NUNNEY/MELLS. Nunney is 2 miles from Mells.

William Harris bapt. 9 Dec 1627 Nunney (All Saints)
Alice West & Thomas Harris Oct 1635 Nunney
Thomas Harris bapt. 14 Aug 1636 Nunney
John Harris bapt … … 1640 Nunney

Nunney deeds. DD\BR\ls/8. Leases for lives of property in manors of Nunney and Nunney Maudley by members of the Whitchurch family: Joseph of Frome Selwood, mercer, Henry of London, ‘gould-weaver’, William the elder, merchant and William, esq. (his son), both of Frome Selwood … Tenants’ names:- Chancellor, Coombes, Dear, Ellis of Leigh-on-Mendip, Grymes, Harris of Mells, Miles, Smith, Williams, Woodhouse of Marston Bigot, Yeoman. 1629-1709.

Sir Elias De la Mere, knt. was sheriff of Wilts in the second of Henry V. but died without issue; but Eleanor, his eldest sister, became heiress to the whole estate lying in Somersetshire. This Eleanor was married to William Paulet, esq. serjeant at law, second son to Sir John Paulet, of Melcombe, in this county. He died in 1435. By this marriage Nunney Castle came into the family of Paulet, and the grandson of the pair was the celebrated William Powlett, the first Marquis of Winchester.

The Harris family of Nunney/Mells intermarried into families (Clarke/Hills) which may have been the same as those intermarried with the Sims.

Margery Harris & John Allin, 8 Jun 1567, Mells (St Andrew)
Elizabeth Harris & John Bygges, 22 Sep 1588, Mells.
Mary Harris & John Young, 21 Oct 1588, Mells.
Elizabeth Harris & Thomas Bayley, 3 May 1589, Mells.
Thomas Harris, bur. 3 Feb 1595, Mells.
Thomas Harris, bapt. 10 Jun 1595, Mells.
Thomas Harris, bapt. 24 Mar 1599, Mells.
Grace Hanny & John Harris, 1608, Mells.
Anne Harris & William Clarke, 3 Jun 1616, Mells.
John Harris, bur. 13 Oct 1616, Mells.
Elizabeth Harris & George Hill, 27 Jan 1619, Mells, possibly related to Nicholas Hill, who, on 30 Sept 1664, patented 750 acres in the Upper Parish, part of the estate of Edward Bennett, whose dau., Silvester, he married. (She was bapt. 25 Oct 1630, Parish of St. Olave, Hart Street, London). Edward Bennett was the uncle of Richard Bennett, whose Will of 15 March 1674 bequested: ‘To cousin Silvester, the wife of Maj. Nicholas Hill, 12,000 lbs. tobacco’. Edward Bennett was the brother of Elianor Bennett. who m. Richard Harris, son of William Harris and Dorothy West, who m. Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe, as follows. Given a later marriage between Harris and West (Alice West & Thomas Harris, 1635,  in Nunney, as given, it is suggested that what is evidenced are marriages with a kinship group, wherein the same families continued to intermarry, in this case, within a small area centred on Taunton.
Mary Tomlin & John Harris, 9 Nov 1620, Mells.
Joane Harris & Richard Williams, 4 Jun 1627, Mells.
William Harris, bapt. 12 Jan 1637, Mells.

BENNETT AND HARRIS

1. Robert Bennett, m. a dau. of Richarde Edneye, of Wivelscombe, Som., Vintner.
1.1. Thomas Bennett.
1.1.1. Richard Bennett. PROB 11/351/440. Description: Will of Richard Bennett of Nansemond River, Virginia. 3 August 1676.
1.1.1.1. Anne Bennett, b. 1641, married, 1st, Theodorick Bland of Westover, 2nd, Colonel St. Leger Codd of Northumberland county, Virginia, and afterward of Maryland.
1.1.1.1.1. Theodorick Bland (born 1663); m. Margaret Mann* When his father died in 1671, Bland inherited Westover Plantation and joined with his brother, Richard, in its ownership. The brothers eventually conveyed 1,200 acres of the property to William Byrd Sr. in 1688 for 300L and 10,000 pounds of tobacco and cask. Byrd’s grandson built a Georgian mansion there in the 1750s.
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Bland (born December 8, 1698); m. Ann West.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Richard Bland (born August 11, 1665); m. 2. Elizabeth Randolph, the dau. of William Randolph.

