THE CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, LUDLOW

Mary Harris, daughter of Captain Thomas Harris, found herself in an enclave in Virginia that was peopled by many families from the Malvern Hills area of England, that is, of the counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. This may seem to suggest, to an American mind, an area of considerable size, which was not the case, as many families within this account lived within a hundred miles of each other, with some, such as the Cocke family of Pickthorne and the Harris family of Ludlow being of considerably nearer acquaintance (10 miles). She married into the circle of families that she found herself among, the Ligons, who were well associated to the said Cocke and Harris families. That she had the same (quite common) surname as that of the Harris family of Ludlow was entirely coincidental, but it has led to a false assumption that her near neighbour on Curles Swamp, Major William Harris, was her brother, when, in fact, any relationship between their families would have been through him marrying such as a sister of Joseph Tanner, who was most likely of the Tanner family of Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire. Several members of the More family of Linley and Larden, intermarried with the Ligons, see as follows, were Bailiffs and M.P.’s of Bishop’s Castle, contemporaries of fellow bailiff, Maurice Tanner.

Major William Harris was baptised, January 13, 1627/8, in St Lawrence Church, Ludlow. His stepfather was Edward Lewis, and his step-brother was William Lewis, who m. (Aug. 21, 1634) Anne Lutley, of Burwarton, Shropshire, dau. of Robert Lutley and Mary Holland, dau. of Francis Holland, b. 1544, in Burwarton, Shropshire, br. of Thomas Holland, who m. Alicia, ‘fil. Thomas Cocke of Pickthorne’, aunt of Richard Cocke of Bremo. It is most likely that this William Lewis was the grandfather of a namesake, son-in-law of Robert Woodson, Sr., of Henrico, who, in 1707, made a deed to his grandsons William and Joseph Lewis, children of his dau., Elizabeth Woodson, and William Lewis. ‘Robert Woodson, Sr. of Henrico Co. For good causes to my loving grandson’s, William & Joseph Lewis, 450 acres patented to me and Richard Farris, Giles Carter, William Harris,* and Roger Cummings, October 21, 1687.*Son of Major Harris. It was such kinship connections that determined the landholdings of Major Harris; other kin of such influence being the Cocke and Baugh families – this latter family almost cerainly being that of his mother. A kinsman of Major Harris, James Baugh, married Elizabeth Ashbrook, daughter of Peter Ashbrook Sr., neighbour of Major Harris.

These are simple examples of English settler families operating within kinship circles. They were essentially English people in a foreign land, who continued with their custom of arranging marriages within a circle of families, so as to protect and promote their interests.

What follows is self explanatory.

Where I have dealt with the false accounts connecting Captain Thomas Harris and Major William Harris, I have attempted to do so sensitively. Having read copies of the original deeds supposedly connecting the two, and not having found any purported English Colonial record naming a son of Captain Harris, it is the kindest thing to say that the taditional narrative is far more than inaccurate, and is obviously an attempt to ‘prove’ a continuation from an ‘ancient planter’, Captain Harris. I do not infer any contrivance by people living, who claim descent from Major William Harris, who have corresponded with me to declare their only interest is the truth.

These notes also give evidence of the connection between Major Harris and a family of Madox. It is such links that are important in understanding how English families organised themselves around their kinship circle. When researching the English ancestries of particular Virginian settlers, it is as important to study those associated with them as it is to study them. Singular family research of a multi-family reality is likely to fail.

1. LEWIS OF BROUGHTON, BALDEN, AND SOUTH MAGNA, SHROPSHIRE
ARMS QUARTERLY 1&4, GULES A GRYPHON SEGREANT OR.
2&3 ARGENT, THREE BOARS’ HEADS COUPED CLOSEE SABLE (LlOYDS OF LUDLOW).
That capitalised is verbatim from the Harl. MS.

1. JOHANNES NANFONT, ARM. UX MATILDA FIL JOHANN’S BROMWICH
1.1. CLEMENCIA UX WILLIMUS LEWIS DE BALDEN IN COM SALOP
1.1.1. MARGARETA UX EDWARDI MOORE DE KAYNHAM IN COM.SALOP (uncle of Thomas Moore who m. Margaret Ligon)
1.1.2. EDWARDUS LEWIS DE SUTTON MAGNA IN COM SALOP UX I. ANNA FIL THOMAS BLASHFIELD
1.1.2.1. THOMAS LEWIS FIL PRIMOGENIT’ AET. 23 ANNO 1623
1.1.2. EDWARDUS LEWIS DE SUTTON MAGNA IN COM SALOP UX 2. JANA* FIL THOMAS LANGFORD DE LUDLOWE IN COM SALOP (*she was the relict of Rowland Harris, and mother of Thomas Harris, b. 1603, Ludlow, and John Harris, b. 1604, Ludlow).
1.1.2.1. William Lewis, m. (Aug. 21, 1634) Anne Lutley, of Burwarton, Shropshire, dau. of Robert Lutley and Mary Holland, dau. of Francis Holland, b. 1544, in Burwarton, Shropshire, br. of Thomas Holland, who m. Alicia, ‘fil. Thomas Cocke of Pickthorne’.
1.1.2.2. WILLELMUS LEWIS
1.1.2.2.1. 2 FILIUS
1.1.3. ELIZABETH UX JOHAN’IS MADOX DE OVER MILCOTE IN COM SALOP
1.1.4. FRANSISCA UX THOMAS GARBETT DE OVER HEIGHTON IN COM. SALOP

EXTRACTS FROM ST LAWRENCE CHURCH REGISTERS, LUDLOW:
1. 1593, Sep. 14. ‘Rowland Harris,& Jane Langford’.
1.1. 1596, June 26. ‘Thomas, s. Rowland Harrys, d.s.p.’.
1.2. 1599, Sep. 10. ‘Richard, s. Rowland Harrys bapt.’.
1.3. 1602, June 27. ‘Katherine, d. Rowland Harries bapt.’.
1.4. 1603 Sep. 4. ‘Thomas, s. Rowland Harries bapt.’.
1.5. 1604. Mar. 5. ‘John, s. Rowland Harris bapt.‘. John Harris died July 12, 1662. It was shortly after this date that Major William Harris is recorded in Virginia.
1.5.1. William Harris, ‘January 13, 1627, William s. of John Harris and Margaret‘.

