Harris, Joseph (1704-1764)
The older brother of the more famous Howell Harris. He followed his father Howell Harris senior into the blacksmith trade, working with his uncle Thomas Powell, but at the age of twenty moved to London where he came under the influence of Roger Jones of Buckland near Brecon who was MP for the county. Jones introduced the young Harris to Edward Halley the atronomer and through these connections Harris was able to get work as a maker of mathematical instruments. He soon proved himself to have particular skill in this area and in 1725 was sent to South America to test navigational instruments and make astronomical observations. His findings were published in the Transactions of the Royal Society and he published a book on the solar system which ran to many editions. He sponsored the education of his brother Howell and assisted others in the same way. He voyaged to Jamaica to test further instruments and wrote a treatise on navigation.
In 1737 he was appointed Deputy Assay Master at the Mint at the Tower of London and by 1748 was Assay Master. He remained in this post for the rest of his life, and despite the distance from his home county he gave active support to the Brecknockshire Agricultural Society. His wife was Anne, daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Jones of Tredustan, a Breconshire neighbour. Harris was also a keen supporter of the London-based Cymmrodorion Society. After his death in 1764 he was buried at the Tower.
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In 1737 he was appointed Deputy Assay Master at the Mint at the Tower of London and by 1748 was Assay Master. He remained in this post for the rest of his life, and despite the distance from his home county he gave active support to the Brecknockshire Agricultural Society. His wife was Anne, daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Jones of Tredustan, a Breconshire neighbour. Harris was also a keen supporter of the London-based Cymmrodorion Society. After his death in 1764 he was buried at the Tower.
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Harris, Thomas (1705-1782)
Brother of both Howell and Joseph Harris (see above) of Trefecca. In 1728 he was sent to Bath where he became began to learn the trade of tailoring. From there he moved to London to work for his uncle Solomon Price who was a tailor himself. He soon set up on his own but the business suffered setbacks as a result of his carefree lifestyle and he was forced to go to France for a while. On his return he was at first employed as a tailor in the Strand but again established himself in independent business. He made a major breakthrough when he secured army contracts. Throughout the eighteenth century Britain was engaged in a number of foreign wars and there was a constant demand for uniforms. These army contracts enabled Harris to amass a private fortune which he used to acquire the Trefecca and Tregunter estates in his home county and return there. He thus became a landed country gentleman and served as Sheriff of Breconshire in 1768. He rebuilt the mansion of Tregunter for himself in 1770. Although he was unmarried he had at least three children. His daughter Elizabeth (Betty) Robinson lived with him at Tregunter and was a committed Methodist being a regular attender at services at Lady Huntingdon's college at Trefecca. Harris's son Thomas Robinson was said to be a drunken ne'er do well who moved in high society and married a famous actress of her day Mary Darby known as "Perdita". Thomas Harris died in 1782 and left his estates to his niece the daughter of Joseph Harris.
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Harrison, John Pryce (1817-1884)
Solicitor, Clerk of the Peace for Montgomeryshire (1848-1884). Colonel of the Royal Montgomeryshire Militia from 1879-82. Uncle of George Devereux Harrison (see below).
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Harrison, George Rowland Devereux (1877-1960)
Son of George Devereux Harrison (see below). He was a Solicitor and served as Deputy Lieutenant, Clerk to the Lieutenancy, Secretary to the Advisory Committee, Registrar of Welshpool County Court (1911-1955), and Mayor of Welshpool (1920-1925, 1936-1937). Served in the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry during the 1914-1918 War; Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Welch Fusiliers 1925-1929; Brevet Colonel 1929, Clerk of the Peace and of the County Council of Montgomeryshire (1910-1945).
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Harrison, George Devereux (1847-1916)
Of Fronllwyd. Nephew of John Pryce Harrison (see above) and son of Robert Devereux Harrison (see also above), father of George Rowland Devereux Harrison (above). He was a solicitor and served as Deputy Clerk of the Peace to 1874, Clerk to the Lieutenancy, Clerk to the Justices, Newtown, Lower Caurse and Pool Upper divisions, and Chirbury division of Salop, Deputy Clerk of the Peace for Montgomeryshire (1874-1884), Mayor of Welshpool (1879-80) Clerk of the Peace for Montgomeryshire (1884-1889), Clerk of the Peace and of the County Council of Montgomeryshire (1889-1910).
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Harrison, Robert Devereux (1813-1874)
Of Fronllwyd. Brother of John Pryce Harrison (see above) father of George Devereux Harrison (see above). Solicitor, County Coroner and Deputy Clerk of the Peace (1874).
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