The Harrison Collection - papers amassed by Vicar-General James Wilks and his descendents, including documents relating to Colonel Mark Wilks FRS, papers of Sir Mark Cubbon KCB and papers of Canon Mark Wilks Harrison MA

This material is held atManx National Heritage Library and Archives

  • Reference
    • IM 147 MS 06568
  • Alternative Id.
      IM 147 MD 436
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1628-1935
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English Manx Latin
  • Physical Description
    • 6 boxes
  • Digital Content

Scope and Content

The content of the Harrison Collection is organised into folders, and each folder is numbered from 1 to 45. The following arrangement consists of:

  • Fol.1. Correspondence written by Thomas Wilson (1663-1755), Bishop of Sodor and Man (1697-1755) to Revd James Wilks (1717-1777), Governor of the Island (1746), the Earl of Derby (1718) and various individuals regarding personal, ecclesiastical and civil jurisdiction affairs. Correspondence to Bishop Wilson from Dr Trottier (Dublin) is also included (1743).
  • Fol.2. Documents connected to Bishop Wilson such as an authority to Vicars-General to act as Ordinary during his absence (1735), a license for the northern parish of Lezayre (1713), excommunication matters (1736), notes on sermons, clergy instructions relating to marriages, the smuggling trade, drinking to Jacobite toasts and the taking of the oath of abjurations. Other documents relate to correspondence with the House of Keys (1722), prayers for condemned men, the elegy of Bishop Wilson's death and instructions for the making and lettering of his tombstone.
  • Fol.3. Correspondence (incoming and outgoing) of Mark Hildesley (1698-1772), Bishop of Sodor and Man (1755-1772) to the clergy, Mr Stevenson of Balladoole (1763), Archbishop of Canterbury (1767), Revd James Wilks and the King (n.d.) - either George II (1683-1760) or George III (1738-1820). Other documents concern funds to build churches and print the Scriptures in Manx, business in London (1762), authority given to Vicars-General to act during his absence (1769) and arrangements for Hilsesley's funeral (1772).
  • Fol.4. Correspondence of George Murray (1784-1860) Bishop of Sodor and Man (1813-1827) to Vicar General Thomas Cubbon (1739-1828) regarding ecclesiastical matters (1818-1827). Other documents include correspondence of Claudius Crigan (c.1739-1813), Bishop of Sodor and Man (1784-1813), Robert John Eden 3rd Baron of Auckland (1799-1870), Bishop of Sodor and Man (1847-1854) and Baptist Levinz (d.1693), Bishop of Sodor and Man (1684-1693).
  • Fol.5. Correspondence to Vicar General Thomas Cubbon and documents such as certificate of Institution, bonds, receipts, an appeal to chancery court and mandate for induction and a Psalm. (1760s-1810s)
  • Fol.6. Sundry correspondence to Bishop Hildesley, James Wilks, Revd David H. Harrison (some outgoing correspondence too) and others. (1750s-1800s)
  • Fol.7. Miscellaneous documents such as orders and instructions for the making of a road, forms of service in English and Manx, bills, copies of press notices, a copy of an Act of Tynwald (1713), letters regarding an estate, an address from the House of Keys to the new Duke of Atholl (1764) and directions from King George to all Bishops (1721). Other material includes a report to the Bishop, a grant of property rights in the Island by King James (copy), a petition of local landlords to Bishop Hildesley, an address of the Manx clergy to King George III on his accession (1761), a public notification and certificate and a newspaper cutting regarding the need for the British Government to take over the Isle of Man. (1710s-1850s)
