John HARRIS

                   Founded Mifflintown in 1790.
Active in organizing the Mifflin County Sep 19, 1789.
Was reportedly the greatest PA Harris of his century.
A deeply religious man, probably a Presbyterian elder.
Settled on the Swatara; moved to MD. (I think that's what it says), on the farm next to Thomas Harris; bought this farm on 27 Dec 1760, and sold it (in 2 sections) Apr 12 and 19, 1773.
Became Justice of the PEace there.
Moved to Juniata River, PA, in 1774 or 1775.
He was a leading spirit in the Carlisle Conference of Jul 12, 1774, to sympathize with the Bostonians.
He was in the Provincial Conference at Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia on Jun 18, 1776, and at the subsequent convention of Jul 15 - 28, 1776.
He was appointed sub-lieutenant of Cumberland County on Mar 12, 1777.
He was in the assempbly 1777 to 1781, and 1784.
He was Commissioner at New Haven (Nov 22, 1777) to regulatethe commodities.
He was for gradual abolition of slavery on Mar 1, 1780.
Appointed Justice of the PEace in 1779.
He was in the state convention 1787 - 1789 which adopted the constitution of the U.S.
Sketches of him are found in : Penna Magazine (Vol III, pp 438-9), History of Juniata and Susquehanna Valleys (pp 701, 701), Centennial Hisrtory of Carlisle Prebytery (VOl I, pp 319-20), Juniata Sentinel of Feb 16, 1878, and Pennsylvania and the Federal Constitution, 1787-1788, edited by John Bach McMaster and Frederick D. Stone (1888).
John Harris' memoir is given on p 733, of the last named book, his vote against the constitution on pp 425-426, his remarks at the close on p 428, and the reasons for dissent by the 1/3 minority on pp 454-482.
Several of the sketches have his death as Feb 24th, however, the family bible and his monument has Feb 28th.