That is, January 1627/8, a date commonly given as the year of birth of Major William Harris. This William Harris does not appear in the burial notices of 1643-1668. He was almost certainly Major William Harris. His mother, ‘Margaret’ is very likely to have been ‘Margaret, d.o. Charles Bough‘ (Baugh), b. January 24, 1613, St. Lawrence, Ludlow, br. of Henry Baugh of Aldon Court, who m. Alice Holland, dau. of William Holland, baptized at Burwarton in 1574, and buried there in 1642 (Will proved P.C.C. 94 Campbell), son of Thomas Holland, bur. at Stottesden in 1612, and Alicia, ‘fil. Thomas Cocke of Pickthorne’ (Will pr. P.C.C. 19 Capell, 1613); styled ‘of Pickthorne’, aunt of Richard Cocke, b. 1597 at Pickthorne, Stottesdon, Shropshire; bapt. December 13, 1597 at Sidbury in Shropshire; obit. Bremo Bluff, Henrico, 1665. Alice Holland’s br., Thomas, had issue, Alice Holland, who m., in 1632, Thomas Harris, Esq., of Prescot (born December 23, 1604, St. Lawrence, Ludlow), first-cousin of John Harris, born there in 1604. Charles Baugh is recorded thus: S.A. March 17, 1629. 1. Brian Crowther of Knighton, Rad., esq.; Humffrey Biggs of the Stitt, p. Ratlinghope, gent.; Richard Middleton of Hobendred, gent.; Charles Baugh of Aldon, gent.; Edward Williams and Lewis Llello of Hobendred and and Bethouse, yeoman; “With the full assent … of all the Freehoulders of the townships of Hobendred and Pertherhodrie”. 2. Jane Hagley, widow, and Oliver her sonne, of Pertherhordrie, p. Clunn’. A cousin of Thomas Harris, born St. Lawrence, Ludlow, September 4, 1603, William Langford, m. Jane Jordan, of a family that were tenants of the Cressets, who interm. with the Cocke/Holland/Harris kinship network, given as follows. It is highly likely that Richard Cocke’s ‘Couzen Daniell Jordan’ was of this family.

The aforementioned Edward Lewis was the step-father of Thomas and John Harris, as appears thus: ‘Harries v Heath. Plaintiffs: Thomas Harries* an infant, by his guardian and Edward Lewis. Defendants: Richard Heath and Edward Powis. Subject: messuage in Ludlow, Shropshire. Pleadings: 1603-1625. S.A., C 2/JasI/H5/38. *His father, Rowland, d. 1605. Richard Heath and Edward Powis were burgesses of Ludlow, representing that corporation. The guardian of Thomas Harries was very likely to have been his grandfather, Thomas Langford. Thomas Harries is likely to be recorded here: ‘1. Edward Powis and John Aston, Bailiffs of the Corporation of Ludlow 2. Thomas Harries, Ludlow, Yeoman 1-2 ‘All that their little tenement and garden with the appurtenances …’ (boundaries given) Term: 21 years. Rent: 5s. S.A. LB/4/1/493. Sept. 22, 1640.

If William Lewis, husband of Elizabeth Woodson, was of the aforementioned family of Lewis, much about tenurial associations in Virginia would be readily understood. According to his deposition, Robert Woodson was born in 1634. He married Elizabeth, dau. of Richard Ferris. A grant of land, of October 21, 1687, was made to ‘Mr. Robert Woodson, Mr. Richard Ferris, Mr. Giles Carter, William Ferris and Roger Comins for 1785 acres, at White Oak Swamp, on the north side of the James River, in the Parish of Varina. In 1707, Robert Woodson, Sr., of Henrico, made a deed to his grandsons William and Joseph Lewis, children of his dau., Elizabeth Woodson, and William Lewis. ‘Robert Woodson, Sr. of Henrico Co. For good causes to my loving grandson’s, William & Joseph Lewis, 450 acres patented to me and Richard Farris, Giles Carter, William Harris,* and Roger Cummings, 21 Oct 1687, on White Oak Swamp. Dated 30 Arp 1707. (Henrico County Land Deeds (microfilm), no. 21, p. 34).*Son of Major William Harris.

Thomas Lewis, aforementioned, aged 23 in 1623, step-brother of John Harris, b. 1604, is most likely recorded here: Hannah Boyse, daughter and heir of Luke Boyse, late of Henrico, decd., patented in Nov., 1635, 300 acres in Henrico adjoining land of her mother Alice Edlowe; due 50 acres for her personal adventure and 50 acres for the personal adventure of her father, and 200 acres for transportation of servants, viz.: ‘Thomas Lewis, Robert Hollum, Joseph Royall, Edward Holland, and Oliver Allen’ (Virginia Magazine, v., p. 97).