  • Fol.8. Miscellaneous documents such as a copy of an Act of Tynwald (1734), Bishop Bridgeman's (d.1682) appointment of Vicars-General (c.1670s), an apothecary's account (1755), Samuel Rutter, Bishop of Sodor and Man's (1661-1663) authority to grant marriage licence (1661), a copy of a petition of landholders to the House of Keys (1776) and the Duke of Atholl's speech to the Key on his appointment as Governor (reply of Keys included, 1793). Other documents include a mortgage on lands in Maughold (1759), an assignment of Power of Attorney (1839), questions by Lord Derby as to the rights of the Bishop (1719), a will of William Killip (1795), a copy of a deed for St Mark's Chapel (1772), a draft letter of a dispute over the Fish Tithe, a copy of a Proclamation by the King (1721) and a copy of an Appeal by the Keys to the Early of Derby for the suspension of the Act in Restraint of Trade (1721). Further material present includes permission for change of Guardian for Mr R. A Stevenson (1759), a claim by Margaret Christian against her guardian (1770), newspaper cuttings (1890s), notes on the Kermode family and Claughbane (1932), notes from the Archdeacon's register (1628-1700), printed circular on Peel Castle (1858), observations on the 'Mischief Act', and a memorandum of rents on an estate in Castletown (1772). (1620s-1930s)
  • Fol.9. Miscellaneous items such as a hymn (with Manx version attached), a poem in Manx (1820), a manuscript book of two sermons preached in 1772 and 1795 (with Manx translations attached) and a sermon (1803) preached at Hanover, Jamaica, by Revd Stephen Harrison (b.1780).
  • Fol.10. Genealogical information on the Wilks, Cubbon, Collet, Cosnahan and Harrison branches of the family.
  • Fol.11. Papers of Revd Stephen Nathaniel Harrison (1836-1925) such as, bills, receipts, note of investment and income, a letter from Lord Raglan (1857-1921), Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man (1902-1919) regarding the appointment as a Justice of the Peace (reply included, 1904), letters relating to the estate of Miss M.T. Harrison (1898), a 1935 letter from the Manx Museum regarding an article about Sir Mark Cubbon (1785-1861).
  • Fol.12. Correspondence of the Harrison family including Theodosia Harrison née Rimmer (great-granddaughter of Revd James Wilks), Revd Bowyer Harrison (Theodosia's husband), Stephen Harrison and Mark Rimmer (great grandson of Revd James Wilks). (1820s-1860s)
  • Fol.13. Correspondence and legal documents of Misses Ann (1783-1847), Elizabeth [Betsy] (1788-1869) and Maria Cubbon (1792-1862), sisters of Sir Mark Cubbon (1785-1861). (1820s-1860s).
  • Fol.14. Minutes, extracts, draft and constitution of Convocation (1703-1776) and minutes of the Consistory Court (1756-1758).
  • Fol.15. Minutes, rules, applications for assistance and receipt books for the Royal Bounty and the Fund for the Widows & Orphans of the Clergy (1750s-1780s).
  • Fol.16. Material relating to fish tithe disputes such as, correspondence, court case items, statement of receipts and payments lists of herring boats paying customs fees, coroner's certificate, depositions of witnesses, account of fishermen's threats, memo of herring tithes due from Ballaugh fishermen, rules and orders observable for the Herring fishery, valuation of herring tithes of Kirk Michael, list of boat masters in Kirk Michael, names of crews for all boats in Kirk Michael, order for imprisonment, petition for non-payment and a list of executions for costs given to coroner. (1740s-1770s)
  • Fol.17. Material relating to Impropriate tithes, such as correspondence from Bishop Wilson to the Duke of Atholl regarding his claim (1750), reports of proceedings of trials in Castletown and London (1755-1756), minutes of the trial at Castletown (1755), order to the clergy to make a return of the value of their livings (1763) and orders regarding payments from the tithes to schoolmasters (1675). Other material includes a draft letter instructing the clergy to claim the money due to them, a memorial of Revd John Crellin applying for a grand from the fund (1768), a copy of a deed by the Duke of Atholl appointing Trustees for the fund (1757) and a copy of the collateral security given by the Earl of Derby for the enjoyment of the tithes (1676).
