HARRISON, George (1680-1759), of Balls Park, Herts.

In 1754 Harrison was returned unopposed for Hertford, where his family had considerable influence. When Newcastle took over the Treasury Harrison was already in receipt of a secret service pension of £500 p.a.Add. 33038, f. 415. of which the origin is unascertained. Harrison drew the yearly instalments in 1754 and 1755,Namier, Structure, 432, 438. but although further payments were intended they were apparently never claimed or made.Add. 32997, ff. 64, 237, 330.There were no compelling reasons for him to draw them. He was well-to-do; in 1753 he invested £4,500 in Bank of England stock; at the time he made his will, December 1755, he had £5,000 owing to him from an estate in which he had a life interest; and he left a further £3,000 in legacies. His principal estate went to Lady Townshend, wife of the 3rd Viscount and mother of George and Charles Townshend, with the proviso that it was to be free from any ‘intermeddling’ from her husband. He died 2 Dec. 1759.