1. Thomas Drew, often quoted as coming from Exeter, on the sole basis of a namesake being recorded in the Visitation of Devon. He was more likely to have been the Thomas Drew, bapt. 7 May 1594 (son of Robert) in Stocklinch Ottersay, 30 mls. fom Dunster, Somerset, manor of the Lutterell family. Thomas Drew apparently m. (as her third husband) Frances Ward, relict of 1. William Barker, mariner, 2. Robert Letherland. Capt.

These are not strange associations; those of ship owners and merchants and the provincial families they allied to in the persuit of ‘tobacco profits’.

Morgan Bryan, bapt. Aug. 14, 1621, Munster, Ireland; d. June 1682 in Gloucester Co., Virginia, aged 61; m. Alice Barker, 1650, in Brugge. Morgan was certified as Ship Captain in Charles City, Virginia, June 11, 1646, by Capt. Henry Barker, cousin of Morgan’s wife, Alice. Captain Henry Barker, son of Captain William Barker, was b. 1617, and bur. in St. Margaret’s Parish, Westminster, London, 1669. John Beale claimed the head right of Morgan Bryan and used it to obtain a patent of 400 acres in Charles River Co., dated Oct. 10, 1642. (Cavaliers & Pioneers, vol. 1., p. 135). Alice was the sister of Captain Henry Barker, and John Barker. Morgan Bryan had issue: (1) Henry Bryan, b. in 1654 in Gloucester Co.; d. in 1721 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England; certified as Ship Captain by Capt John Barker of Charles City, in June 1670. Memoranda on arrest of tobacco for avoidance of dutires: Henry Bryan and John Kemp Nov. 12, 1698. John Kemp was the grandson of Richard Kemp, Governor of Virginia, 1644-1645. (2) Edward Bryan Sr, b. in 1663 in London, d. in 1739, in Craven Co., NC, at age 76; m. Christian Council (d. 1743). Tombstone: ‘Edward Bryan, b. in London 1663, emigrated to Nansemond Cnty, Virginia 1690, Moved to Craven Cnty 1700 – Died 1739. Christiana, his wife da. of Hodges Council, d. 1743’. Children 1. Edward Bryan Jr. b: 1690, m. Anne Collier, and d. 1745 Craven Co. N.C. 2. Lewis Bryan, b. 1691, m. Elizabeth Bryan, a cousin. 3. Hardy Bryan, b. 1692, m. Sarah Johnson, and d. bef. May 6, 1760 Craven Co. 4. John Bryan, b. 1706, m. Rebecca Orton. Christian was the da. of Hodges Council and his wife, Lucy Hardy.

Thus, a general principle: provincial English families (with a surplus of younger sons) attempted to survive by ‘jumping on to the bandwagon’ of the Virginia trade, associating themselves with (and financing) the ship-owning mercantile class who controlled it – the brutal economics of survival shaped genealogy, not considerations of the heart.

Of the facilatators of survival, one such was:

William Barker, bapt. on 7 May 1592 in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner, who deposed his age to be 37 in 1629, and mate of the Hopewell, which sailed fom Virginia on New years Eve of that year for England, under Captain Richard Russell, in company with ‘the Gift’ of London, under Captain Samuel Crampton and Master Edward Beale. (See Coldham, P.W., English Adventurers and Emigrants, 1609-1660, p. 23, 1984). He bought land in Flowerdew Hundred from Abraham Piersey’s da., Elizabeth. This property passed to his son, John Barker, in 1655, who left the plantation to two of his sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth Limbrey. (On such facts lies are created). William Barker traded out of London with his partners, which included John Sadler and Richard Quiney, merchants, associated with the Yarwood family of Southwark, London, with whom he patented land in Charles City County. He was also a partner of Francis Derrick: April 13, 1639: ‘Bond of Francis Derrick (the younger), of Bristol, and William Barker, of Ratcliffe, Middlesex, to the King, in 1,000l. conditioned for the appearance of Derrick before the Council, to answer an accusation of piracy pretended to have been committed by him upon a Spanish ship in a voyage to Virginia, about 11th October 1636’. Francis Derrick was the son of his namesake – see Prob. 11/176/291, the Will of Francis Derrick, Merchant of Bristol, Gloucestershire.

The salient point, surely, Francis Derrick was associated with Sergeant John Harris.

