ST SAVIOUR, SOUTHWARK

There were two parishes of Southwark, London, that particularly represented families that settled in early Virginia, those being St Olave and St Saviour. The following is an account of the majority of the available birth, baptismal, and marriage records concerning those called Harris in both parishes.

These parishes should not be seen as the domains of seperate tribes, but as reasonably borderless domains, which members of the same family could inhabit, often depending on the relative status of a father-in-law.

To these records are attached some of my previously published notes, abbreviated, on connections between Southwark-based families and colonial Virginia.

The parish records give additional information as to other families intermarried with that of Harris. These may enable other researchers to identify names that were later to be associated with their family, a valid point in times of successive generations of the same families continuing to intermarry within the established English system of kinship transmission.

Of particular interest, to me, at least, are the intermarriages of a Harris to an Arnold, Bannester, Edwards, Garland, Hawkes, King, Lane, Newsom, Sheppard, and Stanlie. Others may find further names of interest. The marriage of a John Harris to Anne Athawaye, in 1605, is of interest, given the links between prominent Southwark families and William Shakespeare’s patrons. The marriage of a Thomas Harris to Ellen King, in 1637, may  be of interest, given how the King family of Southwark were closely associated with families connected to Virginia.

It is a fact that Southwark played an important role in the colonisation of Virginia, its port being central to trade, whether that was in victuals, people, or tobacco, and many county-based families maintained a business and house here.

There is no better place to commence an enquiry into Virginia ancestries than Southwark, a fact more pertinent to those called Harris than most of another name, I suggest.

One important point could perhaps be commented on: The process of Virginia settlement was an ongoing one, as evidenced by much extant inter-family correspondence, and sons and grandsons often ascribed to a Virginia ‘patriarch’ were as likely to be nephews and great nephews, or their ilk. Families shared associations, and it is difficult to disambiguate one particular strand of them from another; but that would have been less important then as now, as family was once a more extended concept than now perceived, less imbibed with a sense of the uniqueness of the individual; more of a commonality.

ST OLAVE

St Olave or St Olave’s (Hart Street) is one of the few surviving mediaeval buildings in London and the burial place of Samuel Pepys. It is a place of peace: John Betjeman described St Olave’s as “a country church in the world of Seething Lane”. It is first recorded in the 13th century as St Olave-towards-the-Tower, as a stone building. The present building dates from circa 1450. On the east side of St Olave’s, there is a stained glass window depicting Queen Elizabeth I standing with two tall bells at her feet. She held a thanksgiving service at St Olave’s on Trinity Sunday, 15 May 1554, while she was still Princess Elizabeth, to celebrate her release from the Tower of London.

