Wiltshire England

Biography of Samuel Alder

Samuel Alder is one of the pioneer mechanics of Riverside, having established the first carriage making, and general blacksmithing ever founded in the city. No history of the manufacturing and business enterprises of Riverside could be considered complete without a mention of Mr. Alder, and his association with the building up of the city and colony. The subject of this sketch was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1845, son of Samuel and Ann (Chivers) Alder, both being natives of that county. His father was a weaver by occupation and the family was dependent upon his wages alone for support. The … Read more

Descendants of John Harris of Pennsylvania

Title page to Record of the Harris family descended from John Harris, born in 1680 in Wiltshire, England containing the descendants of John Harris of Pennsylvania.

In 1903, Joseph Smith Harris published “Record of the Harris Family Descended from John Harris, Born in 1680 in Wiltshire, England,” a detailed account tracing the lineage and migration of the Harris family from their English roots to their settlement in Pennsylvania. The book begins with John Harris, Sr., an early investor in William Penn’s Pennsylvania colony, and covers the family’s decision not to emigrate, the eventual sale of their Pennsylvania lands, and the subsequent movements of his descendants. Published in Philadelphia by G. F. Lasher, this genealogical record provides insights into the Harris family’s involvement in colonial American settlements, their economic activities, and the continuation of their lineage through subsequent generations, making it an essential resource for both family members and historians interested in the dynamics of early American settlers.