Nunney, 2 mls from Mells, 20 mls from Wedmore, 24 mls from Over Stowey; 48 mls from Pitminster.

1. Thomas Harrys of Mells, Somerset, England, carpenter, b. 1494.
1.1. John Harrys, witnessed a Will in 1554 concerning Mells, Somerset.
1.1.1. John Harris, d. 1616, m. Alice, d. 1599, in Mells.
1.1.1.1. John Harris, bapt. 17 Feb. 1587, in Mells (St Andrew), m. 1. Grace Haine/Hainie, in 1608, in Mells; 2. Mary Tomlin, 9 Nov. 1620, and was bur. 18 Oct. 1636, in Mells. If this is to be Sergeant John Harris of Virginia, he had remarried shortly after his second marriage, and had returned to England before his death. The connection of a Tomlin family in Virginia to the Fulghams of Pitminster, Somerset, and Virginia (see Matthew Tomlin’s Will, pr. 9 Dec. 1686), and Matthew Tomlin’s son, Matthew, holding land bounded by ‘Thomas Harris’ (d. 1688) Corner Tree’ (B. 2, pp. 570, 571), might lend some credibility to this proposition. Furthermore, if John Harris, as ‘Sergeant’, had a son by Grace Haine, born circa 1609-1612, it is possible that he was apprenticed at the time of his father’s arrival in Virginia, and did not accompany him, and this apprenticeship was in St Olave, Southwark, London, where an influential kinsman, Edward Bennett, of Wivelscombe, Somerset, and Virginia, had established himself. In any deliberation about Sergeant John Harris, a connection to St Olave might be significant, as his land was associated with the Felton and Simmons family of that place. Another point, perhaps worth mentioning, is that if Grace Haine was of the Haine family of Wedmore (see as follows), then a kinship connection to the Council and Hodges families of that place is established. This Council family also held property in St Olave, and were undoubtedly of Virginia, and connected there to Thomas Harris, d. 1688. It can be noted that the port of Southwark was a commercial magnet to which provincial families flocked, eager to exploit trading opportunities to the ‘New World’.
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Alice West, Oct. 1635, in Nunney, d. in Charles City in 1677? 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. Katharine Pearce, 23 May 1608, in Bath (St Michael). At a court held Sept. 13, 1677, administration of the estate of Thomas Harris, deceased, was granted to John Echols and John Hardaway, probable brs.-in-law of the said Thomas Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. 14 Aug. 1636, in Nunney, d. 1688, m., in London, as a second wife, Dorothie Bassano, in 1662, recorded as being aged 26. She was kin of the Lanier and Hynde families of St Olave, the latter family conducting business with Peter Nusam, the scrivenor. It is not necesarilly the case that she was the mother of all his subsequent children.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Edward Harris, Will pr. 25 March 1734; leaving to son Edward land adjoining John Johnson and John Turner; ‘being land which was granted to my father, Thomas Harris’; son Jacob, land on the Flatt Swamp of the Meherrin River; sons Nathan and West Harris, the land granted me on the north side of Warwick Branch; son Daniel, dau. Martha Williamson: son James; wife Mary. Executor, son Nathan Harris. (B. 3, p. 391).
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Nathan Harris, m. Catherine Walton, dau. of George Walton, who was probably of the Walton family of Rappahanock, who emigrated to Virginia from St Olave.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Walton Harris, m. Rebecca Lanier.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Robert Harris, m. Anne Fulgham, dau. of Michael Fulgham, whose Will, of 17 Feb. 1690, named dau. Ann Harris, and was witnessed by James Benn, of St Olave, a business partner of Michael Fulgham. Susannah Fulgham, Anne’s sister, m. Hardy Council, son of Hodges Council and Lucy Hardy, in 1705.
1.1.1.1.1.1.3. Thomas Harris. In order for the above construction to be credible, it would have to be this Thomas Harris, who, on 3 March 1690, petitioned that John Echols be summoned to the next court, perhaps to claim against the surviving executor of his grandfather’s estate.
1.1.1.1.2. John Harris, bapt. 1640, in Nunney, m. Margaret Beard, 1664, in Nunney, dau. of Roger Beard and Mary Newport, m. 15 Aug. 1640, in Nunney.
1.1.1.1.3. Roger Harris, bapt. 3 Jun. 1642, in Nunney, m. Ann Slade, 20 May 1669, in Nunney.
1.1.1.1.4. Katherine Harris, bapt. 27 Jun. 1643, in Nunney.
1.1.1.1.5. Ann Harris, bapt. 21 Oct 1646, in Nunney, m. Robert Millard (of Wedmore, see as follows), May 1667, in Nunney.

