The Hodges and Lancasters were wealthy and armigerous families, and the aim of their tenants was an intermarriage with them. A route to this would be to intermarry with such as the Counsells. The Harris family were yeomen tenants of the Hodges, in Wedmore, and the Lancasters (and/or Hodges), in nearby Cheddar. They would have been cattle farmers, who lived in a swampy, misty place. The Counsells were tenants of the Hodges. In the chancel of St Mary, Wedmore, against the north wall is a small stone monument commemorating George Hodges, Esq. On a grave stone in the nave floor: ‘To the pious memory of William Counsel, of East-Stoughton in the parish of Wedmore, who died June 4, 1671’. It was a mark of some status to be buried within the church.

COUNCIL. The standard parish register entry reads Cowncell, and in the majority of deeds, Counsell.
1.
1.1. William Counsell.
1.1.1. George Counsell, bapt. 15 July 1584, m. 2 July 1607, Margery Wyke. The relationship betw. Margery Wyke and Edward Wiche, who m. Sara Chapman, 9 Feb. 1640, in Bridgwater (St Mary), 16 mls fr. Wedmore, can not be known. As I have noted elsewhere, Edward Wiche was the ancestor of Abigail Wyche, who m. George Brewer (4 March 1734), son of George Brewer and Sarah Lanier, half-sister of Sampson Lanier Sr., who m. Elizabeth Washington; their son, Thomas Lanier, m. Anne Maclin, dau. of William Maclin Sr. and Katherine Brewer.
1.2. John Cownsell, m. (1) Margaret Browninge, 28 April 1567; (2) Joan Thurston, 13 Aug. 1573, relict of Thomas Hayne, m. 24 May 1565.
1.2.1. Richard Cownsell, bapt. 4 Apr. 1568 (of Westham, parish of Wedmore). PROB 11/104/18, 4 May 1604.
1.2.2. John Counsell, bapt. 25 Dec. 1569. Francis & Blanche James to John Counsell, lease. Somerset Heritage Centre (S.H.C.), ref. DD\GB/83/1. 1613.
1.2.2.1. Alice Cownsell, bapt. 18 Feb. 1588, m. Thomas Huchens, 14 Oct. 1605.
1.3.1. John Cownsell, bapt. 28 Jan. 1599.
1.3.2. Richard Cownsell, bapt. Feb. 2. 1601.
1.3.3. William Cownsell, bapt. 28 Jan. 1604. (Westham). Counsell v Tibbett. Plaintiffs: Matilda Counsell widow and Elizabeth Norvell spinster. Defendants: Benjamin Tibbett, Magdalen Tibbett his wife and John Hellier. Subject: property in Barrow, Somerset, nr. Wedmore. (Nat. Arch. (N.A.) ref. C 6/110/17. 1650).

1.4. John Cownsell, bapt. 1573.
1.4.1. John Cownsell, bapt 28 Nov. 1601, ‘f. Joannis Counsell’, m. Mary Coomer, 26 Nov 1631; the sister of Agnes Coomer, who m. John Harris in the adj. parish of Cheddar, 4. Feb. 1635. Their granddau. m. a member of the Hix family, stewards of the Lancasters. The vastly intertwined nature of family associations is evidenced through the Coomers. Mary and Agnes Coomer were daughters of a John Coomer, sisters of John Coomer, and aunt of his issue: John Coomer (father of another John), William Coomer Sr., Thomas Coomer, and Mary Coomer, who m. John Gardner, 24 Oct. 1664, in Cheddar; br. of Joel Gardner, father of Jane Gardner, who m. James Counsell, likely br. of Hodges Counsell, 12 Jun. 1682, in Cheddar. (See Presentments of churchwardens, etc. Cheddar (Peculiar, etc.). 1662-1701. Marriage Bond: James Counsell of Burrington, husbandman, and Jane Gardner, daughter of Joel Gardner of Cheddar. (S.H.C./ DD\SAS/C795/PR/150).

