The Sundial Memorial at Jameson Manor
Standing near the entrance to Jameson Manor and easy to overlook, is a memorial which deserves more attention. It is a sundial bearing a plaque that it is in memory of Francis Ronald James Harris, the first Superintendent of the Cottage Homes who died “in the mist of his labours” in September 1914.
Sundial — audio guide
The whole Harris family played a crucial role in the success of the Homes providing thousands of destitute and orphaned children with a decent start in life from F.R.J. Harris and his wife opening up the Homes in 1903 until the retirement of his son and successor in 1951.
The first Mr. Harris, the one commemorated by the sundial came originally from Worcester and was a schoolmaster at Hackney Cottage Homes near London, before being appointed as Superintendent here in 1903, along with his wife Sarah, who had the position of Matron of the homes.
The couple worked hard to provide a family atmosphere in the Homes and their efforts seem to have been appreciated. There were many occasions when former residents came back to visit the Homes. The Harris family was a musical one and they arranged performances and concerts which the children could participate in. They also had a couple of dogs which the children were encouraged to view as their own pets.
An independent review in 1908 was very pleased with the management of the Homes and found that the Superintendent and the Matron “evidently take a great pride in their work”.
Mr and Mrs Harris had two of their own children, a boy and a girl. By 1911, the girl was working as a school teacher in the Homes and the son, also called Frank was teaching in Newcastle. When his father died aged only 51, the Board of Guardians voted to disregard their own rule stating that vacant positions had to be advertised, and immediately appointed the son to succeed his father. Frank Harris junior was the superintendent of the Homes for an astonishing 37 years. When he retired, 120 former residents came to his leaving party, some bringing their own children along and presenting him with gifts.