1.1.1.2. Elizabeth Harris, bapt. 25 Oct 1590, in Mells, m. George Hill, 27 Jan. 1620, in Mells.
1.1.1.2.1. (I fairly suppose) Nicholas Hill, who, on 30 Sept 1664, patented 750 acres in the Upper Parish, part of the estate of the aforementioned Edward Bennett. Thomas Harris. Leg.-son Thomas; son John; land in Corotoman in Lancaster County to son Thomas; Wife Alice; daughter Mary. Major Nicholas Hill and John Jennings overseers. Proved 10 June 1672. Francis Hobbs. Leg.- Alice Davis; cousin John Davis; cousin Margaret Harris the daughter of John Harris. Ex., brother John Harris. Proved 9 June 1688.

1.1.1.3. Ann Harris, bapt. 29 Apr. 1593, in Mells, m. William Clarke 3 June 1616, in Mells.
1.1.1.4. Joane Harris, bapt. 6 Nov. 1597, in Mells, m. Richard Williams, 4 June 1627, in Mells.
1.1.1.5. Thomas Harris, bapt. 24 Mar 1599, in Mells.
1.1.1.6. William Harris, bapt. 3 Oct. 1602, in Mells.
1.1.1.6.1. William Harris, bapt. 12 January 1638, in Mells.

1.1.2. William Harris, m. Dorothy West, Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe, Somerset.
1.1.2.1. John Harris, m. Lucy Sealy (Sully), w., 24 June 1583, in Over Stowey, 12 miles from Wivelscombe. Lucy was the probable sister of Mary Sealy, who m. Andrew Crosse, of a family that was central to this kinship group, 20 Nov. 1580, at Over Stowey.

Two other families of ‘binding’ importance were those of Mason and Vowle: Henry Mason m. Margory Bennett, on 27 April 1584, in Over stowey, and she was probably of the Wivelscombe Bennetts, as follow. On 21 Nov. 1631, Susanna Vowle m. William Butcher in Over Stowey. In Virginia, on 13 Sept. 1644, Captain John Upton and Margaret his wife sold land to John Mason. The Mason family of Over Stowey were kin of the Bishops of that place: Elizabeth Mason m. Robert Byshoppe, 18 Nov. 1632 (Church of St Peter and Paul). Margaret Upton conveyed land to John Butcher, on 3 Feb. 1651. On 12 June 1657, ‘Mr William Edwards has order from Govre. to patente certaine marsh and wood land formerly granted to James Mason & John Bishopp & by them deserted’ (Foley, Early Virginia Families Along the James River, p. 86, 1974).

Captain John Upton was associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672, in Virginia: ‘To all Christian People to whom this present deed shall come to be seen I Thomas Harris of Chipoaks in the County of Surry have sold to Christopher Ben all the Lands at the Head of Pagan Creek purchased by me of Mr William Batte and of Mrs Margaret Upton relict of Lieut. Col. John Upton. In Witness whereof I the said Thomas Harris have hereunto set my my Hand & Seal this last Day of February Anno Dom. 1657, in the presence of John Brewer, Thomas Taberer, and Thos. Jones. These present further Witnesseth that I Eleanor the Wife of the above Thomas Harris do hereby give my free consent unto the Sale of the abovementioned premises. (précis of deed, IOW Record of Wills, Deeds, etc., vol. 1, pp. 569, 586-87). Eleanor Harris was Eleanor George, first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Thomas Taberer was the father-in-law of John Newman, who m. Ruth Taberer, and John Newman was the future brother-in- law of Thomas Harris, who m. 2. Alice Newman, sister of John Newman Jr. and dau. of John Newman Sr.

