With no little frequency I am asked to summarise my thoughts as to the origins of various families of Harris; a comment often being that what I have written is scattered over a range of articles, which have undergone much revision.

I reply to the former charge that it is only by collecting a large amount of data concerning people of the same name and vicinity in both England and Virginia that a continuation of association may be discovered which points to the emigrant family’s origin. Success may ensue three times out of ten, at best, with the rest often turning out to be ‘shadows’ (some degree of distant cousin) of those you seek. It is simply a case of trying to identify patterns in a large amount of data, and going with whatever flow is suggested; testing its waters; abandoning them when they lead to Dead-End-Creek. This is quite a different method than starting with a hypothesis and rigidly sticking to it come hell or high water, crafting data to fit a desired outcome; which is the most common of all shortcomings in genealogy, for it is human nature to wish to be decended from the grandest of origins, rather than from someone who owned twenty milking cows.

What, then, can be said by way of current summary?

HARRIS GROUP A

The Captain Thomas Harris of the 1624 Virginia Muster descended from a John Harryes, who is recorded as of Walton, near Aylesbury, in 1431. His descendant, John Harris, in 1535, was paying a rent of £7 6s. 8d. to the manor of Maids Moreton with the mill there called ‘Brent Myll.’ The Woodliffe family also held tenements in Maids Moreton. His son was Robert Harris, Rector of Bechampton, which is situate 6 miles east of Maids Moreton.Robert Harris succeeded as Rector of Bechampton on June 11, Anno 1526.
His son, John Harris is recorded in a legal case of circa 1560, in which he is a defendant against the executor of John Finch, son of Sir Moyle Finch, and cousin of Erasmus Finch, who sponsored Margaret Bourdman in Virginia, habitee of the Captain Thomas Harris household of the 1624 Muster.
John’s sister married William Piggot, brother of Matthew Pigott, who succeeded as Rector of Bechampton. William Piggot’s sister, Ursula Pigott, married her kinsman, Christopher Pigott, of Doddershall, near Aylesbury, Bucks. Christopher Pigott’s brother, Thomas, represented Aylesbury in the 1589 Parliament before serving as county sheriff in 1593-4. Sir John Gibson married Anne, daughter of Sir John Allott, Fishmonger of Wood Street, London, and Mayor in 1590, widow of the aforesaid Thomas Pigott. Margaret Berman (Bourdman), recorded as being in the household of Captain Thomas Harris in the 1624 Muster, was a niece of Sir John Gibson on her mother’s side. Another of John’s sister married John Haws.
The first notice I can find of the Haws/Hoare family of Aylesbury finds them dwelling in the parish of Walton in 1489, receiving, as John Harryes, a grant from the Balkey family. John’s brother, James Harris, married Luce Lucas, November 30, 1587, who subsequently married John Tredway, September 9, 1601. On the lists of tithables of Henrico County, 1679 are the following names: Richard Tredway, Sr., and son John Tredway. This family appear thus: Tredway v Bunby. Plaintiffs: John Tredway. Defendants: Thomas Bunby. Subject: lands held of the manor of Cheneys, Buckinghamshire. 1603-1625. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 2/JasI/T8/65). John Tredway was the son of Richard Tredway, gent, of whom the Duncombes were tenants: ‘Richard Tredway, gent., Edmund Waller, gent., demandants. John Duncombe, gent., tenant. Griffith Hampden and Ann his wife, vouchees. 1 messuage, 1 garden, 2a. pasture in Dinton. (D-LE/1/52. 28 November 1584; Lee family deed).
Captain Thomas Harris of the 1624 Muster was likely the son of James Harris. Thomas seems to have married Adria Hoare as a second wife, a probable cousin; she may have married him as a second husband.
Joane Child, her sister, sponsored Adria’s voyage to Virginia. The Child family of Aylesbury were tennants of the Cheneys. In 1577, John Cheyney, Esq., left a rent-charge of £5 per annum to the poor of Amersham, Chesham Boyse, and Drayton Beauchamp; chargeable upon a farm called the Moze, in Chesham parish. In 1622, William Child left a rent-charge of 20s. per anum to the poor of this parish (James Joseph Sheahan, History and Topography of Buckinghamshire, p. 807, 1862). John Cheney, Esq. was the uncle of John Duncombe, of Moreton, whose da. married Drewe Woodliffe; their son, John Woodliffe, settled in Virginia; his da., Anne Woodliffe, was named as ‘kin’ of Thomas Harris in the 1624 Muster.
Thomas Harris died by 1646, when an act of the Assembly of Virginia of that year ordered a fort to be erected at the Falls of James River, to be called Fort Charles; an abstract being: “And, whereas, there Is no plantable land adjoynlng to fort Charles, and therefore no encouragement for any undertaker to maintnaine the same, lt is therefore, thought fitt and Inacted, that if any person or persons purchasing the right of Capt. Thomas Harris shall or will settle or inhabit on the south side of James River right opposite to the said fort, soe it be done this or the ensueing yeare. That hee or they underttkeing as aforesaid shall have and enjoy the houseing belonging to the said fort for the use of timber, or by burning them for the nailes or otherwise, as also shall be exempted from the publique taxes for the term of three years, provided that the number exceed not tenn, as also shall have and enjoy the boats and ammunition belonging to the said fort”.
Thomas Harris held land on the south of the James river called “Longfield”, a distinct entity from the 300 ac. acquired on August 15, 1637, north of the river, by Robert Craddock and John Davis, which had been assigned by ‘Jno. Baugh of Varina planter’ to Wm. Cooke & Richd. Carpenter, June 13, 1636, and by them assigned to Jno. Davis & Robt Craddocke of Harihatoxs planters. (B. 1. pp. 451, 452). John Davis also called his land “Longfield”, a common enough English practice concerning long strips of land.
William Randolph purchased, from the colonial government, the escheated lands of Nathaniel Bacon in this locality. The Broadnax versus Soane case of 1700 shows the “Longfield” of Captain Thomas Harris to be Crown property, to be re-granted as an escheat, its last owner having died without issue.

