brother Richard Pedrick Adams Harris died. The article below deals with the administration of his estate, in which a debt to Thomas is listed. We know from the article that Richard's wife Lucy died within a couple of months of her husband.

VARIOUS INFORMATION ABOUT THE GROWN CHILDREN OF THOMAS AND MARY OLIVER HARRIS:

Daughter Mary Oliver Harris served as a bridesmaid at a "notable Philadelphia" wedding.

The 1910 Census shows Thomas and Mary Oliver Harris in Atlantic City.

An article on Mary Oliver Harris's husband Edward Lee.

This entry for Edward S. Lee (coincidentally) appears immediately below the entry for our ancestor Louis Kuehnle, Sr. in this Daily union history.

According to his entry in the Political Graveyard, Edward Lee was a member of the New Jersey State senate from Atlantic County, 1902-07. While Senator, he was appointed the head of a commission to discover the circumstances surrounding a tragic train accident which killed over 50 people in Atlantic City. Senator Lee is listed in several newspaper articles at Genealogybank.com from the time of his public service.

An advertisement has a photo of Edward Lee (right)

Passport Application for Mary Oliver Lee and her son Robert Harris Lee filled out in 1924 after her husband's death:

We also know from his passport application that Mary's son Robert Harris Lee was born on 30 Mar 1904 in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey. On the following Appendix page is a Federal Census which shows the couple living in Atlantic City with their son Robert.

Additional (unconfirmed information) was found on some Internet family trees. I am hopeful that some of Robert's descendants will find our shared family tree in Ancestry.com (I can tell that they believe Mary Oliver Harris' maiden name was Mary Oliver).

Robert graduated from Princeton University in 1924. In an undeterminable school's Record of the Class of 1924, we find this entry:
"ROBERT HARRIS LEE    S. Kingston Ave., Atlantic City, N. J. Born Atlantic City. N. J., 
March 30, 1904. Entered Freshman year from ? Winchester School. Bob left us at the end 
of Rhinie year for Princeton, thereby depriving the class of a first class math shark, 
and a stalwart opponent of required gym work. 


His performances in this latter pastime were surpassed only by the antics of Jim Smith.
Bob always emitted the loudest and longest laugh at F(x)'s jokes, even if he was the only
one laughing." 

          
The New York Times reported on December 24, 1933 that "R. H. Lee" was to marry Florence Fell. Florence was the daughter of Robert Gratz Fell and Florence Addams Fell. Florence's parents themselves were the center of a rather sensational incident in Philadelphia. Robert's first wife left the house with their 18-month-old son Robert Gratz Fell, Jr. following an altercation during a party at their home. They were divorced soon afterwards, and Robert Sr. married Florence Addams, who had been present at the same party. Florence's daughter Florence was born in 1909 in Philadelphia and died there in 1995.

"The New York Times December 24, 1933

R. H. LEE to Wed FLORENCE FELL

Special to the New York Times

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 23, - MR. and MRS. ROBERT GRATZ FELL of this city haveannounced the engage ment of their daughter, MISS FLORENCE A. FELL, to ROBERT H. LEE, son of MRS. EDWARD S. LEE an d the late MR. LEE. The marriage will take place in April.

MISS FELL attended MISS MOXLEY's School in Rome. She is a member of the Junior League. MR . LEE was graduated from Princeton in 1924. He belongs to the Racket and University Clubs of Philadelphia."

Robert and Florence Lee had three children; 1) Robert Harris Lee, Jr., 2) Joan (who married John Kremer 3rd) in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania in 1961, and 3) Mary Oliver (who married Bukk G. Carleton. Joan and John Kremer had a daughter Ellen Addams Kremer, who married Robert George Christian, Jr.

A notice of Robert Sr.s death appeared as copied below:

ROBERT HARRIS LEE Special to The New York Times.

PHILADELPHIA, . April .3 -- Robert Harris Lee, a partner in Drexel Co.,investment bankers, died here today. He was 52. Graduated from Princeton in 1924.
April 4, 1956

The following is an article on Robert Harris Lee, Jr. from the Princeton Reach-Out 56-81 website:

Bob Lee was born in London, England on December 21, 1934, is the son of Robert Harris Lee, Sr., and Florence Fell Lee. He has two younger sisters, Joan and Mary. Before coming to Princeton, Bob attended Episcopal Academy in Overbrook, Pennsylvania, where participated in student government, debating, football and track.

Bob majored in History at Princeton and wrote his thesis on a successful lawyer, Senator George Wharton Pepper. He was a member of the Pre-Law Society. Bob joined Colonial Club during his sophomore year. He was a member of the Army R.O.T.C. and spent the summer of 1955 in the R.O.T.C. Camp, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During his senior year Bob roomed in 123-1903 Hall with Bill Brown and “Tap” Soper.

Attended Middleberry College for MA in American British Lit. As a professional he worked at Episcopal Academy, Merion PA, where in 1957 to 1980 served as English teacher from the 7 to the 12th grade. From 1966 to 1976 he was the Chair of the English department. In 1975 to 1980 he was the Director for upper school of 9 through 12fth grade. From 1980 to 1982 he worked on curriculum research, as editor bicentennial school history and in the Executive Secretary Bicentennial Steering Committee, from 1987 to today, he is a Trustee, Emeritus Trustee.

In his Non-Episcopal time, from 1982 to 1983 he was the Admissions Assistant At Princeton University. From 1983 to 1988, he partnered with Lenox Associate as Educational Consultants. In boards other than Episcopal, in 1996 to 2002 he was involved in the History Society of PA and from 1996 to today, he is involved in Princeton Club of Philadelphia. He is now married with two children.

(If any of Robert Harris Lee's descendants find this information, please don't hesitate to contact me).

1920 Census Information for the Lee Family:

Passport Application for Thomas M. Harris, Jr.

Thomas Jr. served briefly in the military. His record of enlistment shows that he was discharged with an excellent service record.

Thomas was found in Atlantic City in 1934, when he applied for Veteran's Compensation.

Parents
	420 Joseph Harris	Martha Martin
	1794 - 1870	1799 - 1866

Parents
	425 George Lemaster	Mary Oliver Martin
	1793 - 1878	1799 - 1844

Relationship Events:
25 Nov 1852	Marriage	Jacob Henry Alley to Mary Oliver Lemaster in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
2 Mar 1853	Birth	Mary Elizabeth Alley in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
18 Nov 1857	Death	Mary Elizabeth Alley in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
30 Apr 1858	Birth	Lizzie Alley in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
30 Apr 1861	Death	Jacob Henry Alley in Washington DC while serving in the Union Army of the Civil War
25 Apr 1867	Marriage	Thomas Martin Harris to Mrs. Mary Oliver Lemaster Alley in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts, USA

CHILDREN:
	203 Martha M. (Martin?) Harris	b. 17 June 1867 in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 23 Jun 1899 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA	m.	Samuel Ruggles Henderson b. 29 May 1865 In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; d. 23 Mar 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA	Four children: Harris (died as an infant); Joseph Harris, Samuel Ruggles, Jr., and Marto Henderson
	Mary Oliver Harris	b. 3 Oct 1869 in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; d. 18 Sep 1963	m.	Edward S. Lee (Senator), b. 1858 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, d. 26 Aug 1920 in Ventnor, New Jersey	One child: Robert Harris Lee
	Thomas Martin Harris, Jr.	b. 1871 in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; d. ?	m.	Mary E. McGuinley ? Divorced 5 years later ?	Living, single without dependents in 1934 in Atlantic, City, New Jersey.