1.1.1.2. Elizabeth Bennett, b. 1645, m. Col. Charles Scarborough of Accomac county, son of Edmond Scarborough, whose dau., Matilda, m. Lt. Col. John West, circa 1660, in Accomack Co, VA.
1.2. Edward Bennett. To repeat: Nicholas Hill, on 30 Sept 1664, patented 750 acres in the Upper Parish, part of the estate of Edward Bennett, whose dau., Silvester, he married.
1.3. Elianor Bennett. m. Richard Harris, Oct. 6, 1594, at Wivelscombe; son of William Harris and Dorothy West, m. Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe.
1.3.1. Thomas Harris, cousin of Governor Bennett, m. Judith Blake, November 20, 1623, at Wivelscombe.
1.3.1.1. ? Second-cousin of 1. Anne Bennett, mother of Theodorick Bland, who m. Margaret Mann; 2. Elizabeth Bennett, sister-in-law of Matilda Scarborough, who m. Lt. Col. John West.
1.3.1.1.1.?
1.4. Thomas Bennett Jr., bapt. 5 Nov 1603, Wivelscombe, m. Agnes Beard.
1.4.1. John Bennett, m. Mary Sawyer.
1.4.1.1. William Bennett, d. 18 Feb. 1684, Middlesex, VA, m. Mary Smith.
1.4.1.1.1. William Bennett, m. Sarah Brumwell, bapt. 2 Nov 1679, Middlesex.
1.4.1.1.1.1. Richard Bennett, m. Elizabeth Rice, sister of Mary Rice, who m. John Sims, see as follows: John Sims, d. 1769, in Granville Co., N.C., m. Sarah Bullock, dau. of Richard Bullock: Richard Bullock and Ann, his wife, of the Province of North Carolina to Thomas Shelton of Louisa Co., 12 pds-10 s. currt. money. 50 acres … sd Bullock’s and Sheltons their corner in John Metlock’s line … pine near the road. /s/ Richard Bullock. Acknowledged before us 25 Apr. 1757; proved by oaths of Tyree Harris, John Matlock and Elizabeth Harris. (D.B. B, pp. 170-172).

SYMES OF PITMINSTER

1. William Symes; Will dated 4 June and proved 27 July 1597 by Elizabeth Symes the relict (66 Cobham). Poor of Chard & Pitminster. Rt Hon. Sir Ed. Seymour, Knt. Lord Seymour of Pomeroy, Devon, by deed of 29 Nov. 31 Eliz. hath granted me an annuity of 100 marks out of the demesne of Bury Pomeroy for 99 years, if Eliz. my wife & Hen. & James my sons shall so long live. To my s. John Symes £2000 according to the covenants betw. me & Sir John Popham, Knt., Chief Justice, & Tho. Horner, Esq. To my s. Hen. 1000 marks. My s. Robt £500. My s. Wm. £500 at 21. My d. Eliz. 1000 marks. My dau. Margt 1000 marks at 21 or marriage. My dau. Margery Pyne 1000 marks. (Another dau., Alice, m. William Hodges). Jasper Pyne my s.-in-l. living in Charde. My Manors of Barwick, Bowre, 24 & Stoford, co. Som., & Frankham, co. Dorset. Mill in West Coker & lands in Taunton. My manor house in Charde to Eliz. my wife for her life, & she to be Ex’trix. John Pyne, Esq., Roger Hill, Gent., & my bro. in l. Hugh Hill, Gent., to be Supervisors. He married Elizabeth Hill, in 1570, dau. of Robert Hill ,of Poundisford, and Alice Clarke, of Taunton. Elizabeth Hill’s br., Hugh Hill, m. Mary, dau. of John Bond, of London.

(John Bond, Esq. was appointed, in 1588, captain of the isle of Portland, at the time of the expected invasion by the Spanish armada. He m. (1583), Margaret, dau. of Richard Pitt, Esq. of North Crickett, Somerset. Will of Richard Pitt of Cricket Malherbe, merchant, dated 21 July, 1617, pr. by son Matthew 1 June, 1622. Poor of Weymouth & Melcombe Regis, £5 – To John Pitt, my son, all my lands in Broadway, Dorset, called Redlands, & in Anstey & Hilton, with the house I purchased of my uncle Francis Laces, also houses in Melcombe Regis, &c. To my son Matthew Pitt, houses in Waymouth, &c. Sums of £ … to Richard Pitt, son of John Pitt, to Denys Bond, son of my daughter Margaret, to Daniel, son of my daughter Mary Merish, to Richard, son of my daughter Edith Yeo, to Benjamin, son of my son Matthew Pitt, to John Pitt, son of my son Matthew Pitt, to Richard Swayne, son of my daughter Judith Swayne, to John Ashe, son of my daughter Grace Ash.

