Sion Harris facts for kids

Sion Harris (born 1811, died 1854) was an important African-American politician in Liberia. He was born into slavery but gained his freedom. In 1830, he moved to Liberia, a country in West Africa. Sion Harris had many exciting adventures. One of the most famous was when he stopped an attack on a mission in 1840. Later, he became a member of Liberia's government, serving in the House of Representatives.

Sion Harris: A Liberian Leader

Early Life and Moving to Liberia

Sion Harris was born in 1811 in Knox County, Tennessee. We don't know much about his early years, but he later shared that he had been a slave. He eventually became a free man and worked as a carpenter.

In February 1830, Sion Harris arrived in Liberia. He traveled with other settlers, including George W. Erskine. Erskine was a Presbyterian missionary. Sadly, Erskine and some of his family members died soon after they arrived. Erskine's daughter, Martha, later married Sion Harris.

A Brave Stand at Heddington

On March 8, 1840, Sion Harris and his wife, Martha, were staying at the home of Reverend George S. Brown. This was at Heddington, a Methodist mission about 25 miles (40 km) from Monrovia, Liberia's capital. A group of 300 to 400 tribesmen, led by the Loma chief Gotorah, attacked the mission.

Sion Harris had stored many muskets (an old type of gun). With help from only his wife, an assistant carpenter, and Reverend Brown, he managed to fight off the entire attack. Sion Harris shot Chief Gotorah during the fight, which made the attackers retreat. Gotorah's body was later found nearby by Liberian soldiers. Sion Harris was widely praised for his brave actions.

Returning to America and Politics

In 1841, Sion Harris went back to the United States. He wanted to bring his brother and some of Martha's relatives back to Liberia. This also helped fulfill a wish George W. Erskine had before he died.

While traveling from Washington, D.C., to Tennessee, Sion Harris spoke to groups of free Black people. He told them about the good things in Liberia. He met with people who were against slavery, like Ezekiel Birdseye. In October 1841, he gave a speech to over a thousand people in Maryville. After this, he returned to Liberia with more than a dozen relatives.

In August 1853, Sion Harris was elected to the House of Representatives. He represented Montserrado County. However, only a few months into his term, on April 25, 1854, he was killed. He was struck by lightning during a strong thunderstorm.