Thomas Harris, b. (born) 1601
John Harris, b. 1603
William Harris, m. Feb 1602 Elsabeth Stanlie 
Richard Harris, b. 1609
Catheren Harris, m. 23 Sep 1611 Thomas Sherrard
Mary Harris, m. 28 Jun 1613 Edward Jackson
Charles Harris, b. 1618
Robert Harris. m. 8 Apr 1627 Margarett Garland
Robert, b. 1627
Hanna Harris, bapt.. 14 March 1640, father – Francis Harris
Mary Harris, bapt. 2 January 1641, father – Thomas Harris
Richard Harris, m. 2 May 1641 Ann Edwards
Richard Harris, b. 1641
Thomas Harris, b. 1641
William Harris, bapt. 6 June 1641, father -John Harris
Isaacc Harris, bapt. 1 March 1642, father – Thomas Harris
Margarett Newcom (Newsom), m. Feb 1643 Robert Harris
William Harris, who, at St. Olave, Southwark, married (May 25, 1643) Elizabeth Arnell. Anthony Arnell was a transportee of Thomas Harris, d. 1668: 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).
Robert Harris, b. 1643
William Harris, b. 1643
Nathaniell Harris, bapt. 29 March 1643, father – Nathaniell Harris
Sara Harris, bapt. 19 May 1644, father – John Harris
Joane Harris, m. 12 Dec 1644 John Copeland
John Harris, bapt. 16 February 1646, father – John Harris
Mary Harris 21, bapt. February 1646, father – John Harris
Margarett Harris, bapt. 14 March 1646, father – William Harris
John Harris, bapt. 9 January 1647, father – John Harris
William Harris, b. 1647 … probable ancestor of ‘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.
Samuell Harris, bapt. 26 September 1648, father – Thomas Harris
John Harris, bapt. 14 October 1648, father – Thomas Harris
Eliz Harris, bapt. 19 September 1649, father – Thomas Harris
John Harris, bapt 31 March 1653, father – John Harris
Martha Harris, bapt. 18 October 1653, father – Thomas Harris
Nicholas Harris, m. Feb 1654 Jone Gardner
Nicholas Harris, b. 1654
Beniamin Harris, bapt. 16 September 1654, father – Thomas Harris
John Harris, b. 1655
William Harris, bapt. 29 September 1655, father – Nicholas Harris
Spicer Harris, bapt. 25 February 1656, father – William Harris (br. of Spicer Sr.)
John Harris, bapt 27 February 1656, father – Thomas Harris
Edw Harris, bapt. 26 March 1656, father – Edw Harris … Edward Harris of St. Olave’s is mentioned in the Will of Francis Grove, of St. Saviour, Southwark, proved September 4, 1645, requesting him to be buried near the body of his unnamed daughter. He bequests to the poor of St Saviour parish … Others named: The unnamed children of Richard and Anne Gibbins. Raph Gibbins … Overseers: George Moore esquire; George Hunt; John Brewer; Edward Harris (TNA, Prob.11/194, f.17r).’John Paine, 88 acs. Lancaster Co., 20 Feb. 1662. N. side of Rappa. Riv., abutting N. & by W. upon land of Edward Harris‘. Edward Harris, d. 1677. The Will of Mary Adkins, proved September 25, 1721, daughter of John Gibbins, of Isle of Wight Co., and widow of James Adkins, obit. 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, obit. 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 married Elizabeth Ruffin, daughter of Robert Ruffin Jr. and Elizabeth Watkins.
Rebecca Harris, m. 2 Oct 1656 John Parker
John Harris, b. 1657
John Harris, m. 14 Apr 1657 Eliz Lane
Anna Harris, bapt. 5 February 1658, father – Thomas Harris
Benjamin Harris, bapt 16 September 1660, father – William Harris
Richard Harris, b. 1660

ST SAVIOUR

‘St. Saviour’s Church—one of the finest parochial churches in the kingdom—in spite of the barbarous mutilation which it underwent when its nave was pulled down, is now almost the sole remaining object of “Old Southwark.” In spite of the loss of its original nave, it is deservedly styled by Mr. A. Wood, in his “Ecclesiastical Antiquities of London,” “the second church in the metropolis, and the first in the county of Surrey.” It is one of the few parish churches in the kingdom possessing a “lady chapel” still perfect.

In 1212, the greater part of Southwark was destroyed by fire. The church was then dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen. In 1273, Walter, Archbishop of York, granted an indulgence of thirty days to all who should contribute to the rebuilding of the sacred edifice, and towards the end of the following century the church was entirely rebuilt. Gower, the poet, it is stated, contributed a considerable portion of the funds. It was in this church (in 1424), that James I. of Scotland wedded the daughter of the Earl of Somerset, and niece of the great Cardinal, the golden-haired beauty, Jane Beaufort, of whom, during his imprisonment at Windsor, the royal poet had become enamoured'(précis: Edward Walford, ‘Southwark: St Saviour’s Church’, in Old and New London: Volume 6 (London, 1878), pp. 16-29).

