Fonds F2050 - Harris Family Fonds

Richard Homan Harris (1829-1908) was born in Cork, Ireland. He taught for a time near Cork and also in Montreal and area, having relocated after his family had immigrated to Montreal. He next studied at Trinity College, Toronto, graduating with honours in 1860 from a double course in arts and theology. He was ordained deacon on 14 October 1860 by Bishop John Strachan. Harris chose the mission field, serving parishes in Orillia (Ont.) and region, as well as Omemee, and later Brighton and Weston. While working in Orillia, he met and married Collinette De Grassi, and they had two children. Widowed in May 1874, the following June he married Olivia Colter Cottingham, and they had three children. At the time of his death, he was residing in Toronto. He was buried in Orillia.

Collinette Virginia Beaumaris Harris (1872-1955), daughter of Richard Homan Harris and Collinette De Grassi, was one of the first graduates of the Church of England Deaconess Missionary Training House in Toronto. She served as a missionary in Egypt for 16 years. At the time of her death, she was a resident of Hamilton, Ont. She was buried in Orillia.