  • Fol.18. Material relating to Impropriate tithes, such as statement of receipts and expenditures, with valuations for various parishes, sundry papers for use in the trial in London, statements showing the position of the fund at various times and of sums of disbursed and statements showing the revenues of the Bishop. (1750s).
  • Fol.19. Documents relating to various tithes around the Island (1699-1782).
  • Fol.20. Papers relating to the Academic School (Castletown) Fund such as a statement of the origin of the fund, license for the schoolmaster, a copy of Bishop Barrow's deed establishing a scholarship at Dublin, original letter from Bishop Levinz regarding an Oxford master for the school (1690), letter from Bishop Hildesley to the Archdeacon regarding payments to be made to scholar and an original acknowledgement from the Duke of Ormonde of a loan from the fund (1674). Other material includes correspondence of Bishop Wilson, Revd James Wilks, regarding the fund, receipted account of Wilks' expenses while in Ireland and a will of Mrs E Sampson. Correspondence to Mr Ross regarding his conduct and money owed to the family, and correspondence relating to Revd T. Castley is also present. (1670s-1760s)
  • Fol.21. Extracts from civil and ecclesiastical court records and correspondence regarding a lawsuit against Revd J. Wilks. (1610-1755)
  • Fol.22. Documentation on the mills in the north of the Island at Cornaa, Lewaigue and Ballure, with items such as statements of corn ground (1755-1766), income and expenditure (1756-1759; 1771-1777), letter showing the division of purchase price of the mills (1750), account books, partnership accounts (1783 & 1820), costs of repairs and rebuilding and a copy of a bill of sale from J. Collet of Philadelphia, U.S.A to Revd T. Cubbon of his share in the mills. Other material present is an agreement to let land near Lewaigue mill for the building of a house (1782), petitions for the building of the house (1779), a petition for the water-rights of the Ballure Mill and sundry notes, memoranda and bills.
  • Fol.23. Maps of the Isle of Man and Harrogate, York and estate plans of Port Lewaigue, Southern Ramsey, Dhoon Parsonage, Baldroma Mooar (Maughold) and Ballure; also mapping of suggested roads near Claughbane and several un-named sketches of plans. (c.1800s)
  • Fol.24. Papers of Colonel Mark Wilks (1759-1831), including an acrostic addressed to him, correspondence to various family members such as Miss E. Cubbon and Revd T. Cubbon (discussing the character and life of Sir Mark Cubbon) and his will. (1790s-1830s)
  • Fol.25. Private correspondence of Sir Mark Cubbon (1785-1861), including letters to his father, his sisters and Col. Mark Wilks. Incoming correspondence from Lord and Lady Tweedle, Major Dobbs, Captain J. Fulton, Lord and Lady Canning, Lord Dalhousie (1812-1860), Lord Elphinstone (regarding the retreat from Cabul) and Captain E.M. Martin are also present. (1800s-1860s).
  • Fol.26. Incoming correspondence to Sir Mark Cubbon, including letters from Col. Agnew and Col. Mark Wilks; also letters from Col. Agnew to Col. Wilks and Col. Wilks to Col. Munro. (1804-1811).
  • Fol.27. Papers of Sir Mark Cubbon including statement of services, household expenses, memorandum of wine stocks, various bills, invoice books, invoices for wine and tea, request for payment of an account from an Indian firm, statement of accounts on closing his accounts in India, pencil sketches, lists of his papers and books, letters of sympathy regarding his death and a receipt for a legacy paid to William Cubbon of Ballavere, Isle of Man. (1840s-1860s)
