WILLIAM HARRISON1856-1945 |
 |
Relationship to me: Gt.Grandfather
(Chart)
Parents: Thomas Harrison, a Blacksmith and Ellen (nee West). William was born in Longford on the 24th July 1856, but no christening has yet been found.
Early Years: William was one of 7 children, having one brother and 5 sisters. As a child he lived at Foxford, in the district of Longford, 3 miles north of Coventry centre.
Occupation: By the age of 14 he was a Colliery Labourer, but
for most of his life he was a Blacksmith. Later he had his own forge in Cow
Lane in the centre of Coventry, and among his customers were Coventry Council,
Midland Railway, and J.B.Shelton (Haulage contractor ) who later became City
Archivist.. Quote from un-published papers at Coventry Records
Office by local historian J.B.Shelton, as reproduced in Coventry Evening
Telegraph Saturday 5th July 2003 ("Digging into city's history")
"Several other houses stood near and also a blacksmith's shop. When the houses
were demolished (1930s), the smithy, Mr Harrison, moved into the Squirrel Inn
Yard where formerly the Elk Cycle Company stood." Before the invention of
removable studs for horseshoes, in winter Mr. Harrison had to remove the
horse's shoes and "steel" them so they would grip in winter conditions. "Sixty
or so Midland Railway horses were taken there during the night so that they
would be ready for delivery next morning." These horses would carry
parcels, letters, people and goods all day long from Coventry
station.
Marriage : At the age of 20 he married Ellen Barr, from Foleshill, on 25th Dec 1876 at Salem Chapel, Foleshill, Coventry. The witnesses were William's brother Thomas and a Betsy Smith.
Children: The couple had 4 children:
| Joseph | 1877 | Chr. 15 July 1877 | Married Ada Morton Sep QTR 1898. He was a Blacksmith in 1901 living in Chapel Lane, Foleshill. | |
| William | 1878 | Was a Coal Miner in 1901. William married Gertrude Rawson SMITH (my grandmother) in 1901. | ||
| Frederick | 1880-1939 | Was a Coal Miner in 1901. He married Agnes Leah Wilmot at Nuneaton in Jun QTR 1903. They lived at Edgwick, Foleshill....Children Violet 1919-1929 and Frederick. | ||
| Walter Leonard | 1882-1925 | Was a Cycle Machinist in 1901. He married Mary Elizabeth Watson at St.Laurence's, Foleshill in 1905. He died in 1925 in Coventry. |
Known Places of Residence:
After their marriage the couple
lived at Windmill Lane, in the district of Foleshill about 3 miles north
of Coventry centre.
In 1881 they were at Courthouse Green, about a
mile away, and by 1891 were living at 110 Church Lane (Old Church Road).
The family moved along to a slightly more modern house, 74 Old Church
Road, and were there at least between 1914-1927. Their son William and his
family lived 3 doors away.
Ellen died in 1921. William moved to live with his daughter Elsie
and her husband George Cakebread, ( my parents) at the start of their married
life in 1929 at 125 Hall Green Road, Bell Green.
He became blind
later in life and was looked after by my parents until his death.
Death: William died in January 1945, and was buried on the 23rd January at Longford Cemetery in Grave 24N.
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