‘Whereas John Baker (the Barker family were interchangeably called Baker in ships’ records) and Dorothy his wife, daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris, have by order of court at Henrico on the 27th day of August last surrendered to mee Captain Francis Derrick all the right and title which they and claime unto the devident of land belonging to the late deceased Georg Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament of the said Cawcott as by the surrender in the said court and by the pattent and will recorded at James Cittie, etc. For good and valuable causes and considerations. Wtnesses: Lawrence Hulett and John Owell’ (Nugent, B. 1., part 2, p. 113).

1.1. Letitia Drew, m. John Barker; presumably a relative of William Barker; though not he m. to the Sergeant’s da., unless she was his second wife.
1.1.1. John Barker Jr., who patented 600 ac. on Chippokee Creek, Oct. 5, 1657. He m. Grace Cotton, Thomas Cotton’s Will names Grace Barker as his da. John Barker’s Will, probated in Surry County, May 19, 1714 (Deeds-Wills 1709-1715, p. 191-2), names ‘Sarah Lanier, da., wife of Robert Lanier’, cousin of Sampson Lanier, who m. Elizabeth Washington; their issue: Sampson Lanier, Jr., m. Elizabeth Chamberlain; their da., Rebecca Louise Lanier, m. Walton Harris , b. February 6, 1738, Brunswick Co., Virginia, son of son of Nathan Harris and Catherine Walton; son of Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Of certain connection to Thomas Harris (d. 1688) was John Harris: Jun. 28, 1685. Jethro Barker of upper parish to John Harris (d. 1686, as follows), of the same 120 ac. adj. sd Jethro Barker. Wit: John Barker and Thomas Cotten (Surry co., VA Deeds, Wills, etc. 1684-1687, Hopkins). Thomas Busby, Gent, to Roger Potter … 100 acres on the head of upper Chipeokes Creeke and bounded by John Barker and the path to Mr. Stevens’ mill. Witt; William Rooking,* Elias Osborne and John Mose., Rec. 7 May 1689. Surry Co. Deeds, Wills, Etc. *Associated with the land of Sergeant John Harris.
1.1.1.1. Josiah Barker, named in father’s will, prob. 19 May 1714, Surry., W.B. 6, P. 91. He m. Faith Washington, sister of the said Elizabeth Washington, and of Priscilla Washington, wife of Robert Lanier.
1.1.1.1.1. Grace Barker. Will Feb. 19, 1741, proven May 15, 1750. brother Josiah; cousin Richard Barker; brother John Barker, cousin Josiah Barker; cousin Mary Bishop; Mary Bishop’s son James; cousins William, Joshua and Joell Barker; gifts to Faith and Elizabeth Barker. Richard Barker, exr.; Wits.: Robert Lanier, Josiah Barker, Josiah Barker. (Surry Co. VA W.B. 1738-54, p. 673).

1.2. Nicholas Drew, m … Tailer, 19 Sept. 1619, Dunster, St George, Somerset.
1.2.1. Robert Drew
1.2.1.1. John Drew, bapt. 1 Dec. 1644, Dunster.
1.2.1. Richard Drew, bapt. 28 Apr. 1622, Dunster, d. after 4 Apr. 1679, Surry Co.
1.2.1.1. Edward Drew, m. Frances Newett, da. of William Newitt and Elizabeth Jones. 4 Jan. 1685: William Harris and wife Mary Harris, to William Newsum … 220 ac. now in the tenure of Mr. John Harris; adj. William Newett, and the Sunken Marsh Path. Wit. Robert Ruffin. R. 5 Jan. 1685. William Harris was the son of of Thomas Harris, d. 1668. During his orpanage, a part of his father’s estate was leased to John Harris, d. 1686, whose Will was witnessed by William Newsums, John Clarke, and William Newett Newitt. (B. 3, p. 82).

There must be a possibility that that William Newett was the son of Wiliam Newett (citizen and draper) and Sarah Nichols, born at par. of Antholin, London. Will pr. Jan. 9, 1639 by relict (4 Coventry). Sarah Nichols was the da. of Elizabeth Nichols, whose Will named grandsons John (d.v.p) and William Newett, daus. Sara Newett and Mary Browne; and Mrs Susan Wilkinson. It mentioned land in Hackney. Execs. son in law Edward Browne, and son in law Wlm Newett. Wit. Elenor Taylor and Ephraim Thorne. (Consistory Court of London, 1621-1630, f234).

The said Ephraim Thorne is recorded here: Parties: Jerman Honychurch, citizen and haberdasher of London. Ephraim Thorne of London, merchant. Place or Subject: Bargain and sale of an eighth share in the St. Anthony, formerly the Penelope of London, now on a voyage to the Western Islands and Brasil under William Babb, master. (Nat. Arch. ref. E 214/1225. 14 May 1634).

