1. ‘John Harris, of St Saviour’, Southwark, whose Will, proved May 2, 1616 … bequests to ‘Robert Harris, his eldest son, Thomas Harris, his second son; Mary Harris, his underage daughter’ (TNA, Prob.11/127, ff.345v-346r). He m. ‘Ellen (Dryver) Harris, of London, widow’ of the said Robert Harris, stated in her Will, proved March 25, 1631, that she was born in Presteigne, Radnor (Wales)  and bequests to Dorcas Bridges (Bridgers), late wife of Robert Marcklame, now wife of Roger Bridges … Margaret, eldest daughter of her cousin, Isaac Driver, deceased, and his widow Barbara Driver; and their three other unnamed children (TNA, Prob. 11/159, ff. 286v-288v).

These families are recorded here: ‘Release, by Jane Bridges, of the Ley, in the parish of Webley, Co. Heref., and Thomas Bridges, to George Dryver, of Brnngwyn, Co. Radnor, and Maria his wife, of all their right in tenements and lands in Brungwyn, 10 July,1622′ (Sotherby Auction Catalogue. 1820-60).

‘Charles Smythe of Parish of St. Saviour, Southwark, Surry (Eng), grocer appts friend Gyles Driver of Pagan Creek atty, to collect from George Moore and Henry King‘ (B. 1. p. 540) … Thomas King, of St Saviour. Nuncupative will. proved October 15, 1603. Family members named: Elizabeth his wife. His unnamed brother the waterman, to have his boat. Executors: Elizabeth his wife, Richard More and Henry Reynoldes (LMA, Admon fo. 413) … Nicolas Kinge, of Southwark, was the ‘cousin’ of Richard Yearwood (father of Governor George Yearwood); he married Margaret West in 1630, probably of the family who were neighbours of Ralph Yardley and Richard Yearwood in Southwark. Nicholas King’s daughter, by his first wife, married John Harvard’s brother; John Harvard being the brother-in-law of John Sadler, the brother-in-law of Richard Quiney. On November 16, 1635, William Barker als Baker (son-in-law of Sergeant John Harris), John Sadler, Richard Quiney, merchants, and their associates, patented 1250 acres in Charles City County, Virginia.

(It is common enough to pinpoint an English family to a specific location, such as Avening, Gloucestershire, moreso if that family can been proved to have links to another family of that place that were repeated in Virginia. This is a partially sound principle, but one that can be improved by considering families to be of ‘regions’ rather than county-specific locations. Thus, the Driver family of Avening, Gloucestershire (whose Arms impaled those of Bridger (B&G, Arch. Soc., vol. 28, p. 186), have been taken to be the specific family of Driver in Virginia, yet, it would be more pertinent to think of the ‘Dryvers’ of Radnor (who had strong links to Shropshire, see N.A. C 2/JasI/D7/24, Dryver v Mitton), and of Gloucestershire, as being of the same family, of the same Malvern Hills region, from which many families settled in London,engaging in trade, including with the American colonies. The suggested ancestor of Giles Driver of Virginia, Robert, of Avening, does not named Giles in his Will of 1671. Commom devices of suggesting this is because an inheritance has already been given, etc., are used to explain discrepancies in American pedigrees to a degree that invites ridicule).

1.1. Thomas Harris, ‘Thomas Harris, his second son’, born c. 1595, came to Virginia on the Temperance in 1621, as a headright of Sir Geo. Yeardley, of Southwark, London.

1.1.1. Thomas Harris. ‘Thomas Harris, 650 acs. on the N. side of the head of Puscaticon Cr., Lancaster Co., adj. land of Oliver Seger, & opposite an Indian Field, Trans. of 13 pers: Elinr. Harris … Giles Dryver. August 23, 1656. (B.1, p. 392) … January 13, 1663: ‘I John Bond of the Isle of Wight County in Virginia hath bargained sould & delivered unto Thomas Harris of the aforesaid County, one Cornemill standing att the head of the Pagan Creek in the same County of the Isle of Wight … Test. Henry King, Alex Phillips (ibid. p. 549) … John Reynolds, planter, sells to William Boddie, planter, land in the Lower Parish where John Reynolds liveth – to pine on Pagan Creek side – to swamp were Roger Waters did live – and other side of Henry King … 30 November 1668. Test. Wm. Mayo. (ibid. p. 554) … Anthony Fulgham sells to Wm. Goddin 400 acres on Western Branch of Nasnsemond River, part of a pat. to said Fulgham and William Bressie. 12 July 1665. Test. Robert Williamson, Henry King. (ibid. p. 552) … Robert King (son of Henry) receives a conveyance of land from William Bressie of Oxford and signs it back to him. 9 February 1670, Test. Sara King, wife (ibid. p. 561) … Thomas Norsworthy and wife Sussannah sell to Robert King land given to said Thomas by his father, 150 acres on West Side of Great Marsh behind a Island called Long Ponds. 20 July 1670. Test. John Pitt. Thomas Bevan. (ibid. p. 561) … Olive Hardy, dau. of John Hardy named in her father’s 1676 Will as married to Giles Driver of Southwark, London, was thrice married; she m. 1. Giles Driver, issue: Robert, Charles, Giles Jr., John, and dau. Hardy Driver … 2. John Bromfield (of Southwark, London) … They had a dau. Anne Bromfield, identified in her step-father’s, John Pitt’s, Will (B. 1, p. 431 & B. 2, p. 454) … 3. Lt. Col. John Pitt; their female issue inc … Prudence Pitt, m. Charles Driver; Martha Pitt, m. George Norsworthy; Sarah Pitt, m. Tristram Norsworthy (see as follows); their dau., Martha Norsworthy, m. Henry King.