Thomas Taberer’s dau., Mary, was the wife of William Webb, d. 1712, IOW., grandson of Stephen Webb: Stephen Webb, 250 acs. James City Co., March. 2, 1638, p. 623. Near head of Sunken Marsh, E. upon William Nusam. For the per. adv. of himself
& wife Clare Webb, his son Robert & trans, of William Briggs, and Eliza Morris. This patent renewed & another patent dated Sept. 18, 1636 put unto it & 100 acs. more added to them.

The Mason and Vowle families were mostly of Wedmore, where they were kin of various families, including that of Webb, as given in the parish register:

William Webb & Joan Hickman, 11 Jan. 1590.
Joan Counsell & William Frie, 7 Jun. 1602.
Roger Morris & Joan Frie, 16 Apr. 1604.
John Harris & Penelopie Millard, 9 Sept. 1611.
Mary Kirby & William Counsell, 27 Jan. 1615.
Maude Mason & William Counsell, 3 Oct. 1622.
John Webb & Amy Marten, 10 Nov. 1610.
Agnes Millard & Thomas Webb, 22 Feb. 1611.
Thomas Vowle & Maudlin Morris, 27 Jan. 1613.
Thomas Webb & Mary Hayward, 13 Jan. 1617.
George Harris & Joana Webb, 28 Apr. 1623. He was probably the son of George Harris, bapt. Over Stowey, 17 June 1569, at Over Stowey, who settled in Wedmore.
Mary Webb & Richard Coome, 22 Sept. 1625.
Grace Webb & William Teeke, 26 Oct. 1625.
Margaret Webb & Thomas Lane, 24 Apr. 1626.
Lewis Webb & Thomasin Heath, 6 Mar. 1627.
Grace Pitt & John Haine, 17 Jun. 1633.
Susan Frie & John Haine, 5 Jun. 1634.
Susan Lancaster & William Hodges, 5 Apr. 1638.
Jane Counsell & John Lancaster, 21 Oct. 1647.
Mary Harris & Thomas Haine, 13 Oct. 1655.
William Harris & Anstice Kirby, 20 Jun. 1660.
Robert Thatcher & Alice Webb, 9 Aug. 1660.

As I have mentioned elsewhere, Wedmore was a village of perhaps 300 houses, where most people were close degrees of cousin.

1.1.2. Richard Harris, m. Elianor Bennett, sister of Edward Bennett, at Wivelscombe. Edward Bennett, bapt. 2 Feb. 1577, in Wivelscombe; later of of St Olave, Southwark, London, and Lawn’s Creek, Virginia. His dau. Alice Bennett, bapt. in St Olave, m. John Hardy; their dau., Lucy Hardy, m. Hodges Council. Elianor Bennett and Edward Bennett were siblings of Thomas Bennett, d. 1616, at Wivelscombe, father of:

(1) … Bennett, who m. Richard Jackson, who patented 450 acres in IOW adj, to Justinian Cooper. Their dau., Mary Jackson, m. Capt. George Hardy, who patented 500 acres on July 17, 1648 ‘lying on east side of Lawne’s Creek extending to main river and along the great river to the creek dividing the same from land of Alice Bennett’.

George Hardy was an appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.

(2) Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1710, who lived at Blackwater, in the vicinity of the plantation of Justinian Cooper. In 1669, Thomas Wood, son of Arthur Wood and Sarah Wooten, his mother, ‘relict of Arthur deceased’, deeded him land as ‘Richard Bennett of Blackwater’. In 1666, Colonel Arthur Smith made a deed to land at ‘Blackwater’ inherited by his wife, Sarah Jackson, from her ‘grandmother Alice Bennett’. Richard Bennett’s first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Mr. Charles Barham Ex., Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Thomas Tuke overseers, were officers of the will of William Ridley, who was probably the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife.

Richard Bennett’s son, James Bennett, witnessed the Will of Joseph Bridger. Prob. Apr. 9, 1685: ‘Son: William land granted to me by escheat of 850 acres formerly belonging to Nathan Floyd, except what is disposed of by me to Francis Hobbs, Mrs. Dorothy Bond, and William Blount. Francis Hobbs was the br. of Margaret Hobbs, first wife of John Harris, son of Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and first wife, Eleanor George.

