Dwight C. Harris (1884 – 1969), 31, was a United States national from New York City, New York. He was traveling aboard Lusitania to be married that summer. Harris survived the Lusitania sinking on 7 May 1915 and married Aileen Cavendish Foster that July.
Early life
Dwight Harris was born on 6 January 1884. Harris’ family was prominent in New York City at the time. His father was a first cousin of George J. Gould. His mother was Miss Ada L. Fanning before her marriage. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. George W. Fanning of 37 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Up to the time of Dwight’s father’s death, the family had an estate in Lakewood, New Jersey.
From 1905 – 1915, Dwight had lived abroad instead of in New York.
Lusitania
On the last voyage of the Lusitania, Dwight’s ticket was 46141 and he stayed in cabin A-9.
During the voyage, Harris played games with Charles Paynter and his daughter Irene in the ship’s lounge.
After the Lusitania was torpedoed and was sinking, Harris put on his Wanamakers’ lifejacket and most of his valuables in his pockets. He went forward and climbed down the front of the superstructure, and jumped from Lusitania’s starboard side just before the water covered the well deck.
The water carried aft him aft, giving him a panoramic view of the unfolding tragedy. By the time the ship sank, Harris was astern of the liner. He saw a large wave, filled with debris, surge outward from where the ship had once been.
That wave swept Percy Richards from his father to Harris. Together, they climbed on top of an overturned boat. The Richards family lost their infant daughter, but the rest of them were saved. Harris also survived the sinking of the Lusitania.
After Lusitania
On 2 July 1915, Harris married Aileen Cavendish Foster, the eldest of four daughters of Colonel Sir William and Lady Foster, at Holy Trinity Church, Bracknell, London, England. Aileen’s sister Frances May Foster was married to Hugh A. Stanton of the Royal Scots Regiment. Her brother, Lieutenant William Foster of the South Staffordshire Regiment, died in November 1914 from wounds sustained while fighting at Ypres.
Harris died 7 December 1969.
Contributors
Jim Kalafus
Zachary Schwarz
References
New York Times, 3 July 1915.
I am a Harris descendant, interested in finding whether Dwight is connected to my branch. Does anyone know that he may have an ancestor named Henry Herries of Scotland in the 1000’s?
Harris actually died December 7, 1970
tragedy was later to touch Harriss life he and his wife had a son Dwight who died in 1926 and a daughter Dorothy who died in 1929
I knew Mr and Mrs Harris from 1950 until 1962 when they owned an estate in Salisbury Ct. My father was the caretaker of the estate. I grew up there and still have a painting of their home, presented to me by Mr. Harris.Both were wonderful kind people. I believe the 1970 date of his passing is correct.
Ben,
I am trying to determine if his ancestry (D.C. Harris) coincides with my Harris ancestors. They originated here with Edward Harris in the 1620’s, who was the first Harris immigrant from England, on down to Eli Wilson of Iredell County, NC, my great grandfather. See below:
Eli Wilson Harris
B:8/22/1874 Iredell Co.,NC
D:7/2/1940 “
Maud (Morgan)Harris
B:1874 “
D:1966 “
Children of
Austin Skidmore and Lenora Harris:
Eli Harris
Eunice Harris
Filmore Harris
George C Harris
Isham G Harris
John Harris
Louisa Harris
Mary F Harris
Nancy E Harris
Thomas W Harris
Travis N Harris
Wiley A Harris
E Eliza Harris
1828-1898
Austin Skidmore Harris
B:1/1825 ____________
D:1888__________
Lenora ( ) Harris
B:____ ____________
D:_________________
Wiley Harris
B:2/18/1791 Randolph Co., NC
D:4/4/1869 “
3 Nancy (Hancock) Harris
B:4/4/1795 Montgomery Co.,NC
D:6/17/1878 “
Wiley Harris
B:2/18/1791 Randolph Co., NC
D:4/4/1869 “
3 Nancy (Hancock) Harris
B:4/4/1795 Montgomery Co.,NC
D:6/17/1878 “
*BROTHER OF COL. WEST HARRIS, SR.* Captain Etheldred Harris* *Continental Army Also had some capacity with the Methodist Bishop Asbury.
B:1746 Isle of Wight, VA
D:1814 “
Sarah (Chambliss) Harris
B:1771 “
D:?
Major West Harris, Jr.
B:
D: 7/26/1826 Montgomery Co., NC
West Harris, Jr., was probably the most well known of children of Col. West Harris, Sr.. because of his war record and his popularity among his fellow citizens. He was elected, along with William Rush, to represent the people of Montgomery County in the House of Commons when it met at New Bern, NC from November 15, 1792 to January 1, 1793. His service in this capacity must have pleased his fellow citizens, because they elected then reelected him to the State Senate in Raleigh in 1797-1802. West Harris, Jr., spent the next 20 years or so tending his land and raising his family. In the year 1826, gold was discovered on his land “four miles from the narrows on the Yadkin River in Montgomery County.
Colonel Westin (West) Harris, Sr.*Along with Edward Harris, were at Valley Forge with George Washington; Apparently Edward deserted, while Col. West crossed the Delaware in the boat with George.
B:8/13/1715 Isle of Wight, VA
D:3/14/1795 “
Mary (Turner) Harris
B:2/15/1873 Isle of Wight, VA
D:1766 Montgomery Co, NC
I have his obituary from the New York times the date of December 7, 1970 is correct. His wife Aileen died in 1978 age 91.