He was in some way closely related to Richard Thorn: By 1643 27 ac. in Soper Lane was held by Richard Thorne, citizen and draper, who made a lease of it to Ephraim Thorne, citizen and merchant tailor, for 7 years at a peppercorn rent. In 1645 Richard and his wife Elizabeth made a lease to Ephraim for a further 30 years from 1650, at a peppercorn rent. The tenant then was John English. Ephraim was to do all repairs. In 1647 Richard and Elizabeth sold 27A to Ephraim, describing it as a tenement called the Maidenhead, now or late occupied by John Inglish, silkman. It adjoined Thomas Diconson’s tenement. (Historical Gazetteer of London Before the Great Fire).

There must also be a possibility that Martin Thorne was of this family: ‘The Nuncupative Will of deced to be proved by the Oaths of the Subscribers who declare as followeth vizt that about ye Midle of Febry last ye said Thorne then being sick & about two days before he dyed desiered yor deponants to take notice that he gave all his weareing apparrell to his Son Martin Thorne and a White hat the rest of his Estate after his debts were paid to his Wife Margarett, and further ye depont: sayeth not. Rogr. Nichols. At a Court held at Southwarke for the County of Surry March ye. 3rd: 1695.

1666 2 Feb Dorothy Thorne to serve Chas. Barham 6 yrs. for lodging, food, clothing, teaching and at finish to give her clothing, heifer, corn, etc. Sig. Dorothy Thorne, Charles and Elizabeth Barham. Wit. Margaret Cornish, Chris. Smith, Joane Goard.

1675. David Williams. Leg. Wm. Harris, orphan, of one gun and two pewter dishes. To wife Martha (Harris) Williams, my whole estate to be divided between her and her children. Prob. 28 May 1676 Wit: James Murray, Jno. Twyford (B. 2, p. 106). 28 March 1676: Probate granted Martin Thorne, who m. relict of David Williams dec’d.

28 March 1676: In difference bet. Capt. Charles Barham plt. and Martin Thorne deft., ‘aboute trading with plts. servts, it is ord. that Thorne pay Barham 20 lbs. Shugr. and costs’. (Think about this, survival (one-upmanship) was measurable in bags of sugar).

4 July 1676: Ord. that Martin Thorne who married excs. of David Williams present at next court full and just acct. of Est. of Wm. Harris Orpht.

15 Sept. 1676: Martin Thorne appoints Wm Seward his atty. with Christopher Smith. Wit. Sion Hill, Walter Taylor.

Court held at Southwark, 2 March 1685: Martin Thorne appearing with the orph. of David Williams dec’d and alleadging he would not keepe her nor her estate and orphan being desirous to live with Wm. Prosser whose wife had promised to teach her severall things … It is ord. that Wm. Newsom, Mathew Swan and Robt. Lancaster bet. this and next Cort appr. sd. Thorn’s estate and Robt. Ruffin take an account of things appraysed and due to the orphans.

Martin Thorne: Est. Appr. by Robt. Lancaster, Wm. Newsum, Matthew Swann. Wm. Harris, John Fenly and Roger Nichols ord. to appr. Estate of Martin Thorne.

1. William Harris, m. Dorothy West, Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe, Somerset.
1.1. 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 da. 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 da., 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 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.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, 20 Nov. 1623, at Wivelscombe. (St Andrew). (Was it he who d. 1672?).
1.1.1.1. John Harris bapt. 18 Feb. 1624,at Wiveliscombe, d. 1686, Virginia; a fair suggestion?
1.1.1.1.1. 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 da. 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).
1.1.1.2. Thomas Harris. (Was it he who d, 1668, in Virginia?).
1.1.1.2.1. William Harris, nephew of John Harris, who rented his lands during his orphanage? If so, a rather more tricky analysis of any of William’s descendants ensues than is generally accepted.

William Newsom was probably of the family of Peter Newsam, s.l. 1638, who witnessed the Will of Richard Hynde, 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 (who prepared legal documents, often regarding loans). Overseers: Stephen Streete of London, grocer; ‘Ralph Yardly of London‘, who was the father of Governor Yardley of Virginia (TNA, Prob.11/147, f).

Many Somerset families, the Bennetts and Hodges, as examples, had residences in St. Olave, Southwark; the main gateway to the burgeoning trade with Virginia.