1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, 20 Nov. 1623, at Wivelscombe. (St Andrew).
1.1.1.2.1.1. John Harris bapt. 18 Feb. 1624,at Wiveliscombe, d. 1687, Virginia.
1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of 2nd husband Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1710. Robert Lancaster Sr. and Nicholas Sessums appraised the estate of Henry Baker, 27 April 1701. Nicholas Sessums emigrated from Bristol, the West country Port in which the Bennetts of Wivelscombe became established. He probably m. 1. Hannah Culmer, the widow of Robert Lane and dau. of Thomas Culmer. Nicholas Sessoms had issue: 1. Thomas, who named one of his sons Culmer. 2. Mary, d. 1742, m. (1704) William Blake, as shown here: ‘Nicholas Sessums of Lawnes Creek Parish, to his daughter, Mary Blake the wife of William Blake of the same, for Love and Affection’ (D.B. 5, p. 302. Recorded 2 May 1704). Thomas Sessums was the father Nicholas Sessums, whose dau., Ivy Sessums, m. John Parker, of Edgecombe Co. John Parker witnessed a deed from Osborne Jeffreys to Nicholas Sessums, dated oct. 2, 1744. Osborn Jeffrey’s owned land next to John Green, husband of Sabra Lee, dau. of John Lee and Mary Bryan, dau. of William Bryan.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1.1.1.3. Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.1.3. George Harris, bapt. 17 June 1569, in Over Stowey.
1.1.3.1. George Harris & Joana Webb, 28 Apr. 1623 (Wedmore).
1.1.4. William Harris.
1.1.4.1. Richard Harris, bapt 28 Jan. 1595, at Wivelscombe.
1.1.4.1.1. William Harris, bapt. 9 Dec. 1627, at Nunney.

Although these may seem unconnected threads, considering that the Fulghams of Pitminster, Somerset, England, and Virginia, were intermarried with the merchant family of Green of London, and that the Bennett family was associated with St Olave, Hart Street, Southwark, London, a common strand may be suggested: Henry Sisson (Sessum), Merchant Taylor, of St Olave, Hart Street, m. (14 May 1609) at St Clement Eastcheap. He was probably the father of John Sisson, of St Olave, b. 1643, who m. Ann Green, 19 Dec. 1667. John Bond, a headright of Henry Catelyn, in 1643 (son of William Bond, born 5 Jan. 1583, in Pitminster, neighbour of the Fulghams), assigned 760 acs. on N. side of Rappa. Riv. in Corotoman Riv., to Jno Meredith, excepting 160 acres which belongs to Elizabeth Hutchins, wife of Wm. Hutchins. (Lancaster Co., Court Orders. Recorded 5 Jan. 1656). Elizabeth Hutchins was the dau. of Virginia merchant John Greene of St Giles Cripplegate, London, and the sister of John Greene, also a Virginia merchant. She was also the niece of Virginia merchant Robert Greene (br. of John Greene), and the first-cousin of Martha Greene, dau. of Robert, wife of Anthony Fulgham.

The will of John Bond, dated 16 Jan. 1669, named overseer Lt. Arthur Smith, and was witnessed by John Bennett, son of the aforesaid Edward Bennett, of Wivelscombe, St Olave, and Virginia, who had m. Mary Bourne, dau. of Jasper Bourne of Wells, Somerset (and Elizabeth Norwood, of Stanmore Magna, Middlesex), whose will, dated 1 Feb. 1635, was probated by John Bennett of London, Merchant. Brown’s Somerset Wills, 5th Series, p. 77: ‘Wife Joan. Son, John Bennett of London, merchant, stands bound unto my nephew, Richard Bourne of Lincoln’s End, £100. To grandchildren of my daughter, Elizabeth Bennett, pictures of my late brothers William and Thomas Bourne. Daughter Sylvester, wife of William Hutchinson, Clerke. Grandson, Jasper Fell, son of Henry Fell, late of Hampstead, Middlesex, Gent. Daughter Mary, wife of Edward Bennett merchant. Children of Bennett and Hutchinson. Cosen John Coyne, the Elder of North Petherton, Somerset. Wife’s grandson, John Norwood of London. Wife’s daughter, Elizabeth Ireland, alias Norwood. Sister Jane Bourne, late wife of Roger Bourne of Wells, Somerset, my brother. deceased. My niece, Mrs. Elizabeth Bishop, wife of Thomas Bishop of Minehead. My niece, Susan, wife of Mr. John Cross, M. D., Dec. My son, John Bennett, residuary legatee and executor’. I take it that people commonly given as Jasper Bourne’s sons were, in fact, nephews, to whit: (1) Thomas Bourne, who emigrated to Virginia in 1638, as head right of John Moone, gent., who used it for a patent of 400 ac., dated 2 Nov, 1638. He had m. Susan Harvey, on 17 oct. 1619, at St Giles, Cripplegate, London. Their son, Thomas Bourne, m. (in 1662) a cousin, Mary Bennett, who d. bef. 22 Oct. 1706, in Nansemond. (2) Robert Bourne, the emigrant to Virginia in 1626, where he held 250 ac. in Charles City; other holders being George Cawcott (100 ac.) and Sergeant John Harris (200 ac.). He d. bef. 7 Mar. 1660 in York Co. Jasper Bourne was the son of Richard Bourne, of Wivelscombe.