Fellow ‘servant’ Joseph Royall is recorded here: 1. John Harris, obit. 1550, the son of John Parry (‘John ap Harry’) and Margaret Leighton. (See post re Royal Welsh descent). 1.1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Jenyns, dau. of William Jenyns, of Wallyburne, Shropshire. 1.1.1. John Harris of Cruckton, Pontesbury (bur. Apr. 12, 1614), burgess of Shrewsbury, m. Eleanor Prowde, dau. of Thomas Prowde, of Sutton, Shropshire. 1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, Justicar, of Tonge Castle, m. Eleanor Giffard, dau. of Roger Giffard and Frances Rowsley. 1.1.1.2. Rowland Harris, obit. 1605, m. (September 14, 1595), Jane Langford (bapt. 0ctober 10, 1567), dau. of Thomas Langford, of Ludlow; their issue being:’Thomas, John, Anna’. 1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. September 4, 1603, in St. Lawrence, Ludlow. He was the second son of Rowland Harris of that name; his namesake (d. inf.) was bapt. Jun. 26, 1597.1.1.1.2.1.1. 1.1.1.2.2. John Harris, bapt. March. 16, 1604. 1.1.1.2.2.1. Major William Harris, b. January 13, 1627/8. 1.1.1.3. Arthur Harris, m. Jane Newton, of Prescot, Shropshire. 1.1.1.3.1. Thomas Harris, Esq., of Prescot, m. (1632), Alice Holland, dau. of William Holland, bapt. (1574) at Burwarton, and buried there in 1642 (Will proved P.C.C. 94 Campbell), son of Thomas Holland, bur. (1612) at Stottesden, and Alicia, ‘fil. Thomas Cocke of Pickthorne’ (Will pr. P.C.C. 19 Capell, 1613); styled ‘of Pickthorne’, aunt of Richard Cocke, b. 1597, in Pickthorne, Stottesdon, Shropshire; bapt. December 13, 1597 at Sidbury, Shropshire; obit. Bremo Bluff, Henrico, 1665. 1.1.1.4. Richard Harris, obit. 1631, m. Anna Smallman, obit. 1650, dau. of Thomas Smallman of Wilderhope. 1.1.1.4.1. Mary Harris, Lady Dormer, m. (in 1673, as second wife), Fleetwood Dormer, b. May 21, 1616, bapt. at Quainton, Buckinghamshire, later of Arle Court, died aged 81, August 27, 1696. Fleetwood Dormer was the son of Sir Fleetwood Dormer, of Shipton Lee, Buckinghamshire (obit. February 1, 1638), and Mary Isham, dau. of Sir Euseby Isham, of Braunston. the said Sir Fleetwood Dormer was the son of Peter Dormer, of Shipton Lee, obit. December 3, 1583. Mary Isham was the aunt of Henry Isham, who resided at Bermuda Hundred, Henrico Co., who m. Katherine Banks, relict of Joseph Royal; their issue being: 1. Henry Isham (obit. 1678), 2. Anne Isham, who m. Col. Francis Eppes, 3. Mary Isham, who m. Col. William Randolph, named as a ‘friend’ in the Will of Major William Harris, as was a son of Richard Cocke. Fleetwood Dormer’s first wife was Katherine Ligon, second-cousin of Thomas Ligon, whose son and namesake married Mary Harris, dau. of Captain Thomas Harris. As I have written elsewhere, a branch of the Isham family held land in Shropshire, and intermarried with the Walcots of Ludlow.

(1. Richard Ligon, m. Margaret Greville. 1.1. William Ligon, m. Eleanor Dennys. 1.1.1. Richard Ligon, m. (1) Mary, dau. of Sir Thomas Russell. 1.1.1.1. William Ligon, m. Elizabeth Harwell, dau. of Edward Harwell of Besford. 1.1.1.1.1. William Ligon, the younger, of Madresfield, m. Elizabeth, dau. and coheiress of John Pleydell, Esq. 1.1.1.1.1.1. Margaret Ligon, b. 1614, m. Thomas Moore, son of Richard More of Linley and Larden, d. 1643, Sheriff Shrop. 1619, and Sarah Harris, sister of Sir Thomas Harris, Bart of Boreatton. 1.1.1. Richard Ligon, m. (2) Margaret, dau. of Sir John Talbot, of Salwerpe and Grafton. 1.1.1.1. John Ligon, of Arle, co. Gloucester, b. 1581, d. Sept. 21, 1644, m. his cous., Elizabeth Ligon, dau. of Arnold Lygon. 1.1.1.1.1. Katharine Ligon, m. Fleetwood Dormer, Esq. He m. (2) Mary Harris, niece of Rowland Harris, and first-cousin of John Harris, b. Ludlow, Shropshire, 1604. 1.1.2. Thomas Ligon, m. Frances Dennys (cousin). 1.1.2.1. Thomas Ligon, m. Oct. 10, 1602, Elizabeth Pratt. 1.1.2.1.1. Col. Thomas Ligon, m. Mary Harris).

Richard Cocke of Bremo was born at Sidbury, Shropshire, which is near the Staffordshire border. The leading families of Sidbury, the Purslowes and Cresswells were landowners in Staffordhire, and it seems very likely that they shared this distinction with Richard Cocke, uncle of Richard Cocke of Bremo. It was probably he who was designated ‘Richard Cocke of Stafford‘ in Treswell’s Visitation of Shropshire, 1623. This seems the more likely in that his dau., Joane Cocke, born c. 1595, m. John Rabon. The Rabons were an established Shropshire family. Thomas Rabon’s dau., Dorothy, was baptised on October 9, 1654, at Saint Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth. The deanery of Bridgnorth is bounded by the county of Stafford on the east. These Rabons are also recorded in the following deed: ‘August 1, 1632. William Rabon s. of Ralphe Rabon of Wem co. Salop miller to Tho’ Maddox departed’ (Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, vol 4, p. 234, 1881).

