Commission
Museums of Mississauga
Tous droits réservés.
| Nom de l'objet : | Commission |
| Matériaux : | paper, ink |
| Numéro d'accession : | BE2004.2.66 |
| Date de début de production : | 1781 |
| Description : | A signed and dated commission of John Harris to Second Lieutenant of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. The commission is signed by King George III. The commission starts with, 'George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and c. To Our Trusty and Wellbeloved John Harris Gent. Greetings' The commission continues to outline his role of 2nd lieutenant. 'Given at Our Court at St. James's the twenty fourth Day of May 1781 in the twenty first year of Our Reign'. To the left is a blue paper seal, with the royal insignia on white paper. Below reads, 'Enter'd in the Office of Ordnance 26th May 1781 Thas. Locks Stk Ord.ce.' Signed by Townshend (see 2004.2.65). In the bottom left corner is John Harris' name and rank written out. Below reads, 'Ent.d fo. 95 RM.' The back also has John Harris' name and rank written out, along with 'No.14' written in pencil. |
| Fonctions : | Major General John Harris had the most illustrious career of all the Harris military men. Little is known about his childhood and early life other than he was the eldest son of William Harris. His father died around the age of thirty-two some time in the mid 1760's. John did have two siblings, a sister, Susan, and an unnamed brother who served as a midshipman and is said to have died early in life in the West Indies.;;John Harris first joined the army in the Royal Regiment of Artillery as a Gentleman Cadet in August 1779. He rose fairly quickly through the ranks becoming Second Lieutenant in May 1781, First Lieutenant in 1790, Captain Lieutenant in 1794 and Captain in November 1800. His career further advanced when he became a Major in 1805, Lieutenant Colonel in 1808 and Colonel in 1814. According to oral tradition, John Harris served under the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo (1815) and may have commanded a battery during this battle. His final rank of Major General was achieved in 1825. Two months later he retired from active duty. He died in Plymouth, England, 12 September 1833.;;John married Margaret Marshall, daughter of Thomas Marshall, Esq., in 1788. Despite transferring from post to post, John and Margaret were able to have six children, two girls and four boys. All four boys served in the military including his third son Captain James Beveridge Harris (1797-) of the 24th Regiment of Foot who settled in Upper Canada at Benares. ;;It was donated by Geoffrey Harris Sayers (1907-1997), John Harris's great-great-grandson. A retired businessman, he was the first child of Beverly and Annie Sayers (n‚e Harris). A member of the Canadian Armed Forces, he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant 14 June 1938. Two years later, he was appointed Lieutenant. As of 21 April 1941, he was appointed the rank of Temporary Captain, and was recommended for appointment to the Lorne Scots (P. D. and H. Regiment) based out of Brampton. According to his military file, Captain Geoffrey Sayers served with the Canadian Forces from 21 April 1941 until 11 October 1945, when he was honourably discharged. From 17 June 1941 until 13 March 1945, he also served with the British Forces (he had British citizenship). He received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp 1939-45. ;;Geoffrey Sayers and his wife Kathleen (n‚e Colloton) occupied Benares from 1969 until 1981. During that time, they acted as care takers of the estate on behalf of the Ontario Heritage Foundation. They kept a small display of artifacts in the kitchen, and opened up the house once a year to the public. He also maintained the Benares financial affairs in 1932 for Naomi (Na) and Mary, who were unable to do so themselves. Along with sisters Dora Sayers and Barbara Sayers Larson, Geoff donated Benares to the Museums of Mississauga in 1995. |
| Longueur : | 27.0000000000 |
| Largeur : | 39.5000000000 |
| Établissement : |
Museums of Mississauga
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 Twitter-Museums of Mississauga
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| Ville de l'établissement : | Mississauga |
| Province de l'établissement : | Ontario |
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