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| Notes for Michael HARNESS | ||||||||||||||
| Michael Harness (born about 1783 in Virginia) and his wife, Nancy Spahr, apparently came with Michael's father, Peter Harness, to Ohio several years after Peter's wife, the former Susan Vause (Vance) died about 1805 in Virginia. Several other sons of Peter and Susan also came to Ohio about the same time, probably about 1810. According to Fayette County, Ohio court records Michael Harness was charged with killing his brother, John, in 1818 in Fayette County, Ohio. Witnesses were Christina Harness and Elizabeth Trader. Details of the incident are not known. Michael was indicted for manslaughter on June 25, 1818 in Fayette County. He pleaded not guilty in an appearance before the Fayette County Court of Pleas in September, 1818. Three of Michael's brothers, George, Arthur and Peter Harness, Jr. collectively pledged $l,000 for Michael's recognizance bond to get him bailed out of the county jail with the assurance that he would appear at his trial in Washington Court House (the Fayette County seat) when his trial could be scheduled. In December, 1818 Michael could not be found by the court to stand trial, and the court ruled that the recognizance money pledged by George, Arthur and Peter Harness, Jr. must be paid. Michael apparently had fled the state with his wife Nancy. Family tradition indicates they went back to Virginia (Lewis County) where they appear to have lived in virtual obscurity until their death. According to court records, the 3 brothers failed to appear in court to pay the recognizance bond money, so the State of Ohio brought suit against them. On March 23, 1819, the three appeared in court, paid the $1,000 and the suit was dismissed. Michael Harness and Nancy Spahr had seven children, five boys and two girls. At least three of the boysremained in the Fayette/Greene County, Ohio area and raised their own families there. | ||||||||||||||
| Last Modified 6 Aug 2004 | Created 12 Feb 2005 by Reunion for Macintosh |