Major William Harris made his Will on April 20, 1678: ‘Not knowing what the Lord hath ordained or at what tyme he he may take … out this life I doe settle my estate of lands as followeth, I give & bequeath to my sonne Thomas all my land below the Ware to keep the Ware runn for his Bounds till he shall come to ye spring at ye hed & then to follow a bottom on ye lower side of the clearing of John Rabon, to the hundred roade path, and then on a straight roade or course to the land of Potter Ashbrooke but in no case to crosse Perketts path; to my younger sonnes Wm. & Edward Harris I give ye rest of my dividents, Wm. to have the plantason where I now live, & Edward ye land next Ashbrooke, But Wm. to extend Outwards one hundred yards beyond ye clearing of John Rabon on the path called Perkett’s path, & Thomas on a straight course to ye redd watter & Edward the house next to Potter Ashbrooke’s line as alsoe to ye Ashen swamp to them & their Heires; neyther to sell unless the one to ye other & if eyther did (died) without Ishow (issue) the land to come to ye Survivor, my two younger sons to live with their mother till of age of sixteen, if shee marry if not till 19 yeares of age; my will is that my wife live on the plantason during her life but not to hinder my sonne Wm. at the head of ye ward if he come for himselfe & I desyre my friends Mr. Tho. Cocke & Mr. Wm. Randolph to see this my will performed’. Wits: Rich. Lygon, Ann Stewart (‘Colonial Wills’, 1677-92, p.68).The Rabons were cousins of the Cocke family. The association was of long standing: ‘John Sutton Farrar granted administration of estate of Temperance Farrar, dec’d; Edward Stratton and William Cox, security. Richard Rayborn, William Parker, Robert Burton and Abraham Childers to appraise estate’ (ibid. 1737-1781)

Fellow ‘servant’ of Thomas Lewis (step-uncle of Major William Harris), Robert Hollum, patented land for the transportation of 20 persons, all ‘servants’, one of whom was Richard Ferris. The aforesaid Robert Woodson granted to his ‘loving grandson’s, William & Joseph Lewis, 450 acres patented to me and Richard Farris, Giles Carter, William Harris,* and Roger Cummings, 21 Oct 1687, on White Oak Swamp. April 30, 1707. (Henrico County Land Deeds (microfilm), no. 21, p. 34).*Son of Major William Harris.

William Lewis, aforesaid, husband of Anne Lutley, and step-uncle of Major William Harris, was almost certainly the father of a namesake, son-in-law of Robert Woodson.

Major William Harris was a neighbour and kinsman of Richard Cocke: Henrico Co Wills & Dds 1688-1697, p. 386: ‘John Woodson, Sr. of Henrico Co to Edward Lester, land next to Richard Cocke, next to land formerly William Harris’s on Curles Swamp, next to land given by Thomas Harris to his dau Mary Lygon’.

That Major William Harris did not inherit Longfield is evidenced by inspection of microfilmed copies of original deeds in the Virginia State Library which highlight discrepancies in the ‘Harris narrative’. In the case of John Broadnax against William Soane, October 1, 1700, which was to establish ‘title to the land and establish boundaries’. Richard Ligon and John Woodson are mentioned therein as owning land ‘bordering those of the aforesaid Thomas Harris’ (i.e. the Longfield Plantation), he being ‘Captain Thomas Harris’, of the 1638 Longfield patent. Richard Lygon was said to be ‘the executor of his mother’s estate’, she being Mary (Harris) Ligon, wife of Colonel Thomas Ligon.

Major Harris did not inherit the Longfield estate of Captain Thomas Harris – he owned land adjacent to Mary (Harris) Ligon at Curles Swamp.

Deeds mentioning the latter’s land as a gift of Captain Harris do nor refer to the Major’s being such.

There is no record of Major Harris selling Longfield, the claim of him having sold it to Roger Green is based on nothing more than Green being recorded in Curles Neck.

Neither Mary (Harris) Ligon nor Major Harris refer to the family of the other in their Wills.

There is no record of Captain Thomas Harris having a son named William in English Colonial Records.

(Captain Thomas Harris received 400 acres from the Gurganays, and 300 acs. (Longfield) for trans. of 8 pers. B. 1. p. 438. The patent of Robt Craddock and Jno Davis (Aug. 15, 1637, B. 1, pp. 451,452), included ‘300 acres, bounded northerly on a great swamp, southerly toward lands of Alice Edloe widow, westerly the River, easterly into the woods. Called Longfield … assigned by Jno Baugh of Varina planter to Wm Cooke & Richd Carpenter June 13, 1636, by them assigned to Jno Davis & Robt Craddocke of Harihatoxs planters 29 July 1637’. Longfield was actually 240 acres, as evidenced by the Davis/Eppes deed 1696 of March 30, 1696 (HWD 1699-97: 624). It was then given a wrongly abstracted name of ‘Curles’, rather than it being ‘on Curles’. Major William Harris then appears in a fictional account, otherwise known as the ‘Valentine Papers’, as selling some of his Curles ‘inheritance’, this supposedly being 150 acres, which, as when added to the 90 acres he actually owned (which he, not Captain Thomas Harris, sold to Gilbert Platt),  creates a mathmatical fiction.

