Family and Education

b. by 1533, 4th s. of John Harrison of London by Jane, da. of Richard Kendall. educ. G. Inn, adm. 1549. m. by 11 June 1563, Elizabeth, s.p.1

Offices Held

Biography

George Harrison’s family, which came from Cumberland and Westmorland, was able to trace its descent from the 14th century. His father had married the daughter of a family from the same region, but settled in London. Harrison received a legal education and probably practised in the same office as Richard Forsett, a senior member of Gray’s Inn and one of his neighbours in Holborn. He was at the opening of his career when he was returned for Bossiney with Forsett to the third Parliament of Mary’s reign. Since his name was inserted on the indenture over an erasure, he was evidently not the electors’ choice but presumably owed his place to his partner. Neither man focused displeasure on himself by leaving this Parliament early without permission.2

Harrison prospered sufficiently to make small but regular purchases of property in London and Middlesex, one of which became the subject of litigation. Three purchases made in the early 1560s resulted in a considerable holding in St. Giles-in-the-Fields, which he bequeathed to his wife, his sole executrix in his will of 19 Jan. 1583. A month later on 16 Feb. the will was witnessed by, among others, Margaret Massey (Richard Forsett’s widow) and Edmund Downing^†, and on the following day Harrison died leaving as his heir his nephew Robert, the son of his eldest brother.3

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: A. D.K. Hawkyard

Notes

• 1. Presumed to be of age at election. Vis. Northants. ed. Metcalfe, 98; Mdx. Peds. (Harl. Soc. lxv), 148; CPR, 1560-3, p. 373.
• 2. CP40/1142, r. 501; C219/23/31.
• 3. CPR, 1560-3, pp. 373, 581; 1566-9, p. 114; 1569-72, p. 247; Survey London, v. 20, 24, 107, 145; Req.2/78/98; PCC 10 Rowe; C142/200/5.