Jane Gardner was the sister of Elizabeth Gardner, who m. George Tibbits, May 1678, in Cheddar, sister of Hester Tibbits, who m. Thomas Harris, 24 Apr. 1679, in Cheddar; this Thomas I presume to be a son of the aforesaid John Harris and Mary Coomer. The Tibbets were not insubstantial; George Tibbits Jr. leased land from Thomas and Mary Tillam (the relict of William Rose), 28 Oct. 1728 (S.H.C./DD\WCL/33(a). George Tibbits Sr. was the br. of Henry and John, who leased the same land from Mary Rose, da. of John Lancaster, lord of the manor (S.H.C./DD\WCL/20). William and Mary Rose also leased land to John Coomer, the third so mentioned above, 15 Dec. 1698 (S.H.C./DD\WCL/13a). The Tibbit brs. were the sons of John Tibbit, who was admitted to the manor of Cheddar, 14 Nov. 1671, at the manorial court of Edward Lancaster, father of John, receiving ‘for their lives in survivorship of the cottage of Old Auster and stable and orchard adjourning in Dolebridge Street in Cheddar’. (S.H.C./DD\WCL/5). The da. of Mary Lancaster/Rose/Tillam, Mary Tillam, leased to ‘George Marshall of Chedder yeoman … a pasture commonly called Violetts containing 3 acres within the mannor and parish of Cheddar … ‘heretofore in the tenure of Thomas Comer deceased’. (S.H.C./DD\WCL/37). Mary Tillam also leased to William Counsell, yeoman (probable nephew of Hodges Counsell, ‘all that ½-acre of Arrable land lying at a place called Innock’, 20 Jan. 1720. (S.H.C./DD\WCL/25). The Gardners were intermarried with the Marshalls, Elizabeth Gardner m. William Marshall, 21 Dec 1696.

Will of John Comer of Cheddar, yeoman. 24 Jan 1716. Bequeathing (a) to his son, John Comer, all that tenement late Adams, all his ground at Cowhams in Chedder, 2 acres of pasture, late Roses, lying at Holwell in Chedder; (b) to his daughter, Sarah Comer, all his ground at Locking and £150 to be paid to her within half-a-year of his decease; (c) to his daughter, Anne Comer, all his ground at Loxton, and £150 to be paid with half-a-year of his decease on her delivering up to her brothers a Bond she has and forgiving what interest there may be due on it; (d) to his son, James Comer, all his Leaseholds, i.e. late Jefferys of Chesbrook and 2 acres of arrable ground in the Common feild late Roses in Cheddar; and all the rest of his mortgages, goods and chattles not before mentioned and given, he gives to his sons James and John Comer equally between them. Probate granted 20 Oct. 1722. (S.H.C./DD\WCL/23a).

I have laboured these details so as to evidence the kinship nature of the associations of Virginia colonists, who were as much subject to events in England as those in England were subject to events in Virginia. A ‘good’ marriage in one place reverberated to the other. Colonists and English kin were seperated by an ocean; only a slowing of cause and effect. Many colonists intended to return to England, having made their fortune, migration being a temporary expedient. It is such considerations, surely, that are pertinent to understanding colonisation as a social enterprise, as a part of a method of promoting the interests of families through their kinship connections; as part of the method of genealogical enquiry.

1.4.2. Johanna Cownsell, bapt. 28 Nov. 1601 (twin), m. (1) Philip Lawrence, 20 Aug. 1618, (2) John Chapman, 26 April 1624.
1.4.2. Edward Cownsell, bapt. 6 June 1609.
1.4.3. William Cownsell, bapt. 5 Aug. 1610, m. Mary Hayne.
1.4.4. Richard Cownsell, bapt. 3 Sept. 1613 (Blackford vill. par. Wedmore), m. (1) Joan Taylor, 12 Aug. 1640, (2) Elizabeth Hix, 12 Aug. 1647, dau. of William Hix and Grace Morton, m. 23 Jan. 1625, and niece of Margaret Hix, who m. Simon Day, 14 Jan. 1632. Lease: Margery Hodges of Heathhouse, Wedmore, widow, to Richard Counsell of Wedmore, husbandman and Joan his wife. Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. ref. 2667/1/36/2. 1648. Sale: 15a. land occ. by Thos. Brooke, 2a. land occ. by Hy.Symes,* mess. and ten. and 40a. land occ. by Rich. Council, all in Wedmore, sold by co-heirs of Geo. Hodges to Wm. Prowse of Compton Bishop. Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. DD\FD/10. 1665. *Uncle of Richard Symes, father of Adam Symes (See N&Q, 1890), father of George Sims, of Brunswick Co.; d. Sept. 1763; who bought land from his br. John Sims, on 5 Nov. 1747,father of Adam Sims, who m. Elizabeth Walton, da. of George Walton of Brunswick Co., and who was, thus, the br.-in-law of Nathan Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and br. of West Harris.
1.4.4.1. Hodges Council, the very likely son of Richard Council, by either his first or second wife. Richard Counsell was the br.-in-law of Susan Lancaster, and Hodges Counsell may have received his Christian name after her husband, William Hodges, a member of the very influential Hodges family, squires of Wedmore, who was probably his Godfather.