As I have recorded elsewhere, the Lancasters were squires of Cheddar, and held land in nearby Wedmore, Somerset, where many of the Harris family were their tenants. Yes, tenants!; they were not suckled on the silver spoons of the Earls of Northumberland; rather on 20 or so milking cows that grazed the Somerset Marshes.

Such tenants were the Tuckes:

1.
1.1. William Tucke, m. Christian Holman, 18 July 1571, at Barwick, St Mary Magdalene, Somerset.
1.1.1. Thomas Tucke, m. Mary Collins, 26 Jan. 1604, Barwick.
1.1.1.1. James Tooke. December 1634, William Lacey leased James Tooke 500 acres on the east side of Lawne’s Creek; 26 October 1646, James Tooke to Robert Harris (probable father of Edward Harris, d. 1677 ), all my right and title to this lease.
1.1.1.2. Thomas Tooke, b. c. 1610, m. 1. Avis Mascoll, 7 June 1634, Barwick; 2. Mary … He witnessed the Will of William Ridley, with Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1.3. Elizabeth Tooke, m. Michael Ezell.
1.1.1.3.1. Elizabeth Ezell, m. John Atkinson Jr, son of John Atkinson and Ann Holliman. John Atkinson was the br. of James Atkinson, d. in IOW after 28 July 1723, who m. Mary Holliman. John and James Atkinson were stepsons of Thomas Pitman, born of his third wife, Martha … by her first husb., Thomas Atkinson.
1.1.2. Joane Tucke, m. William Penny, 22 Sept. 1588, Barwick.
1.1.2.1. Dorothy Penny, m. William Pitman, 10 Sep 1609 Horsington (St John); 15 mls fr. Barwick.
1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Pitman, of Virginia, b. c. 1614, by his deposition.

Robert Lancaster: appraised the estates of William Newsum, Mathew Swann, William Newitt. His Will, R. 23 May 1720, named his da. Elizabeth Pitman, wife of Thomas Pitman, grandchildren Samuel, Lettis and Ann Pitman.

Drew cont.

1.2.1.1.1. Thomas Drewe.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Mary Drew, m. (175, in NC) Henry Harris, son of Thomas Harris and Judith Edwards.
1.2.1.1.2. Newitt Drew, m. Mary Purcell.
1.2.1.1.2.1. Ann Drew, m. Benjamin Lane.
1.2.1.1.2.1.1. William Lane, d. after 22 Jan. 1786, Halifax, NC.
1.2.1.1.2.1.1.1. Jane Lane, m. Henry Eelbeck, son of Montfort Eelbeck and Mary Rogers.
1.2.1.1.2.2. Mary Drew, m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris and Ann Fulgham, of Pitminster, Somerset.
1.2.1.1.2.2.1. Drew Harris.
1.2.1.1.2.2.2. Newitt Harris.
1.2.1.1.3.John Drew, m. Elizabeth Swann. (This gives the clue as to who were the true descendants of Martin Thorne, yet, God preserve genealogical applecarts!).
1.2.1.1.3.1. Mary Drew, m. (1715) Nicholas Smith, son of Richard Smith, who in his will, of 24 Feb. 1712, gave to Elizabeth Boon and Richard Sessoms each a cow. (A connection to John Harris, d. 1686).
1.2.1.1.3.1.1. James Smith, b. 1727, Bertie, NC, m. 1. Millie Turner, da. of Thomas Turner, 2. Sarah Hill, da. of Richard Hill and Margery Gilliam.
1.2.1.1.3.1.1.1. Lucy Smith, m. 1. Thomas Langley, 2. Reuben Norfleet, son of Marmaduke Norfleet Sr., father-in-law of James Harris, as given elsewhere.
1.2.1.1.3.1.2. Drew Smith, d. aft. 22 Feb. 1762, in Halifax, NC.
1.2.1.1.3.1.2.1. Temperance Smith, m. (1758) Philip Alston, son of Joseph John Alston and Elizabeth Chauncey.
1.2.1.1.3.1.2.1.1. Philip Alston Jr., b. 11 Dec. 1778 (Halifax), m. Nancy Ramsay, da. of John Ramsay.
1.2.1.1.3.1.2.1.1.1. Mary Drew Alston, m. 2. William Harris, of Telfair, Georgia.

Generally, the connections are so very dense. People attempt to claim their ancestors live d on a particular street, yet the nearest you can get to this street is the city it was in, but the case for Sergeant John Harris gets stronger, I think.

copyright m stanhope 2016