John Bond was the brother of George Bond, bapt. 22 January 1556, and Henry Bond, baptised 1 October 1559, in Steeple, Dorset; a parish association with the Lawrence and Washington families, allied through the marriage of Edmund Lawrence with heiress Agnes de Wessington, in 1390. The Lawrences moved to Steeple in 1540, while John Washington, a member of a junior branch of Agnes’ family, moved to Virginia. John’s great grandson, George, became the first President of America. The Lawrence estate was purchased by the Bond family of Lutton. George Bond or Henry Bond may have been the grandfather Major John Bond of Virginia.

FULGHAMS OF PITMINSTER

1. William Fuljames, b. c. 1490 at Ing’s Manor, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, settled in Somerset; great-grandfather of:
1.1 John Fuljames, of Angersleigh, Somerset, m. (1603) Sarah Hole, of Barnstaple, Devon. He acquired Woodbrook Farm in Pitminster, an adjacent parish to Angersleigh, and became known as John Fuljames of Woodbrooke, Gent. The Hole family were intermarried with that of Norris: Thomas Hole & Edith Norris, 17 Jan 1602, Dulverton (All Saints).
1.1.1. Anthony Fuljames, born c. 1615 in Pitminster, married, first, in 1638 at Pitminster, Elizabeth Norris, b. 1623 in Bridgwater,Somerset.
1.1.1.1. John Fulgham, b. 1639, at Pitminster.
1.1.1. Anthony Fuljames, married secondly, Martha Greene.
1.1.1.2. Michael Fulgham, married Anne Izzard.
1.1.1.2.1. Anne Fulgham, married Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.2.2. Susannah Fulgham, married Hardy Council, son of Hodges Council Jr. and Lucy Hardy, in 1705. Her will was recorded October 6, 1757, naming daus. Susannah, Christian Daughtery, Mary Brantley, Martha Fowler, Lucy Johnson, and Ann Lawrence; sons Charles, Michael, Hardy, and Joshua; grandson Willis Council; and grandaus. Selah Council and Sarah Lawrence. Sons Charles and Joshua were named executors. The Will was witnessed by William Murphree and Robert Johnson.
1.1.1.2.3. Anthony Fulgham, married Sarah Wrayford, dau. of Philip Wrayford, of Crediton, Devon. Appraisal of the estate of Anthony Fulgham ordered 24 June 1729. Performed by Francis Williamson, John Little, & Joshua Turner. Recorded 25 Jan. 1731. Sarah Wrayford’s sister, Martha, married Jesse Goodwin.
1.1.2. Elizabeth Fuljames, b. 11 June 1621, at Pitminster, m. (14 July 1642) Hugh Bond, of Broadway, Somerset, at Pitminster, kin of the Bonds of Steeple (William Bond of Lutton, ancestor of the Bonds of Steeple, was the brother of John Bond of Buckland Newton, Dorset, father of William Bond of Buckland Newton, whose Will dated 17 March, 15 Elizabeth, 1573, proved 10 June following, names his son William, then under 24 years of age, his son John Bond, and John the son of the said John; also his wife Isabell Bond, and his son-in-law Thomas Harris (not Sir Thomas). Issue of William Bond and Dionise Bourman: 1. William Bond, born c. 1524 Buckland Newton, Somerset, d. 30 May 1576, buried 14 Jun 1576, at St. Helen, Bishopsgate, Surrey.
1.1.3. John Fuljames, Jr. b. June 1613 in Pitminster, married (1635) Prudence Westcott, of Shobrooke, Devon. Her sister, Katherine Westcott, married Edward Hill, born 4 Jan. 1601, Berrynarbor, Devon. Their aunts, Alice and Julian, married, respectively, Arthur Hart of Yarncomb, Henry Reynold of Cheriton Fitzpaine. Their uncle, Phillip, married Elizabeth Tanner, dau. of George Tanner, of Creely. They were children and grandchildren of Thomas Westcote of Raddon, and Mary Roberts, dau. of Richard Roberts of Combmartin. There was some connection to a family of Thatcher: Thatcher v Westcott. Plaintiffs: Avis Thatcher. Defendants: Thomas Westcott, John Fuljames and Arthur Hole. Subject: personal estate of the deceased John Thatcher widow, of Thorverton, Devon. (Nat. Arch. ref. C 6/124/129. 1639).
1.1.4. Sarah Fuljames, b. 21 December, 1624 at Pitminster, married John Cotton of Silverton, Devon, in 1642, at Pitminster. The Reverend William Cotton, Sarah Fuljames’s father-in-law, was Rector of the Were Family’s church in Silverton. The estates of Counselor John Weare, the head of the Were family in Silverton, and his eldest son, John, Jr., were sequestered in 1648 by Parliament. By 1650, Counselor John Weare, his wife Margaret (Dart) Were, John, Jr., Francis, and Katherine had emigrated to the south side of the eastern branch of the Corotoman River, in Virginia, next to Anthony Fulgham.

