English kinship groups in Virginia were as a spider’s web. Their infinite connections stand in stark contrast to the isolated family units of today. A unique insight into how consanguineous lines of cousins intermarried, with each generation also marrying into the same families (consanguinous bonds being strengthened by non-consanguineous ones), is given in the Wills made by inhabitants of Southwark, London, and, to a lesser extent,by the availability of Southwark parish records.

Although American researchers have increasingly pointed to the importance of arranged marriages between settler families, a continuation of the English custom, it is only by studying such as the deep layers of kinship connection in Southwark that a true extent of kinship can be grasped, yet, barely so, for its extent is staggering.

A common drawback to most genealogical research is the concentration on a single name. Somewhat naturally, those called Harris seek records of their namesakes, yet, unless blessed by rare luck, such an approach is apt to fail. It is almost impossible to research a family without researching all their varying degrees of cousins, to, at least, a level of five previous generations. To take what might be considered a more direct route is like trying to spot a fish among the many it swims with. You must study the shoal to find the fish.

Some key concepts in this mode of research are as follows:

1. The importance of trade locations: The families that are mentioned hereinafter did not all originate from Southwark and London, in fact, few did. they were drawn from all parts of England by the opportunities to carry out trade from a London port that linked with both Europe and the new American colonies. Inhabitants of Kent, Sussex, Wales, and Shropshire seem to have been particularly drawn to the opportunities afforded by the ‘London trades’. Thus, it has only partial meaning to locate a families original abode, as those from apparantly diverse locations lived under the ‘one roof of trade’.

2. The importance of shared connections: ‘A cousin gained was a cousin shared’, was a universal dictum of English kinship groups. This muddies the waters of research, for, when attemping to trace the descendants of a particular member of a family, and records of two generations hence are discovered that connects his surname with that of his spouse, it may be the discovery of a grandson of his cousin, who intermarried into the same family.

In colonial Virginia, the Harris family of Southwark, London, were a perfect example of the tangled web of kinship. Take, for example, Thomas Harris, d. 1672, who was associated with Robert Spencer, who witnessed a sale of land to William Heath that adjoined that formerly belonging to Sergeant John Harris. Do we infer from this a close relationship between Sergeant John Harris and Thomas Harris, one of father and son? Most likely not.

As will be shown hereinafter, Robert Spencer was also associated with Thomas Jarrell, and he with William Harris (the son of Thomas Harris of Surry Co., d. 1668); William Newsum, and Robert Ruffin. Robert Ruffin, of Surry Co., d. 1720, had a son, Col. John, of Mecklenburg Co., d. 1775, who m. Martha Hamlin (their son, Robert, m. Sarah Williamson), and a br., William, d. 1739, who settled in Bertie Co.; his issue by his first wife inc. William, Ethelred, Robert, and Samuel. He m. 2. the relict of John Newsum, Sarah Crafford. Martha Hamlin was the dau. of Richard Hamlin, of Charles City, d. May 18, 1718, Riverdale, Prince George Co., son of John Hamlin and Elizabeth Taylor.

As will be shown, William and Thomas Harris, sons of William Harris (and grandsons of John Harris, d.1687) and Mary Short, are mentioned in the Will of Henry Cocke, pr. in Surry Co, 1777, grandson of Thomas Cocke of Brunswick Co., and Hannah Hamlin, dau. of John Hamlin and Elizabeth Tayler, dau. of Richard Taylor and Sarah Baker/Barker, sister of John Baker, son of John Baker, husband of Dorothy Harris, ‘daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris‘.

Sarah Baker/Barker remarried to Robert Lucy: ‘Whereas Robert Lucy and Sarah his wife and Phillip Limbrey and Elizabeth his wife jointly own 1000 acres in Flower du hundred, inherited from John Barker Dec’d., brother to sd Sarah and Elizabeth, desire partition. Request that Col. Robt Wynne for the Lucys and Lt. Col Geo Jordan for the Limbreys meet James Minge surveyor on the 22nd instant and divide the land’ (Fleet, III, p. 347).

As I have shown elsewhere: William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592 in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner (his family interchangeably called Baker), who deposed his age to be 37 in 1629, and mate of the Hopewell, which sailed fom Virginia on New years Eve of that year for England, under Captain Richard Russell, in company with ‘the Gift’ of London, under Captain Samuel Crampton and Master Edward Beale. (See Coldham, P.W., English Adventurers and Emigrants, 1609-1660, p. 23, 1984). He bought land in Flowerdew Hundred from Abraham Piersey’s dau., Elizabeth. This property passed to his son, John, in 1655, who left the plantation to two of his sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth Limbrey.

William Barker traded out of London with his partners, which included John Sadler and Richard Quiney, Merchants, with who he patented land in Charles City Co. He was also a partner of Francis Derrick: April 13, 1639: ‘Bond of Francis Derrick (the younger), of Bristol, and William Barker, of Ratcliffe, Middlesex, to the King, in 1,000l. conditioned for the appearance of Derrick before the Council, to answer an accusation of piracy pretended to have been committed by him upon a Spanish ship in a voyage to Virginia, about 11th October 1636’. Francis Derrick was the son of his namesake – see Pr. 11/176/291, the Will of Francis Derrick, Merchant of Bristol, Gloucestershire.

The link to John Barker/Baker (a pobable br. of William Barker/Baker, bapt. Feb. 14, 1600, St. Werburgh’s, Bristol) is established thus: ‘Francis Derrick to Richard Johnson, bill of sale for 30 acres, October 14, 1638: ‘Whereas John Baker and Dorothy his wife, daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris, have by order of court at Henrico on the 27th day of August last surrendered to mee Captain Francis Derrick all the right and title which they and claime unto the devident of land belonging to the late deceased Georg Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament’ (Nugent, B. 1., part 2, p. 113).

The said John Hamlin was the grandson of Stephen Hamlin: On Oct. 26, 1650, Mr. Stephen Hamelin was granted ‘1250 acres in Charles City County, Lyeing at the head of Weyonoke bounded S upon the heads of Wionoke, E upon Matshcoes Creek and the land of Mr. Cantrell, W towards Old Man’s Creek and Queen’s Creek N. Due said Hamblin for transportation of 25 persons, inc. Thos Powell, Wm. Hurt, Thomas Harris, and Robert Taylor.

This latter emigrant is associated with Major Allen, whose property extended near the ‘great Sunken Swamp’; and enclosed the old Rookings plantation of Flying Point and lands owned by rebels, Jeremiah Dickinson, Thomas Busby, William Edgebrow, Robert Taylor, William Simmons, and William Gaping. Thus, Robert Taylor was associated with land owned by Sergeant John Harris. The exact location of the lands settled by Sergeant Harris are indicated by a fine imposed on William Simmons after Bacon’s Rebellion. His tract, owned in 1623 by Sergeant John Harris, extended across the Chippoakes into Charles City (later Prince George) Co. John Rutherford had transferred part of the farm to William Heath in 1663.

It seems highly probable that the Thomas Harris of 1650 afors. was he who d. 1668, and a cousin of Sergeant John Harris. It is not necessary to associate him with the Thomas who deposed to be aged 37 in 1664, simply on the basis of someone of that age being present in Charles City. This is only a theory based on scraps.

3. The importance of the homestead. Land tended to pass to those closest related to an original owner.

4. The importance of exclusivity. It was very rare for those not connected to a kinship group to infiltrate its self-protecting mesh.

Returning to the Thomas Harris, d. 1672, who was associated with Robert Spencer, as evidenced here: ‘Know all men present that I Thomas Harris ine th county of IOW for many considerable caused me thereunto moving have and do by the srest constitie and ordeyne my be beloved friend Mr. Thomas Culmore of the county of Surry my true and lawfully attorney for me and to my ame and use to ask leavy recover of receive of Robert Spencer of the County of Surry all such somes of tobacco as shall appear due unto me within the county aforesaid also giving and by the prests granting to my attorney full power to perform for me in all causes touching ye premised for revcovery of the same as if my self ewer personnal present. Tho Harris. Witness, Wm Lewer, Samll Haswell‘. R. 1660. (Surry Co. D.B. 1, p 149).

Concerning Samuel Haswell: Elizabeth and Pharaoh Cobb sell to Samuel Haswell land where he now lives, March 7, 1756 … Sam. Haswell assigns to william Bressie, Feb. 9, 1658, test. John Hardy … William Bressie assigns all his right to Robert King, Dec. 14, 1669, test. Susannah Bressie … Arthur Grant, atty. for John Haswell of Bristol discharges and releases John Hardie exr. of Samuel Haswell, Jan. 22, 1669. W. John Jennings, Robert Kae. (B. 1., p. 559). In 1668, Nicholas Cobb, br. of Pharaoh Cobb, was an appraiser of the estate of John Bond. On July 10, 1684 he witnessed Dorothy Bond’s will, and then was responsible for dividing her estate.