  • Fol.28. Official correspondence of Sir Mark Cubbon, including letters to residents in Mysore, G.C Talbot (Private Secretary to Lord Canning), to the Government of India (Foreign department), the Rajah of Mysore and the Governor-General. Incoming correspondence from G.C. Talbot, Lieutenant Colonel G. Fryer (Secretary to Indian Government) and the Government of India. Further items include a report on the horse of the Indian Cavalry and sundry despatches and letters regarding Mysore. (1832-1860).
  • Fol.29. Papers of Sir Mark Cubbon including correspondence from the Commissioner at Nagpur and from inhabitants of Mysore. Further items include correspondence from Sir Mark to 'My Lord' (1846) and to the residents of Bangalore. Other correspondence from various individuals (including the Manx Museum) relates to Sir Mark's character, his work in India, his death and the unveiling of his statue in Bangalore, India. Also present are an extract from 'Men and Events of my Time in India' by Sir R. Temple, press notice from the Madras Times (1860), The United Services Gazette (1853), newspaper cutting on Sir Mark's leaving of Mysore, a farewell address (translation) and notes and slides for a lecture on Sir Mark. (1840s-1880s).
  • Fol.30. Miscellaneous items related to India are present such as minutes, correspondence, memoranda, reports of expenses, statement of costs, pay and allowances and a roll of officers for various sections of the Indian Army. Correspondence of various individuals includes the Rajah of Mysore to the Governor-General and to Lord Dalhousie, Colonel Low to Lord Dalhousie and Lord Canning to the Secretary of State of India regarding matters with the kingdom of Mysore. Notification of the cultivation of coffee in Mysore, a memorandum regarding the taxation on coffee, a blank form for birth certificate of an Hon. East India Company cadet, an appeal for funds for the relief of distress in the Scottish Highlands (March 1847) and newspaper cutting are further miscellaneous items present. (1830s-1860s).
  • Fol.31. A family journal created by the Kermode family of Ramsey called Ny Irey Lhaa ('The Rising Day'). Canon Mark Wilks Harrison's (great-great-great grandson of Revd James Wilks) mother (Mary Ann Emily Kermode) was the daughter of Revd William Kermode (1814-1890), Rector of Ballaugh (1877-1890) and sister to the Manx poet Josephine 'Cushag' (1852-1937) and Philip Moore Callow Kermode (1855-1932), Manx archaeologist and founder (and first director) of the Manx Museum. (1870s).
  • Fol.32. Miscellaneous items such as correspondence of Red Mark W Harrison (1945), an extract from Maughold Register, an account of Glebe of Maughold (mine), notes on Maughold and a farm, ecclesiastical items and the will of Edward Christian (1734).
  • Fol.33. A notebook on Isle of Man fossils.
  • Fol.34. Proclamations and legal items such as, proclamations for public thanksgivings, bounties and Acts on herring fishing, customs, smuggling and regulating trade and manufacture on the Island. (1760s-1870s)
  • Fol.35. A book of the Spiritual Laws and Customs associated with the Isle of Man (1759).
  • Fol.36. Minutes of the Secret and Political Department, India (1821-1826).
  • Fol.37. Manuscript description of Iceland, written c.1810-1825. Possibly belonging to Revd Harrison.
  • Fol.38. Two volumes containing copies of despatches from Sir Thomas Munro (1761-1827) to Lord Amherst (1773-1857) and others; covers the First Burmese War. (1821-1825).
  • Fol.39. A receipt book belonging to William Cubbon for home-made medicines (1756).
  • Fol.40. A small diary of 'Minnie' (Mary Anne Emily née Kermode) Harrison.
  • Fol.41. A report of the Annual General Meeting for the Isle of Man Railway Company (1921).
  • Fol.42. A bill and cheque in payment of tithes.
  • Fol.43. An envelope from Miss Cubbon containing a lock of hair.
  • Fol.44. An envelope addressed to Lieutenant General Mark Cubbon containing a lock of hair.
  • Fol.45. Notebooks (possibly Canon Mark Wilks Harrison's) containing notes on private matters, farming, Douglas Chapel, Manx history, place-names and Manx folklore.