1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Thomas Harris, born 1636, who, in 1662, married Dorothy Bassano. He was not just marrying Dorothy, of course, but was ‘marrying’ into those closely connected to her, and to those connected to them. Thus, with Dorothy’s second-cousin marrying ‘Dorothie, dau. of Jo. Hinde of London’, whose father’s Will was witness by Nicholas Kinge, and Peter Newsam, and had as overseer ‘Ralph Yardly of London’, who was the father of Governor Yardley of Virginia (TNA, Prob.11/147, f), the ‘circle’ into which Thomas married is evident.

1.1.1.1.1. Robert Harris.

1.1.1.1.1.1. Robert Harris Jr. 1730: Robert Harris Jr.. and his brother, John Harris (d. 1772), received, by patent from Robert Harris (d.1740) on September 28, 1730; 150 acres of land on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp and on Barbeque Swamp in Isle of Wight County. This land adj. the lands of Arthur and Joseph Williamson. 1737-8: Edward Boykin of North Carolina to Robert Harris, Jr. of Isle of Wight County, VA, for 5 lbs about 50 acres on south side of Blackwater and bounded on east side by Berbeckew branch, line between Robert Harris, Jr.. and part of paten of 325 acres granted to the said Boykin on 25 August 1731. Witness: John Washington, Arthur Williamson, Joseph Williamson’.

Lease and release, Aug 21-22, 1737, from Edward Boykin of North Carolina, to Thomas Hollyman of IOW, for 5 shillings, about 230 acres on the south side of Blackwater Swamp in IW, bounded by a marked tree of the patent standing in Thos Hollyman’s old line, the patent line, the head of Barbyhew branch, the bounds between the patent & Arthur Williamson’s land, the head of Stake branch, Gregorys branch, the mouth of the line branch, said Hollyman. Said land was part of a patent granted to said Edw’d Boykin for 325 acres dated Aug 25, 1731. Signed – Edward Boykin. Wit – Eth. Taylor, Jos. Wombell, Benj. Bayly. Recorded Nov 28, 1737. D. B. 5, p. 194. Lease and release, Feb 26-27, 1737, from Edward Boykin of North Carolina, to Wm Hollyman of IOW, for 20 pounds, about 260 acres on the north side of Seacock Swamp in IOW. The land is part of 3 patents granted to said Boykin for 685 acres. The first patent is dated Apr 25, 1701 for 200 acres; the second is dated Jun 16, 1714 for 160 acres; the third dated Aug 25, 1731 for 325 acres. The 260 acres is bound between Joseph Wombell’s land, Robert Hart’s and Thomas Hollyman’s lands. Signed – Edward Boykin. Wit – John Dunkley, Eth’d Taylor, John Washington. Recorded Apr. 24, 1738. (ibid., p. 219).

Robert Harris Jr. moved into Granville District … ‘to his son Edmund for love and affection land on the Little Fishing Creek, 160a more or less. Witnesses Thomas Miller, George Norsworthy, Thomas Miller Jr. Warren Co, NC Deed book 7 p. 289 14 July 1779.*Son of Charles Norsworthy and Anne Seagrave, of Isle of Wight County; son of Tristram Norworthy, brother-in-law of Charles Driver, as aforementioned. Thus, Robert Harris is asociated with his kinsman, George Norsworthy.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Burwell Harris, died in the Militia Service, m. Elizabeth Holliman, dau. of Edward Holliman, whose Will (28 Jan. 1786; Oct. Ct. 1786) names wife Mary; Sons William and Blake, Extrs.; Dtrs. Elizabeth Harris, Martha Coleman and Nancy Holliman. Land devised to his sons adj. Lewis Patterson and Urbane Nicholson’. Will of Mary Holliman, Nov. Ct. 1803, names ‘all my children: Elizabeth Holliman, William Holliman, Blake Holliman, Pattey Coleman; gr-son Jacob Harris‘.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. 27 Aug. 1849: Henry and wife, Mary E. Pegram of Nash Co., NC to John B. Harris for $35 – all right & title to tract of land which Jacob Harris, father of said Mary E. Pegram , died seized lying on the waters of Little
Fishing Creek in Warren Co., NC – adjoining lands of Anthony Dowtin, Robin E. Harris & others (North Carolina W.B. 16, pp. 139-142.