Was John Hardy related to George Hardy? Edward Harris, d. 1677, in IOW, with inventory worth 9685 lbs. of tobacco, filed by George Hardy on June 9, 1677. Martha Harris, late wife of Edward Harris was deceased on April 4, 1676; her inventory was presented at an Orphants Court, IOW Co., May 1, 1677, by Mr George Hardy and Phillip Pardoe (W&D, vol. 2, p. 143). Phillip Pardoe was the second husband of Rebecca George (her first, Thomas Lewis), dau. of Col. John George, who was likely related to Nicholas George, father of the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

On Feb. 15, 1652, Nicholas George Sr. received a patent for 700 acres in Charles City County, Va. on the North side of the Rappahanock River and east side of the west branch of the Corotoman River. 300 acres by rights of previous patent dated Feb. 20, 1638, surrendered by himself, and 400 acres for transportation of 8 persons, including Nicholas George and Margaret George, his wife. (B. 3, p. 153). On Jan. 24, 1653, Captain Francis Pott received a 1000 acre patent in Northampton Co., Va. for transport of 20 persons, among whom were a John George and Nicholas George (ibid., p. 49). Captain Francis Pott was originally of Charles City.

The Will of Thomas Greenwood (R. April 9, 1658, B. 1, p. 571) names son Thomas Greenwood, whose wid. m. James Pyland, then Thomas Edwards. A sale of land patented by Thomas Greenwood (Boddie, p. 161) was witnessed by Col. John George, and William Lewer, the witness to the deed associating Thomas Harris, d. 1672, with Robert Spencer, and he with land adjoining that once belonging to Sergeant John Harris. A witnesses to the conveyance of Thomas Greenwood’s land was Thomas Woodward, of Southwark, London, as herein noted.

The Will of the said Thomas Harris: ‘In the Name of God Amen, the one and thirtieth day of March in the yeare of our Lord God 1672’ … was ‘proved by the oathes of Captain Francis Hobbs and Lewis Rogers in Open Court held for the Isle of Wight County this tenth day of June 1672 and then recorded. Test. John Jennings, Chr. Cns’. John Jennings, noted above – Arthur Grant, atty. for John Haswell of Bristol discharges and releases John Hardie exr. of Samuel Haswell, Jan. 22, 1669. W. John Jennings – was associated with both John Hardy and Samuel Haswell, afors.

This clearly points to a relationship betw. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, Edward Harris, d. 1677, John Bond, and the King family of Southwark, London. John Bond emigrated to Virginia as a headright of Henry Catelyn; he appeared in Catelyn land patents in 1637 and 1639. John Bond made his first land patent in Virginia in Lancaster Co. (formerly Chicacoan Indian Territory, part of Northumberland Co.) as follows: John Bond, 760 acs. on N. side of Rappa. Riv. in Corotoman Riv., on the S. side of the Eastermost br., along land of Mr. Geo. Taylor. July 29, 1650. (B. 1, p. 217). Thomas Harris, d. 1672, also held land on Corotoman Riv.

It is contended that Dorothy Harris, dau. of Sergeant John Harris, m. 1. John Baker 2. Captain John Bond, and moved to IOW Co. Her will was pr. Oct. 9, 1684. Test. John Pitt – see as follows, for links to Southwark, London – (B. 1, pp.62, 239). Is this is the Captain John Bond of the IOW militia?

The Will of John Bond, gent., pr. June 9, 1669; names son William Bond, son John, wife Dorothy Bond; Capt. Francis England (see as follows, for links to Southwark, London). The Will of Henry King, of IOW Co.: ‘I give one hundred Acres of land lieing and being next adjacent to Mr. England‘. The Will of George Hardy, pr. Ap. 14, 1655: ‘Signed and Sealed in the presence of us Karbry Kigan, Jno. Jennings, George Woodward, John Pitt. Clk Cur’.

SUGGESTED COUSINSHIP LINKS

1. John Harris, b. c. 1515. See James v Harrys. 1544-1551. C 1/1237/37-38.
1.1. John Harris, b. c. 1540. See Thomas Gyles, citizen and haberdasher of London v.Jerome Bellson, Richard Shipham, John Slaughter, Thomas Sandforde, William Freeman, John Harrys the elder, John Harrys the younger. 1582. C 78/80/9.
1.1.1. John Harris the younger, b. c. 1565, d. 1616, ‘cousin’ of William Harris, fishmonger’, d. 1600: ‘John Harris, of St Saviour’, Southwark, whose Will, pr. May 2, 1616, states that he is ‘very sick of body’, and requests ‘burial in St Saviour parish near where his wife is lately buried’; and names Robert Harris, his eldest son, Thomas Harris, his second son; Mary Harris, his underage dau. (TNA, Prob.11/127, ff.345v-346r).
1.1.1.1. Robert Harris, b. c. 1560, m. Ellen Driver, almost certainly related to Charles Driver: ‘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). Henry King and Alice [x] Phillips are witnesses to John Bond selling to Thomas Harris (d. 1672) a corn mill at head of Pagen Creek. John Bond is recorded in this land deed: ‘760 acs. on N. side of Rappa. Riv. in Corotoman Riv., on the S. side of the Eastermost br., along land of Mr. Geo. Taylor. July 29, 1650. Trans. of 15 pers: John Elliott, Joseph Oxford, Morgan Williams, Walter Hart, John Neale, Jno. Lawrence, Henry Weblin, his wife, John White’ (B. 1., p. 217). He assigns above to Jno Meredith, excepting 160 acres which belongs to Eliz Hutchins, the wife of Wm. Hutchins‘ (Lancaster Co. Court Orders, 1652-1655. R. Jan. 5, 1656).

1.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, the ‘second son’, b. c. 1595, came to Virginia on the Temperance in 1621, as a headright of Sir Geo. Yardley, of Southwark, London. His headright was later transferred to Thomas Flint, who used it when patenting land on Sept. 20, 1628 (B.1, p. 59).
1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1668.
1.1.1.2.1.1. William Harris. Jan. 4, 1685: William Harris and wife Mary Harris, to William Newsum … 220 acres now in the tenure of Mr. John Harris.
1.1.1.2.2. John Harris: Estate by Unity Harris, widow and administratrix of John Harris. May 3, 1687. Signed Wm Newsums, John Clarke, Wm Newitt. B 3, p. 82.
1.1.1.2.2.1. Thomas Harris, d. in Charles City in 1677. At a court held Sept. 13, 1677, administration of the estate of Thomas Harris, deceased, was granted to John Echols and John Hardaway, both of Westover Parish, with Samuel PHillips security. On March 3, 1690, on the petition of Thomas Harris, it was ordered that John Echols be summoned to the next court. Thus, Thomas Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1677, had come of age, and claimed against the surviving executor of his father’s estate.
1.1.1.2.2.2. John Harris: Leg.- to wife, Sarah, the feather bed that I lie on and the furniture that belongs to it. To daughter, Mary, the rest of my estate. Probated June 15, 1720. Wit: John Kitchen, Robt. Ruffin. (B. 7, p. 273).
1.1.1.2.2.2.1. Mary Harris.

(1. Robt. Ruffin, m. Elizabeth Prime.
1.1. Robert Ruffin, d. Feb. 15, 1720, in ‘Richneck’, Surry Co., Virginia, m. Elizabeth Watkins, dau. of John Watkins and Elizabeth Spencer.
1.1.1. John Ruffin, m. Martha Hamlin, dau. of Richard Hamlin.
1.1.1.1. John Ruffin, d. July 9, 1777, m. Sarah Williamson.
1.1.1.2. Nancy Ruffin, m. Hartwell Cocke.
1.1.1.3. Francis Ruffin, d. Mar. 13. 1805, member of the Committee of Safety, 1775, of Mecklenburg Co., m. (1) Hannah Cocke, (Nov. 2, 1782) Susanna Harris, d. 1825, dau. of William Harris and Mary Short (Davis, Tidewater Virginia Families, pp. 502-540).
1.1.2. Edmund Ruffin, b. Prince George Co., m. Anne Simmons).

1.1.1.2.2.3. William Harris: Estate, August 4, 1693. Signed: John Phillips, Wm. Newett, John Clarke. B. 4, p, 324.
1.1.1.2.2.3.1. William Harris, m. Mary Short.
1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1. William Harris. He probably m. a dau. of Nicholas Thompson.
1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1.1. Thompson Harris, of Bedford Co., ‘sells to William Heath‘ (1756). Grandson of this William Heath: ‘William Lea and Alice, his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Ffelton’s, deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Morseleys. ‘Bedford County Records, D.B. 1, p. 107: Indenture dated Feb. 21, 1756, in which Thompson Harris of County of Orange in Province of North Carolina sells to William Heath of the county of Bedford in the colony of Virginia, for 20 pounds a tract of land in said county of Bedford on both sides of Great Branch of Turnip Creek, containing by estimate 400 acres, more or less, etc., witness: William Lewis, John Layne, Joseph Williams.

This seems to be the first deed of purchase of land in Bedford Co. by the father of John Lane’s wife, who was also in Lunenberg Co., in the Wm Caldwell district, which became Bedford County. Thompson Harris d. October 15, 1775, in Guilford Co., NC, formed in 1771 from Rowan and Orange Co. Guilford Co. Will abstracts: Thompson Harris, Will pr. Nov. 1775, names sons Robert* and John, ‘to divide land where John Sanders lives … Wife Hannah, half of home plantation. Son Thompson, half of home plantation. Son Christopher, half of plantation when wife dies. Executors: Wife Hannah Harris, son Robert Harris’.

B. 14, p. 418: Thompson Harris, March 6, 1762, 477 acres in Orange County (later Rockingham) on Pruits Fork of Hogans Creek, joining Samuel Watts, David Vann, and on both sides of said Creek. The earliest mention of Thompson Harris is in 1752, in Granville Co., later part of Rockingham Co.

