Jun-22-17
 | | Tabanus: There are many William Harris (in Wales) and I’m unsure about his birth year, let’s say 1843 for now. When his daughter Amy marries in 1901, his name on the form is William Gwilyn Harris, and that’s perhaps the correct spelling. 1871 census Caversham Oxfordshire: William Harris, 31, born in Carmarthen Merthyr, Assistant English master 1877: marriage 29 January in Taunton St James between William Harris, 35, Teacher in Finchley London and Clara Stephens, 20, of Taunton (Somerset Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations) 1880: Harris Mr. W. G., Assistant Master (Mr Lea’s), Lawford road (Tait’s and Hopewell’s Rugby Almanack) |
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Jun-22-17
| | Tabanus: (cont.)
1881: <RUGBY CHESS CLUB. The annual dinner of this club took place at the Royal George Hotel on Thursday evening last, about twenty members and friends sitting down to the excellent repast served up by host Hards, amongst those present being J. W. J. Vecqueray, Esq., the president of the club; the Rev. W. C. Green, and Messrs. H. T. Rhoades. Kingdon, Brackenbury, Harris, Doyle, Marshall, Eyles, Crofts, T. Hipwell, Kilby, Clarke, Savage, Greenwich, Art. and Alf. Mason, &c. Mr. Vecqueray presided, and the Rev. W. C. Green occupied the vice chair. On the cloth being removed the Chairman, in eulogistic terms, proposed the health of «the Queen, the Prinoe of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family,» which was most heartily responded to. — Mr. Harris, in proposing «Success to the Rugby Chess Club,» said several gentlemen in the town had stated that they were not aware that there was a Chess Club in existence in Rugby, the Club had sent out circulars acquainting them of the fact, and inviting them to their annual dinner, hoping it would lead to some of them becoming members, but he was sorry to say only one new member had been gained thereby. When he came to live in Rugby one of his first thoughts was whether there was chess club here, and after making considerable enquiries he found that there was one heId at the Rugby Institute, but the Club then was apparently only in its infancy, and consisted of very few members. They had succeeded in getting one new member that night, and he hoped they would shortly be able to enroll more on the list. He was rather surprised that in an intellectual town like Rugby more gentlemen did not belong the club, and it was because there were so many masters at the Great School that he thought there would be sure to be a good Chess Club here. He believed the game of chess to be one of the most delightful games anyone could participate in, and was, in his opinion, far preferable to either billiards or cards, which were games of chance, at which poor players, by luck, were frequently able to defeat much better players. But it was not so with cbess, in which the better player almost invariably proved the victor. The game of chess was much more popular now than it was years ago, and he had no doubt it would continue to increase in popularity. He heartily wished “Success to the Rugby Chess Club,” and with the toast he coupled the names of the Rev. W. C. Green and Mr. Doyle, the latter of whom he believed to be the founder of the club. — ln responding Mr. Green said he fully endorsed all that had been said by Mr. Harris respecting the game of chess, and he was very much pleased that there was, this year, an increase in the number of members of their club. He had noticed that the members had improved very much in their play, and to make still further improvement the members should attend as many meetings as possible, especially the younger players. In the future they would have to look to the younger players to win their matches against Northampton and other clubs, for the old players would not be expected to improve much in their play. They would, however, always be able and willing to give hints and advice to the younger members. He considered chess one of the best of indoor games, and he concluded by wishing the Rugby Club every success. — Mr. Doyle also suitably responded, and said he should always be glad to do everything in his power to promote the welfare of the club.> |
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Jun-22-17
| | Tabanus: (cont.)
<— The Chairman next proceeded to present the prices to the successful competitors in this year's tournament, the winner of the first prize, a handsome chess table, being Mr. Harris, while the second prize, Staunton’s Chess Annual, was gained by Mr. Rhoades. The Chairman remarked that in all previous tournaments the first prize had been carried off by the player winning the most games, and the second prize to the next best player. In the next tournament, however, it had been decided, in order to encourage the young members to improve in their play, that the first prize should be again awarded to the most successful player, but the second prize would be reserved absolutely for the second and third-class players, which would give every member a chanoe of winning a prize. The Chairman next said he had been called upon by the members of the club to perform a very pleasant duty, that of presenting their secretary, Mr. Marshall, with a small token of their feeling towards him, and their appreciation of his valuable services in that capacity. In presenting the testimonial, a handsome writing table, the Chairman referred in congratulatory terms to Mr. Marshall's recent marriage, and wished him every possible success and happiness in his new state of life, and concluded by proposing the health of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall. — The toast was weII received, and in thanking the members for their handsome present, Mr. Marshall said he should value the feelings that prompted the present more than the present itself. He had always eudeavoured to do all he could to forward the interests of the club, and he should continue to do so in the future. — Mr. Rhoades next proposed the health of the President and officers of the Chess Club, coupling with the toast the name of the president, Mr. Vecqueray. — The Chairman briefly responded. — Other toasts were proposed, and during the evening some excellent songs were rendered by the company, the evening being spent in a very enjoyable manner.> (Rugby Advertiser, 22 October 1881) 1881 census Rugby Warwickshire, Lawford Street: William G. Harris, 38, Teacher (Certificated), born in Carmarthen Mortley Pa (?), Clara Harris, Wife, 24, born in Taunton Somerset, Clara A. S., 3, born in Hammersmith Middlesex, Amy S., 2, born in Taunton Somerset. 1883: birth in Rugby of son William E. A. Harris (family tree) 1885: <Harris William Gywllim>, 41, Rugby (England & Wales Civil Reg. Death Index) <We regret to state that Mr. W. G. Harris, of Lawford Road, was found dead in his bedroom on Saturday morning last. He had been under the care of Dr. Simpson for some time, and for the last five months his health appeared to be improving. He went to bed as usual on Friday night, and was found lifeless by his wife next morning. Mr. Harris was for some years an assistant master in Mr. R. S. Lea's preparatory school, and was an ardent lover of chess, being in fact one of the strongest players in the Rugby Chess Club; and he always assisted young beginners with the utmost courtesy and willingness.> (Rugby Advertiser, Saturday 11 April 1885) |
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Kibitzing