1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Newit Harris. Robert Harris to his son Newit Harris both of Bute Co., gift of 310a in Bute Co. on n.s.Stone house creek adj, Nicholson and earl of Granville grant dated 11 March 1760: Witnesses: Thomas Miller Jr., Jas. Thompson, Isaac Acree’ (Bute County D.B. 6, P. 368; rec. 30 June 1779).

1.1.1.1.2. John Harris, m. Avis Holleman.
1.

1.1. Robert Pitt, d. bef. 9 Jan. 1675.

1.1.1. Lt. Col. John Pitt, in his Will probated Jan 1703, leaves property to son James Pitt. This property is the 1200 acre patent of Robert Pitt of 1654 … ‘I give to my son James Pitt* all that land whereon the widdow Snowden and widdow Gray and Arthur Murphy now liveth as far into the woods as the main road And as ye road runneth to be ye bounds between him & John Pitt and to bound on the Back Creek. I likewise give my son James Pitt one lott or ½ acres of land lying in the towne of Newport it being the 25th lott whereon is the house with Brick Chimneys to him and his heirs lawfully begotten, forever & for want of heirs then to John Pitt & his heirs forever.” “I give unto my son Henry Pitt** all that tract of land whereon my father Col. Robert Pitt lived and where Mr. Monro now liveth being twelve hundred acres lying on ye Neck between the Chuckatuck Creek & into the woods’.

1.1.1.1. *James Pitt. ‘John Norsworthy, Gent., of Chuckatuck Parish in Nansemond County to Thomas Boyd, Gent. and wife Martha Boyd of the same (late wife of Col. George Norsworthy, decd.) for the Love and Affection he has for his mother the said Martha Boyd … acres in Newport Parish in Isle of Wight County and now in the possession of Benjamin Baldwyn and bounded by the upper side of a place called Horse Hall, Ragged Island Creek and the Nansemond County line. Wit: John Giles, Phillarete Giles, Philarete Giles, Jr., Trus. Norsworthy and James Pitt‘. Rec: 10 Feb. 1706

1.1.1.2. ** Henry Pitt. 1 Oct 1752. Richard Reynolds and Charles Driver witnesses to 15 year lease of Henry Pitt to Giles Driver…”all my land” on the south east side of Jones Creek (except 50 acres known as ‘Hains’). Giles West is mentioned. Recorded 2 November 1752. B. 9, p38, 7 Jun 1754, Deed: Robert Reynolds and his wife Patience Reynolds, to Henry Pitt, 200 acres called ‘the Pocoson Plantation’ adjoining Jordans Mill Swamp, Robert Driver. Signed: Robert Reynolds, Patience (x) Reynolds and Ann (x) Hunt. Witness: Giles Driver. Recorded 7 Nov 1754. (B. 9, p. 289).

1.1.1.2.1. John Pitt. 25 May 1741. ‘Indenture between John Pitt of Isle of Wight of one part and John Batten of the other part. The said John Pitt in consideration of sum 3600 pounds tobacco heretofore paid by John Batten to said Henry Pitt in his lifetime – father of said John Pitt- conveys land in parish of Newport isle of Wight at a place called Pocoson and joining the land formerly belonging to William West deceased and formerly belonging to Mr. John Hardy deceased and now in possession of John Pitt containing 300 acres of land – signed in the presence of Thomas Swann’.

