Amos Harris was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England during the summer of 1888. He was the son of William Coombs Harris (b. 1842), a fishmonger, and Eliza Miles (b. 1855). His father was originally from Exeter, Devon and his mother from Hullavington, Wiltshire and they were married in 1879.

Amos was one of five children, his siblings being: Elizabeth (b. 1880), William G. (b. 1883), Matilda Mary (b. 1886) and John (b. 1892). 

On the 1891 census Amos and his family are listed as living at 11 St Michael's Square, Southampton and his father was now described as a fish hawker. His father died sometime after this and his mother was not remarried. Amos and his younger brother John were listed as inmates and paupers at the Southampton Incorporation Workhouse on the 1901 census, his mother perhaps unable to cope financially with her family as a whole. His mother Eliza and his sister Matilda were listed as laundress women at 14 Southampton Street, All Saints, Southampton. Reunited, the family appear on the 1911 census whilst living at 12 Wilton Road, Shirley, Southampton. Amos, known as "Fred", was described as a dock labourer and unmarried. His mother and sister Matilda were still working as laundry women.

Amos was married in the second half of 1911 to Mary Edith Miell (b. 1890 in Southampton) and they had a son, Frederick William Henry on 13 August 1911.

When Amos signed-on to the Titanic, on 6 April 1912 he gave his local address as 12 Wilton Street, (Southampton). His last ship had been the Majestic. As a trimmer he received monthly wages of £5, 10s.

Amos Harris died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The following death notice appeared in the Hampshire Independent (unknown date):

HARRIS--April 15th, on s.s. Titanic, Amos (Fred), the beloved son of Eliza and the late William Harris, of 12, Wilton Road, Shirley, aged 23. Gone but not forgotten.

His widow Mary Edith was remarried in Southampton in 1915 to James Flooks and they had one daughter, Ethel Margaret, in 1916. Mary died in Winchester in 1962. Amos's son Frederick died in Southampton in 1983.