Howell Harris

Harris was born at Trevecka, near Talgarth in Brecknockshire on 23 January 1714. He was the youngest of five children of Howell Powel, alias Harris (c. 1672–1731), a carpenter, and his wife, Susannah (died 1751), daughter of Thomas Powell. their youngest son, Howel, was born 23 January 1714 and was educated at Llwyn-llwyd. From 1732 to 1735 Harris was a schoolmaster at Llan-gors and Llangasty. The family originally hailed from Carmarthenshire, but had settled in Trefeca in 1700, where Howell Sr had purchased a small landholding. Harris's oldest brother Joseph trained as a blacksmith, but went on to secure a post at the Royal Mint after studying in London. His other brother Thomas made his name as a tailor to wealthy clients and amassed enough income to purchase estates in Tregunter and Trefeca, and other properties nearby. He served as High Sheriff of Brecknockshire in 1768. Howell as a youth had no inclination to any sort of career that would have him in the public eye:

"My parents kept me in school until I was 18 years old, and I made considerable progress in my studies: but as it was then that my father died, I was discouraged from entertaining any thoughts of appearing in the world as a public character, and therefore I undertook the employment of instructing youth, and opened a common school in the country." — Howell

Harris was married on May 18, 1744 to Anne, daughter of John Williams, esq, who himself was a dissenter. On the day of his wedding he wrote and entered a prayer in his diary, equating his holy union with his wife with the holy union of Jesus and the church. Anne often participated in Howell's missionary efforts, and traveled with his at times. Their marriage was subjected to a scandalous lie, fabricated by various individuals opposed to the revivalist movement, but to no avail, as the couple remained married for life.