One of the most well known names in Blantyre in the 1870’s, 1880’s and 1890’s was Mr George Harris. He was Blantyre’s registrar, his name appearing at the bottom of thousands of birth, marriage and death certificates.
From 1875 until 1897, for some 22 years, George had been postmaster and registrar at High Blantyre. The post office at the time being in a building once located near where McLeans newsagents is now.
On Burns Day, Tuesday 25th January 1897, it was noticed by the girl employed by Mr Harris that the post office hadn’t opened, something considered unusual, preventing locals going about their business. The door was forced open and a grim discovery was made, in finding George sitting in his armchair quite dead near the kitchen fire.
His death was a shock, for it seemed he hadn’t been ill and had attended a meeting of the Circulating lIbrary and Reading Room (Old Parish Church Halls), of which he was treasurer, only the night before. He had gone home that evening around 9.30pm remarking he still had an hours work to do. He had been living alone that particular week, with his wife and family being away for a short holiday at Rothesay for the good of their health. Mr Harris, who was greatly respected lived in Blantyre nearly all his days and held official positions in a great number of organisations including public and parochial offices. At the time of his death, he was session clerk to Blantyre Old Parish Church, Clerk to the Cemetery Committee, Registrar, Secretary to the Funeral Committee and treasurer to the aforementioned Circulating library.
He was survived by his widow and 2 of a family. A great sympathy was felt in Blantyre at the loss of Mr Harris. His funeral was public held at 2pm on Friday 29th January 1897, at the same church he was session clerk of. A great many people attended.
George Harris’s role was succeeded by Mr MacMillan.