A TIMELINE OF THE LIFE OF JOSIAH HENRY HARRIS

1847

Born Plymouth; eldest son of Josiah Harris, a newspaper reporter and writer, and Elizabeth Jane (née Tippet)

1865

Married Elizabeth Ann Treglown (1843 – 1908) on 6 April at the British Embassy, Paris

1867

(Feb) birth of daughter Martha Annie Harris at Clifton, Bristol. (May) working on the Merthyr Telegraph; charged with ‘failing to maintain his wife Elizabeth’

1868

Member of reporting staff of Exeter Gazette

1869

Elizabeth, a “widow” marries James Nenon Connor in London

1871

Starts as a parliamentary or “gallery” reporter in London. Daughter Martha is living with her Treglown grandparents in Troedyrhiw, Glamorgan

1870s

Continues life as a journalist and shorthand writer living and working in London

1881

According to the Census he is ‘married’, his ‘wife’ being Lydia Harris (1851 – 1930), born Bedminster, Bristol. Daughter Martha’s precise whereabouts are unknown although she is part of the Connor family by this time

1880s

Living in Penge, South London

1889

Daughter Martha, now known as Marie Connor, marries a Scottish author Robert Leighton; Marie’s career as an author is already well established by this time

1890-92

Living at 128 Cold Harbour Lane, Lambeth

1891

At the time of the Census he is staying with Joseph Body (his uncle) at Mevagissey. The 128 Cold Harbour Lane address gives Lydia C. Harris, 37, as ‘head’ and ‘married’

1893

The deeds of ‘Colona’ detail Josiah as a journalist of 13 Elm Road, Clapham Common

1894

Built ‘Colona’ at Port Mellon, Mevagissey; time thereafter spent in London and Mevagissey

1895

Birth of grandson Roland to (Martha) Marie and Robert Leighton. Two further grandchildren, Clare and Evelyn follow in 1898 and 1901 respectively

1897

First novel St Porth: the Wooing of Dolly Pentreath published; over subsequent years becomes an accomplished author mainly of fiction with predominantly Cornish/ Devonshire themes, but also a biography and journalism