The Harris Ancestors

The surname Harris is from the name Harry which was the regular pronunciation for Henry in the middle ages. My Harris ancestors came from Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. The occupations of my ancestors ranged from Watermen to Gardeners.

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Annie was born on 4th January 1889 at Peterborough End, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, to parents George and Charlotte Jane Harris (nee Stanger). She grew up in Whittlesey with her family including sisters Maggie Hilda, Lilian, Bertha and brothers Walter, Frederick George, Arthur and John Herbert. In October 1902 her mother, Charlotte, died aged only 37 years. During her teens, Annie went into domestic service in Chingford, Essex. In 1907 her father re-married, this time to Eliza Edith Sneesby. Annie regularly returned home from Essex to visit her family and it was on such a train journey to Whittlesey that she met George Brown, a Railway Goods Guard. George also lived in Chingford, at Kings Road, whilst Annie lived at Buxton Road. On 28th October 1911 they were married at Chingford Parish Church They set-up home at Morley Road, Leyton, Essex and in 1912 Annie gave birth to their first child and son George, followed in 1914 by a daughter, Dorothy Hilda. The following year she gave birth to Florence Emily, followed in 1919 by Robert Alan. In 1922 they had a third daughter Joan Edna, followed by Frederick James (1926) and in 1928 William Edward. In the late 1920s her youngest sister, Bertha married Leslie Hardy Foster of Whittlesey and in 1935 Annie's daughter, Dorothy married Bertram Foster, a younger brother of Leslie. By the early 1940s George and Annie had moved to Richmond Road, Leytonstone. On 14th November 1942 George died of Carcinomatosis. Annie continued to live in Leytonstone, regularly visiting her relatives in Whittlesey, including her daughters Florence and Dorothy, who married and moved to Whittlesey, where their husbands lived. She moved back to Leyton, to a flat, 95 (a) Claude Road, in her later years. During the mid-1970s Annie sadly began to show symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's sufferers and had to move to George Mason Lodge, Chelmsford Road, Leytonstone. She died there on 13th December 1976 of Senility, aged 87 years.

George was born in 1860 at Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, to parents James and Susan Harris (formerly Stallebrass, nee Yardy). He grew up in Whittlesey with his family including sister Mary Ann. George worked as a Gardener and in 1888 he married Charlotte Jane Stanger at Stamford. They moved to Peterborough End, Whittlesey and in 1889 she gave birth to their first child Annie Stanger, followed by Maggie Hilda (1890), Walter (1891), Lilian (1893), Frederick George (1894). By 1896 they had moved house to Cheap Lane, Whittlesey and in 1896 Charlotte gave birth to Arthur, followed by John Herbert (1898), and Bertha (1901). In 1902 they moved to Woolpack Lane, Whittlesey. Shortly after, in October 1902, his wife Charlotte died, aged just 37 years. George continued to work as a Gardener and in 1907 he married Eliza Edith Sneesby at the Register Office, Whittlesey. In 1908 Eliza gave birth to their daughter Joy Elsie, followed by a son, James (1909). By 1920 they had moved to New Road, Whittlesey, where George died in February 1925, aged 64 years. He was buried at St Mary's Church yard, Whittlesey.

James was born in 1825 at Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, to parents Henry and Jane Harris (nee Henson). He grew up in Whittlesey with his family including sister Elizabeth, and brothers William, and Henry Thomas. James lived in East Delph and worked as a Labourer. In the late 1850s he met the recently widowed Susan Stallebras (nee Yardy). They were married on 29th February 1860 at St Marys Church, Whittlesey. They set-up home in East Delph, Whittlesey, and James became Step father to Susan's 4 year old daughter, Sarah. In 1861 Susan gave birth to their first child together, George. In 1863 they had a daughter, Mary Ann. By 1881 they had moved to Peterborough End, Whittlesey, and James continued to work as an Agricultural Labourer.

Born in 1778 at Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, Henry was the third child of John and Elizabeth Harris. He grew up in Whittlesey with his family including sisters Susanna and Anne. Henry married Jane Henson at St Mary's Church, Whittlesey on 15th October 1806. After the wedding they lived at Delph, Whittlesey. Henry worked as a Waterman. In 1807 Jane gave birth to their first child, Elizabeth followed by William (1811), Thomas (1815), Henry Thomas (1817), and James (1825). In 1816 they suffered the loss of their son Thomas. Henry Thomas too died young in 1832, aged only 15 years. Henry and Jane continued to live in Delph until he died in March 1841. He was buried at St. Mary's Church, Whittlesey ,aged 63 years.

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