[6] In 1850, President Millard Fillmore appointed Harris as Secretary and Treasurer of the newly organized Utah Territory.

Harris was subsequently offered appointment as Secretary and acting Governor of New Mexico Territory, which he declined.

[11] Harris was also one of Vermont's Delegates to the Peace Conference of 1861, which unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the start of the American Civil War.

Sarah's nephew was banker and real estate investor Walter E. Maynard.

They honeymooned while en route to Salt Lake City for Harris to begin his duties as territorial Secretary.