*Robert Harris, d. June 9, 1806, in Rockingham Co. He m. Lucy Stubblefield, who moved to White Co., Illinois, where she applied for a Revolutionary War Pension, February 1, 1844 (Record W23240), where she listed Robert as being from Guilford Co. and dying in Rockingham Co. Document lists the following children: i. NAncy Harris, b. January 4, 1780; m. Alexander Trousdale, of White Co., IL. ii. Robert Harris, b. December 2, 1782. iii. Richard Harris, b. November 11, 1785; d. March 29, 1856; m. Minerva Webb, 1826, White Co., IL. iv. Elizabeth Harris, b. August 12, 1787. v. Thompson Harris, b. Dec. 27, 1789; m. Mariah Ingram. vi. Suzannah Harris, b. April 20, 1792, m. William Taylor, White Co., IL. vii. Fannie Harris, b. March 16, 1795; m. … Taylor. viii. John Harris, b. Jan. 10, 1798. ix. Polly Harris, b. July 9, 1800; m. William Trousdale, White Co., IL.

1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, and wife, Sarah (Lane) Harris, Mary Lane and Faith Lane, sell ‘110 acres within the main Swamp and bounded by Col. John Allen’ (1741); daus. of Thomas Lane, d. in 1721 in Surry Co., m. Mary … Surry Co., D&W, 1715-1730, B. 7, p. 333: May 12, 1721, estate appraised by Wm. Ruffin and Wm. Holt. John Newsum was also mentioned. Thomas Lane’s son, John Lane, d. in 1789, in Bedford Co., m. Jane Heath, dau. of William ‘grandson’, afors.
1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris.
1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris. John Lane (d. 1789) to Robert Gray and Henry Browne, Churchwardens … John Ruffin, Richard Cocke, Benjamin Cocke, William Edwards, Joseph Hart, William Short (br.-in-law of William Harris), Lemuel Cocke, John Harris and Arthur Smith, Vestrymen of Southwarke Parish for 45 shillings current money … 2¼ acres on north side of Cypress Swamp whereon now stands a Brick Church lately built by Capt. Edmund Ruffin and is part of a tract of land said John Lane now lives on and is bounded by the road to Grays Creek Warehouse. Wit: John Mason, Jr., William Judkins, John (X) Lane. R. June 19, 1753. (Surry Co. D. B. 7, 1753-1760, p. 8).
1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Harris.
1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1.1.1.2. Pamela Harris, b. June 11, 1749, m. Christopher McRae, March 29, 1768.
1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1.1.1.3. Richard Harris, b. Dec. 3, 1751, in Surry Co.; d. 1817 in Cumberland Co. He m. Mary Ann Harris, in 1773. She was born 1758, in Cumberland Co. He served in the Revolutionary War as a private in Capt. George Slaughter’s Company, also named as Lieutenant in John Greaves Company, 8th Virginia Regiment commanded by Colonel Abraham Bowman. His name appears on company roll, dated Valley Forge, June 7, 1778.In November 1779, he was at camp nearMorristown, New Jersey, serving in Capt. Abraham Kirkpatrick’s company. He received 200 acres of land, taken up by one of his heirs. (W. T. Hall, Adjuntant General’s Office, War Department, Washington, D.C. May 18, 1912. Bible records of and Will of Thomas Harris; family records and will of Thomas Harris. Will of John Harris, Surry Co., VMH, July 1925, p. 286. Census of 1790, Cumberland Co.
1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1.1.1.4. Thomas Harris, m.Sarah Gardner, l776.

THE SHORT CONNECTION

1. William Short Sr., m. Elizabeth Symons, d. 1676, Charles City. 1.1. William Short. Originally lived in Charles City Co., on the south side of the James River* (later Prince George County); he repatented 1100 acres of land ‘above the head of Chippokes Creek about one and one-half miles up the western most branche’, identifying himself as ‘the son and heir of William Shorts’. 1.2. Thomas Short, oved to Cabin Point, Surry Co., having received a tract of land on Burlin Swamp from his father, on a tributary of upper Chippokes Creek. 1.2.1. William Short, lived in Wyanoak Parish; m. Elizabeth Griffith, dau. of Richard and Griffith of Prince George Co. 1.2.1.1. Cornelius Short, m. a dau. of of Isaac Tynes. 1.2.1.1.1. John Short, m. Elizabeth Echols; he lived in St Clair Co., IL. 1.2.1.1.2. Mary Short, m. 1. Isaac Echols, 2. Joseph Hancock.

*The land had been granted to Robert Moseley on Jan. 7, 1649, and then assigned to William Short Sr., on Oct. 28, 1657. (See Tidewater Families of Virginia, p. 544). This was the land identified as adjoining that of Sergeant John Harris, to repeat: ‘William Lea and Alice, his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Ffelton’s, deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Morseleys (Moseley) adjoining to a great swamp which divides Surry Co. from Charles Cittie County … one hundred and fifteen acres of said land lyeth in Charles Cittie County adjoining unto the rest of the divident which lyeth in said surry County … Witnesses: Robert Spencer, John Gittings’. Dated, Oct. 4, 1660. Surry Co. Court Records, R. November 10, 1660. This land was subsequently purchased by Robert Ruffin, afors.

Elizabeth Symons was very likely of the family of ‘Samuel Simons, of St Saviour, whitebaker; his Will pr. Nov. 10, 1635, naming Margaret Beale his mother … John Hurt (Hart) his br.-in-law; William Powell of St Saviour, whitebaker, his cousin‘. (TNA, Prob.11/169, ff.152r-153r). That is, William Powell, whose plantation was Chippoakes, to which many associated families of Southwark migrated. The Shorts were probably of the family of ‘Thomas Shorte, of St Saviour, notary’, who requested ‘to be buried in St Saviour church near his late father and mother’. Leaves ‘all my printed books’ to his son William. Will proved July 10, 1598. (TNA, Prob.11/92, f.24r-v).

1.1.1. William Short. The will of William Short was pr. Sept., 1741, in Surry Co., naming his wife, Susannah (Heath), his sons William and Thomas Short, dau. Mary Harris, grandchildren William, Sarah, Martha (ch. of William Short); granddau. Susanne (dau. of Thomas Short); dau. Mary Harris; son-in-law William Harris; William and Thomas Harris (grandsons). He also mentions kinsman Benjamin Heath, to whom he left two cows and calves. Peter and Sarah Vincent were the administrators. The witnesses to his Will were William Heath, Richard Jones, and Richard Bullock. The appraisers included John Mason, Christopher Tatum, and William Heath. 1.1.1.1. Mary Short, m. William Harris.

There land held by Sergeant John Harris was on the Upper Chippokes; along the creek were principal supporters of Nathaniel Bacon’s Rebellion, after which, William Simmons, Bacon’s supporter, paid heavy fines, keeping his farm on Burcher Swamp. His relatives, John Rutherford and Francis Gregory, were also ‘rebels’. Rutherford’s tract was owned in 1623 by Sergeant John Harris, and extended across the Chippokes into Charles City (later Prince George) County. Rutherford had transferred part of the farm to William Heath in 1663. Sergeant John Harris did not pass land to a male heir. His land was sold as an escheat.

William and Thomas Harris, sons of William Harris and Mary Short, are almost certainly the same as mentioned in the Will of Henry Cocke, probated in Surry Co. in 1777, son of Lemuel Cocke (noted in the deed above given, R. June 19, 1753, D. B. 7, 1753-1760, p. 8), with John Harris), son of Thomas, son of Thomas Cocke of Brunswick Co., and Hannah Hamlin, dau. of John Hamlin (a captain in the Charles City Co. Militia in 1680, and Burgess for Prince George Co. in 1710, 1712 and 1714), and Elizabeth Tayler, dau. of Richard Taylor and Sarah Barker, who remarried to Robert Lucy: ‘Whereas Robert Lucy and Sarah his wife and Phillip Limbrey and Elizabeth his wife jointly own 1000 acres in Flower du hundred, inherited from John Barker Dec’d., brother to sd Sarah and Elizabeth, desire partition. Request that Col. Robt Wynne for the Lucys and Lt. Col Geo Jordan for the Limbreys meet James Minge surveyor on the 22nd instant and divide the land’ (Beverley Fleet, vol. III, p. 347; Charles City Co., Court Orders, Fragments, 1650-1696, April Court 1673, p. 514). John Hamlin was the grandson of Stephen Hamlin: Mr. Stephen Hamelin, 1250 acres, Charles City County, 26 October 1650 … Due said Hamelin for transportation of 25 persons … Thomas Harris. This Thomas Harris is likely to be he who d. in 1668.

SERGEANT  JOHN HARRIS

1.1.2. … Harris.
1.1.2.1. Sergeant John Harris.

Nicolas Kinge, mentioned variously within, was the ‘cousin’ of Richard Yarwood (father of Governor George Yarwood). Nicholas m. Margaret West in 1630, probably of the family who were neighbours of Ralph Yardley and Richard Yarwood in Southwark. Nicholas King’s dau., by his first wife, m. John Harvard’s br.; John Harvard being the br-in-law of John Sadler, the brother-in-law of Richard Quiney.