By 1647, Anthony was in Northumberland Co., and filed for a 500-acre patent on the south side of the Corotoman River. Anthony married his second wife, Martha Greene, whose great-grandfather, John, was living in St Giles Cripplegate, wherec his eldest son, John, was born, in 1568. John, Martha’s grandfather, was a merchant. He had issue: John,* b. 1592, Sara, b. 1592, Elizabeth, b. 1594, and Robert (Martha Fulgham’s father), b. 1598, who first appeared in Virginia records in a census taken in 1619. He married Katherine Walker (in St Giles Cripplegate) on 9 Feb 1618. They had issue: Robert b. 1620 d.v.p., Thomas b. 1621 (married Mary Moone), Elizabeth b. 1622, John b. 1624, d.v.p., Martha b. 1626 (married Anthony Fulgham), John b. 1627, d.v.p.; Jane, b. 1629 (married Robert Smith, of Pitminster); Humphrey, b. 1630. *He had a dau,, Elizabeth, b. 1626 (married William Hutchings) and a son, John b. 1628. Both Elizabeth and John Greene appear as headrights in the land patent of John Weare of Silverton, Devon (and others) dated 7 Sep 1654. John Weare and Anthony Fulgham had close familial connections and cooperated in seating their patents on the Corotoman River between 1647 and 1654.

Lancaster Co. Court Orders, 1652-1655: John Bond assigns to Jno Meredith, excepting 160 acres which belongs to Eliz Hutchins the wife of Wm. Hutchins. Dated 4 Dec 1655. Recorded 5 Jan 1656.

Major John Bond patented 3,000 acres in IOW with John Clarke, p. 489. He appears again as a headright of Col. Robert Pitt in 1664, in 10W. In 1656, Dorothy Bond sold land of her deceased husband, Major John Bond, to Joseph Bridger, who was the brother-in-law of Robert Pitt. Joseph Bridger’s Will (R. April 9, 1685), was witnessed by James Bennett, of Wivelscombe, Somerset, whose family were intermarried with the Harris family of that place).

SYMES cont.

1.1. John Symes, M.P. for Somerset, d. 1658, m. Amy Horner, dau. of the said Tho. Horner, Esq., of Mells Park, b. 1547, M.P. for Somerset, 1585, and high-sheriff, 1607, who m. 1st, Elizabeth Pollard; 2ndly, Jane, dau. of Sir John Popham, Knt. of Littlecott, Wilts; and 3rdly, Elizabeth. By his 2nd wife, Jane Popham, who d. 1591, he left at his decease, in 1612, an eldest son and heir, Sir John, Knt. of Mells, M.P. for Dorsetshire, b. about 1580. He m. Anne, dau. of Sir George Speke, of While Lackington, and by her, who d. 1666, left at his decease, in 1659, with other issue, a dau., Anne, m. 1662 to John Harrington, Esq., and a son and heir, Sir George Horner, Knt. of Mells, b. 1604, M.P. from 1642 to 1660, who m. Anne, dau. of Sir Henry Pool, and had, George, his heir, and Samuel, etc. Nunney Deeds: ‘land in the South Field conveyed by Samuel Horner of Mells, esq., to Philippa his sister'(DD\BR\u/15, 1663).

John Symes, b. 4 March 1572, matriculated from Exeter College, Oxford at the early age of 14 and received his B.A. September 7, 1591. He matriculated in Lincoln’s Inn, 1589.

The Will of John Symes was dated 5 Oct. 1658; proved 19 Dec. 1661:
To be bur. at Frampton Cotterell, co. Glouc. To my neph. Arthur Symes £100 at the end of his apprenticeship. I am possessed of many years to come & undetermined of the Mansion of Poundsford, my Ex’ors shall convey it to Wm Symes, 1st s. of Jno Symes, decd, he not to vex or prosecute any suit against Hen. & Tho. Symes. To my 2 nieces Eliz. & Grace Symes £800 to be pd out of Poundsford. John & Ed. Symes, sons of my s. Tho. Symes. All residue to my sons Hen.* & Tho. Symes, Ex’ors.

A monumental inscription to his memory in Frampton Church is engraved on a brass plate surmounted with the arms of Symes: Azure, three escallops in pale or; impaling those of Horner: Sable, three talbots passant argent, two and one. ‘Here lyeth the body of John Symes of Poundisford, in the Parish of Pitminster in the county of Somerset, Esquire, he was born on the 4th day of March, 1572 (in the 12th year of Queen Elizabeth). He lived soberly, righteously, and godly, and died on the 21st day of October 1661 … (he had) also a numerous posterity even of children and children’s children, to the number of 100 and upwards, descended from his loynes (by his only wife Amy, the dau. of Thomas Horner, of Cloford, in the county of Somerset, Esquire).