Administrative / Biographical History

Much of the of the Harrison Collection was amassed by Vicar-General Revd James Wilks (1719-1777), with many of the later papers relating to his descendants - Colonel Mark Wilks (1759-1831) British East India Company (EIC) army officer in the Madras province, scholar and administrator, Sir Mark Cubbon (1785-1861), EIC army officer and Governor of Mysore (India) and the Harrison family branch - Canon Mark Wilks Harrison (1877-1946).

Vicar-General Revd James Wilks

James Wilks, born in the parish of Santon, Isle of Man, was the son of John and Margaret Wilks. Records of his early life are few and far between; in 1742 he was ordained by the Bishop of Sodor and Man Thomas Wilson (1663-1755). After a period as curate in the parish of St German in 1745 he became the Vicar at St John's. During his time at St John's Bishop Wilson chose Wilks to go to Dublin and obtain arrears of interest on money left to the Academic Fund under Bishop Barrow's (1613-1680) will and invested there.

In 1745 Wilks married Margaret Woods (1725-1755), daughter of the Revd John Woods (1695-1740), former Vicar-General. The couple had five children. In 1750 he was made Episcopal Registrar and by 1752 Wilks was given the living in Kirk Michael; the vicarage was close to Bishopscourt (the home of the Bishop), for the elderly Bishop had come to be dependent on Wilks. In 1755 (after the death of Bishop Wilson) Wilks was sent to London 'on account and at the request of the Clergy of this Isle', about a chancery suit against the Early of Derby for the recovery of tithes which, it was claimed, had been annexed by the Earl's family. In London he dined with the 2nd Duke of Atholl and Lord of Man (1690-1764). Soon afterwards the Duke introduced him to the Revd Dr Mark Hildesley (1698-1772), whom he had appointed to succeed Wilson as Bishop of Sodor and Man. In 1755 Wilks's wife died; the following year he remarried, this time to Elizabeth Christian (d.1799), daughter of William Christian (1885-c.1743), Vicar-General of Ballamooar, Jurby. The couple had five children.

From the 1760s to 1770s Wilks managed the clergy's litigation with the Manx fishermen over tithes. By 1769 he was made Vicar-General and in 1771 he became the Rector of St Mary de Ballaugh. In June 1777 Vicar-General Wilks died at the age of 58.

Colonel Marks Wilks FRS

Mark Wilks, born at Kirk Michael Vicarage, was the son of Revd James Wilks and his second wife Elizabeth Christian. He was named after his godfather, Bishop Hildesley. Receiving a good education, Wilks obtained a cadetship in 1781 and by 1782 received a commission in the Madras army of the EIC. From the early seventeenth century onwards the EIC had a presence in India, gradually increasing influence over the ensuing centuries (EIC's rule was officially recognised in 1764). As British control expanded, so too did Indian opposition. This led to a period of great political conflict and wars (such as the Anglo-Indian Wars) and many soldiers like Wilks were needed.

In 1788 Wilks was appointed fort adjutant at Fort St George, Madras (now Chennai) and gained the promotion of lieutenant the following year. From 1790 to 1792 he acted as brigade-major and aide-de-camp to Colonel James Stuart (d.1793) during the war against the Mysore ruler, Tipu Sultan (1750-1799). By 1793 Wilks was made assistant adjutant-general. In 1793 Wilks married Harriet Macleane (c.1773-1806) at Fort St George; the couple had two children, including Lady Laura Buchan (1797-1888).

Between 1795 and 1799 Mark was granted a leave of absence due to bad health. Returning to the Isle of Man he joined the Royal Manx Fencibles in 1797 as a lieutenant. During his absence Wilks received his captaincy in India and returned to the country in 1798, serving as military secretary and private secretary to the Governor of Madras, Edward Clive (1754-1839). Wilks was next appointed town-major of Fort St. George and from 1803 to 1808 he was political Resident at the Court of Mysore. Attaining the rank of major in 1804, Wilks then obtained lieutenant-colonel in 1808 (received the title of colonel in 1814).

A further bout of ill-health saw Wilks on the Isle of Man from 1809 to 1811, during which he was elected a member of the House of Keys. 1812 saw his return to India however by 1813 he had resigned from his office and returned to the British Isles. 1813 also saw Wilks marry his second wife, Dorothy Taubman (b.1783) in Bath, Somerset. Dorothy was the daughter of John Taubman (1746-1822), Speaker of the House of Keys. The couple had no children. In the same year Wilks was offered the position of Governor by the EIC in St Helena. Agreeing to rule for a period of three years, his administration was very popular with improvements to agricultural conditions and alterations to the system of land tenure. Wilks was present on St Helena when Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was exiled in 1815. It was said the exiled emperor admired Wilks and thought he was an able Governor.

