Collectors: Vintage Valentine’s Day Cards

he found a broken tombstone and thought I would want to see it. Somehow he had heard about me and read some of my columns in my local newspaper regarding my William Harris.” Stephen followed the directions given to him and after traipsing around the fields near Carters Falls he noticed a pair of cedar trees just over a rise and gravestones resting underneath the shade. Stephen had finally found the piece of the puzzle: The marble marker read...Wm. Harris, 10 Va. Mil. Rev. War

“My g, g, g, g, Grandfather had a front row seat in the American Revolution with Washington at Boston, New York, Trenton, Valley Forge, Brandywine, Morristown and Monmouth. He was a part of an elite group of men Washington hand picked to protect his life, guard his personal papers and baggage. According to military accounts the Guards were to show sobriety, honesty and good behavior and were to be 5’ 8 to 5’ 10 inches in height, handsomely and well made, clean and spruce.”

After winning liberty and independence, William along with many other veterans, migrated to Wilkes and beyond claiming land bounties for their service. Harris settled in the area along the present day Wilkes/Surry County line and Big Elkin Creek. In 1819 and again in 1820 he made Revolutionary War pension applications to the Wilkes County Court. These records are included in Harris’s book and provide an account of his military service and his life as a back country farmer. William married Sarah Lyons and raised 12 children. Stephen Harris descends through one of the daughters, Lucy Harris, who married Daniel Fields. Their daughter, Phebe married Henderson Harris. This line continues three more generations to Stephen Harris.

Stephen’s book entitled No Bribery, No Dismay, Sacrifice All is taken from William Harris’ obituary of Dec. 18, 1884 in the Carolina Watchmen Newspaper. It is a dignified tribute which reads in part; “Amid all the difficulties and scenes of bloodshed that marked the eventful course of our army, he stood firm. No bribery of English lords could turn him from his purpose —no sense of danger could dismay his spirits, for he had resolved to sacrifice all for the priceless privileges of freedom.”

Harris chronicles the life of William Harris based on primary documents, military records and historical writings from a youth in Culpeper Virginia Militia at the outbreak of the Revolution through his later years on his homestead in Wilkes County. Through the pen of Harris readers will become acquainted with Washington’s guards and their role in protecting him in perilous times. Primary documents relate directly to Wilkes County and commentaries are provocative means to stretch the imagination of readers. Books may be purchased at

Mount Airy Regional History

Museum, Wilkes Heritage Museum, Inspired Creations by Pamela in Elkin or through the author.

Honda of Winston-Salem

6209 Ramada Dr. • Clemmons, NC 27012 (336) 765-0330 • www.hondaws.com