BERKELEY AND SYMES

Post-nuptial settlement of Richard Berkeley and Elizabeth, dau. of *Henry Symes of Frampton Cotterell, 1656; memoranda about £2,455 of Sir Maurice Berkeley’s debts paid by Symes, lands sold to Symes, £2,000 allowed by Symes to Richard Berkeley as a marriage portion. (Gloucestershire Archives, ref. D2700/OP1/6. 1656-c.1660).

Maurice Berkeley was the son of Richard Berkeley, M.P., who, in 1619, inspired by the example of George Thorpe, joined the Virginia Company, and, in partnership with John Smith, projected a settlement to be called Berkeley. However his colonial venture ended in failure in the massacre of 1622. In 1620, his eldest son, Maurice, to whom he gave up the ancestral home, was returned for Gloucestershire. (J. E. Gethyn-Jones, ‘Berkeley Plantation’, Bristol and Glos. Arch. Soc. Trans. xciv. 5-17. 23). Richard Berkeley was a kinsman of John Berkeley, who was killed in the massacre of 1622, who was sent by the Virginia Company to establish iron works at the Falling Creek, which empties into the James River not far below Richmond. His son, Maurice Berkeley, married Barbara, dau. of Sir Walter Longe, and had issue, ‘Edward and others’. Edward is believed to have been father of Edmund Berkeley, who married Mary …, who married, secondly, John Mann.

The Manns and Berkeleys were in some way connected with Col. Thomas Pettus of LittleTown’, James City county, a member of the council. The York records have under date March 24, 1698, a reference to Mr. Edmund Berkeley’s difference with Major Lewis Burwell, ‘one of the surviving exors of Col. Thomas Pettus, deced’. There is also a power of attorney from ‘Mary Mann of the parish of Abingdon, county of Gloucester, the executrix appointed by the will of Elizabeth Pettus, dau. of Thomas Pettus, gent, deceased'[son of Col. Thomas Pettus], to James Bray, of James City county, who married Mourning, widow of Thomas Pettus, Jr. Was Mary Mann a daughter of Col. Pettus, and therefore aunt of Elizabeth Pettus?

George Thorpe was born at Wanswell Court, the family estate in Gloucestershire. The eldest surviving son of Nicholas Thorpe and his first wife, Mary Wilkes, alias Mason, he was baptized in the parish of Berkeley on January 1, 1576. After his wife’s death in 1610, Thorpe married Margaret Harris on February 21, 1611, in Saint Pancras, Soper’s Lane, in London. She was the dau. and h. of David Harris of Bristol, Glos., son of David Harris ‘grocer and alderman’ of Bristol, d. 1582. He had made his will on 4 Oct., directing that he should be buried in the church of St. Nicholas where his father and first wife lay (Margery, wid. of Thomas Browne of Bristol). To his second wife Margaret he left a share of their dwelling house with his son David, leaving a third part to his dau. Alice and her husband Ralph Bennett should they desire it. David Harris Jr. had two brothers. David Harris Sr. was the son of John Harris of Bristol, and Alice. Given the various ‘guestimates’ of the ancestry of Ralph Bennet, it may be fair to suggest that he was of the family of Bennett, of Wivelscombe, Somerset, Bristol, Glos., and Virginia. In that the Bennetts of Wivelscombe intermarried with the Harris of that place, another suggestion is that these Harris may be descendents of John Harris of Bristol, aforesaid. Such would be a typical hallmark of closely intermarried kinship groups of this time. Both the Harris of Mells and Wivelscombe intermarries with families of West.

The grandson of Richard Berkeley and Elizabeth Symes was Norborne Berkeley, Governor of Virginia.

Sir Maurice Berkeley owed money to Denis Bond, aforesaid, son-in-law of Richard Pitt: Bond v Berkeley. Plaintiffs: Dennis Bond. Defendants: Sir Maurice Berkeley kt and others. Subject: property in Church Knowle, Dorset. Nat. Arch., ref. C 6/41/82. 1653.

Henry, William, and Thomas Symes were parties to various transactions:

Assignment in fee. 1a Henry Symes of Frampton Cotterell, Gloucs, esquire, 1b Thomas Symes of Winterbourne, Gloucs, esquire, 2 Sir William Strode of Newnham, knight. The manor of Middlezoy. Plymouth and West Devon Record Office, ref. 349/7/6 1662.

