An Attempt to Burn John Harris
Item
Title
An Attempt to Burn John Harris
Creator
Ralph Trembly
American, 1817–after 1863
After William S. Reeder
American, nineteenth century?
Published by J. T. Bowen, Philadelphia
American, 1817–after 1863
After William S. Reeder
American, nineteenth century?
Published by J. T. Bowen, Philadelphia
Date
1839
Materials
Lithograph with hand coloring
Measurements
22-1/4 x 28-3/8 in. (56.5 x 72.1 cm)
Description
In 1705, John Harris, originally from Yorkshire, England, was granted a license to trade along the Susquehanna River near the Susquehannock village of Peixtan, also known as Paxton (today the borough of Paxtang). By 1710 he had set up a trading post, bartering ammunition and alcohol with the local inhabitants in exchange for animal pelts. Sometime in 1720, as the legend goes, Harris was approached by a number of people, said to be Shawnee, in search of rum. Seeing that most or all of them were already inebriated, he refused, at which point he was tied to a mulberry tree and threatened with burning. As the lithograph here illustrates, just as the fire was about to be ignited, a second group of Native Americans arrived to rescue Harris from the cruel fate.
Several years later, in 1733, Harris set up a ferry across the Susquehanna in order to accommodate the growing number of settlers heading west. At the same time he purchased two large tracts of land adjacent to the ferry on the east shore of the river. As more people moved into the area, the Harris homestead came to be known first as Harris’s Ferry, and then, in 1791, Harrisburg.
Adapted from the entry written by Judith Hansen O’Toole for the 1980 Pennsylvania Prints exhibition catalogue.
Several years later, in 1733, Harris set up a ferry across the Susquehanna in order to accommodate the growing number of settlers heading west. At the same time he purchased two large tracts of land adjacent to the ferry on the east shore of the river. As more people moved into the area, the Harris homestead came to be known first as Harris’s Ferry, and then, in 1791, Harrisburg.
Adapted from the entry written by Judith Hansen O’Toole for the 1980 Pennsylvania Prints exhibition catalogue.
Source
Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, partial gift and purchase from John C. O’Connor and Ralph M. Yeager.
Identifier
86.691
Rights
This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.