Teddy
This bear was originally given to Geoffrey Harris Sayers for his first Christmas in 1907.
The Harris Family
Four generations of the Harris family lived at Mississauga’s Benares House. Our Harris Family collection is unique as 95% of the artifacts belonged to the family.
Three generations of the family were in residence at the same time during the First World War. The house and collected artifacts illustrate the social history of Clarkson and Mississauga at that time, set against the losses and victories of war.
A base of 9,000 artifacts are in the Benares Collection, which date from the 1800s to the present day, and include items related to the war and in particular, Egerton Sayers, who died in battle in June 1918.
The artifacts portray a time, place and mood of the Great War in Canada with mementoes and original letters from the Front.
Featured artifacts
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LocketThis was believed to have been kept by Egerton Sayers' mother and later passed down to the Sayers children. -
Silver CrossAlso known as a Memorial Cross, this was given in memory of Egerton Sayers who was killed in World War I. -
Dead man's pennyThis commemorative medal was issued to Egerton Sayers who was killed in World War I. -
Ivory sewing boxThis sewing box may have originally belonged to one of Captain Harris' sisters and was sent to Canada for Elizabeth Harris or possibly bought as an antique by Lucy and Bessie Harris. -
Victorian silver snuff boxSnuff is a pulverized form of tobacco that was normally inhaled but could also be chewed. -
BrownieThis portrait of Brownie, the family cat, was painted by family friend and artist, Caroline Farncomb.
Harris Family photos
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Arthur Harris on sled pulled by horse on Benares property, ca. 1920s Arthur Harris on sled pulled by horse on Benares property, ca. 1920s -
Harris family on the porch of the Benares Historic House, ca. 1930s. Harris family on the porch of the Benares Historic House, ca. 1930s. -
Harris family and friends on the porch of Benares Historic House, 1895 Harris family and friends on the porch of Benares Historic House, 1895 -
The Sayers family c. 1919 The Sayers family c. 1919 -
Arthur Harris and Mary Macgrath c. 1881 Arthur Harris and Mary Macgrath c. 1881 -
Geoffrey Sayers c. 1939 Geoffrey Sayers c. 1939 -
Harris family coat of arms c. 1890 Harris family coat of arms c. 1890
