Benjamin Harris was a member of New Garden Friends Meeting (IN). He was disowned 6mo 21, 1821 for "unchastity." He married 27 Dec 1821 Lydia Hiatt. They were the parents of ten children: Pleasant Winston, Cynthia, Addison H., Sarah, Nancy, Mary Ann, Susannah G., Minerva, James and Martha J. Following his first wife's death in 1867 he married 4mo 1870 Hannah Ann Estell.

The Richmond (IN) Item, Friday, Feb. 2, 1894
OLDEST CITIZEN
Benjamin Harris, of West Richmond, is the oldest citizen of the city if not of the county. He is 96 years of age, and possesses marked physical and intellectual powers, and from appearances will live to be a centenarian. He was born in Guilford county, North Carolina in 1798.

Friday, Feb. 16, 1894
BENJ. HARRIS DEAD
HE LIVED TO BE NEARLY NINETY-SIX YEARS, AND WAS ILL BUT A FEW DAYS
Benjamin Harris, Richmond's oldest citizen, died at an early hour this morning, after an illness of but a few days. Mr. Harris, though nearly 96 years of age, had been in splendid health up until a week ago, and his sudden death is therefore a matter of considerable surprise to the community. He came to Richmond in the "early days," and witnessed the growth of the city from its start almost.

He was the grandfather of B.F. Harris the attorney, and has numerous other relatives in Richmond. Mrs. Harris, his wife survives him, though quite advanced in life herself. The arrangements for the funeral have not been made as yet, but the ceremony will doubtless take place from the home. No. 153 School street, West Richmond.

Unidentified Richmond, IN, newspaper
BENJAMIN HARRIS
THE DEATH OF THE OLDEST RESIDENT OF THIS COUNTY--NEARLY A CENTENARIAN
One of the most remarkable men in the way of endurance was Mr. Benjamin Harris, who died yesterday morning at the extreme age of 95 years; and had he taken proper care of himself he might have lived to mark his century of years. He was a man of most tremendous endurance and unflagging energy. He celebrated his 95th birthday on the 3rd of last November, but seemed as hearty as most men of sixty-five. His activity proved his downfall , his death unquestionably coming from an injury received accidentally. For several years past he has been meeting with accidents which came simply because he did not seem to realize that at his age he could not expect to have the agility of youth. He did not shun danger any more than a young man of thirty would have done, and nearly every year for the past five years he has broken bones in accidents. About a week ago he drove to Greensfork in the cold. Coming back he turned out to give some one else their share of the road. His buggy was tipped over, he was thrown out, and his breast bone broken. He got hom all right and absolutely refused to have the broken bone treated. Even then he might have gotten along all right, but he would persist on going out in the cold. The day before he fell sick he was out about the yard and to the barn in his shirt sleeves, caught cold, and in forty hours died. He died at 8 o’clock yesterday morning. The funeral will take place from his home on Monday forenoon at 9 o’clock. Interment at Williamsburg. The Revs. McNemer and H. B. Rupe will officiate.

Mr. Harris was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, in 1798, and came to Wayne county in 1807. For several years he has enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest resident in Wayne county, having lived in the county eighty-seven years. He cast his first presidential vote for James Monroe in 1820. He voted at eighteen presidential elections.

In 1828 Mr. Harris was married to Lydia Hiatt, and ten children were the fruit of their marriage, nine of whom are yet living. Those not residing in the county are Dr. James Harris, Yellow Springs, O., Nancy Comer, Oregon, Minerva Wilcox, in Nebraska; Mattie (unmarried) lives in Florida, and Cynthias Fisher lives in Wisconsin, near Lake Pepin.

In 1866[sic] the first wife died, the husband then being sixty-eight years of age, and four years later occurred Mr. Harris’ second marriage to Hannah Estelle. His last wife still survives him.

In politics Mr. Harris was first a Whig, then a Free Soiler, and then a Republican.

In religion he was brought up in the Hicksite church, but never joined the church. The only church he ever joined was the United Brethren church. In his habits he was always temperate. He never used tobacco in any form, not liquor as a beverage, but believed whisky valuable as a medicine. He was universally honored and respected as an honest man. He had his successes and his reverses. He had lost much by going security for others. He was kindly disposed, and lent a helping hand to all who asked it. He leaves many relatives to mourn his loss, among them Attorney Benjamin F. Harris of this city, who was a grandson.