January 18, 1823 Samuel Harris purchased two lots $120, Lot 4 and Lot 15, which provided him with access on Sugar/State Street directly north of the courthouse, and on Walnut street where the Lawrence and Allison Fire Dept. building is now located. December 9, 1829, he also purchased Lot 7, on which is located now Coco’s Catering Barn.
Harris began purchasing real estate from the
government in the northern part of Russell Township close to the river on December
28, 1815, as well as in other areas of the county. (Government Land Records)
In 1819, Harris was a subscriber to first recorded school
in what would later become Centerville, in Lawrence County. The school directors
believed a new school building would cost $400 and they proposed to sell 50
shares at $8.00 a share. Each
shareholder would purchase as many shares as his family required for each of
his children to attend school. As children graduated and a particular family no
longer needed their shares, these shares could be resold to some other family
who had school- age children. Free blacks were included as shareholders. Harris purchased 6 shares for $48. (Deed Records)
Harris was the foreman of first grand jury held in Lawrence
County on June, 1821. He later became a county
commissioner in 1827, when bids were accepted for repairs to the state road from
Lawrenceville to Vincennes, as well as being appointed county treasurer by the county
commissioners in 1830-1831. (County Records)
The 1830 census for Lawrence County shows the household of
Samuel Harris consisted of 1 male 10-14 years of age, 1 male 50-59, 1 female
5-9, 1 female 15-19, 1 female 50-59, 1 free colored person male 10-23, 1 free
colored person 24-36, and 1 free female colored person 10-23.
While slavery did not exist in Lawrence County, contracted
servitude for a lengthy period of time did. The following ad placed in the Vincennes
seems to question the “free” status of the African Americans living at Samuel’s
house.