1.2. Thomas Pitt. The ‘Cypress Creek’ patent may date to 1668 … Wm Berkley grants unto Arthur Smith 350 acres land upon Cypress Swamp first granted to John Roe 10 Dec 1640 and by him assigned to Christopher Reynolds and from said Reynolds to Arthur Smith. 21 Mar 1643. George Smith assigns all right in this patent to Christopher Hollimas except 200 acres- 100 given by father Arthur Smith to Arthur Long by will and the other 100 acres sold to Wm Oldis 11 Jan 1661. Endorsed by Christopher Hollyman* and Anne his wife to Thomas Pitt 9 Dec 1668 … Capt. Thomas Pitt made his will April 21, 1687, probated Aug. 9, 1688: ‘Legacies to children Thomas, Henry, Martha, Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, and Patience Pitt; to wife Mary the plantation I live on as far as the cart path that goeth from John Champion’s to Col. Bacon’s plantation up toward the church and so joining on Thomas Gross’. To each of my daughters 5000 lbs. tobacco. Wife Mary executrix … Codicil … ‘I give to Thomas Gross and Francis Gross and their heirs/assignees – all that land where they now live being 130 acres part of Sparke’s patent’… ‘I give and bequeath to Michael Fulgham 50 acres of land part of Sparke’s patent’. Michael Fulgham may have m. a Pitt. Michael Fulgham’s Will, 9 Mar. 1691, was witnessed by James Benn of Southwark, London, associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672. His son, Michael Fulgham Jr., Will proven February 26, 1727, W.B. 3, P. 59), names dau.  Susanna Fulgham, the wife of Henry West. On September 6, 1722, Henry West of the ‘Precinct of North Carolina’ sold John McMiall 160 acres in the Newport Parish of Isle of Wight County. According to the deed, this tract consisted of lands left by William West to his son Robert West, who in turn bequeathed it to his son Henry West (Proven April 22, 1723). Henry West was living in the Edgecombe Precinct of North Carolina by October 17, 1735, because on that date he patented 640 acres on the North side of Fishing Creek. These Wests were undoubtedly as heretofore given: Nicolas Kinge was the ‘cousin’ of Richard Yearwood ; he married Margaret West in 1630, probably of the family who were neighbours of Ralph Yardley and Richard Yearwood. Nicholas King’s daughter, by his first wife, married John Harvard’s brother.

In 1653, a Christopher Hollman (Holleman) and two Judith Hollimans were brought to Virginia by John Sheerlock. Book I., p. 38. Record 9th August 1665. Know all men by these presents that I George Smyth doe assigne all my right & interest of this Pattent, and also in the behalfe of my wife Anne Smith to Christopher Hollyman hes heires Executors & Assignes for ever, except two hundred acres of land ones sould to Wm Ouldis, and one hundred acres, given to Arthur Long my father, Arthur Smyth as witness of hands thes 9th day of August 1665. George Smyth. Anne Smyth … Know all men by these presents that wee Christopher Holliman and Mary my now wife doth assigne over to Thomas Pitt of full right title & interest of ye within menconed Pattent from us of heires Executors Administrators & Assignes for ever witness of hands the 9th day of December 1668. Christopher Hollyman. Mary Hollyman.

It is not critical to place exactly within this Holleman family the Edward Holleman whose dau. m. Burwell Harris. The general principle is certain: These Harris of Southwark, London,through their maternal Dryver ancestry, were cousins of the Pitt and Norsworthy families, and were strongly connected to other Southwark families, such as the Kings, Smythe/Smiths, and Reynolds, to which can be added the Holman and Sherlock families of St. Olaves, Southwark, which are variously recorded: The Will of William Sherlocke, (had a son named John), Yeoman of Saint Saviour Southwark Surrey. December 10, 1663. Prob. 11/312/487: Bennett v Leake. Plaintiffs: Thomas Bennett. Defendants: Henry Leake, Edward Bromefield,* Richard Holman. Subject: messuage and brewhouse near Battle Bridge in St Olave’s, Southwark, Surrey. 1603-1625: ‘William Holman & Margaret Kelham, June 23, 1617’ (married).*Whose probable grandson was the second husband of Olive Hardy, her third being Lt. Col. John Pitt; whose dau., Prudence Pitt, m. Charles Driver,the Harris cousin. The full details of intermarriages between the Southwark families of this account can not be known, but it is certain that they existed, and that the degree of ‘closeness’ of these families may have been very significant.
1.2.1. Thomas Pitt of Cypress Swamp, who d. c. 1734.

1.2.1.1. Thomas d. 1746 m. Martha (of Jones’ Creek)

1.2.1.2. Henry of Cypress Swamp, d. 1747. A 1744 deed mentions land on Cypress Swamp, ‘adjacent Thomas Pitts’ land now in possession of his son Henry Pitts and Henry Lightfoot’.

1.2.1.2.1. Henry Pitt. A deed of 1752 concerning this same land, then being sold to Bartholomew Lightfoot, calls it, land ‘adjoining Thomas Pitt’s land now in possession of his grandson, Henry Pitt’.

In future clarifications, the family of William Harris, d. 1600, cousin of John Harris, of St Saviour, Southwark, d. 1616, will be considered, as will the likelihood of these cousins also being cousins of Sergeant John Harris.
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