Wilks was a leading authority in his lifetime on Indian literature and history and wrote several works. For example in 1810 he published Historical Sketches of the South of India in an Attempt to Trace the History of Mysoor . A second and third volume was published in 1814. He also translated into English Akhlaq-i-Nasiri , (the work of the Persian poet Nasir-al-Din al-Tusi [1201-1274]).

In 1816 he returned to the Isle of Man and settled in his estate of Kirby, the same year saw him re-elected into the House of Keys and in 1818 he officially retired from the EIC's service. In 1823 he was made Speaker of the House of Keys and in 1826 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). Wilks died in 1831 at Kelloe House, Berwickshire; the residence of his son-in-law Major-General Sir John Buchan (c.1783-1850).

Lieutenant-General Sir Mark Cubbon KCB

Mark Cubbon, born in Maughold, Isle of Man, was son of the Revd Thomas Cubbon (1739-1828), Vicar of Maughold and Margaret Wilks (1749-1829). The Cubbons are an old Manx family able to trace their ancestors back to the fifteenth century. Mark Cubbon was the nephew of Mark Wilks and through this connection, Cubbon successfully enrolled as a cadet for the Madras infantry in 1800. In 1801 he was a lieutenant in the 5th Madras Native Infantry; by 1816 he had been promoted to captain and afterwards became an assistant commissary-general. Serving in the Pindari War (1817-1818), Cubbon became deputy commissary-general for the Madras presidency in 1822, promoted to major in 1823 and then lieutenant-colonel in 1826.

In 1831 the inhabitants of the city of Mysore rose against the Hindu Rajah, who had been placed on the throne by Lord Wellesley (1760-1842) but ran a corrupted administrative system. The rising was suppressed but a commission was instigated to examine the causes. Cubbon was one of many called in to investigate; the end result saw Cubbon appointed British Commissioner of Mysore, a post he held for 27 years.

Cubbon was an extremely talented administrator and during his time Mysore became very prosperous. He simplified the revenue and judicial systems, encouraged new agricultural ventures (coffee planting) and maintained the Amrit Mahal (cattle) at Hunsur, which had been established by Sultan Haidar Ali (1721-1782) to improve the breed of cattle. In 1839 Cubbon was made colonel of the 5th Madras native infantry, promoted to major-general in 1846 and lieutenant-general in 1852. He was made a Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath (CB) in 1856 and a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath (KCB) in 1857.

Cubbon never married. Suffering from ill health, he retired from post in February 1861 and prepared to return to the British Isles after a 61 year absence. During the long journey home his health declined further and he died at Suez in April 1861; his body was interred in Maughold parish churchyard, Isle of Man. A commemorative equestrian statue of Cubbon can be found in Bangalore as well as Cubbon Road and Cubbon Park in the same city.

Canon Mark Wilks Harrison MA

The Revd Cannon Mark Wilks Harrison, born in Maughold, Isle of Man, came from a distinguished family who had over a two hundred year connection to the Manx clergy. He was the son of Canon Stephen Nathaniel Harrison (1836-1925), Chaplain of Christ Church, Dhoon, and Mary Anne Emily Kermode (b.1848). His paternal grandfather was Revd Bowyer Harrison (1792-1871), Vicar of Maughold from 1818-1871 and his maternal grandfather was Revd William Kermode (1814-1890), Vicar of Maughold from 1871-1877. William Kermode was also the father of the Manx poet Josephine 'Cushag' Kermode (1852-1937) and Philip Moore Callow Kermode (1855-1932), archaeologist and founder (and first Director) of the Manx Museum.

