An American Family History

Mary Fry Harris was born about 1600 in England.

She married Walter Harris.

Their children included:
Elizabeth Harris Weeks (1621, married Ammiel Weeks),
Mary Harris Lawrence (1626, married Nicholas Lawrence),
Gabriel Harris (1629),
Sarah Harris Lane (1632, married George Lane),
Susannah Harris (1634), and
Thomas Harris (1636).

The family came to America on the ship William and Francis which arrived in Boston on June 5, 1632. They settled in Weymouth.

When her brother, William Fry, died in 1642, he left Mary’s son, Thomas Harris, a kid.

In March, 1645 their son, Gabriel married Elizabeth Abbot who he met when a ship from England anchored near the isolated Harris home. Gabriel invited the immigrants to their home. One of the immigrants was Elizabeth and by the time the party ended Gabriel and Elizabeth were engaged. Soon after they immigrants left, Gabriel followed the ship in his father's pinnace to marry and bring his bride home.

Their son, Thomas, was engaged to Rebecca Bruen, but before the marriage was sent to England to recover some property. He was never heard of again and was assumed lost at sea.

In 1649 they moved to Dorchester and by 1652 they were in New London, Connecticut.

Walter died on November 6, 1654.

Mary's will was dated January 19, 1655 and she died on January 24 in New London, Connecticut. Her will is the oldest existing will in America. It indicates that the family was prosperous. She left silver spoons, a gold ring, clothing, and household items to her family. It also includes a touching bequest to her lost son, Thomas, and his intended wife:

I give to my sonne Thomas, ten shillings, if he do come home or be alive. I give to Rebekah Bruen, a pynt pott of pewter, a new petticoate and wascoat, which she is to spin herselfe; also an old bible and a hatt which was my sonne Thomas, his hatt.

A Puritan woman's clothing consisted of underpants, stockings, linen, shift, petticoat, chemise (underblouse), bolster (a padded roll tied around the hips under the skirt), bodice, skirt, apron, coif (cap), outer gown and shoes. A woman might wear a ruff or bow and an apron. Cloaks were worn instead of coats. Women carried a small cloth draw-string bag or reticule and perhaps wore a chatelaine.

Old Style Calendar Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.

The Fry Siblings: William Fry Thomasin Fry Meigs Mary Fry Harris Hannah Fry Rawlins