George Harrison (1830-1886)

George Harrison was employed as a tailor at least until his second marriage in 1862, however he was listed in directories for 1864 and 1867 as a photographer in Scarborough with a studio in Eastborough. However he worked in the business much longer than that, and was working at least until 1883, but may have worked up to his death in 1886. At some point in his career he patented “roller skates for rink purposes.”

Harrison was born in Driffield. He Married Jane Fowler Harrison (d.1861). He was the father of Thomas and Robert both Photographers and of two other sons, Harry (1855-1873) and L. Harrison (b.1860) a joiner. Soon after the death of his first wife he remarried to Sophia who was herself a widow. In November 1882 the Shields Daily News reported on the divorce proceedings - Harrison V. Harrison. It was reported that Mrs Sophia Harrison was petitioning for divorce on the grounds of cruelty and adultery. The court heard that he treated her with considerable violence and had many times threatened her. Once she had “found him misconducting himself with another woman”, after which she refused to cohabit with him. His constant assaults on her had resulted in him being bound over to keep the peace. The divorce was granted with costs and she was given the custidy of the children. On 11 September 1883 the York Herald reports that George Harrison, Photographer was charged with “disorderly conduct and using profane language” on “the Foreshore Road and South Sands”. He was discharged on the payment of costs.

When he died on 27 March 1886 he was buried in the cemetery in Deans Road, in the same grave as the two wives of Thomas (Catherine and Matilda), his first wife Jane and their son Harry.