Willm Harris, d. 1600, m. 11 May 1594 Sarah Troyearne …’William Harris Fishmonger, of Saint Saviour’. 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). Thomas Griffin, in his will, probated April 9, 1670, left to his son and namesake ‘land I bought of Captain Fulgham‘ (‘Wills & Admins’, 1-3, p. 9). Thomas Griffin is mentioned in the Will of Edward Bradshaw, who gave to Thomas Griffin ‘8 hhd tobo. I sold to Mr Travers … also all other goods that is betwixt me & ‘Mr Underwood‘. William Harris, the ‘underage son’ named in his father’s Will of 1600, married Elizabeth Stanlie, on February 20, 1602, in St. Olave, Southwark. Their son was William Harris Jr., as follows: ‘Peter Pope, notary public, in Rotterdam, Holland. That John Shepeard of Rotterdam appoints ‘his well beloved brother Wm Harris‘ to receive ac/s from Wm. Underwood or James Williamson, merchants, living in Virginia, particularly for all goods delivered the said Williamson in the absence of Underwood … late end of the year 1648′ (Beverley Fleet, Virginia Colonial Abstract). The Lancs. Co. Levy, February 6, 1654, indicated groups of Neighbours: ‘Mr William Underwood to rec. for 26 tytheables … Jo. Sherlock … Mr Williamson … Tho Robinson’. John Sherlock was associated with Dr. James Williamson: ‘John Sherlock, 200 acres Lancaster Co., 15 Nov. 1653. In Rappa. Riv., on the head of a devdt. of land formerly surveyed for Mr. James Williamson, lyeing on Totaskey Creek, running N.E. by N. by the creek side to a small branch dividing this & the land allotted to the Rappahanock Indians. Transportation of 4 persons: Judith Holliman, … Holliman, Robert Sutton, Christopher Holliman. 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’. 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, VA. He was very likely a son of ‘Francis Shepheard and Elizabeth Ellis’ (married September 28, 1617), St. Olave’s Southwark. (2) Thomas Warren, of Ripple Court, Kent. Major Robert Sheppard and Elizabeth Spencer had issue: Anne Shephard, who m. (1) Thomas Hart & (2) William Newsome. The Will of John Hurt alias Hart, ‘John, of St Saviour, yeoman’, proved September 22, 1632, reveals him ‘sick in body’; he asks to be buried in St Saviour church … Witnesses: Charles Hurt alias Hart; Thomas Butler; Andrew Lucas; Peter Newsam, scrivener (TNA, Prob.11/162, ff.243v-244r). The said 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). 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. Dorothy Bassano’s (cousin of the Lanier family of Southwark) second-cousin married Dorothie, dau. of the said Jo. Hinde. Dorothy Bassano a Thomas Harris, born 1636, in 1662, a ‘Salter’ of London, probably an apprentive of the Hynde family.
Anne Harris, m 5 Sep 1595 Simon Dalton
Thomas Harris, m. 12 Sep 1595 Elysabeth Bannester – On September 6, 1653, a Henry Banister deeded to a William Batt land which had been left him by the last will of William Sheppard.
Edwarde Harris, m. 15 Dec 1603 Alice Prescot
John Harris 28, m. Jul 1605 Anne Athawaye
John Harris, b.1606
Marie Harris, m. 4 Jun 1609 William Danvers
Mary Harris, m. 28 Jan 1610 Edward Jenneye
Richard Harris, m. Feb 1612 Rebecka Hawkes
Richard Harris, b. 1612
John Harris, m. 5 Aug 1618 Jone Bate (Batte). Thomas Harris of Surry sold to Christopher Benn all the land at Pagan Point, purchased from William Batte and Mrs. Margaret Upton. He received 600 acres in Lancaster Co. bounding northeast upon a branch of Corotoman River and upon land of one Hawkes. 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 Southwark-based families followed in the footprints of William Powell. ‘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. As said, 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 Mar 1620 Hannah Edwards
Thomas Harris, b. 1621
David Harris, b. 1623
Thomas Harris, b. 1623
Thomas Harris, m. 28 Oct 1623 Elizabeth Worrall
John Harris, m. 16 Jul 1626 Anne Whitfeild
John Harris, m. 13 Jan 1628 Agnes Ferman
Thomas Harris, m. 18 Jul 1630 Frances Brumhill
Richard Harris, m. 31 Oct 1630 Elizabeth Foster
William Harris, m. 29 Nov 1635 Elizabeth Lane
William Harris, m. 29 Nov 1636 Xpian Manfeild
Thomas Harris, m. 3 Jul 1637 Ellen King – 20 Oct 1664 Henry King and Alice [x] Phillips witness Thomas Harris and Alice his wife selling Maj. John Bond 190 acres at head of Pagan Creek.
Thomas Harris, m. 16 Sep 1638 Ann Walter
Mary Harris, m 9 Aug 1640 Jeremy Miller
Thomas Harris, m. 22 Sep 1640 Ann Bishop
Jane Harris, m. 22 Oct 1640 Robt Kerke
Christopher Harris, 19 Jan 1641 Alice Humphris
Margarett Harris, m. 26 Apr 1641 Hugh Lowe
Willm Harris, m. 6 May 1641 Jane Hawkins
Hester Harris, m. 30 Nov 1641 Thomas Harris
Mary Harris, m. 14 Apr 1650 Thomas Kettle
John Harris, m. 10 Jun 1657 Margrett Heed
Thomas Harris, m. 20 Sep 1657 Susan Charlton
Thomas Harris, m. 10 May 1658 Alice Wood
John Harris, m. 5 Oct 1658 Elizabeth Wheeler
Jone Harris, m. 19 Dec 1658 William Knightly
Richard Harris, m. 28 Oct 1659 Margrett Kerkham
Francis Harris, m 22 Apr 1660 Elizabeth Smith

copyright m stanhope 2016