Cooper v Symes. Plaintiffs: John Cooper and Grace Cooper his wife. Defendants: William Symes, Henry Symes and Thomas Symes. Subject: property in Pitminster, Somerset. Nat. Arch., ref. C 6/161/21. 1662.

Hutchens v Symes. Plaintiffs: John Hutchens and Elizabeth Hutchens, his wife. Defendants: William Symes, Henry Symes and Thomas Symes. Subject: property in Pounsford etc, Somerset, Gloucestershire. Nat. Arch., ref. C 5/613/79. 1664. It can be recalled that John Fuljames, born 1592, had a dau,, Elizabeth, b. 1626, who married William Hutchings.

Berkeley v Watts. Plaintiffs: George Berkeley infant, of Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire, by Henry Symes esq, his next friend. Defendants: John Watts yeoman, of Ashton, Somerset, Ralph Willett and Sarah Willett (alias Sarah Thorpe) his wife. Subject: Payment of rent for a messuage and land held in trust for the life of the plaintiff: mentions John Dennis esq, of Pucklechurch, Somerset, [unknown] Thorpe esq, of Gloucestershire and Richard Berkeley: property in Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire. Nat. Arch., ref. C 6/385/89. 1682.

Symes v Meredith. Plaintiffs: Henry Symes. Defendants: John Meredith, Thomas Symes, John Symes, Edward Symes, Henry Symes, Charles Symes and others. Subject: property in Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire. Nat. Arch., ref. C 6/240/33. 1680.

1.1.1. Thomas Symes, 1600-1682. m. Amy Bridges, dau. of Edward Bridges, and Philippa, dau. of Sir George Speke. His father’s Will abstract records that he was the br. of Henry and John Symes, d.v.p., the latter being the father of William Symes and Thomas Symes Jr., evidenced here: Symes v Horner. Plaintiffs: Thomas Symes and Merrill Symes his wife. Defendants: Samuel Horner and Philip Horner. Subject: property in Mells, Somerset. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 5/64/111 1672).

Thomas Symes held property in Winterbourne, Gloucestershire. Thomas Symes is recorded here: Symes v Symes. Document type: Bill and two answers. Plaintiffs: Edmund Symes, esq of Poles Down, Surrey (a younger son of Thomas Symes, esq deceased late of Winterbourne, Gloucestershire) Henry Symes (another son of said Thomas Symes) William Symes (son and executor of Charles Symes, clerk deceased late Compton Martin, another son of said Thomas Symes) Samuel Parry (Perry) and Elizabeth Parry his wife (a daughter and executrix of John Symes late of Montserrat, West Indies) and Mary Symes of London (widow and executrix of William Symes, another son of said Thomas Symes). Defendants: Merrell Symes, widow, Richard Symes, esq and Symes Symes. Nat. Arch., ref. C 11/750/12. 1714. Richard Symes was probably a son of Henry Symes.

These Perrys were of Wellington, Somerset. James Perry, of Wellington, yeoman: Wife Frances Perry residuary legatee and executrix. Witnesses: Henry Coleman, Richard Glassock. Pr. by Frances Perry the relict the last of February, 1645–6. (P. C. C. 14 Twisse). ‘Wife Frances Perry all other testator’s lands not else bequeathed for her life, except onehouse and garden lot called Plynner given to testator by Thomasine Pyne‘. The Pynes were cousins of the Symes, as given: William Symes; Will dated 4 June and proved 27 July 1597.

1.1.2. John Symes.
1.1.2.1. William Symes and his cousin, Richard Symes, embarked to Isle of Wight, Virginia. Richard returned to England. William received a land grant in New Kent County, where he settled with his family, dying there in 1726.
1.1.2.1.1. John Sims Sr. m. Mary Rice:

(1. Thomas Rice, of Bristol. He may have been related to George Rice and Richard Rice: PROB 11/260/215. Will of George Rice, Gentleman of Bristol, Gloucestershire, 14 November 1656. PROB 11/152/759. Will of Richard Rice, Woollen Draper of Bristol, Gloucestershire, 30 November 1627. The Bennetts, of Wivelscombe, became merchants of Bristol.
1.1. Thomas Rice Jr., d. 1743, m. Joyce …
1.1.1. David Rice, named in the 1759 Will of Richard Austin as a recipient of land on the North Fork of Sandy River.
1.1.2. Mary Rice, m. John Sims.
1.1.3. Elizabeth Rice, m. Richard Bennett, born 1 May 1709, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., desc. of John Bennett, bapt. 10 July 1624, Wivelscombe, Somerset, first-cousin of Thomas Harris (first-cousin of Governor Bennett), who m. Judith Blake, November 20, 1623, at Wivelscombe).
1.1.2.1.1.1. John Sims, d. 1769, in Granville Co., N.C., m. Sarah Bullock, dau. of Richard Bullock: Richard Bullock and Ann, his wife, of the Province of North Carolina to Thomas Shelton of Louisa Co., 12 pds-10 s. currt. money. 50 acres … sd Bullock’s and Sheltons their corner in John Metlock’s line … pine near the road. /s/ Richard Bullock. Acknowledged before us 25 Apr. 1757; proved by oaths of Tyree Harris, John Matlock and Elizabeth Harris. (D.B. B, pp. 170-172).

