Arthur HARRIS

                   We begin our history of Arthur Harris who was born in Plymouth, Devon, England.  His date of birth is uncertain, with somesources saying 1599, and others saying 1610. He came to Bridgewater, Massachuttes in 1625 and was granted lands in Duxbury in 1640.  He was only fifteen at the time he came to the New World.  We know nothing, at this point, as to how he came.  Perhaps he sailed with his parents, or as a child ordered by the courts under someone else's care.  This needs further study.

He was one of the original proprietors of Bridgewater, and first settlers of West Bridgewater in 1652.  He married Martha Winslow, perhaps in 1630 or 1640 (more likely).  Arthur moved back to Bridgewater, from West Bridgewater, and then to Boston, where he died 10 Jun 1674.  Martha died on 28 Dec 1699 and they are both buried in Kings Chapel Burial Ground, in Boston.  Arthur and Martha had at least four children.

A reference says that Robert Latham "brought a suit for slander against Arthur Harris on March 2, 1668 at Plymouth, Massachuttes."  Robert was the father of Mercy, who married son Isaac, and he later petitioned the court for relief of the neglect of his daughter.

The Winslow family were part of the Mayflower group, and we meet the granddaughter of John Winslow,  Mercy Latham, in a moment.  No connection between Martha and the Mayflowers Winslow's has yet to be established, but this is being explored.

There are a number of conflicting references regarding Arthur Harris' wife, as well as the date of Arthur's death. His wife's firs name was Martha, but her las name is not always certain.  New England Marriages Prior to 1700, pg 345, lists "Arthur Harris(-1774) mar Martha (?Lake/Winslow?) in 1630 or1640. living at Roxbury, Boston, Duxbury and  Bridgewater."  Charles Pope in The Pioneers of Massachusetts, pg 241 makes a reference to "Arthur Harris (aka Harrison) of Duxbury, at about 1643. Propr. 1 Jun 1640.  He resided at Boston.  Will dated 17 Mar 1673, probated 7 Jul 1674, bequested to eldest son Isaac, son Samuel, and daughter Mary; rest to wife who was to care for other children.  THe son Samuel died in 1678 and bequested to his wife Hannah, his brother Isaac, sisters Mary Snell and ...Winchcorne, and their children."  On the same page in this source is a reference to "Thomas Harris, fisherman, seaman of Ipswich, married Martha Lake 15 Nov 1647."  James Savage, in A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, pg. 360 lists: "Arthur Harris, Duxbury 1640, was earlier settler of Bridgewater, but rem to Boston, there died 19 Jun 1774, leav. wife Martha and child Isaac, who live at Bridgewater; Samuel; Martha, who mar. Tomas Snell, and Mary, who Mar. John Winchcomb.