Although great effort went into the abstraction of deeds, many very difficult to read, gaps between identifiable names and phrases were filled in with traditional perceptions. They need to be fully transcribed. It is also evident that many deeds are false, with such as Captain Thomas Harris re-patenting what he did not own).

John Pleasants was very likely a son of ‘William Pleasance’, who brought a law suit against the Bright family of Shropshire between 1603-1625, probably concerning land bought by William Pleasance, unfortunately all details are missing. Richard Cocke of Bremo was the grandf. of James Cocke, who m. Elizabeth Pleasants, dau. of John Pleasants, whose Will inc. ‘also that plantacon or divident of land by me purchased of Thomas Cocke – father of James, and son of Richard Cocke. Richard Cocke’s Will bequested ‘It. I give & bequeath to my Couzen Daniell Jordan as much manored land as he & his hands shall be able & well manned & with a Hoame during his life or abode in this Country’.

Major William Harris was a neighbour of his kinsman, Thomas Baugh. To all st: Whereas st: Now know yee that I ye sd Sir Will Berkeley knt. st: give and graunt unto Richard Womack foure hundred and fivety acres (half of which Major William Harris purchased) three rood eight po: of land on ye North side of Appomatock River in Henrico Cout extending as ffolloweth (beginning at a small branch of ye Ashen Swampe and running along ye Swampe So: by Ea: 220 po: over a small branch to a Pokicory No: Ea: over ye same branch 26 po: then up ye branch No: Ea: by Ea: 94 po Ea: by No: along ye branch to ye head of it 102 po So: So: Ea: 22 po: to John Puckett his line No: Ea: b Ea 54 po: No: Ea: by No: 130 po: to ye head of ye Spring Run No: Ea: by Ea: 56 po: No: by We: 34 po: No: We: 60 po: to Mr. Baugh his line neigh ye Round Slash No: No: We: 15 po: to Major Harris his cornor We: by So: 380 po: to ye place aforementioned the sd land being due unto ye sd Richard Womack by and for ye transportacon of nine persons into this Collony’. Dated March 15, 1672. This land does not have any connection to the Thomas Harris of the 1638 Longfield patent.

September 7, 1671. Sir William Berkeley granted Maj. William Harris more than 1,200 acres on the north side of the James River in Henrico County, Virginia. This land was next to the land of Thomas Ligon, William Farrar, William Baugh Jr. and the Tanner family. The land was for the transportation of twenty people to Virginia. His neighbour, William Baugh Jr., was the father of Priscilla Baugh who married William Farrar. It was William Farrar who later married Mary (Tanner) Ligon. This land does not have any connection to the Thomas Harris of the 1638 patent.

1. Edward Baugh of Twining, Glocuestershire, deceased before January 19, 1571, m. Margaret Stratford (obit. 1589), dau. of John Stratford, of Farnecott. 1.1. Rowland Baugh, of Twining. 1.1.1. John Baugh. 1.1.1.1. Thomas Baugh, noted as being in Virginia in 1634. 1.1.1.2. John Baugh, m. Eleonor Copely, dau. of Thomas Copely, of Bredon’s Norton. 1.1.1.3. William Baugh (s.l. 1634), m. Mary Wakeman, of Gloucestershire. 1.1.1.3.1. William Baugh, held land next to Major William Harris, on ‘Ware Run’. 1.1.1.3.1.1. William Baugh Jr., m. Jane Hatcher, dau. of William Hatcher Jr., and sister of Henry Hatcher, father of Mary (Hatcher) Tanner. 1.1.1.4. Rowland Baugh, his granddau. Judith Baugh (s.l. 1682), m. (1668) Charles Hancock of Playstow & Twining, b. March 13, 1643, s.l. 1682; 2nd s. of William Hancock of Bredon’s Norton, Worcs., sheriff, Worcs. 1665. 1.2. John Baugh, of ‘Aldencourte’, m. Joanne Dale, dau of John Dale of Langtoll. 1.2.1. Thomas Baugh of Aldon Court, m. Dorothy Parkes, dau of George Parkes, of Bromfield. 1.2.1.1. Henry Baugh of Aldon Court, m. Alice Holland, dau. of William Holland, baptized at Burwarton in 1574, and buried there in 1642 (Will proved P.C.C. 94 Campbell), son of Thomas Holland, bur. at Stottesden in 1612, and Alicia, ‘fil. Thomas Cocke of Pickthorne’ (Will pr. P.C.C. 19 Capell, 1613); styled ‘of Pickthorne’, aunt of Richard Cocke, b. 1597 at Pickthorne, Stottesdon, Shropshire; bapt. December 13, 1597 at Sidbury in Shropshire; obit. Bremo Bluff, Henrico, 1665. 1.2.1.2. Charles Baugh. 1.2.1.2.1. Margaret Baugh, b. January 24, 1613, St. Lawrence, Ludlow, m. John Harris, b. Mar. 5, 1604, St. Lawrence, Ludlow. 1.2.1.2.1.1. Major William Harris, born ‘January 13, 1627/8, St. Lawrence, Ludlow. 1.3.1. Edward Baugh, obit. 1643, m. Mary Jeffries, dau of Leonard Jeffries, of Earls Crome, Worcestershire, son of William Jeffries and Susanna Copley, dau. of Thomas Copley of Bredon’s Norton. Leonard Jeffries was the father of Thomas Jeffries, who m. (by 1602) Elizabeth Hopton, dau. of John Hopton, merchant, of Southampton. These relationships are detailed in Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), cliv, 112, and Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccccliv, 31. Elizabeth Hopton, m. Thomas Jeffries, whose sister, Mary Jeffries, m. Edward Baugh, a cousin of William Baugh, neighbour of Major William Harris in Virginia.