Hodges Council, d. bef. 9 Aug. 1699, was named as the husband of Lucy Hardy in the Will of John Hardy, who had married Alice Bennett (B. 2, p. 419); of the Bennett family of Wivelscombe, Somerset, intermarried with the Harris family of Wedmore/Cheddar. It may be of interest to record that Hodges Council, as follows, was a probable br. of 1. Joseph Council, who married into the same Thatcher family as did the Harris: James Thatcher of Barrington, yeoman, to Joseph Counsell of Cocklake in parish of Wedmore, husbandman: in cons of marriage shortly to be solemnized between Counsell and Thatcher’s daughter Joane: Signed: Joseph Counsell. Seal: merchants. Bristol Record Office, ref. 21789/5. 18 May 1681. 2. William Counsell. Lease: By William Rose of Cheddar and Mary his wife one of the daughters and coheirs of John Lancaster of Milverton Esqr. deceased to Samuel Leonard of Wedmore … ½-acre in Stoneshill the land of William Counsell on the East side … the land of Edward Counsell in the West side … All which … are parcell of the Manor of Cheddar Fitzwaters. Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. 12. 10 May 1698. 3. Edward Counsell. 4. James Counsell, as given.

1.4.4.1.1. Hodges Council, inherited land on Blackwater. IOW, B 10, p. 205: John Council of Isle of Wight County and Province of Virginia sold to James Council of said county and his heirs forever, “my plantation whereon I now dwell only excepting my life in plantation” on Blackwater (River) 100 acres more or less joining Benjamin Darden and Samuel Vaughn. Part of “Patien” granted Hodges Council (the 2d) and by his will to his son John Councill and now by said John Councill to his son James Councill, to him & his heirs forever to have & hold. Sig. John Council. Wit. John Benteen, Nathan Council. Rec. 2 May 1756. Richard Worrell and wife Patience to James Kitching, dated 8 Apr. 1756, 174 acres on the south side of the Blackwater Swamp adj. William Harris, Thomas Gray, and John Barnes (part of a patent to Lewis Bryan for 345 acres who sold to Robert Tayler and was sold to sd. Richard), S: Richard Worrell and Patience Worrell. W: Joseph Denson, John Johnson, and Nathan Council. (Southampton Co., B. 2, 1753-1760, p. 97). William Harris to Nathan Council of IOW Co., dated 8 Apr. 1756, 100 acres adj. Bridgman Joyner Jr. S: William Harris, W: Jesse Jones, Sarah King, and James Kitchen. (ibid. pp. 97-98).
Joseph Willis of Halifax to Jos. Daniel of same, 6 Sep. 1777, £8, 30a on E sd Rockey Sw, adj. Thomas Wright. wit Isham Rosser, Nathan council. Rec. Nov. 1778.
1.4.4.1.2. John Council, inherited from his father ‘the land I bought of Robert Lawrence’; likely the son of Philip Lawrence, who m. Joan Council, 20 Aug. 1618, Wedmore, the probable great- aunt of Hodges Council Sr. John Council d. bef. 1747, m. Josie Willis. John Council of Newport Parish to John Mackall of the same, 300 acres in Newport Parish (being land John Hardy of the lower parish willed to his dau. Lucy Council, who was the mother of the said John Council), on the southeast side of John Fulgram’s Swamp, adjoining William Westray and William Joyner. Wit. William Greene, Henry Pitt and John Council. Rec. 26 Feb. 1710.
1.4.4.1.3. Christian Council, m. Edward Bryan. (ibid. p. 409).
1.4.4.1.4. Hardy Council, d. 1750, m. Susannah Pope. Executor: son, Charles; Witnesses: Robert Johnson, Hardy Lawrence, and Jacob Dickinson. Hardy Council, Gent. to Richard Wooten and wife, Lucy Wooten, and their son, William Wooten, as consideation of a law suit over trepass, 500 acres on Beaver Dam Swamp. Wit: Barnaby Kearney, Christopher Reynolds, Hardy Council, John Pitt. (B. 4, p. 98. Rec. 22 Mar. 1730).
1.4.4.1.4.1. Charles Council.
1.4.4.1.4.2. Mary m. Phillip Brantley.
1.4.4.1.4.3. Ann, m. Robert Lawrence.
1.4.4.1.4.4. Martha m. William Fowler.
1.4.4.1.4.5. Christian, m. William Daughtrey.
1.4.4.1.5. Lucy (Council) Wooten.
1.4.4.1.6. Robert Council, d. 1 June 1730, IOW, m. Katherine Johnson. James Harris of Halifax Co. (see as follows), m. Elizabeth Norfleet, whose grandfather held land adj. Robert Council and Thomas Turner.