To repeat: On November 16, 1635, William Barker/Baker, John Sadler, Richard Quiney, merchants, and their associates, patented 1250 acres in Charles City Co., Virginia. William Barker, bapt. on 7 May 1592 in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner (his family interchangeably called Baker), who deposed his age to be 37 in 1629, and mate of the Hopewell, which sailed fom Virginia on New years Eve of that year for England, under Captain Richard Russell, in company with ‘the Gift’ OF London, under Captain Samuel Crampton and Master Edward Beale. (See P.W. Coldham, English Adventurers and Emigrants, 1609-1660, p. 23, 1984).

He bought land in Flowerdew Hundred from Abraham Piersey’s dau., Elizabeth. This property passed to his son, John, afors., in 1655, who left the plantation to two of his sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth Limbrey, of the Limehouse (in Stepney) family.

William Barker traded out of London with his partners, which included John Sadler and Richard Quiney, Merchants, with who he patented land in Charles City County. He was also a partner of Francis Derrick: April 13, 1639: ‘Bond of Francis Derrick (the younger), of Bristol, and William Barker, of Ratcliffe, Middlesex, to the King, in 1,000l. conditioned for the appearance of Derrick before the Council, to answer an accusation of piracy pretended to have been committed by him upon a Spanish ship in a voyage to Virginia, about 11th October 1636. John Barker/Baker (a pobable br. of William Barker/Baker, bapt. February 14, 1600, St. Werburgh’s, Bristol), was also associated with Derick: ‘Francis Derrick to Richard Johnson, bill of sale for 30 acres, October 14, 1638: ‘Whereas John Baker and Dorothy his wife, daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris, have by order of court at Henrico on the 27th day of August last surrendered to mee Captain Francis Derrick all the right and title which they and claime unto the devident of land belonging to the late deceased Georg Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament of the said Cawcott as by the surrender in the said court and by the pattent and will recorded at James Cittie, etc. For good and valuable causes and considerations. Wtnesses: Lawrence Hulett and John Owell’ (Nugent, B. 1., part 2, p. 113).

Thomas Felton’s son, John Felton, is evidenced here: May 2, 1654: Bond of Robt. Morsley to Jno. Felton. Wit.: John Harris, Sack. Brewster (Crozier Misc. rec. vol. 6, p. 31, 2009). ‘Brewster, Sackford (in Virginia 1655, &c. ), Surry county. In his marriage license, issued in Virginia, April 22, 1655, he is styled ‘Thomas alias Sackford Brewster, of Sackford Hall, in the county of Suffolk, England, gent’, who m. Elizabeth Watkins, widow of John Watkins, of Surry county, Virginia, in 1655′ (EVB). John Watkins received apatent for 850 acres in Surry Co., at the head of Gray’s Creek, for the transportation of 10 persons, including his wife Alice. His son was George Watkins, who m. Elizabeth Prime, the dau. of Edmund Prime and … Ridley. Charles Barham m. Elizabeth Ridley, sister of the wife of Edmund Prime. William Ridley was Elizabeth’s brother. William Ridley’s Will was pr. Oct. 19, 1671 (B. 1, p. 98). His legatees included his daughter-in-law [stepdaughter] Jane Tuke, wife of William Tuke of Surry Co.; Edmond Prime’s five children, including daus. Elizabeth Prime and Mary Prime, and son John Prime; Mr. Barham’s two daughters, Elizabeth and Perlie; and William Tuke of Surry, ‘my wife’s son-in-law’. He names Mr. Charles Barham as executor. Wit. Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

The connections to Southwark, London, are plainly seen: George Watkins: Leg.- Desires t o be buried in the Chancel of the church at Lawnes Creek Parish, as predecessors have been, in the Chancel of the Parish Church where they dwelt. Bequest to wife, Elizabeth and to goddaughter, Elizabeth Spensor, dau. of Robert Spensor. To cousin Charles Barham, son of my (wife’s) Uncle, Capt. Charles Barham. Residue of estate to be divided equally between my wife, Elizabeth, and cousin, Christopher Watkins, of White Hart Co’t in Long Lane, London; but if wife is with child, the cousin’s part to such child. My land to my wife for her life , and then to my child , if any; in default, to be sold and proceeds sent to cousin, Watkins, or his heirs. Gift of 1000 lbs. of tobacco to Lawnes Creek Church, to be laid out in Plate , also 1000 lb s . of tobacco to Capt. Charles Barham. To John Price , 300 acres of land surveyed for Peter Greene, to lie next t o Sunken Marsh Mill. Clothes. To Wm. Newsum a coat. To  f r i e n d s Wm. Sherwood 20 shillings for a ring. Exers., wife, Elizabeth and uncle, Capt. Charles Barham. Pr. Nov. 20, 1673. W: Wm. Sherwood, Jennette Davis (B. 2, p. 46).

John Harris, afors., d. 1687.Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was a close degree of cousin. Watkins, George (Capt.): Est.- Inventory presented by Mrs. Eliza. Watkins, late wife and Exerx. Appsm. by Wm. Thomson, Randall Holt, and Fra. Mason. Jan. 7, 1673. fEB. 7, 1675, admr. of est. was presented by Mr. Robert Ruffin, ‘who married ye Relict ‘. 1674 Guardian Acts, Surry Co. B. 2, p. 63: David Williams presents Capt Charles Barham and Robert Caufield as securities for estate of William Harris, orphan, neph. of John Harris, d. 1687.

1666, March 1 – George Watkin, 917 acs. Surry Co., betwixt Austin Hunicut & Sunken Marsh Mill, upon Wm. Carter & Harris’ land. Trans. 19 pers; Redrick Thompson, Edward Horton, Robt. Purson, Danll Hill, Tim Wislon, Jno. Hart’. A 1636 deed shows that William Newsome had property next to a William Carter.

Col. Edward Carter, Esqr. 1650 acs. Lancaster Co., on N. Side of Rappa. Riv., Apr. 29, 1665. Part of an Indian Habitation Called Old Morticond, beg. at a point on the NWd. side of the mouth of Harrises Cr., adj. land of Edward Harriss &c. to Swd. side of Swd. branch of the dividing Cr. belonging to Cottowoman River &c. to the Middle Branch of Fairewaters Cr. &c. crossing Brices Cr. granted to Mr. Thomas Brice 27 Oct. 1652 , given by will to his wife Martha & by Sd. Martha & her Second Husband , William White, Clerke , mortgaged for a certain sum of Tobacco unto Mr. John Jefferyes & Mr. Thomas Coldclough of London , Merchants.

‘Edward Harriss’, afors, d. 1677. The Will of Mary Adkins, pr. Sept. 25, 1721, dau. of John Gibbins, of IOW Co., and widow of James Adkins, d. 1723, names a Thomas Harris as a son of Edward Harris, who is also the father of a Henry Harris. This Edward Harris was the son of Edward Harris, d. 1677, and Martha Hardy. Mary Adkin’s Will also names Mathew Harris and Robert Harris, and William Kinchen, her second husband, br. of Mathew Kinchen, who m. Elizabeth Ruffin, dau. of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Watkins.

SPENCER/JARRELL/LANE

Robert Spencer: April 13, 1672: Thomas Jarrell was witness to Stephen Allen’s giving power of attorney to his wife, Margaret (and cousin Robert Caufield, and Robert Spencer) to assist his wife. Surry. May 7, 1678: Indenture between William Harris, only son of Thomas Harris of Surry Co., and Thomas Jarroll for 1500 pounds of tobacco, 100 acres of land on College Run bounding with William Newsum and Robert Ruffin on William Newett’s line. July 6, 1680: William Harris and wife Mary acknowledged a deed of sale to Thomas Jarrell. Thomas Jarrell was also on two juries this day, one suit was (n.b.) John Rogers vs John Price, the other John Tias vs Edward Norwood. July 30, 1680: Indenture, William Harris only son of Thomas Harris, dec’d of Lawnes Creek Parish and his wife Mary to Thomas Jarrell 100 acres of land, a lease for 98 ½ years, voids the lease and sells Thomas Jarrell 120 acres, part of the Harris 850 acres. Witnesses: Robert Ruffin, William Newsum. Surry. 6 November 6, 1683: Thomas Jarroll and William Newsum were witnesses to William Harris selling land adjoining Thomas Jarrell to Robert Ruffin. Surry. January-March, 1702: William Hunniford, Edward Drew, Thomas Jarrell, and John Clarke were appointed to appraise the estate of Thomas Edwards. 1702-1706, Surry County court, Henry Manwaring, servant to Thomas Jarrell, who came that year on the ship Elizabeth and Mary was adjudged to be 12 years old. (n.b.) Joseph Lane, Thomas Jarrell, Robert Hill, and Joseph Wall were appointed to appraise the estate of William Halleman (Holleman). A petition was offered by Thomas Jarrell and other inhabitants on Tarapin Swamp to maintain a bridge over this swamp. May-July Court, 1708: Richard Hallemon was appointed overseer of the highway instead of Thomas Jarrell. May 3, 1658: Thomas Jarrell made a deposition in court. He claimed he was aged 23 years old or thereabouts. He said that his master, William Marriott, sent him with John Brady to Mr. Mason’s house to carry some parcels, and that he asked Brady, who was once Jarrell’s master, along with John Spilltimber, when he should be free.

