Harris Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: DC0039s

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of two sets of documents. The documents related to Ervin Harris include his copy of the 1870 Davidson College catalogue and five handwritten speeches for the Philanthropic Society. The speeches are "Is War a Greater Evil than Intemperance?" (Novembe 24, 1871), his inaugural address as president of Philanthropic Society (December 2, 1871), "The Spirit of Discovery" (November 17, 1871), and "Life" (March 9, 1872) The final speech "Truth and My Country", dated June 27, 1872 is his graduation speech. This speech has attached a list of the graduating class of 1872 and their hometowns. The documents related to Brevard E. Harris include the 1882 Catalogue for the Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha, his inaugural address as president of the Philanthropic Society (June 12, 1885), undated speech, "The Black Boys of Cabarrus County" and two promissory notes. One is dated September 8th 1881 and is a promise to repay a college loan to John R. Blake, clerk of the faculty. The note was updated on February 4,1882 to reflect a full payment. The second note is from a classmate, John E. Mason, promising not to marry before Christmas 1891 or forfeit a sum of $25.

Dates

1870 - 1885

Creator

Harris Family (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Ervin Harris was a member of the class of 1872. After graduation, he spent time teaching in Byhalia, Mississippi and in Little Mill, North Carolina before returning to Concord, NC and farming. He served in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1876. He died in 1885. On year later, his nephew, Brevard Ervin Harris 1861-1923, graduated from Davidson as part of the class of 1886. B.E. Harris went on to become a teacher, editor and manufacturer in Concord, NC. He died in 1923. Both men were members of the Philanthropic Society as students.