Edward Bennett’s children:

1. Susan, bapt. 1627 (St Olave)
2. Elizabeth, bapt. 31 May 1629 (St Olave)
3. Silvestra, bapt. 25 Oct. 1630 (St Olave)
4. John, bapt. 17 Feb. 1632 (St Olave)
5. Mary, bapt. 1633 (St Olave)
6. Ann, bapt. 13 March 1634 (St Olave)
7. Jasper, bapt. 3 July 1635 (St Olave)

1.1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1.1.1.3. Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.1.3. George Harris …
1.1.3.1. George Harris & Joana Webb, 28 Apr. 1623 (Wedmore).
1.1.4. William Harris.
1.1.4.1. Richard Harris, bapt 28 Jan. 1595, at Wivelscombe.
1.
1.1. Alice Blake, m. … Cabull (Cable).
1.2. Humphrey Blake settled in Over Stowey, d. 1558
1.2.1. JOHN Blake, bur. 10 Dec. 1576, in Over Stowey. Will proved, 25 Jan. 1577.
1.2.1.1. Humphrey Blake, Clothier, bur. 1619, in Over Stowey church, m. (1578) Agnes James.
1.2.1.2. William Blake, bur. 1642 in Pitminster (abode of the Fulgham family of virginia).
1.2.1.2.1. William Blake, 1594-1663,the emigrant, of Dorchester, Mass., born in Pitminster. He was granted land in Dorchester on 14 May 1636.
1.2.1.3. Richard Blake of Stogumber, Somerset (abode of the Owsley family of Virginia), born 1562, m. (2) Grace Napcott, 29 May 1589, in Over Stowey.
1.2.1.4. Robert Blake, 1566-1626, m. Eleanor Browne, of Taunton.
1.2.1.4.1. (probably) Judith Blake, m. Thomas Harris, 20 Nov. 1623, at Wivelscombe, son of Richard Harris and Elianor Bennett, son of William Harris and Dorothy West, who m. on 31 Aug. 1562, at Wivelscombe. William Harris was the probable br. of Anstis Harris, who m. Robert wolcott, 8 Sept. 1569, in Wivelscombe, who was most likely related to his namesakes of Wivelscombe: Anne Wolcott, who m. Stephen Teeke, 30 Nov. 1583. Edward Wolcott, who m. Molly Crosse, 20 Oct 1594. Agnes wolcott, who m. John Thompson, 10 Jul. 1605. William Wolcott, who m. Marie Barrow, 11 Jan 1605. Robert Wolcott, who m. Mary Storey, 25 Jan 1606.
1.2.1.4.1.1. John Harris, bapt. 18 Feb 1624, at Wivelscombe, d. 1687, in Virginia.
1.2.1.4.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, in Virginia.
1.2.1.4.1.3. Edward Harris, d. 1677, in Virginia.
1.2.1.5. Alice Blake, b. 1569, m. James Richards.
1.2.1.6. Ann Blake, m. Thomas Saunders, d. 1609
1.2.1.6.1. Elizabeth Saunders, m. Henry Wolcott, son of John Wolcott (d. 1623), miller, of Tolland, who m., in 1579, Agnes Crosse
1.2.2. Alice Blake, m. George Slocombe.
1.2.3. Thomas Blake, of Wedmore, d. 1580.

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, m., 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, m.. 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, m. Hardy Council, son of Hodges Council Jr. and Lucy Hardy, in 1705.

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