Individual Details

William Harrison came from Goochland to Pittsylvania in 1770. He purchased 432 A on the Dan River from John Payne, the Elder, of Goochalnd who had purchased the land through Gideon Marr from William Bean. In 1773, he purchased 500 A on the North side of the Dan, adj land of William Bean and Nicholas Perkins. He and William Ware are credited with the establishment of Danville

William Harrison's will proved 18 Feb 1811 in Pittsylvania, named sons: Robert, Nathaniel, & William P. Harrison; daughters: Susannah wife of William Ware, Jane wife of Henry Stone, Anne wife of Daniel Colemen, and Polly [or Mary] Dillard who married Capt A. G. Walters" [This is wrong and obviously inserted into this brief abstract of the will., Mary Dillard Harrison was not married at the time his will was proved - she married Edmund Richardson in October of 1811. The will was written, in 1807 and she was the only unmarried daughter then as well. Mary & Edmund's daughter, Eliza Ann Richardson, was the lady who married A. G. Walters. This error has been perpetuated in at least two Pittsylvania histories.]


Pittsylvania Co. Deed Books 1767-1850.
Abstracted Index of Deeds of Gifts on RootsWeb Message Board
Feb 1785. William Harrison to son Robert, a gift of land.
Sep 1796. William Harrison to son-in-law Hendley Stone & "my daughter" Jane Payne Stone.
Apr 1797. William Harrison to daughter Anna Payne Harrison, gift of five slaves.
Jul 1805. William Harrison to son William P. Harrison, a slave & personal property [possibly a restatement of the deed in 1805]

Pittsylvania Co DB 12
p.374 William Harrison to son William Porter Harrison. Negro Girl named Milly, daughter to Ben. Horse & Cattle, furniture, etc. 29 Apr 1801. Ack 21 Sep 1801
p.375 William Harrison to son Nathaniel Harrison, Negro Girl Priscilla, horse & cattle, furniture, etc. 29 Apr 1801. Ack 21 Sep 1801
p.375 William Harrison to dau Polly Dillard Harrison. Slaves, Ben, son of Ben, Jane, Dau of Tom. Furniture, horse, cattle, etc. 29 Apr 1801. Ack 21 Sep 1801
Although both Pittsylvania Co history books state that this daughter was the wife of Azariah Graves Walters, it simply cannot be so. He was not born until 1810 and they had children in the early 1840's.

Birth	29 Nov 1739	Goochland County, Virginia
Marriage	23 Dec 1762	Goochland County, Virginia - Anna Payne
Death	25 Jan 1811	Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Spouse	Anna Payne (1748 - )
Child	Living
Child	Susannah Harrison (1768 - 1786)
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Anna Payne Harrison (1778 - 1858)
Child	Mary Dillard "Polly" Harrison (1783 - 1844)
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	George Woodson Harrison (1789 - 1794)