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When she died, Mrs. Harris was believed to be at least one hundred years old. The wife of Peyton Harris, a legendary early Black Buffalo settler, Rebecca was a native of Richmond, Virginia. A newspaper article from March 21, 1889, identified her as "an old colored woman who remembered General Washington".

The article when on to describe Rebecca as "a woman who recalls seeing him (Washington) when he used to visit Richmond and who, according to her own account, was a 'good big girl' then. Besides knowing General Washington, it was noted that " Mrs. Harris was also acquainted with one of Washington's colored servants who went by the name of Jeff."

The article continued; "She was never a slave. Her family lived in undisturbed freedom in Richmond till the slavery agitations made it unsafe for a free negro to remain in the slave states and then she came North living in both New York and Detroit before she came here some thirty-five years ago. This was on the occasion of her marriage to the late Peyton Harris, who was a prominent colored Baptist and a man of property. On his death several years ago the widow was left comparatively alone. He left property sufficient for her support and she lived with friend since that time. She was married twice."

The burial permit for Rebecca states that she lived at 98 Clinton Street. This was property that was owned by Peyton Harris and also his residence during his lifetime.

Rebecca is buried in Forest Lawn in the family crypt owned by Peyton Harris.