The aforementioned John Harris, husband of Agnes Coomer, sister of Mary Coomer, the likely aunt of Hodges Council, was the uncle of:

1. Thomas Harris.
1.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. 31 Dec. 1637, Cheddar, ‘son of Thomas’, probably he who d. in 1688, in Virginia. Thomas Harris: Leg.-son Edward; son John; son Thomas; son Robert; daughter Jane Jones; daughter Ann; son Robert to live with John Fulgham; son George with John Turner; son Martin with his brother; son William with Bridgman Joyner; pr. 9 Oct. 1688.
1.1.1. Robert Harris, m. Anne Fulgham, da. of Michael Fulgham, of Pitminster, Somerset. Susannah Fulgham, Anne’s sister, m. Hardy Council, son of Hodges Council and Lucy Hardy. Hardy Council was the br. of Hodges Council Jr., who m. Rebecca Pope.
1.1.2. Edward Harris, Will pr. 25 March 1734.
1.1.2.1. James Harris, d. 1749, br.-in-law of Matthew Joyner.
1.1.2.1.1. James Harris. (Thomas Norfleet (m. Ruth Blount) bought adjoining land from Robert Council (NC. Edg. Co. D.B. 1., p. 204), and was mentioned as a neighbour of Robert Council and Thomas Turner (J. Bryan Grimes, Abstracts of North Carolina Wills, p. 17). His son was Marmaduke Norfleet, father of Elizabeth Norfleet, who m. James Harris in Halifax Co, NC., son of: James Harris. 10 Jan. 1749. Feb. Court, 1749. Sons: James (‘my plantation’), Eli. Wife and Executrix: Cheary (sister of Mathew Joyner*). Executor: Mathew Joyner. Witnesses: Wm. Skinner, John Blount, John Crumpton. (ibid, p. 153). Henry Turner: Jan. 20, 1748. Feb. Court, 1748: Executor: Matthew Joyner. Witnesses: Matthew Joyner, James Harris, Marmaduke Norfleet. (ibid. p. 382). *Son of Thomas Joyner, Will dated 13 April 1740; the son of Thomas Joyner (br. of Bridgeman Joyner, the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688).
1.1.2.1.1.1. James Harris m. 1. Temperance Williams: Martha Joyner witnessed the will of Temperance Williams, wife of James.
1.1.3. George Harris.
1.1.3.1. William Harris. William Harris and wife Charity of Halifax County, North Carolina to John Council, dated 11 Oct, 1764, 1. 100 acres on the north side of Black Creek adj. Capt. Joseph Godwins old line and Gum Branch (patent to Barnaby McInnie who sold it to George Harris who gave it to his son William, 2. 113 acres adj. Long Branch ; part of patent to Joseph Godwin on 25 Jul. 1746 who sold to John Bowin who sold to sd. William). S: William Harris and Charity Harris. W: Henry Pope, Simon Harris, and William Kitchen. Halifax County, vol. 1, 1758-1774, pp. 304-306. I William Harris … lend to my daughter Prudence Pope who is now living in Virginia my negroe girl slave named Jeney during her natural life and after her death she & her increase to be equally divided amongst the rest of my children. May Court 1772. (ibid. p. 317). Prudence (Harris) Pope was the sister-in-law of John Pope: I Henery Pope … to my loving wife Tabitha Pope one Negroe named Joe and all my household furniture, all my livestock and all my debts due to me … to my oldest son Burrel Pope one plantation … 209 acres & also one negroe Girl named Patt … my younger sons Willis, John, Henry Austin and Wiley Pope all ye rest of my lands & negroes not bequeathed before. April Court 1764. (ibid. p. 144). Paul Heinegg (‘Free African Americans’, vol i., p. 554), shows that ‘Edward Gowen in Virginia, taxable in 1761 in his father’s household in the list of Robert Harris. In 1767 he was head of his own household, one Black male, in John Pope’s list. It might seem reasonable to suggest that Robert Harris was a son of William Harris, br. of Simon, and one of ‘the rest of my children’.
1.1.3.1.1. Simon Harris. William Harris to son Simon Harris, dated 4 Apr. 1764, Sells slave, S: William Harris, W: Henry Pope, Hardy Pope, and Salathel Lewis (ibid., p. 331). To Salathel Lewis, dated 10 Oct. 1764, 74 acres adj. Francis Denson and Boone Branch (patent to John Denson the elder who sold to John Sikes and by Joshua his son sold to Hodges Council). S: John Council (grandson of Hodges Council Jr.) and Selah (Worrel) Council, W: Henry Pope, William Joyner, William Joyner, and Daniel Doyle. (ibid., pp. 324-325).
1.1.3.1.1. Robert Harris.

In a very real sense, the continuation of associations between English families in Virginia brought stability, and continued to strengthen bonds in England, which was of no little importance within the squirearchy/tenant system. The bonds between these families was likely to have been closer than can be gleaned; hidden in a Somerset marsh fog.

copyright m stanhope 2016