James Harries 1663 - 1728

James HARRIES or HARRIS 1663-1728

Biographical Note

James Harries was the vicar of the parish of Llantrisant, Glamorganshire from 1698 to his death in 1728 when he was succeeded by his son Robert Harries. He was a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford from 1687to1698, and became a Prebendary of Llandaff Cathedral in 1704. By 1716, he was also rector of Llanharry. Early in his ministry he became the main correspondent and agent for The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in Glamorganshire. As well as being active in the distribution of Bibles and other Christian material, he founded two charity schools in his parish, and a third one at Llanwonno. His zealous work in maintaining a strong Christian community through education, as well as his interest in antiquarianism, was supported by his network of friends and colleagues, notably John Hanbury, Edward Lhwyd, Charles Kemys and Robert Powell who was headmaster of Cowbridge Grammar School, on Harries' recommendation, from 1704 to1721.

Books

Harries' interest in books was manifest by his many requests for specific material, in both English and Welsh, from S.P.C.K. for his schools and parishioners. He tried, but failed, to establish a parochial library at Llantrisant. The inventory compiled on this death specifically lists "his study of books together with presses wherein they were kept" being valued at £30 out of a total probate value of £340.

Sources

• Clement Mary, ed. Correspondence and minutes of the S.P.C.K. relating to Wales 1699 – 1740. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1952.

• NLW LL 1728/175 Will of James Harries of Llantrisant

• Jenkins Geraint H. Literature, religion and society in Wales 1660 – 1730. Cardiff: University of Wales Press,1978.