The relationship of John Harris, born 1604, in Ludlow, to his Langford cousins, may inform of a distinct strand of genealogy that reached from Shropshire to Virginia, and Place Major William Harris within its fold:

1. William Langford. 1.1. Thomas Langford, attorney of the Foxe family. 1.1.1.1. Jane Langford, bapt. Oct. 10, 1567, m. (Sept. 14, 1595) Rowland Harris of Ludlow, d. 1605. 1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. Sept. 4, 1603.  1.1.1.2. John Harris, bapt. March 5, 1604. 1.1.2.1. Major William Harris, bapt. January 13, 1627/8. (After the death of Rowland Harris, his relict married Edward Lewis). 1.1.1.2. Thomas Langford. 1.1.1.2.1. William Langford, m. Jane Jordan. 1.1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Langford, of New Kent County, Virginia, who appears in this land grant: ‘Robinson, John. September 22, 1682. New Kent County. granted 1,252 acres on the Dragon Swamp and branches thereof. Beginning &c. belonging to the land of Thomas Langford; thence &c. over certain branches of Arracxicoe to a Corner Red Oak by the Mill Path’ (46). 1.2. Richard Langford, burgess of Ludlow. 1.2.1. Edward Langford, tenant of the Foxe family in Mellington. 1.3. Joan Langford, m. Richard Hopton. 1.3.1. William Hopton, of Hopton and Dounton (s.l. 1563), m. Elizabeth Fox, dau. of William Fox, of Ludlow. 1.3.1.1. John Hopton, merchant, of Southampton. 1.3.1.1.1. Elizabeth Hopton, m. Thomas Jeffries, whose sister, Mary Jeffries, m. Edward Baugh, a cousin of William Baugh, neighbour of Major William Harris in Virginia.

Deed declaring the use of a fine levied by Edward Lutwyche: 1. Edward Lutwyche of Lutwyche, Esq. 2. William Jurden* of Felhampton, Thomas Langford of Stone Acton. 3. Edward Jurden of Wooston. Whereas Edward Lutwyche by deed of 30 April 5 Charles I (1629) demised to William Jurden a messuage in Stone Acton and buildings and lands, then or late in the tenure of John Worde (Ward), John Fox and common of pasture for all manner of cattle belonging to the premises. To hold to William Jurden for 99 years if Richard Jurden and Edward Jurden, sons of William Jurden and Jane, daughter of William, so long live at the yearly rent of £4. Whereas Edward Lutwyche by deed of 10 July 21 James I (1623) demised to Thomas Langford, Alice his wife and William their son a house in Stone Acton with buildings and lands belonging in Stone Acton, and common of pasture there. To Thomas Langford, Alice and William for their lives at the rents specified. December 27, 1632.*A tenant of the Cresset family, the connection is obvious:

Thomas Holland, m. Alicia, ‘fil. Thomas Cocke of Pickthorne.’ Richard Cocke of Bremo was baptised in Sidbury, Shropshire, on Dec. 13, 1597; the son of Thomas Cocke of Pickthorn. One of Richard’s sons, Col. Thomas Cocke, named his home ‘Pickthorne Farms’. Thomas Holland’s br., George Holland of Purslow, m. Cecilia Lutley, dau. of Adam Lutley of Bromcroft, by his wife, Elizabeth Cresset, dau. of Robert Cressett, son of Richard Cressett of Upton Cressett, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire, and Jane Wrottesley, dau. of Richard Wrottesley, Esq., Sheriff of Staffordshire, and Dorothy Sutton. Adam Lutley’s sister was Joyce Lutley, who m. John Holland., b. 1535; he being John Holland Sr., enfeoffed in Lamberhurst, Kent, ancestor of Michael Holland of Goochland.

Fleming v Haberley. Plaintiffs: Henry Fleming. Defendants: Edward Haberly. Subject: property in Stone Acton, Shropshire. 1649. Fleming v Wrednall. Plaintiffs: Helen Fleming widow and John Fleming. Defendants: Anne Wrednall widow and others. Subject: property in Stone Acton, Shropshire. 1658.

The lands of Thomas Langford, deceased, were determined in a report dated February 26, 1731 – ‘the line between Wm Bird esq. & Alex Cock cannot be found, Edward Hundley present for Wm Bird, present Henry Hix for Mr. Sam’l Welden, Daniel Patrick, William Harris, Jr. William Harris Jr. was almost certainly the son of Major William Harris, recorded, as his brother, Thomas, with their step-father, George Alves: ‘The lands of Mr. Geo Alves, Nicho. Gentry, Chris Cawthorn, Mr. John Sym & Will’m Harris, Sam’l Gentry, of which Mr. Geo. Alves & Nicho. Gentry were Overseers, who made this return, the within Order comply’d with, by the persons Within namd, or their Order. Geo. Alves, Nicho. Gentry’. ‘The Lands of Mr. Geo Alves, Thos. Harris, Geo. Harris, Rich’d Clough, Geo. Dabney Junr., John Crenshaw & David Crenshaw, of which Mr. Geo Alves and Thos. Harris were Overseers who made this return, the above Order perform’d. Geo. Alves, Tho. Harris’ (Tyler’s Quarterly Hist. & Gen. Magazine, vol. 20, January 20, 1939.).

