The Harrison Family Connection

All of the identified Virginia Drapers from the 1800’s known to have Harrison in their name are all descendants of Solomon Draper Sr., William Franklin’s great grandfather. Thirteen are identified, and seven are named John Harrison Draper.

THE HARRISON
 

LINEAGE

John Harrison Draper, 1787

(William D. Sr., Solomon Sr.)

William Harrison Royster, 1795

(Frances, Solomon Sr.)

Charles Harrison Royster, 1800

(Elizabeth, Solomon Sr.)

John Harrison Draper Sr., 1803

(Solomon Jr., Solomon Sr.)

John Harrison Draper, 1821

(Martin, Solomon Jr., Solomon Sr.)

John Harrison Draper Jr., 1832

(John Harrison Sr., Solomon Jr., Solomon Sr.)

John Harrison Draper, 1842

(Thomas J., William D. Jr., William D. Sr., Solomon Sr.)

John Harrison Draper, 1851

(William F., Martin, Solomon Jr., Solomon Sr.)

Samuel Harrison Draper, 1860

(John Harrison, Martin, Solomon Jr., Solomon Sr.)

Lillian Harrison Draper, 1870

(John Harrison, Martin, Solomon Jr., Solomon Sr.)

James Harrison Draper, 1874

(John Harrison, Thomas J., William D. Jr., William D. Sr., Solomon Sr.)

John Harrison Draper, 1883

(John Harrison, Thomas J., William D. Jr., William D. Sr., Solomon Sr.)

Edgar Harrison Draper, 1902

(William Robert, William Meredith, Thomas J., William D. Jr., William D. Sr., Solomon Sr.)
 

It isn’t necessary for there to be a John Harrison in the past. All four of Solomon Sr.’s children used Harrison with one of their sons.  Solomon Jr. could have named his second son after his nephew, William Sr.’s son. Solomon Jr.’s other son, Martin, could have named his first son  after his brother, and Martin’s other son William Franklin might have named his second son after his brother. But it’s still likely the first Harrison was a family member, and possibly the surname of a wife.
 

There were Harrison families in Richmond, Amelia, Mecklenburg, and Franklin counties, but none seem to have any connection to Solomon. His wife’s name was Elizabeth, but there are no records of her maiden name, and there are no records of an Elizabeth Harrison in any of the known Harrison families. One source claims Elizabeth’s surname was Davey, but there are no records of an Elizabeth Davy or Davey. But Solomon knew somebody named Harrison, and they were important enough for each of his four children to honor the name.
 

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