His Death

1848, Apr 16

Joseph Harrison died at Stockport, aged 69. Buried at Stockport Municipal Cemetery on 21 April, 1848.

Death Certificate: On 16th April 1848 at 4 Mount Street Stockport Joseph Harrison Male aged 69 years School Master of Asthma congestion of the lungs certified. Reported on the 20th April 1848 by Thomas Harrison of 4 Mount Street Stockport in attendance. John Shawcross Register.1

‘Died, On the 16th inst., aged 68 years, Mr. Joseph Harrison, of Stockport. Deceased was well known as having been a consistent advocate of radical reform during the past thirty years; and as having suffered three and a half years imprisonment at the time Henry Hunt, Esq., and others were prosecuted by the Government for sedition. His loss will be much felt by the temperance movement in Stockport, as well as by a large number of relations and friends.’2

‘On the 16th inst. aged 68 years, at his residence in Lord-street, Mr Joseph Harrison. He was one of the individuals who, in 1819, in conjunction with Sir Chas. Wolseley, Bart., Messrs Bagguley, Drummond, and Johnson, suffered terms of imprisonment, on the prosecution of the Government, for seditious speeches uttered in the cause of Radical Reform, on Sandy Brow, in this town. Since that period, his life has been one of inoffensiveness, devoting the talents which he possessed in the education of youth, and inculcating habits of order and temperance amongst his fellow-creatures, whenever and wherever the opportunity offered itself.’3

‘Stockport.- It has now become our painful duty to inform you of the sudden removal by death of our much esteemed and beloved pastor, Joseph Harrison. I called to see him on Saturday, the 15th instant, when he told me he was about as well as usual. After preparing for the services of the next day, as his custom was, he retired to rest about 12 o’clock; shortly afterwards he was seized with violent pain, experiencing great difficulty in breathing, which rapidly increased until about 2 o’clock, when to the surprise of all, he fell asleep in Jesus. We expected to meet him again, but were not permitted. He was respected by all who knew him. He was a shining light both as a husband, and father, as well as a consistent member and teacher in the church of Christ. The bereavement is great to his family and to us all, but we sorrow not as those who have no hope. He has left our company for a short time, for the engagement of society more delightful in the regions of glory above, where we expect to meet him again, and to be for ever with the Lord. Yours, T.W.’ [perhaps Thomas Wallis]4

‘April 16. Died, the Rev. Joseph Harrison, aged 68. He was born at Harleston, in Cambridgeshire, and settled in Stockport in 1817 as a schoolmaster and Baptist minister. For taking an active part in the Reform agitation in 1817 he underwent 3 ½ years imprisonment. He also took an active part in the temperance movement.’5

[More likely he was born in Clavering Essex, in 1779, but the family later moved to Harleston in 1786]

1. General Register Office. 2. The Manchester Times and Gazette, April 22, 1848. 3. Stockport Advertiser, April 21, 1848. 4. The British Millennial Harbinger and Family Magazine, 1848. 5. Burton MSS, held in Stockport Heritage Library.

Harrison Family Gravestone in Stockport Municipal Cemetery

Joseph Harrison died on the 16th day of April 1848 in the 69th year of his life. Also Sally his wife died Oct 31 1859 aged 80 years. Also Thomas their son died Dec 1st 1872 aged 57 years. Also Elizabeth wife of Thomas Harrison who died Feb 13th 1878 aged 53 years. Also Thomas Collier son of Thomas & Elizabeth Harrison who died June 20th 1863 aged 13 years and 9 months. Also James their Eldest son who died Nov 18th Nov 1871 aged 28 years. Also George Herbert their youngest son who died Nov 15th 1911 aged 46 years.