John Harris (Royalist) facts for kids
John Harris (1596–1648) was an English gentleman who lived in Cornwall and Devon. He was chosen four times to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Liskeard in Cornwall, serving between 1628 and 1644. During the English Civil War, he supported the King's side, known as the Royalists.
Family Background
John Harris was the second son of John Harris (1564-1623). His father was an important local official in West Looe in Cornwall and also an MP for West Looe in 1614. John's mother was Joane Harte.
His younger brother was Robert Harris (died 1655). Robert was a high-ranking officer, a Major-General, in the King's army in Plymouth. He was buried in Tywardreath in Cornwall.
What He Inherited
John Harris became the main heir of his older brother, Christopher Harris (1590–1623), who had no children. Christopher was also an MP for West Looe in 1621. John Harris also inherited from his great-uncle, Sir Christopher Harris (c.1553-1625), who was an MP for Plymouth in 1584.
His Time in Parliament
In 1628, John Harris was first elected as an MP for Liskeard. He served until 1629, when King Charles I decided to rule the country without Parliament for eleven years.
Harris was re-elected as MP for Liskeard in April 1640 for the Short Parliament. He was elected again for Liskeard in November 1640 for the Long Parliament. However, he was removed from Parliament in January 1644 because he supported the King during the Civil War.
His Marriage
In 1630, John Harris married Elizabeth Johnson (died 1637). She was from Somerset and Wiltshire. Elizabeth sadly died in 1637 while giving birth. They had one son who survived:
- John Harris (died 1677), who also became an MP for Liskeard after 1660, following the return of the Monarchy.
