A story about Mary Harms

Mary Harms, the eldest daughter of Richard and Mary Harms, was born at Send, Surrey, in 1796. She was a servant to the, 'kind and excellent' Hon. Bartholomew Bouverie and his wife and later when their son, Rev. Edward Bouverie was married, she joined Lady Frances Bouverie in 1813 at Coleshill Vicarage, Berkshire (now Wilts), as a Lady's maid. Fanny Bouverie, their daughter was born in 1814 and Mary continued as Fanny's nurse.

Mary Harms went on to become a school teacher at Shrivenham around 1845, but it seems that little is known of that period.

A typed copy of the "Story of Mary Harms" which was part of a book called "Memorials" written by Lady Frances Charlotte Bouverie and published after her death in 1854. The story was intended for the religious guidance of young folk. But in among this there are references to many people, Harms, Finch, Bouverie, Chapman, Whiteman, Blake to name but a few who were resident in Shrivenham and district in the mid 19th century.

The actual typed copy that is held here in the archive is vary faint, but we have managed to scan and enhance it enough to be read as a Pdf file. To read the whole file please go HERE

We also have an interesting article written by Wilfred F. Harms, a direct descendant of Mary. We attach a photocopy of it, printed in the, Berkshire & Bucks Countryside - Vol.14 No.87, dated November 1974. It was published by Carling & Co, Market Place, Hitchin, Herts. 

The Old School House