Thomas Langford, of the grant of 1682, married Elizabeth Jordan as stated in her father’s, Samuel Jordan’s, Will. He died circa 1712, after the purchase of land with John Lewis. Their son, Thomas Langford, married Martha West on February 28, 1700, witnessed by John & Margaret Maddox. Elizabeth Jordan was the dau. of Elizabeth Flemming.

John & Margaret Maddox witnessed the following Langford marriage in New Kent County, on February 28, 1700. Quaker marriage of Thomas Langford and Martha West, dau. of Giles West, ‘at the home of the aforesaid people’, in New Kent, other guests being: Christopher and Elizabeth Clark, Michael and Sarah Johnson, Thomas Stanley, Charles Fleming, Rice Hughes, Robert Hughes, Sarah Hughes, and Susannah Fleming.

The St. Peter’s parish register of New Kent Ct, Virginia records Elizabeth Madox as the daughter of John and Margaret Maddox. She married Joseph Woodson, grandson of Robert Woodson’s brother. Joseph witnesses land sales of the Madox brothers, and puts up security for Michael Madox’s Administration (Book 6, p. 422). Elizabeth and Joseph live next to John Madox, her elder brother. These Madox are undoubtedly decended from John Madox, husband of Elizabeth Lewes, step-aunt of John Harris, father of Major William Harris.

This Samuel Jordan was likely to be of the same family of Shropshire Jordans: Will of Samuel Jordan of New Kent County Virginia, written October 2, 1718, and probated June 11, 1719 – ‘being weak of body … wife Elizabeth, executors wife Elizabeth, friends Charles Fleming, John Fleming, Tarlton Woodson & Thomas Pleasants … It is my will that my beloved friend John Fleming have the plantation of Thomas Langford, dec’d & the management of his estate & the bringing up of his son Thomas Langford as wholely to himself” (From the lawsuit Jordan Vs Freeman filed 15 Jun 1767 and judgment given 1788, Louisa County, Virginia).

Of St Laurence  Church, Ludlow, I can do no better than quote the words of John Corbet Anderson, antiquarian, who, after describing the church as of Saxon origin, continued: ‘In its present shape, St. Laurence’s, Ludlow, was built either in the reign of Edward II., or early in that of Edward III. Formerly there was a chantry in this church, for we read of  “the altar of St. Mary and St. Gabriel, the archangel, in the nave of Ludlow Church”.

Among the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum is a book which, at the end of the 13th century, or beginning of the 14th, belonged to St Laurence’s, Ludlow. The greater portion of the volume is written in the Anglo-Norman language. Its contents are of a mixed theological and literary kind, and illustrate the class of reading then fashionable with a man of taste of the clerical order. At the commencement of the book is a calendar, which informs us that the church of St. Laurence was dedicated on the 13th of February, but the year is not stated. Next follows a copy of the early Anglo-Norman prose version of the Psalms. Thirdly, a metrical Anglo-Norman version of some parts of the Psalms; fourthly, the Bestiaire d’Amours, a poetical description of animals, etc., with curious moralisations; fifthly, the rules given by Robert Grosteste for regulating the household and lands of a nobleman; sixthly, the French version of Turpin’s History of Charlemagne; seventhly, a French treatise on confession; eighthly, various fragments, among which are many charms, and a treatise on chiromancy; ninth, the “Manuel des Peches,” a well-known religious poem, attributed to Robert Grosteste; tenth, an account of St. Patrick’s purgatory, in French verse; eleventh, a French poem, entitled La Pleinte d’Amour; twelfth, various religious matters, in Latin’.

Of the Baughs: Their Arms: gules a fesse vair, three mullets argent; crest, out of a ducal coronet or, a talbot sejant sable. These are the armorials of the Horne, Pulleston, and Hunt families, and show close association to the Hoptons. Hopton. Harl. 1396, fo. 162b. Harl. 1241, fo. 16b. Harl. 615, fo. 265b. S., ff. 107b—108. Arms: Harl. 1396 — Quarterly of six: 1 and 6, Gules, a fesse vair — Horne in Shrewsbury MS.; 2, Sable, a lend between six martlets or — Willascott in Shrewsbury MS.; 3, Argent, a chevron gules between three square buckles sable (Moortown); 4, Azure, a chevron between three water-bougets or — Woodoot in Shrewsbury MS.; 5, Sable, three mullets argent — Pulleston in Shrewsbury MS. The Arms of Horne of Pikesley and Little Ercall are described in The Visitation of Shropshire, 1623: quarterly of six: 1 and 6, Gules, a fesse vair — Horne in Shrewsbury MS. The ancient Arms of Puleston (Sable, three mullets argent) are included in the Quartered Arms of Horne listed in the Shropshire Visitation. The Baugh crest is that of the Hunts of Boreatton Park, Baschurch, Shropshire.

The Worcestershire Archives give notice of the earliest recorded members of the Baugh family (Bawgh) as Crown appointees in Hanley, Malvern Hills District, Worcestershire, which is c. 16 miles distant, connected by a main road, from Ludlow, Shropshire. It was from this stem that the Baughs 0f Twining, Gloucestershire (c. 40 miles from Ludlow, connected by a main road), and Aldon Court, Shropshire, descended; Aldon Court being c. 8 miles from ludlow. The name Baugh is from Old Welsh ‘bach’, a term of endearment for a young man.

The closeness of the Baugh cousins would have also been reinforced by marriages between them, and into the same families; thus, in both geographic and familial terms, Major William Harris would have close affinity to his Baugh neighbours in Virginia; in all likelihood attending the same school as his many cousins.