1. Major Robert Shepherd, d. bef. Nov. 9 1651, in Surry Co. The intermarried Spencer and Sheppard families of Virginia were of St. Olave’s, Southwark, and are recorded thus: ‘William & Alice Spencer’ (married June 23, 1622), at St. Olave’s, Southwark. William Spencer’s nephew, Nicholas, is recorded in the St. Olave’s registers as being the father of John Spencer: ‘John Spencer 26 September 1641 f. Nicholas Spencer’. William and Alice Spencer had issue: Elizabeth Spencer, who m. (1) Major Robert Sheppard (bef. 1654) of James City. He was very likely a son of ‘Francis Shepheard and Elizabeth Ellis’ (m. September 28, 1617), St. Olave’s Southwark. (2) Thomas Warren, of Ripple Court, Kent. 1.1. Anne Shephard, who m. (1) Thomas Hart & (2) William Newsome, both of St. Olave’s, Southwark. 1.2. Elizabeth Shepherd, m. (1) … Jones. 1.2.1. Elizabeth Jones, m. Thomas Lane, d. Jan. 3, 1709, Surry. In a Land Deed signed by his son Joseph Lane Sr, it states that: ‘Deed from Joseph Lane and Julian his wife of Isle of Wight County, Sept. 4, 1710, to Thomas Lane, of Surrey County 200 acres given me by my father (Thomas Lane, patent 1682) in his last will and testament (father Thomas Lane, patent 1682). Signed, Joseph Lane, Julian Lane. Wit: Thomas Hart, Mary Hart, Thomas Lane Jr. The witnesses Thomas and Mary Hart were the son-in-law and dau. of Richard & Eliz. Washington; his will Nov. 9, 1724 (Surry Co. D.B. 5, p. 37).

(Thomas Lane was undoubtedly of the Lane family of Southwark, London. Probate of Will, dated Apr. 9, 1665, of Thomas Lane, cit. and vintner of London (P.C.C.), Southwark, Surrey: The King’s Arms in St. Margaret’s Hill, and the Three Tuns and the Bullseller by St. Margaret’s Hill, and other property. Bargain and Sale for a year. E/HOD/053: 1. Edward Woodward of St. Andrew’s, Holborn, Middx., esq. 2. Thomas Lane of St. Saviour’s, Southwark, Surrey, vintner. St. Saviour’s, Southwark, Surrey: King’s Arms in St. Margaret’s Hill, late occup. Henry Goldstone, now occup. Henry Chitty, cit. and vintner of London. 1665. Pr. 4/20617: Lane, Thomas, of St. Olave, Southwarke, Surrey ob. at sea. Oct. 23, 1666. Pr. 4/16559: Lane, Thomas, of St. Olave, Southwarke ob. at Virginiah, beyond the sea, belonging to the ship ‘Owners Adventure’, batchelor. June 12, 1685. Pr. 4/19011. Lane, Thomas, of St. Saviour, Southwarke, Surrey. Feb. 15, 1589).

1.2.1. Joseph Lane. 1.2.1.1. John Lane. 1.2.2. Thomas Lane, m. Jane Flood. Surry Co. W.B.8, p. 428; Will of Thomas Lane, dated Oct. 8, 1733, pr. Nov.20, 1734: ‘To my grandson, Thomas Lane, ye plantation whereon his father lived on with ye land belonging 100 acres and one iron pot and rack and, etc. To my grandson, John Lane, ye plantation whereon I lived with 100 acres, etc. To my grandson Joseph Lane, 50 acres of land, joining on both his brothers land, etc. To my granddaughter Rebecca Hart … To Rebecca White, my gray mare Bonny, etc. To my daughter Mary Hart, my horse, Turk, etc. (Mary m.Thomas Hart.) I do desire my will proved in Surry Co. Court House because in ye county is my land. I do appoint my daughters, Mary Hart and Rebecca White my executors. Witness: Robert Ricks, Thomas Lainer, Wm Barton.1.2.2.1. Thomas Lane, d. in 1721 in Surry Co., m. Mary … Surry Co., D&W, 1715-1730, B. 7, p. 333: May 12, 1721, ‘there was a true and perfect inventory and appraisement of the estate of Thomas Lane Jr., deceased, signed by Mary Lane, Administrator. Total: 41 Pounds, 4 Shillings. Appraised by Wm. Ruffin and Wm. Holt. John Newsum was also mentioned. Thomas Lane Jr. is proven to be the son of Thomas Lane Sr., d. 1733, in Surry County. Thomas Lane Jr. and his wife, Mary, had issue Thomas, John and Joseph, mentioned in the Will of their grandfather, Thomas Lane Sr.
1.2.2.1.1. John Lane, d. in 1789 in Bedford Co., Va., m. Jane Heath, dau. of William and Martha Heath. 1.2.1.1.2. Joseph Lane. 1.2.2.1.3. Thomas Lane: The Will of Thomas Lane of Surry Co. was pr. March 19, 1771, ‘To my loving wife, Mary, two negroes named Peter and Sarah, and 1/3 of 100 acres of land I now live on during her lifetime and after her death, said negro woman, Sarah, to my daughter, Sally Lane, and the negro man, Peter, to be equally divided between my sons, Ethelred and Thomas Lane. To my son, Ethelred Lane, 100 acres of land which I purchased of my brother, John Lane. To son,Thomas, 100 acres being the other part of my land I now liveon. My executors, loving wife and son, Ethelred Lane’. Witness: Thos Bailey, John Bailey, Wm Bailey. (This is proof that John Lane sold his 100 acres to his brother, Thomas Lane. Note he still lived on the 100 acres he inherited from his grandfather in 1733, and which was designated as the plantation whereon his father, Thomas Lane, had lived when he died).

‘Sunlight on the Southside’, by Bell, lists the following tithes in Lunenburg County, parts of which later became Bedford, Charlotte, Halifax and Mecklenburg Counties in 1754,1752, 1765, and 1765 respectively: John Lane, 1 tithe, 1748, Wm Caldwell, captain of section, Falling River to Little Roanoke (p. 79). Wm Heath, 1 tithe, 1748, John Phelps section, Falling Creek to Goose Creek upwards to extent of county (p. 82). Wm Heath, 1 tithe, 1750, Wm Caldwell section (p. 128). John Lane and his father-in-law, Wm. Heath, were in Lunenberg Co., in the section which later became Bedford Co. Bedford Co., Court Order Books, 1753-1768, Book 1 A, p. 11: 1754-58, ‘John Layne’s hands to work road’, etc.

Returning to Robert Harris, b. c. 1570, husband of Ellen Driver, and ‘Charles Smythe of Parish of St. Saviour, Southwark, Surry (Eng), grocer (who) appts friend Gyles Driver of Pagan Creek atty, to collect from George Moore and Henry King’ (B. 1. p. 540), and the Henry King and Alice Phillips who are witnesses to John Bond selling to Thomas Harris (d. 1672) a corn mill at head of Pagen Creek, etc. …

Alice Phillips was probably of the family of William Phillippes, of St Saviour, tailor; his will pr. May 18, 1601, naming a sister and her husband, John Yardley (TNA, Prob.11/97, f.271r-v), probably ‘John Yardley, Fishmonger of London’, whose Will was proved December 14, 1607; of what relationship to the Yardleys of Southwark is unknown.

Elizabeth Hutchins was the dau. of Virginia merchant John Greene, of St Giles Cripplegate, London, b. April 4, 1592, d. March 1, 1654; and the sister of John Greene, also a Virginia merchant. Elizabeth was also the niece of Virginia merchant Robert Greene, b. November 21, 1598, d. October 1, 1677, of St Giles Cripplegate, and the first cousin of Martha Greene, (wife of Anthony Fulgham, and mother of 1. Michael Fulgham, father of Anne Fulgham, wife of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688; and Sussanah Fulgham, wife of Hardy Council. 2. Nicholas Fulgham, father of his namesake, who m. Martha Pitt, dau. of Captain Thomas Pitt (br. of Lt. Col. John Pitt, as follows), of the Ship ‘Adventure’, who, in his Will, dated April 21, 1687, left a deed of 50 acres to Michael Fulgham by Indenture. Legatees were wife Mary; son Thomas; son Henry; daus. Martha, Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, and Patience. Witnesses were Luke Havield and Anthony Holladay. Executrix was wife Mary. Appraisal by Henry Applewhaite, Anthony Holladay, Thomas Giles, and Richard Wilkinson. Dated July 22, 1689.

Elizabeth (Greene) Hutchins was also the first cousin of Captain Thomas Green, son of Robert; rec. thus: March 9, 1639: ‘George Minifye, Esq & one of the Councell of State, 3,000 acs. upon N. side of Charles River, Mar. 9, 1639, p. 704. Beg. at the Creek upon W. side of the Indian Feilds. Opposite Queens Cr. & down the river to Timberneck Cr. To be augmented & doubled when he or his assignes shall have sufficiently peopled & planted the same. Due by order of court dated Oct. 11, 1639 & for trans. at his own costs of 60 pers: Benjamine Pixley, Thomas Greene, John Chapman, Henry Martin …’. John Ffeneryeare appointed Ann, his relict, Executrix, May 3, 1669 (Registered Sept. 23,1669). Mr. Izard and Mr. Thomas Green were her securities. Ann (Izard) (Feneryear) m. Michael Fulgham in 1670. Thomas Green’s will, dated Oct. 22, 1685, was witnessed by Nicholas Fulgham. Nicholas had m. Thomas’ granddau., Sarah Davis. Thomas Green’s estate was appraised by Richard Wilkinson (and others) prior to June 19, 1686.

