One of the great difficulties in tracing ancestries with the commercial hub of 17th century Southwark is seperating the components of ‘blood’ from ‘money’, that is, people who shared a surname and not ancestry would often be associated with the same merchants, falsely leading to suppositions of kinship.

These brief notes attempt to seperate these components, leaving a bare outline of a Harris family and their kin, who, by the principle of ‘continuation of association’, the principle feature of the English kinship system, were almost certainly they to be found in Hanover County, Virginia.

They are a seperate strand of Harris from those emanating from the marshes of Somerset or the rolling hills of Shropshire. There was no single family of Harris. This myth was passed down the generations as a cherished family heirloom, and is understabably difficult to part with, although of absolutely no value.

Those interested in this particular family might wish to persue any links between such as the Garretts and Peakes.

Where I have used the term ‘likely to be related’ and such like, an accuracy can be suggested, as the families covered were not numerous within St Olave.

St Olave or St Olave’s, Hart Street, Southwark,is one of the few surviving medieval 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, May 15, 1554, while she was still Princess Elizabeth, to celebrate her release from the Tower of London.

1. Roberte Harris, bur. 22 Mar. 1626 (in the margin “chancel”) m. Margarite Haynes, 15 May 1570, likely to be related to Katherin Haynes, who m. Richard Ballarde, 18 Nov. 1577. To be buried in the chancel implies a high degree of status.
1.1. John Harris.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. 26 Dec. 1597, ‘f John’.
1.1.2. Emma Harris, m. John Webb, 9 Feb. 1614. Anthonie Webb, who m. Susan Garrett, 25 Oct. 1604, very likely related to John Garrett, who m. Katharine Revell, 14 Nov 1626. Anthonie Webb was very likely related to Martha Webb, who m. Thomas Peake, 15 Nov. 1660, and Thomas Webb, who m. Sarah Thomas, 19 May 1667. She was likely to be related to Richard Thomas, who m. Elizabeth Bathurst, Oct. 1654, the equally likely parents of Francis Thomas, who m. Catherine …, parents of James Thomas, bapt. 5 Aug 1692.
1.1.3. Edward Harris, bur. 11 Jan. 1635 (in the margin “church”), m. Elizabeth …
1.1.3.1. Elizabeth Harris, bapt. 22 Dec. 1635.
1.2. William Harris, bur. 17 Apr. 1634 (in the margin “Churcheyarde”), m. Elizabeth Stanlie, 20 Feb. 1602. She was probably related to the William Stanley, who was a defendant in the case of Garland v. Stanley, regarding ‘money matters’, in London, in 1647). The same families were also involved in the case of Mary Garlande widow v. William Stanley and others in 1651, also concerning ‘money matters’ (Nat. Arch., ref. C 5/2/38). ‘William Garland, brewer’ who was the overseer of the Will of ‘Nicholas Hicks of St Saviour, yeoman’, proved January 21, 1603, in which he named Elizabeth Hickes his wife; George Hicks his brother; Katherine his sister, wife of Robert Willson, dwelling at Elmley Castle in Worcestershire; Audrey, his wife’s sister, the likely husband of William Garland (TNA, Prob.11/103, ff.58v-59r.).
1.2.1. Robert Harris, m. Margaret Garland, 8 April 1627.
1.2.1.1. John Harrris, m. Margaret Keene, July 1654.
1.2.2. William Harris, Elizabeth Arnell (Arnold), May 25, 1643.
1.2.2.1. John Harris, m. Hester Hankin, 26 Jan. 1664.
1.2.2.1.1. ‘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).
1.2.2.1.1.1. ‘William Harris, Junr., m. Temperance Overton: ‘1500 acres, New Land, Hanover Co., adj. Mrs. Arnold and George Woodroof’s lines; on Overton’s fork of Elk Creek. April 11, 1732. (Nugent, C&P, vol. iii., p. 303, April 11, 1732).

William Harris Jr. was ‘Captain William Harris‘, and ‘William Harris, Gent., 76 acs. (NL), Hanover Co; beg. at James Glen’s corner; to N. side the Little River; on the Newmarket line; 24 Mar. 1725, 10 Shill.’ (ibid. p. 414). 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’ (ibid. p. 389). Hanover County, 1706-1786, Vestry Book of St. Paul’s Parish (VBSPP), p. 107. At a Vestry being appointed at ye upper Church ye 7th of April 1724 being Easter Tuesday there was present: ‘Capt Peter Garland; Mr. John Anderson; Capt. William Harris; Mr. John White; Mr. Joseph Baughon; Mr. Jas. Overton – Church Warden. Register’d Jno Fitsgerrald Clk Vestry’. VBSPP, p. 116: At a Vestry held Lower Church in Saint Pauls Parish, January the Second 1726 – ‘Thomas Anderson and Charles Hudson were elected and appoint’d Vestry men in room of William Harris & James Overton having both first Subscribed the Test’. William Harris was the probable son-in-law of James Overton.
1.2.2.1.1.1.1. ‘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 (See Griffiths, pp. 309-11). 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 daughter, or niece.
1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1. Robert Harris and wife Lemenda, to Stephan Ragland, October 16, 1742, 60lbs for 230 acres. Robert Harris late of Hanover County Virgina, now of Bertie, land on Roanoak River adj. to Ragland at Turbevills Run. Witn. P. Smith, Nathaneil Hill, Jn., Arnold Brown, May court 1741.
1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Lemander Harris married Ephraim Hampton, the son of Andrew Hampton. Taxables for Granville Co, NC. 1754: Andrew Hampton and son, Ephraim. 1764: Andrew Hampton, sons John, Joseph, Ezekiel, and Ephraim. They were all taken by Robert Harris. Ezekiel Hampton was the father of Bridget Hampton, who married William Gutridge Garland. There issue included: 1. John William Garland, born September 4, 1785, in Washington Co., TN; died October 24, 1863,in Mitchell Co., NC; who married Rebecca Stanley, born January 27, 1795. 2. Bridget Garland, who married Swinfield Stanley, born 1797, died 1866. 3. Samuel Gutridge Garland, born 1795, died 1873, in Limestone Cove, Carter Co. (now Unicoi Co.) TN., who married Mary Stanley, born 1803, died 1878. 4. Telithia Garland, born May 22, 1798, died April 17, 1881, who married William Stanley, born February 17, 1798, died March 29, 1883.
1.2.2.1.1.1.2. Jemima Harris, m. William Overton, son of James Overton.
1.2.2.1.1.1.3. Robert Harris, m. Mourning Glenn (Will pr. 1776, Albemarle County; John Rodes and William Shelton, executors). She was probably the daughter of James Glenn. Book A, p. 486, November 27, 1752: ‘I, Robert Harris of Fredericksville Par., Louisa Co. For natural love and affection to my son-in-law, Willaim Shelton of afsd. Par. two mulatto slaves called Sherwood and Moses. Sig. Robert Harris. wit. Tyree Harris, Ben. Brown, Jr., Robert Wilson’.
1.2.2.1.1.1.3.1. Christopher Harris. VBSPP, p. 266: ‘The lands of Edw’d. Garland, Jas. Overton, Xpher. Harris, Jno. Glenn, Sam’l. Reynolds, Henry Farmer, Rob’t. Jennings & Abra. Venable being one precinct of which Edw’d. Garland and Jas. Overton were Overseers who made this return, the within Order executed in presence of James Glenn, Sam’l Reynolds, Abra. Venable, Henry Farmer, Mr. Robt. Jennings did not appear for his Land and Sam’l. Reynolds is all in one pattent and no Division’.