Further distinguished ancestors include his great grandfathers Revd David Harrison (d.1824) the first Chaplain of St Marks and afterwards Vicar of Malew and Revd Thomas Cubbon (1739-1828), Vicar of Maughold, 1769-1814. Through Thomas Cubbon, Harrison was a great nephew of Sir Mark Cubbon. His great-great grandfather was Revd Thomas W.J. Woods (c.1722-1785), Vicar of Maughold, 1754-1769. His third great grandfather was Vicar-General James Wilks and thus his great-great uncle was Colonel Mark Wilks.

Attending Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, Harrison obtained his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 1899 and Master of Arts (MA) in 1902. He was House Master at the Imperial Service College, Windsor, from 1902-1905. After receiving the calling to serve God, Harrison was ordained in 1905 by Francis Paget (1851-1911), Bishop of Oxford (1901-1911), becoming a priest the following year. From 1906 to 1909 he was the curate at Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire. In 1907 Harrison married Lily Pasifull (1876-1954) in Norfolk. The couple had one child, Mona Emily Pasifull Harrison (1909-1947).

Shortly after the birth of their daughter, the Harrison family moved back to the Isle of Man, Harrison having accepted the position of curate at St George's, Douglas under Revd R.D. Kermode (1868-1948). 1911 saw Harrison become the Vicar at St Paul's, Ramsey, a position he held for thirty-five years. Completely devoted to his parish Harrison ran many welfare activities such as the Church Institute, Mothers' Union, Church Guild, Soup Kitchen and the Church Workers' Association. Other community responsibilities included membership of the School Board in 1911 and the Higher Education Board in 1912. In 1913 he was appointed a Probation Officer and in 1928 he was elected to the Town Board. By 1940 he had become the Canon of St German, Peel.

In 1912 Harrison became secretary of the Mysore Trust. This Trust had charge of a row of cottages in Waterloo Road, Ramsey, built in 1862 and by his great aunt Elizabeth Cubbon (1788-1869) in memory of her brother Sir Mark Cubbon. Harrison was a member of the Freemasons, being a Worshipful Master of the St Maughold Lodge from 1917 and the Provincial Grand Chaplain. He also belonged to the Foresters' Society and was Chief Ranger in 1915.

Harrison was a keen supporter for the Ramsey branch of the Lifeboat Institution, joining the committee in 1911 and obtaining the chairmanship in 1927. Other activities, roles and responsibilities included the chairmanship of the Ramsey Nursing Association in 1934 and the presidency of the Ramsey Swimming Club in 1933. He was also a Trustee for the Manx Museum with a specific interest in ecclesiastical and antiquarian subjects. Canon Harrison died in 1946 aged 69 and is buried in the Maughold Churchyard.

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Archivist's Note

The biographical information was gathered from L.B Thrower's From Mann to Mysore: The Indian Careers of Col. Mark Wilks FRS and Lt. General Sir Mark Cubbon , (2006: 17-20) and H.M. Stephens, 'Cubbon, Sir Mark (1784-1861)', rev. James Lunt, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography , Oxford University Press, 2004 [ http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/6857 , accessed 7 March 2016].

Further information was gathered from the website https://familysearch.org/search/ (accessed 7 April 2016) and the Manx newspaper the Ramsey Courier (11 October 1946). Isle of Man newspapers available online at http://www.newspapers.gov.im/Default/Skins/IOMDemo/Client.asp?skin=IOMDemo&enter=true&AppName=2 .

Fonds-level description created by Eleanor Williams (MNH Project Archivist), April 2016.

Related Material

Material held by Manx National Heritage relating to Mark Wilks and Sir Mark Cubbon (and other extended relatives) includes the 'Family papers of Sir Mark Edlmann Collet'. Reference number: MS 06442.

Bibliography

An account of the lives of Mark Wilks and Sir Mark Cubbon and their careers in India is depicted in L.B Thrower's From Mann to Mysore: The Indian Careers of Col. Mark Wilks FRS and Lt. General Sir Mark Cubbon (2006) .