These Greenes were undoubtedly related to ‘Robert Greene, of St Saviour, Southwark, yeoman’, whose Will, pr. Jan. 19, 1645 (TNA, Prob.11/195, ff.23r-24v), names: ‘Mrs Austen, in whose house my abode now is’. His executor was ‘Robert Harvard, son of Thomas Harvard of St Saviour, butcher‘, see herein for the connection to Sergeant John Harris.

The Will of John Bond, dated Jan. 16, 1669, listed legatees: sons William and John; dau. Frances; wife Dorothy; Overseers, Capt. Francis England; Lt. Arthur Smith; Mr. Richard Sharpe. Witnessess: John Bennett, Thomas Offe, and William Cooke. R. June 16, 1669: Inventory and appraisal of the estate of Major John Bond ordered by the Isle of Wight County Court. Presented by Mrs. Dorothy Bond. Appraisers: Nicholas Cobb, Pharoah Cobb, John Watson, & Edmund Prime.

Francis England was the son of David England, evidenced in a court case against Frances Withins, in 1646, concerning ‘The Black Bull, Southwark’ (see N/A, C 7/484/32). Henry King, afors., later of Virginia, held property jointly in 1651 with the said Frances Withins (see N/A, C 10/13/44).

‘Mrs. Austen’s Will names the afors. John Smythe: ‘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‘. She was ‘Anne Austen, of St Saviour, widow’. Her Will was pr. December 5, 1649, naming: John Bromfield Esquire, her nephew (‘only son of Sir Edward Bromfield, her brother in law’) and his son, John (the father of a namesake, the likely second husb. of Olive Hardy, her first being Gyles Driver; her third being Lt. Col. John Pitt, afors.); Thomas Woodward* and Grace Woodward, and their son Christopher Woodward. TNA, Prob.11/210, ff.254r-255r. *He was b. 1604, d. Oct. 5, 1677, IOW, see anon.

‘Anne Austen was probably a sister-in-law of Dame Joyce Austen/Clarke, of St Saviour, widow, originally from Shropshire. Testator asks to be buried in St Saviour church, on the south side, between nine and eleven at night and ‘wthout any blackes for mourning or charges of meeting for banquett dynner or otherwise’. Mourning is forbidden: ‘it is my will to have noe blackes worne for mee’. Bequests to the poor prisoners in the two Counters in London and the Counter in Southwark; also to the poor prisoners in the Marshalsea and White Lion prisons in Southwark. Also to the poor people of Smethcott and Pulverbatch, Shropshire’. Will proved December 1, 1626. (TNA, Prob.11/150, ff.327v-328v). She names ‘Joyce King her goddaughter … Joyce Austen, Mary Austen, William Austen and James Austen her grandchildren, all underage; their father William Austen the testator’s son … Robert Greene. (TNA, Prob.11/150, ff.327v-328v).

THE WOODWARD INFLUENCE

1. Christopher Woodward m. 2. Elizabeth Oldbury, dau. of John Oldbury of Shropshire; she m. 2. Robert Feltham.
1.1. Susan Woodward, m. 1. John King of Bromley, Kent, and London, b. 1552, d. Sept. 15, 1603, a ‘draper and free of the companye of Cloth Workers’ (as Robert Harris, afors.). King, of Bromley, Arms: Sable, a lion rampant, ermine, between three crosses pattee fitchee or. Crest: A lion’s gamb erect and erased, sable, holding a cross pattee fitchee, or. Susan Woodward and John King had issue three sons, John, James and Henry, and one dau., Elizabeth. The first of these m. Sarah Walton, his step-sister, dau. of ‘Henry Walton of London’, whom Susan Woodward m. as her second husband.

Susan Woodward was the dau. of Christopher Woodward and Elizabeth Oldbury, who was of a Shropshire family, a branch of the Westwood family, that took their name from Oldbury, Shrops. (see S/A, C1/1083/27), and which also established itself in Kent. John King and Sarah Walton had issue: John and Henry King, who established themselves in Virginia.

1.1.1 John King, m. Sarah Walton.
1.1.1. John King. He was associated with William Simmons, and, consequently, with land associated with Sergeant John Harris. Maj. William Rookings, son of William and Jane Rookings who had patented Flying Point, on the Upper Chippokes, in 1638, was sentenced to death in 1677. His Will mentions children, William, Elizabeth, and Jane, and (his cousin) Mary Short’s children. Overseers and guardians were his brother-in-law, Capt. Nicholas Wyatt, of Charles City, and neighbours William Simmons and John King, afors., of Upper Chippokes, all Bacon’s supporters. Mary Short was the wife of William Short, of Charles city Co., and grandmother of Mary Short, wife of William Harris, as given heretofore.

1.1.2. Henry King. He witnessed John Bond selling to Thomas Harris a corn mill at the head of Pagen Creek. ‘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: Richard Dorman, Alexandr. Lawrence, Peter Tibball, Henry Jones, John Yate, Elenor Ogestor, Elinr. Harris, Law. Davis, Patrick Wishart, Peter Croleham, Dan. Coningham, Giles Dryver. August 23, 1656. (B.1., p. 392). This Thomas Harris was likely to be Thomas Harris, d. 1672, a kinsman of Sergeant John Harris.

1.2. Christopher Woodward, executor of his mother’s estate, m. Katherine Audley.
1.2.1. Thomas Woodward, b. 1604, d. Oct. 5, 1677, IOW. Thomas Woodward, Sr.: Division of his estate by Thomas Green, James Tullaugh, Daniel Long, and Richard Wilkinson. Mrs. Katherine Woodward’s part; the children’s part; Mrs. Philarita Giles’ part, and Thomas Woodward’s. R. Dec. 15, 1681. (B. 2, p. 226).
1.2.2. Anne Woodward, m., as his third wife, John Bromfield, son of Sir Edward Bomfield and Margaret Payne (son of Thomas Bromfield of Odomer, Sussex), Sheriff of London, 1626. John Bromfield Will is dated to 1666. he had m. 1. Joyce Austen, 2. Elizabeth Michelbourne. Sir Edward Bomfield’s br., Thomas, m. Anne Sparks,* Aug. 12, 1610, at St. Botolph, Aldgate, London. It was likely, his son, John Bromfiled, who m. Avis Shipway,** April 23, 1655, at St. Giles Cripplegate, London.

(Thomas Pitt, herein mentioned, made his Will April 21, 1687, pr. 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’).

(The Tithables in Northampton Co. in 1666 included Abraham Heath, son of William Heath and Amy, of Surry Co. Abraham m. Ursula Shipway, dau. of John Shipway. Abraham and John Heath appraised the estate of John Shipway in August, 1687. In 1678, Abraham was noted in Surry Co. as a witness to the Will of Richard Rodgers. William Heath, as given herein, is associated with land that adjoined Sergeant John Harris).

1.2.2.1. John Bromfield, the likely second husb. of Olive Hardy. Olive Hardy, dau. of John Hardy, named in her father’s 1676 Will as m. to Giles Driver, was thrice married: 1. Giles Driver, issue: Robert, Charles, Giles Jr., John, and dau. Hardy Driver. Giles Driver’s will was probated on June 9, 1677, wife Olive was sole executrix. His nephew, John Council, and nephew-in-law, Richard Wooten (husband of Lucy Council) appraised Giles’ estate. (B. 2, p. 146). 2. John Bromfield, in 1677 (B. 1, p. 431; B. 2, p. 454). They had a dau. Anne Bromfield, identified in her step-father’s, John Pitt’s, Will (ibid.). 3. Lt. Col. John Pitt, having issue: Anne,* Robert, Sarah, John Jr., Prudence, Henry, Mary, and James Pitt. *Anne married Thomas Calcott. Mary m. Arthur Smith III.

The Bromfields claimed ancient Welsh descent.

Elizabeth (Oldbury) Feltham of St. Olave wid. of Obury, co. Salop., wh. I was bo., of St. George’s, Southwark, and of Bromley, co. Kent. (Dat. 14 Aug. 1620.) Bur. in chyd. of St. Olave, Southwark, in tomb wh. late husbs. Christr. Woodward and Robt. Feltham lie; gowns to 40 poor people; poor chn. of Christ’s hosp., Lond.; poor of St. Thomas’ hosp., Southwark … poor prisoners of the 3 prisons in Southwark, viz., the King’s Bench, Marshalsea and the White Lyon; Nichs. King; son-in-law Henry Walton; Thos.* and Wm. (und. 24), sons of son Christr. Woodward, his daus. Eliz., Cath., Susan, Mary and Anne Woodward (und. 21); Henry (afors.) and John Kyng, Saml. Walton and Eliz., wife of Robt. Long (all und. 24), chn. of dau., Susan Walton, deed.; Eliz. and Margt. Long (und. 21), chn. of sd. Eliz. and Robt. Long; John, the yr., Rd., Christr., Henry, Edw. and Robt. Sayer (all und. 24), sons of dau. Rebecca Sayer, deed., her 2 daus., Eliz. and Rebecca Sayer (both und. 21); son-in-law, John Sayer; kinsm. Robt. Long; Co. of Vintners, Lond.; dau.-in-law Kath. Woodward; bro.-in-law Mr. Daynes; sist. Margt. Oldeberry, wife of bro. Rd., her dau., Fraunces; cos. Emlyn James; sist. Knighte; Thos. Westwood als. Oldberye, his daus. Eliz. and Susanna (und. 21); neph. Edw., son of bro. Christr. Westwood; John and Edw. Westwood als. Oldberye, chn. of bro. Rd. Westwood als. Oldberrye, deed.; Eliz., wife of Thos. Wilboone; Mary, wife of Thos. Jenninges; Thos. (und. 21) son of Agnes Crowe; John Hasell and his wife; Mary, wh. dwells wt. goodwife Hasell; frd. Nichs. King of Bromley, co. Kent; goddaus. Rebecca Cheney and Rebecca Phillippes; Exor: son Christr. Woodward’ (Soame, fol. 108, 419. Pr. Nov. 27, 1620.) *Thomas Woodward, whose Will was proved October 9, 1677, in IOW, is mentioned in a land transaction of Sept. 1665: ‘Agreed between Henry King and Phil. Hanniford that after Thomas Woodward has measured his 500 acres from creek to Mr. Ayres that then Phil. Hanniford can run bet. him and Henry King, above said branch contained in Sweet’s Pat. Teste, Robert (x) Flake, John Harris’. This John Harris is likely to be he who d. 1687, son, I suggest, of Sergeant John Harris.

