Edward Harris

Sir Edward Harris (1575–1636) of Cornworthy in Devon, was an English-born judge and politician in seventeenth-century Ireland. He was Chief Justice of Munster in Ireland, and sat as Member of Parliament for Clonakilty 1613–1615 in the Irish House of Commons of the Parliament of Ireland. He was the grandfather of the faith healer Valentine Greatrakes, and brother of the poet Lady Anne Southwell. Elrington Ball describes him as a man who acquired "both wealth and friends" in Ireland. He was given to the ostentatious display of his riches, and often wore a valuable jewel on a gold chain. He was a devoted father, especially to his daughters. Origins He was born at Cornworthy in Devon, eldest son and heir of Sir Thomas Harris of Cornworthy Priory, serjeant-at-law, by his wife Elizabeth Pomeroy (d.1634), daughter of Henry Pomeroy, who was a member of the ancient Anglo-Norman de Pomeroy family, feudal barons of Berry Pomeroy of Berry Pomeroy near Cornworthy. Sir Thomas Harris was called by his contemporary the Devon historian Tristram Risdon (d.1640) "a man much commended for his pregnant wit and learning". He sat in the House of Commons for many years, where he was noted both for his eloquence in debate and his diligence in committee. Sir Thomas Harris's father was Edward Harris (d. 1592), son of Walter Harris of Monmouthshire. The elder Edward had purchased Cornworthy Priory at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Edward's elder sister, Anne (1574-1636), became, on her first marriage to Sir Thomas Southwell, Anne, Lady Southwell. She was a noted poet.