HARRISON, George (1680-1759), of Balls Park, Herts.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1754-1790, ed. L. Namier, J. Brooke., 1964
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

23 Jan. 1727 - 1734
1741 - 2 Dec. 1759

Family and Education

b. 10 Feb. 1680, 2nd surv. s. of Richard Harrison, M.P., by Audrey, da. of George Villiers, 4th Visct. Grandison [I].  educ. Charterhouse 1695-7; Wadham, Oxf. 1697.  m. 12 June 1737, Mary, da. of Edward Feilde of Stanstead Abbots, Herts., s.p.  suc. bro, Edward Harrison, M.P., 1732.

Offices Held

Biography

In 1754 Harrison was returned unopposed for Hertford, where his family had considerable influence. When Newcastle took over the Treasury Harrison was already in receipt of a secret service pension of £500 p.a.1 of which the origin is unascertained. Harrison drew the yearly instalments in 1754 and 1755,2 but although further payments were intended they were apparently never claimed or made.3There were no compelling reasons for him to draw them. He was well-to-do; in 1753 he invested £4,500 in Bank of England stock; at the time he made his will, December 1755, he had £5,000 owing to him from an estate in which he had a life interest; and he left a further £3,000 in legacies. His principal estate went to Lady Townshend, wife of the 3rd Viscount and mother of George and Charles Townshend, with the proviso that it was to be free from any ‘intermeddling’ from her husband. He died 2 Dec. 1759.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: Sir Lewis Namier

Notes

  • 1. Add. 33038, f. 415.
  • 2. Namier, Structure, 432, 438.
  • 3. Add. 32997, ff. 64, 237, 330.