JAMES P. HARRISON
Is of descent from families frequently mentioned in preceding pages of
Virginia and Virginians, as associated with great events in the history
of the colony and the commonwealth of Virginia. He was born at "The
Wigwam." Amelia county, Virginia, on October 29, 1852. His father,
William Henry Harrison, born at "The Oaks," Amelia county. May
10, 1810, died December 23, 1881, was the founder of the Amelia
Academy, the first University School of Virginia. Edmund Harrison,
of "The Oaks," father of Wm. Henry, was the son of Nathaniel
Harrison, who was born at Berkeley, Charles City county. Benjamin
Harrison of Berkeley, who married Anne, eldest daughter of "King"
Carter, was the paternal great, great grandfather of the subject of this
sketch.
James P. was educated by his father until 1868, and then attended
the Richmond College for one session. In 1870 he entered the University
of Virginia, and in 1874 took the degree of Master of Arts from
that renowned institution. After teaching school for two sessions he
returned to the University, and in 1876-7 took the law course. He
began the practice of law in Danville on September 1st, 1877, in which
he still continues, a member of the firm of Berkeley & Harrison. On
February 13, 1879, at the University of Virginia, Rev. Dr. L. T.
Hanckel officiating, Mr. Harrison married Mary Jane, daughter of
Prof. John Staige Davis, and granddaughter of Prof. John A. G. Davis,
both of the University. Her mother was Lucy Landon Blackford.
Mrs. Harrison died, leaving her husband one daughter, Lucy Landon
Harrison, and one son, Donald Skipwirth Harrison. In the war
between the States Mr. Harrison's immediate family was represented by
Prof. Edmund Harrison of Richmond College and John Hartwell Harrison
of "The Wigwam," Amelia county.