Robert Feltham’s son, by a first wife, is shown here, again to repeat: ‘William Lea and Alice, his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Ffelton’s, deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Morseleys (Moseley) adjoining to a great swamp which divides Surry County from Charles Cittie County … one hundred and fifteen acres of said land lyeth in Charles Cittie County adjoining unto the rest of the divident which lyeth in said surry County … Witnesses: Robert Spencer, John Gittings’. Dated, October 4, 1660. Surry County Court Records, R. November 10, 1660. Robert Mosely is recorded in the Southwark, London, records as being in the carpentry trade. He was probably closely related to William Mosely:

George & Temperance’s Yardley’s son, Francis, m. Sarah Offley, her third husband, she having m. (1) Adam Thorowgood, see anon. (2) John Gookin. By John Gookin, she had Mary Gookin, who m. (1) William Moseley, and (2) Anthony Lawson. Mary was the niece of Major General Daniel Gookin of MA. (see Jester’s Adventurers of Purse & Person, p. 185, 1964). Elizabeth Yardley, b. 1615, d. 1666 in Bruton Parish, York Co., sister of Francis, m., as first wife, Joseph Croshaw; their dau., Unity Croshaw, m. Colonel John West. Mary Bromfield, d. bef. May 28, 1673, widow of Thomas Bromfield (probably the br. of John Bromfield, husband of Avis Shipway), was Joseph Crowshaw’s fifth wife. Ralph Yardley, father of George, mentions, in his Will, his ‘sister’, Ann Palmer, widow of John Palmer, whose Will names Richard Yearwood and Nicholas Kinge as her cousins. Ann’s dau., Anne, m. (2) Robert Bromfield, another br. of Edward Bromfield, merchant, and lord Mayor of London, who m. Margaret Payne, dau. of John Payne of Southwark.

HARRIS CONNECTED TO WILLIAMSON

1.1.2. Thomas Harris, m. Sarah Treherne; her sister Anne m. Edward Griffin. Sara Treherne m. 2. William Iremonger, son of his (John Treherne’s) daughter Sara by her now husband William Iremonger gentleman’.

1.1.2.1. William Harris, ‘Fishmonger’, d. 1600, ‘son of his (John Treherne’s) daughter Sara by her former husband Thomas Harris’. deceased’ (ibid.). The Will of ‘Jeffrey Williamson, of St Saviour, (Southwark) fishmonger’, was proved April 8, 1589 … Overseers: ‘William Harris, fishmonger‘. Others named Elizabeth his wife. Thomas Williamson, his brother. William Harris and Edward Griffin both married daus. of John Treherne Sr. … Edward Griffin was the father of Thomas Griffin, father of (1) George Griffin, whose wife was Joan Griffin, as described in her will, proved April 19, 1661: ‘Joan Griffin of the County of High Nockect in the River Ausemund in the Country of Virginia and now being in St. Ollave’s parish near London … (2) Thomas Griffin, father of his namesake, appraiser of the estate of ‘Richard Williamson, Appraisal taken November 16, 1665. Mr. Peter Garland Adm., Appraisers: Francis Ayers, Richard Williamson, Thomas Griffin …’. Reg: August 9, 1666 (B. 2, p. 6).

Given the continuous association in Virginia between this family of Griffin and one of Williamson, it seems highly probable that Thomas Williamson, br. of Jeffrey, was the ancestor of the said Richard Williamson, and he the father of Dr. James Williamson and Dr. Robert Williamson. The connection of the Harris family to that of Williamson was probably based on ‘William Harris Fishmonger’ being the brother-in-law of ‘Jeffrey Williamson, fishmonger’, and his brother, Thomas.

1.1.2.1.1. William Harris, the ‘underage son’ named in his father’s Will of 1600, m. Elizabeth Stanlie, on February 20, 1602, in St. Olave, Southwark.

1.2.1.1.1.1. William Harris Jr. married a sister of John Shepeard (TNA, Prob. 11/318/482, Will of John Shepheard, Grocer of Southwark, November 14, 1665), they being partners of George Baldero, ‘merchant of London’ (c. 1603-1666), who deposed (HCA 13/71) on May 29th, 1656 in the case “On the behalfe of Henry Baldero, William Harris and John Shephard English Merchants touching the shipp the Catherine, John Thompson Master’.

1.2.1.1.1.1.1. William Harris, who, at St. Olave, Southwark, m. (May 25, 1643) Elizabeth Arnell. Anthony Arnell was a transportee of Thomas Harris: March 2, 1658: ‘Thomas Harris, 1000 acres, Isle of Wight Co. Upon a swamp running into the W. branch of Nansamond Riv., including 2 Indian fields. Trans. of 20 persons: John Hardy, Alexander Vaughn, Ann Lees, William Todd, Eliz. Jones, Mary Wood, John Davis, John Griffin, Fran. Anderson, Jno. Pew, Ann Greene, Eliza. Nusome, Weltin (Walton) Harris, Anth. Arnold, Sam. Trobury, Alexander Cahill (Nugent, ‘Cavaliers and Pioneers’, vol. 1, p. 386).

1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. ‘Wm Harris and wife, Hennerettah‘, of parish of Fredericksville, Louisa, deed to Martin Baker of Hanover, for good causes, thereunto moving, part of tract granted by patent March 24, 1725 unto William Harris, and by said William given said Wm. Harris, his son, in will recorded (prior to 1734) in Hanover Co. (Louisa Co., Va, B. 2, p. 298).

1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. ‘William Harris, Junr.: ‘1500 acres, New Land, Hanover Co., adj. Mrs. Arnold and George Woodroof’s lines; on Overton’s fork of Elk Creek (Nugent, C&P, Vol. III, p 303). April 11, 1732). Their issue being: ‘John Harris, 400 acres New Land, Hanover County; adj. Ambrose Joshua Smith, Capt. Thomas Carr and Ann Arnold; on low side of Great Rockey Creek (ibid. p. 414). John Harris of Cedar Creek, who died before 1745, established the Quaker Meeting with John Stanley in 1721, it being assumed that he married Mary Stanley, John Stanley’s dau.  William Harris, the grantee of 1725, was ‘William Harris, Gent., 76 acs. (NL), Hanover Co; beg. at James Glen’s corner; to N. side the Little River; on the Newmarket line; Mar. 24, 1725, 10 Shill.’ (ibid. p. 389).

He was also recorded thus: ‘Capt. William Harris, Gent., 266 acs. (NL), Hanover Co; beg. at Thomason’s line on S. side the Little River, at mouth of Byars’ Branch; on New Market lines; Mar. 24, 1725, 30 Shill.’ (ibid., p. 420). Hanover Court Records, 1733-1735, p. 9, record: ‘At a Court held for Hanover Co. 2 Nov. 1733. on petition of James Overton it is ordered that John Kimbro Sen., George Berry, John Henson and John Harris or any three of them being first Sworn do value the buildings, works and Improvements with Regard to expenses on 400 acres of land belonging to the petitioner on branches of the south fork of the Little River in this Co. and that they make Report to the next Court’.

James Overton is recorded thus: ‘James Overton, 400 acs. (new lease), Hanover Co.; on N. side the S. fork of Elk Cr.; on John Raglin’s line; 20 Feb 1723, 40 shill’ (Nugent, C&P, vol. 3, p. 259). A James Overton appears in the Vestry Book of St. Paul’s Parish: ‘At a Vestry held at Mr Wm Harris’s 9br ye 6th 1722 … Mr. James Overton was this day admitted a vestry man for this Parish, and had the usual Oaths Administer’d by Majr Nicho Meriwether one of his Majesty’s Justices of the peace, & likewise signd the Test’.

The convergence of Harris and Overton has led to the very justified contention that James Overton was the father of William Overton, who married his first cousin, Jemima Harris, daughter of Temperance (Overton) Harris and her husband, William Harris, the ‘Captain’, ‘Gent’, aforementioned. Samuel Overton, b. 14 August 1685, br. of Temperance, m … Carr, most likely related to Capt. Thomas Carr, who held land adj. John Harris, aforesaid.

That James Overton was the father of William Overton, who m. his first cousin, Jemima Harris, perfectly adheres to the principle of closely associated families marrying within their kinship circle, an almost indubitably followed system in England that American settlers continued. (The Arnold family are an example of this).

