George Harrison (Hertford MP)

George Harrison (10 February 1680 – 1759), of Balls Park, near Hertford, was a British politician who sat in the House of Commons for 25 years between 1727 and 1759.

George Harrison
Member of Parliament for Hertford
In office
1741-1759
Member of Parliament for Hertford
In office
1727-1734
Personal details
Born(1680-02-10)10 February 1680
Died1759 (aged 78–79)
Spouse
Mary Feilde
(m. 1737)
Parent
RelativesEdward Harrison (brother)
Thomas Harrison (brother)
George Villiers (grandfather)
Sir John Harrison (grandfather)
EducationWadham College, Oxford

Early life

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Harrison was the fifth, but second surviving son of Richard Harrison and Audrey Villiers daughter of George Villiers, 4th Viscount Grandison. He was educated at Charterhouse School from 1695 to 1697[1] and matriculated at Wadham College, Oxford on 3 July 1697, aged 17.[2]

Career

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Balls Park

Harrison replaced his brother Edward Harrison, who was appointed Postmaster General, as Member of Parliament for Hertford at a by-election on 23 January 1727. He succeeded to the estates of his brother in 1732 and did not stand at the 1734 general election. He was returned for Hertford without a contest at the general elections of 1741, 1747 and 1754, voting with the Administration in every recorded division. He drew a secret service pension of £500 in 1753 and 1754, but was a wealthy man and does not appear to have drawn them subsequently.[3]

Later life and legacy

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Harrison married Mary Feilde, daughter of Edward Feilde of Stanstead Abbots, Hertfordshire on 12 June 1737. He died without issue on 2 December 1759, leaving his principal estate to his niece Audrey or Etheldreda, who married Charles Townshend, 3rd Viscount Townshend. This was with the proviso that it was to be free from any "intermeddling" from her husband, from whom she separated formally around 1740.[3] As well as Edward, his brother Thomas Harrison, and brother-in-law Edward Hughes were also Members of Parliament.

References

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  1. ^ "HARRISON, George (1680-1759), of Balls Park, nr. Hertford". History of Parliament Online (1715-1754). Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  2. ^ Foster, Joseph. "Harmar-Hawtayne in Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1714 pp.652-678". British History Online. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  3. ^ a b "HARRISON, George (1680-1759), of Balls Park, Herts". History of Parliament Online (1754-1790). Retrieved 18 August 2018.
Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Hertford
1727–1734
With: Sir Thomas Clarke
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Hertford
1741–1759
With: Nathaniel Brassey
Succeeded by