According to the Record of the Harris family (Ancestry subscription required) Ellen Brick Harris (1813-1872) married John Young. Ellen is Mary Harris' younger sister. The Record of the Harris Family helpfully notes that ".... Ellen Brick Harris was a tall woman but never inclined to grow stout, as did her sisters." (pg. 67)I find it curious that there aren't any references to Governor John Young in the newspaper accounts of the accusations against Sanford Hooper and his activities as superintendent of the Genesee Valley Canal. From the number and tone of articles about him, I would say that Sanford was a controversial figure on the 1840s/1850s New York scene. Wouldn't you think that Young's and Sanford's enemies would have made an issue of the close family relationship? Were people able to keep a fact like that secret? Or did they not care?
Another curiosity: Mary and Sanford named one of their sons after the brother- in- law, John Young Hooper (1841-1889). This John Young Hooper also named one of his sons-- my great grandfather-- John Young Hooper (1879 - 1942). My mother has vague memories of John Young Hooper, her grandfather, who lived with her family until his death. My mother doesn't recall ever learning that her grandfather was named after a great-uncle who was once governor of New York. Wouldn't you think that story would be passed down?
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