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1. SUBJECT:

William C. Harrison Home.

2. LOCATION:

On eastern end of present Post Office and Federal Court Lot, fronting on East Elizabeth Street.

3. DATE:

1840-41.

4. OWNERS:

• A part of Thomas Harrison Inclusive Survey, 1773—probably Robert and Reuben Harrison.
• William McMahon, probably from Reuben Harrison, deed not recorded.
• Trustees of Cooks Creek Presbyterian Church from William McMahon $350.00 for naked lot of ½ acre, on which church and Manse were built. Deed for same June 23, 1840, B.R. Deed Book 14, page 171.
• T.Z. Offutt from William H. Effinger, Commissioner, December 28, 1867, $3,300. Lot and Improvements. Deed Book 24, page 429. Deed not yet made by the Court.
• William C. Harrison from J.N. Gordon, $4,500. Deed Book 24, page 429. About 1868.
• The United States from William C. Harrison, June 30, 1884, $4,000.

1. DESCRIPTION:

Not possible, except to say tat it was of brick construction, square plan and said to be an eight room house. Removed by Mr. Harrison when the lot was sold to the United States in 1884.

2. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

This house was built by the Cooks Creek and Harrisonburg congregations of the Presbyterian Church, as their Parsonage or Manse, known as the "New School" branch when the Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg divided in 1838. Another change was made on the part of the "New School:" branch about 1865-66 when the Harrisonburg members of the Cooks Creek congregation united again with the "Old School" or as they had been known with the Presbyterian Church of Rockingham, when the property was divided, the Cooks Creek congregation retaining the east end of the plot upon which stood the brick church which had been built about 1840-41 by the "New School" or Cooks Creek and Harrisonburg congregations. The Harrisonburg members of the Cooks Creek Church were those living in the town and nearby and had been large subscribers to the purchase of lot and building of the church and manse, hence the division of the property in 1865-66 when they again became members of the old school, or the church of Rockingham.

William Cravens Harrison (1803-1888) was the son of Reuben Harrison, "Proprietor of Harrisonburg" and wife, Mary, born in Harrisonburg, November 9, 1903, married at the old Daniel Matthews home, Locust Grove, Mildred Linza Williams, the daughter of George Henson Williams, born November 25, 1809, died August 30, 2024 and wife Elmira Mildred was born March 27, 1838.

William Harrison married somewhat late in life. He made his home in Harrisonburg, and following his death his family removed to Eastern Virginia, in or near Emporia. His death occurred on January 16, 1888. His wife died December 8, 1909. Their children were three; Myra, resides at Warrenton, North Carolina, owner of two of the original land patents to Thomas Harrison, founder of Harrisonburg, the first for two hundred and fifty-eight acres, the second for one thousand two hundred and ninety acres. George, residing at Warrenton, North Carolina, 1930. Bruce residing at Warrenton, North Carolina, 1930.

 

 

 

 

William C. Harrison Home

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