Addenda

1. ‘John Overton, of S’ Sepulchre’s, Lond., Stationer, Widr, ab’ 35, & Sara Garrett, of S’ Olave’s, Southwark, Spr, ab’ 28, alleged by John Garrett, of St Olave’s afs, Printer’, 1676. He was a likely close relative of the William Overton who married Elizabeth Waters, daughter of Samuel and Anne Waters, of St. Sepulchre, London, and sister of John Waters, who bought land from William Thornton, whose family were of St Olave’s. John Overton purchased pints from Stent that had been in the possession of William Peake (d.1639); brother of Sir Robert Peake (1592–1667), printseller, who died in 1667, and was buried in St. Sepulchre’s Church, London. As ‘Robert Peake goldsmith‘, he is entered in a subsidy roll for the Holborn Cross Precinct of St Sepulchre’s parish of 1641. The Will of Sir Robert Peake, citizen and Goldsmith of London, proved, London, July 26, 1667, bequeathed to to ‘my cousin and sometime servant, George Lyddall, of Virginia, gentleman, £300. George Lydall’s son, John Lyddall, patented land with William Overton, their properties adjoining, in New Kent. John Overton died in 1713. His will, signed in 1711, shows that he, his wife, and two of their children (Henry and Sarah), were all living in the White Horse. His bequests amounted to over £1,500 – a very large sum – and included capital sums to two other sons, Philip and James, to enable them to set up in trade; a fourth son Thomas had last been heard of in America in 1702.
1.1. James Overton, son of John Overton, the printer, was likely to be Captain James Overton. The fictitious birth and marriage records relating to the early Overtons of St Peters/St Pauls parish, Hanover, can be left without comment. Temperance Overton, on chronological grounds, was most likely a daughter or niece of James Overton. She married William Harris, descended from the Harris family of St Olave,Southwark, London.

1. Robert Peake, the Elder (c. 1551–1619).
1.1. William Peake (c. 1580–1639), painter and printseller, freeman of the Goldsmiths. William Webb (active 1628-45), print publisher, re-issued some sets of half-length women: the Four Complexions, the Seven Deadly Sins, and the Seven Liberal Arts (24). The first of these went to William Peake (d.1639); the last to Stent, and from Stent to John Overton, aforsaid (‘of S’ Sepulchre’s, Lond., Stationer’). John Overton’s father-in-law, James Garrett, would have known his fellow parishioner and printseller, Robert Peake.
1.2. Sir Robert Peake (1592–1667), died in 1667, and was buried in St. Sepulchre’s Church

1. Thomas Thornton. He is named in the Will of Sir Ambrose Nicholas Kt. Citizen and Alderman (Nat. Arch. ref. C 5/377/207), touching the ‘disposition of his twelve small tenements in Mugwell Street, St. Olave within Crepulgate, one named occupant being Richard Overton, Gent.
1.1. John Thornton, married (1614), Mary Ann Deddum (Dedman), in St. Olave, Hart Street.
1.1.1. William Thornton: he sold 600 ac. of land (‘the dower my wife Elizabeth’) to John Waters (Rappa. D.B. 6, p. 83, Nov. 4, 1679), son of Samuel and Anne Waters, of St. Sepulchre, London, and brother of Elizabeth (Waters) Overton.
1.1.1.1.Francis Thornton, m. (April 13, 1674), Alice Savage, daughter of Anthony Savage.
1.1.1.1.1. Francis Thornton; he bequested in his Will, dated 9 September 9, 1714, ‘To son John, the land lying on the branch of the Naull and Massaponax Rivers, about seven hundred and fifty acres, and two lots in Fredericksburg’. William Hampton, wool merchant, of London, was born May 28, 1592. He shipped wool from Virginia to his brother, Laurence Hampton, of London, a merchant tailor, who was the father of Thomas Hampton, whose Will (February 8, 1689), was witnessed by John Thornton (Boddie, p. 603).

copyright m stanhope 2016