John Harris Sr. (1673 – December 1748) was an early American businessman who emigrated from Britain to America late in the 17th century.
He formed a firm and lifelong friendship with Edward Shippen, the second Mayor of Philadelphia, justice of the State Supreme Court and later president of the Provincial Council.
[1] In 1705, the first John Harris received his trader's license to "seat himself on the Sasquahannah" (Susquehanna River) and "to erect such buildings as are necessary for his trade, and to enclose and improve such quantities of land he shall see fit.
Soon after, he became known for his fair dealings with the local Indians and later, wise counsel to the settlers, reputations which became traditional with him and his sons.
In the same year Harris acquired, through grants, two tracts of land adjacent to his ferry, totaling 800 acres (3.2 km2).