1.2.1.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Governor George Yarwood, son of Richard Yarwood, was the brother-in-law of Edward Payne, brother of John Payne of Virginia. John Payne of Southwark, ‘who is nowe beyonde the sea’ is seen in this deed as a co-sponsor, with Thomas Griffin (a cousin of the Harris family) and William Newsum, all of St. Olave’s Southwark: ‘William Nesum, Tho. Sax, Miles Battersby & John Payne, 800 acs. called the Island Neck, lieing on N. side of Rappa. Riv. neare Curritomon Riv. mouth, Northumberland Co., 29 Jan. 1649. Same: 550 acs. in same county & same date. On N. side the Rappa. Riv., adj. to the Island Neck, running N. N. W. to Marsh Poynt Cr. Trans. of 11 pers: Richd. Pagget, Richd. Jones, Ja. Richardson, Wm. Horlson, Hugh Griffin, Tho. Griffin, Tho. Grimsditch (C&P, 2, p. 188). This obviously connects to Thomas Harris, d. 1672, as his father-in-law, Nicholas George, with John Grymsditch, received a 300 acre patent of land in Isle of Wight C., on Pagan Creek (B. 1, p. 633). John Grymsditch was a transportee of William Newsum, January 29, 1649 (B. 2, p. 188).

Thomas Harris of Surry Co. (d. 1672) sold to Christopher Benn all the land at Pagan Point, purchased from William Batte and the aforementioned Mrs. Margaret Upton. William Batte was associated with the Powell family of St. Olave’s, Southwark: In October 1654, William Powell of the Parish of St.Saviour, Southwark, baker, appeared before the Mayor’s Court to tesify that his elder brother William Powell had died in Virginia, without issue, and that his lands and plantations there should therefore descend to him. William, his younger brother … Depositions explain that both William Powells were so named after their godfather(s) and that William Powell the elder was ‘at ye time of this deponent’s birth (William Powell the younger’s birth) was very dangerously sick in so much as his parents and friends did dispare his life, & for these reasons did also name him William’.

The first William Powell’s plantation across the river from Jamestown was called Chippoakes. In essence, many of the families of this account followed in the footprints of William Powell. One relationship of the Powells to the Harris family of St. Olave’s is through the Griffins, that is, contemporary to John Powell was a Hugh Powell (ap Howell) of St. Olave’s, who m. Margaret Griffin, their son being William Powell (baptised in 1587, he being often confounded with his above decribed namesake), whose son was Griffin Powell, see registers. If John and Hugh Powell were closely related, then so were the Powells and Harris families.

As ‘William Batt of Lower Chippoakes’, he sold land, in 1658, at ‘Rich Neck’ (later the home of the Ruffins), to Ralph Jones. The deed recites that 275 acres was formerly patented by William Newsome, on March 3, 1636. On September 6, 1653, Henry Banister deeded to William Batt land which had been left to him by the last Will of William Sheppard, and which was bought from Newsome in 1640 (Surry Deeds and Wills, 1645-72, p. 30.). In May 1666, Wiliam Ruffin and Robert Coleman patented 938 acres of land in Isle of Wight County adjacent to Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

Thomas Harris m. 2. …. Newman, very likely of the family of ‘Daniel Newman, of St Saviour, citizen and fishmonger of London. Testator is weak in body. Asks to be buried in St Saviour church. Will pr. July 15, 1619. Family members named: Mary his wife. Daniel Newman and Anne Newman, his underage children; Anne is not yet ten years old. James, Barnaby, Thomas, and William Newman his brothers. Mary Dennis his sister, and her husband. Edward Bromfield his brother. Others named: William Iremonger his friend. Executor: Mary his wife. Overseers: Mr Dennis, his sister’s husband; Edward Bromfield; and William Iremonger. Witnesses: Anthony Preston; George Austen; John Revill. TNA, Prob.11/134, ff.15r-16r. Thus, intermarrying with the Newmans brought an association to the Bromfields, and ties to his ‘Sergeant Harris’ cousins were thus strengthened.

1.2.1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris, dep. b. 1636 in 1664. Peter Newsam, s.l. 1638, witnessed the Will of Richard Hinde, which was proved on December 12, 1625: ‘Hynde, Richard, of St Saviour, citizen and salter of London’. His Will names Ann, his wife, ‘John Hynde,* Richard Hynde, and William Hynde, his underage sons. Executor: Ann his wife. Witnesses: Nicholas Kinge; Peter Newsam, scrivener. Overseers: Stephen Streete of London, grocer; ‘Ralph Yardly of London’, who was the father of Governor Yardley of Virginia (TNA, Prob.11/147, f). The Hinde family provided a link to the Bassanos and Laniers of St. Olave’s and St. Leonard’s, and to the Salter Company, thus: ‘Dorothie, dau. of Jo. Hinde of London’, married Anthony Bassano II, as follows, whose second-cousin was Dorothy Bassano, who married, in 1662, as his second wife, Thomas Harris – ‘Thomas Harris, of S’ Leonard, East Cheap, Salter, Widr, ab’ 26, & Dorothy Bessana, of S’ Lawrence Jury, Spr, ab’ 19, her parents dead; consent of eldest brother John Bezana her guardian; at S’ Mary le Bow, London. 28 Feb 1662′. This is the link to Rebecca Lanier, b. Dec. 16, 1744, d. Jul. 1818 in Green County, Georgia, who m. Walton Harris, great-grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. These connections within kinship groups that were renewed in each successive generation; Nicholas Lanier, marrying Mary Sheppard (almost certainly of the Sheppard family into which William Harris Jr. married) is probably an example of this.
1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1. Robert Harris.
1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Robert Harris Jr. 1730: Robert Harris Jr and his br., John Harris (d. 1772), received, by patent from Robert Harris (d.1740) on Sept. 28, 1730, 150 acres of land on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp and on Barbeque Swamp in IOW Co. This land was 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’. 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 D.B 7, p. 289, July 14,1779).*Son of Charles Norsworthy and Anne Seagrave, of I0W Co.; son of Tristram Norworthy, br.-in-law of Charles Driver, as aforementioned. Thus, Robert Harris is asociated with his kinsman, George Norsworthy.

1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Burwell Harris, d. in the Militia Service, m. Elizabeth Holliman, dau. of Edward Holliman, whose Will (Jan. 28, 1786; Oct. Ct. 1786) names wife Mary; Sons William and Blake, Extrs. daus.. 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’.

1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Jacob Harris. Aug. 27, 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.

1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.2. 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 March 11, 1760: Witnesses: Thomas Miller Jr., Jas. Thompson, Isaac Acree’ (Bute County D.B. 6, P. 368. R. June 1779).

1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.2. John Harris, m. Avis Holleman. He and his brother received from Robert Harris (Sept. 28, 1730) 150 acres of land on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp and on Barbeque Swamp in Isle of Wight County, adjoining the lands of Arthur and Joseph Williamson, sons of Francis Williamson Sr. (See W.B. 4. PP. 476-477, 1743), son of Robert Williamson: On March 24. 1665, Robert Williamson and Francis Ayers witnessed an agreement between James Sampson and Francis Baker. On June 6, 1666, Dr. Williamson patented 3,350 acres on the great swamp of Black Water River, adjoining Seward’s Branch, being 295 acres granted on Aprl 26, 1661, and 3,055 for the transfer of Joane Williamson and sixty-one other colonists. His Will was pr. ‘by the oathes of Mr. John Hardy & Mr. William Sherwood this Second Day of May 1670′. ‘Doctr Robert Williamson, June 6, 1666, 3850 acres On the great swamp of the Blackwater, &c., by Seaward’s branch. John Hardie, June 5, 1666, 1150 acres, Beg’g, &c., of Mathew Tomlin’s old land and rung, &c., to Wm. Westwrayer’s land’ (William and Mary College Qrtly, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 297-315)

1.2.1.1.1.2.2. Edward Harris, d. 1677. The Will of Mary Adkins, pr. Sept. 25, 1721, dau. of John Gibbins, of IOW Co., and widow of James Adkins, d. 1723, names a Thomas Harris as a son of Edward Harris, who is also the father of a Henry Harris. This Edward Harris was the son of Edward Harris, d. 1677, and Martha Hardy. Mary Adkin’s Will also names Mathew Harris and Robert Harris, and William Kinchen, her second husband, br. of Mathew Kinchen, who m. Elizabeth Ruffin, dau. of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Watkins. Like is father, Edward was originally settled in Lancaster: Col. Edward Carter, Esqr. 1650 acs. Lancaster Co., on N. Side of Rappa. Riv., Apr. 29, 1665. Part of an Indian Habitation (Indian Towne*) Called Old Morticond, beg. at a point on the NWd. side of the mouth of Harrises Cr., adj. land of Edward Harriss &c. to Swd. side of Swd. branch of the dividing Cr. belonging to Cottowoman River &c. The Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672: It is my Will and desire, that the same shall equally devided, betweene my two sonnes, John and Thomas Harris, And both of them to live upon it … Item for my land, Wh I have att the *Indian Towne, Wh is in quantitie, two hundred & sixtie Acres, wh doth properlie belong to me, I give & bequeath, the said land, to my sonne Thomas Harris & his heires forever … Item for my land in Corotoman, in the County of Lancaster, beinge seaven hundred Acres, I bequeath Unto my Eldest sonne, John Harris, and to his heires forever …’.

copyright m stanhope 2015