In 1745, in Louisa Co., Nathaniel Williams was witness to a deed of Benjamin Harris & his wife Sarah of St Martin’s Par. to Robert Harris of Fredericksville Par. John Matlock’s line is mentioned: Louisa Co. D.B. A, p. 187, 25 Jun 1745: Benjamin Harris and Sarah, his wife, of St. Martin’s Par., Louisa Co., to Robert Harris of Fredericksville Par., Louisa Co. 50 pds currt money. 400 A in Fredericksville Par…land whereon sd. Harris now lives … at head of Rocky branch in Harper Ratclift’s line … Ratclift’s and John Matlock’s line … granted to John Blair of the city of Williamsburg, Esqr., by patent 17 Mar 1736; conveyed to Benjamin Harris by deed at the Capitol, 23 Oct. 1742. /s/ Benja. Harris, Sarah Harris. Wit: Joseph Fox, Jeremiah Glen, Rich. Yancey, Nathl. Williams. 25 June 1745 ack. by Benja. Harris, Sarah, his wife, gave consent.

It can not be stated who these Harris were, despite various claims being made.

1.1.3. Henry Symes.

1.1.3.1. Richard Sims. He is recorded here: Symes v. E. Bristol and another Petition of Richard Symes, Katharine Stokes, widow, John Coggs, citizen and goldsmith of London, and John Blow, Doctor of Music, and Mary Masters, the surviving executors of Roger Hewitt, Gentleman, deceased, creditors by judgment of Sir William Bassett, late of Claverton, co. Somerset, Knt., deceased, on behalf of themselves and such others who shall take the benefit and contribute towards the charges thereof. (Parliamentary Archives, ref. HL/PO/JO/10/6/55/1966. Jan. 1704). Sir William Bassett succeeded Sir George Speke, aforesaid, Richard’s grandfather, as M.P. for Bath.

1.1.3.1.1. Adam Sims. In that Adam Sims does not appear in Virginia records before 1719, but is certainly of the Sims family of Somerset and Antigua, a reasonable suggestion would make him a son of Richard Symes esq, mentioned in Symes v Symes, as given, of familial connected to the Perrys of Montserrat.

This indenture made this seventh day of August in the year of Our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and nineteen, between Francis Coleman, Junr. and Mary his wife of the County of Prince George of the one part and Adam Sims of thesame place on the other part, Witnesseth, that the said Francis Coleman, Junr. and Mary his wife for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings sterling to him in hand paid, by the said Adam Sims, whereof he doth hereby acknowledgereceipt, hath bargained and sold unto the said Adam Sims, etc. … one parcel or tract of land containing one hundred and fifty acres bonded, Viz: Beginning at the lower corner of trees, of the dividend land, whereon John Ledbetter now lives … Signed Sealed and Delivered by Francis and Mary Coleman in the presence of: Robert Munford, Geo. Tillman & Richard Cocke. Adam Symes conveyed the same land to John Ledbetter on the 6 January 1720. Given that Pitminster is only 18 miles from Colyton, Devon, George Tillman may have been of the family of George Tillman esq., of Colyton. The Ledbetter and Tillman families were intermarried.

We have Given granted and Confirmed and by these presents for us our heirs and Successors do give grant and Confirm unto Adam Sims of Brunswick County one Certain Tract or parcell of Land Containing Two hundred and fifty acreslying and being on the South side of Meherrin River in the County of Brunswick aforesaid and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at three Trees chopt Inwards at a Corner of the Land of Mrs. Chapman and William Letbetters thence along the said Chapman’s line South forty one degrees East one hundred and seventy poles to a hiccory thence South twenty six degrees East one hundred and twenty four poles to a hiccory thence South seventy degrees West two hundred poles to Three trees chopt inwards thence North thirty degrees West one hundred and twenty eight poles to a Red Oak thence North thirty one and a half degrees East seventy poles to a pine a Corner Tree of William Letbetters, etc. Witness our Trusty and Wellbeloved Robert Carter ofour said Colony and Dominion at Williamsburg under the Seal of our said Colony the Thirty first day of October One Thousand Seven hundred and Twenty Six in the Thirteenth year of our Rein. Robert Carter.