Indenture: Confirming that William Baugh of Hanley has sold to Richard Wodeward senior of the same vill two tenements lying in Hanley in Roberts End (Robertishend) with all their appurtenances, of which one had been bought by William from the said Richard. 705:134/1531/76/92. 10 March 1487.

Remise and quitclaim by James Walwen, yeoman of the Crown (unus valectorum corone domini regis) and Agnes his wife, for themselves and their heirs in perpetuity: To Roger Frewyn of Forthey, Richard Trigge, William Baugh, William Hanley, John Frewen of Northend, John Baugh, Roger Frewen of Church End, Richard Lechemar, William Seerde, John Cavull and John Grove of Besford, their heirs and assigns, of all possible right and claim in one messuage with a garden adjoining in Hanley. 1. The manor had come into the Crown in 1478, and new people begin to appear in Hanley who are Crown appointees; James Walwen and James Knottesford are examples. Another Walwen, Edward, was to be bailiff of Hanley Hall submanor in 1526, and the Knottesfords, who were officials on the estates of Great Malvern priory, were to be influential in Hanley over the next few decades (Toomey, Medieval Woodland Manor, 176-7). 705:134/1531/76/94. 18 September 1487.

Remise and quitclaim by Ellen Baugh widow of William Baugh, for herself and her heirs and assigns: To John her son of all possible right and claim in that whole messuage which Avice Baugh recently held at Blackmore End (Blakemorend) in the lordship of Hanley, with all appurtenances anciently belonging to the messuage. 705:134/1531/76/105. 20 May 1497.

Remise and quitclaim by Richard Lechemer of Hanley and Joan his wife, for themselves, their heirs and assigns: To Roger Frewen of Le Forthey, his heirs and assigns, of all possible right and claim in one daywork of arable land containing six selions, with its appurtenances, in the field called Wodewellein the lordship of Hanley, between the land of the said Roger on both sides and extending from the land of the said Roger on the east to that of the same Roger on the west. Clause excluding future claims. Warranty clause. Sealing clause. Witnesses dominus) John Hawkyns, chaplain (capellano) of Hanley, James Knottesford, then bailiff, William Baugh, William Seerd, John Baughe and others. Dated at Hanley. 705:134/1531/76/98. 10 July 1490

Confirmation of delivery [of property held in trust] by John Baugh, John Hylle, Edward Bawgh, William Frewen and Edward Cavull: To Roger Frewen of Forthey and Elizabeth his wife : whereas Roger Frewen of Forthey in the parish of Hanley, county Worcester (Wigorn ‘), by a charter dated at Hanley on 29 August 1504, had granted to [the five trustees] all his lands and tenements, rents, reversions, services, hereditaments and possessions with all appurtenances lying in the lordship and fee of Hanley.705:134/1531/77/25. 26 January 1513.

Lease and demise by Edward Baughe, William, Richard Frewen, John Lawton, Edward Cavull and Thomas Frewen of Ombersley: To Roger Frewen, Eleanor his wife and William their son of a meadow called Oughley, with appurtenances, lying in Hanley next to Severn Meadow (Severn medowe), with the lessees to have all lops and crops growing in the meadow; to be held for 80 years from Michaelmas next. 705:134/1531/77/22. 1510 – 1520.

Lease by John Knottesford, William Pynnocke esquire, Edward Baughe, Richard Lechmar gentleman, [and] Roger Frewen and Thomas Frewen yeomen: To Humphrey Hadon of Hanley Castle, one of the yeomen of the guard of the king’s chamber, of their tenement in Church End in Hanley. 705:134/1531/77/70. 18 July 1547.

PULESTON AND OWAIN GLYN DWR

‘The Pulestons derived their name from the vill or manor of Pilston or Puleston, near Newport , Salop , where they were settled in the reign of Henry III , and continued to hold land at least until 1433. Sir Roger de Puleston (d. 1294) is believed to have been the first to establish himself at Emral in Maelor Saesneg; he is described as ‘de Embers-hall’ in 1283; and the following year ‘foresta domini Rogeri de Pyvylston’ occurs as a boundary in a deed of sale of lands in Gwillington (Arch. Camb. , 1888 , 32, 293). On 20 March 1293/4 he was appointed by Edward I the first sheriff of Anglesey (Cal. Welsh Rolls , 283) … In all probability Master Richard de Puleston, who was sheriff of Caernarvonshire , 1284-95 (he was appointed on the same day as Sir Roger), was of the same family, although the pedigrees do not help to establish his exact identity. Robert Puleston, son of Richard Puleston of Emral (alive 1382/3 — B. M. Harley MS. 1971), was a witness in the celebrated Scrope-Grosvenor trial of 1386 , together with Owain Glyn Dwr (q.v.), whose sister Lowry he married. For his part in the rebellion Robert ‘s estates in the counties of Chester, Salop , and Flint were forfeited (Cal. Pat. Rolls, Henry IV , 1399-1401, 370), but were later restored. Robert ‘s grandson, Roger Puleston (d. 1469), whose father, John Puleston (will proved 17 April 1444), had m. Angharad , daughter of Griffith Hanmer and grand-daughter of Tudur ap Gronwy of Anglesey, was a staunch Lancastrian and held Denbigh castle as deputy-constable to his kinsman, Jasper, earl of Pembroke during the campaign of 1460-1’ (Emyr Gwynne Jones, Dictionary of Welsh Biography).

copyright m stanhope 2015