Mary Ann Harris, Her Parents and Grandfather

Mary Ann Harris, a native of Leicestershire, England was the daughter of John Harris and Mary Jerome. John Harris was a hotel-keeper and farmer. He was a member of a company of British cavalry at one time. His wife, Mary Jerome, died in England and John Harris accompanied the family of his son (son-in-law????) when they all came to the USA in 1843. He was over seventy years old at the time of his death, which took place in Wisconsin.

His father, John Harris, Sr., was a man of wealth and made his fortune in the chancery (judge/attorney ????) in England. He had a long life and died in England.

After Mary Ann Harris husband William Henry Dickens, Sr., died in Wisconsin, she became the wife of Alonzo Nelson Allen in Wisconsin. They had five children. They were among the first settlers of Longmont, Colorado. More about Mary Ann Harris Dickens Allen unique life in future posts.

Reference: Portrait & Biographical Record of Denver & Vicinity Colorado, Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1898 p. 489-490

William Henry Dickens, Sr. and Family

William H. Dickens grandfather was Charles Dickens, a near relative (probably a cousin) of the famous author of the same name. Charles Dickens was born in Leicestershire, England, and was a maltster....one who makes or sells malt. His son, William Henry Dickens, Sr. was the father of William H. Dickens of Longmont, Colorado. William Henry Dickens, Sr. was also born in Leicestershire and was a maltser like his father. While a young man, William Henry Dickens, Sr. sailed for Quebec in the ship "John Walker." His wife Mary Ann Harris Dickens and little daughter Eliza were with him, and during the voyage a son, William Henry Dickens was born on May 26, 1843.

The party included Mary Ann Harris Dickens father John Harris. The little party traveled up the Welland Canal and the great lakes to Columbus, Wisconsin were they settled on a pre-emption claim. William Henry Dickens, Sr. did not long survive the rigors of climate and hard work, but died in Wisconsin in 1847, when only twenty-seven.

His eldest child, Eliza, married a Mr. Franklin, and died in Colorado. John, the younger son, died when three years old, and the youngest of the children Maria, married a Mr. Quist and in 1898 was living in Ellis, Kansas. William Henry Dickens died in Longmont, Colorado.

ReferencePortrait and Biographical Record of Denver & Vicinity Colorado, Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1898 page 489.

Company D, Third Colorado Cavalry

William H. Dickens lived in the Colorado Territory in 1864. The settlers were having troubles with the Indians. In July of 1864, William Dickens was mustered in as a private of Company D, Third Colorado Cavalry. He served about six months on the frontier and particpated in the engagement of Big Sandy. Big Sandy is known as the Sandy Creek Massacre. The Colorado Cavalry fought (or massacred) the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.

Reference: Portrait & Biographical Record of Denver & Vicinity Colorado, Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1893.