1.1.1.2.1.1. George Sims, of Brunswick Co.; d. Sept. 1763, m. Martha Walton. He received a grant in Brunswick Co. for four hundred acres of land on 13 August 1743 (B. 21, p. 456). He also bought land from his brother John Sims on 5 November 1747, witnessed by Micajah Perry, a distant cousin. John Sims Jr. of Antigua, was killed at the Battle of Port Mahon, and left a will stating he had no wife or children, and gave his estate to a nephew and Godson, Symes Parry (Perry), son of Samuel Parry, and his wife, Elizabeth, who was a sister to John Symes Jr. (See Symes v. Symes).
1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Adam Sims, m. Elizabeth Walton, dau. of George Walton of Brunswick Co.
George Wallton and Eizabeth Rowe had the following Children:
1. Mary Walton, m. Richard Ledbetter.
2. John Walton, m. Rebecca Roe.
3. Elizabeth Walton, m. Adam Sims Jr.
4. Catherine Walton, m. Nathan Harris. Granville County, Va Wills 13 Apr. 1793: Nathan Harris, wife Catherine Walton Sons: Walton Harris, Nathaniel Harris, Howell Harris, Isaac Harris, Hubbard Harris, David Harris; daus. Jane Williams, Elizabeth Allen, Anna Patrick; grandchild Catherine Coleman. It is commonly supposed that Nathan was the grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Nathan Harris was the brother of West Harris, whose son, West Harris Jr., b. 28 March 1756, d. 26 July 1826, m. Edith Ledbetter.
5. Isaac Rowe Walton, m. Elizabeth Ledbetter.

At best, only a tentative suggestion can be given; that the Thomas Harris who married Alice West in October 1635, in Nunney juxta Mells (possibly kin of the Symes family), was the Thomas Harris who d. in 1677, in Virginia, and was the father of Thomas Harris, bapt. 14 Aug 1636, in Nunney, who died in 1688 in Virginia. Alice West was probably she who was bapt. 16 Sept., in Bath (St Michael), 12 miles from Nunney, and probable dau. of William West, who m. Katharin Pearce, 23 May 1608, in Bath (St Michael). The probable father of Thomas Harris, who m. Alice West, was John Harris, bapt. 17 Feb 1587, in Mells (St Andrew).

This makes sense in the following context:

23 April 1681, D.B. 1, pp. 468-469: George Peirce received 400a on the branches of the Blackwater in Isle of Wight County. Bounds: Mr. Achley’s line, Phillip Rayford, and said Peirce’s land by a former survey. George Peirce and Anne Peirce assigned all right and title to this land to John and Thomas Williams. Witness: Thomas Jones. Acknowledged in open court on 10 October 1681. Anne relinquished her dower right. Deed recorded 10 October 1681. Land Office Patents No. 6, 1666-1679, p. 519: Pearse, 21 Sept 1674, Nansemond Co., VA, 2100 acres by a branch of the Blackwater; adjoining the land of Colo. Pitt. P. 315: Moore, John: Appraisal by Phillip Raiford and George Pierce. D. March 6, 1692. (D.B. 2, p 33). George Pierce was the father of Philip Pierce, father of Nathan Pierce: 23 November 1752, D.B. 9, p. 70: Robert Coggan and his wife Mary Coggan sold 100 acres to John Stephens. Bounds: Mr. Beverly. Signed Robert Coggan and Mary Coggan. Witnesses: Edmund Westray, Jacob Stephens, and Nathan Pearce. Recorded 1 Feb. 1753. John Westray’s Will (23 Dec. 1755 named his wife Anne and six children: sons John, Edmund and Benjamin Westray; daus. Ann Pierce, Martha and Mary Westray. John Westray was the eldest son of William Westwray. He acquired 200 acres from Henry West on 20 May 1722 (adjacent to William Westwray’s land), and land from Robert West, as noted in John’s Will. Thomas Harris, 240 acs., 27 Apr. 1686, p. 511. Adj. Mathew Tomlin; Mrs. Hardy; William Westray; & John Turner. (Nugent).

This branch of Harris were probably closely related to their namesakes of Wivelscombe, kin of the Bennett family, and also intermarried with a family of West.

What was probably witnessed in Virginia was the shared associations of a Harris family of various degrees of cousinship, living within a small circle, centred on Taunton.

The importance of the Bassano, Bennett, Feltham, Hodges, Counsell, Lanier, and Walton families’ connections to St Olave Parish, Southwark, London, seems significant.

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