HARRIS GROUP B

Of Major William Harris. On June 22, 1663, Major William Harris acquired 450 ac. in Henrico County, on the north side of the James river, to a 4 mile creek, called by name “the Slashes”, adjacent to Daniel Llewellin, east upon the Melborne (Malverne) Hills plantation of Richard Cocke. (B. 5, p. 304).
John Price of Henrico, Virginia, was bapt. Nov. 10, 1584, in St Lawrence, Ludlow. Muster of John Price, Feb. 24, 1624: “John aged 40, ship Starr in May, 1620. Ann his wife aged 21, ship Francis Bonaventure in August, 1620. Mary, a child, 3 months” (Hotten’s Original List, p. 203). Two years later, in 1626, John Price owned 100 ac. of land at or near the falls of the James River. (Virginia Historical Magazine, ed. William G. Stanard, No. 15, p. 363).
On May 23, 1638, a patent was granted Matthew Price as son and heir of John Price for 150 ac. on Turkey Island Creek in Henrico Co. “granted by patent to his late father John Price, now in possession of his mother, Ann Hallom, widow – being due unto him in right of his father who had a patent granted February 20, 1619 (B 1, p. 558). John Price married (1) Elizabeth Matthews, in St Lawrence, on May 30, 1613; he subsequently married Anne, Elizabeth’s sister or cousin, who married (2) Robert Hallom; (3) Daniel Llewellin.
Major William Harris (bapt. January 13, 1627), was the son of John Harris, bapt. March 5, 1604 (and Margaret Baugh), son of Rowland Harris and Jane Langford, and brother of Mary Harris, bapt. April 3, 1625. In 1689, Mary (Harris) Ligon gave a deposition stating her age to be 64. She married Thomas Ligon.
Jane Langford married, secondly, after 1605, Edward Lewis of Diddlesbury, and had issue, William Lewis, who married (Aug. 21, 1634), Anne Lutley, of Burwarton, Shropshire, da. of Robert Lutley and Mary Holland. It is very probable that William Lewis and Anne Lutley were the parents of John Lewis, granted 400 ac. on the north side of the James River adjacent to William Humphries for transporting 8 persons, November 7, 1673; he the brother of Edward Lewis, father of William Lewis, bapt. March 16, 1661, in Diddlebury, husband of Elizabeth Woodson, they the parents of Joseph Lewis, who married Elizabeth Pleasants.
“Robert Woodson, Sr. of Henrico Co. For good causes to my loving grandson’s, William & Joseph Lewis (children of his da., Elizabeth Woodson, and William Lewis), 450 ac. patented to me and Richard Farris, Giles Carter, (Major) William Harris, and Roger Cummings, 21 Oct. 1687, on White Oak Swamp”. Recorded May 1, 1707.
Mary Holland, aforesaid, was the da. of Francis Holland (son of William Holland), whose br., Thomas Holland of Burwarton, was the husband of Alice Cocke, great-aunt of Richard Cocke of Bremo, bapt. December 13, 1597, at Sidbury, Shropshire; obit. Bremo Bluff, Henrico, 1665, whose son, Thomas, was named as a ‘friend’ in the Will of Major William Harris. (‘Colonial Wills’, 1677-92, p.68).
Mary Holland’s husband was the nephew of Joyce Lutley, who m. John Holland Sr., enfeoffed in Lamberhurst, Kent, father of John Holland Jr., of Lamberhurst, who married Mary Barham; having issue: David Holland, who married Anne Burton; their elder son, John Holland (see PAR/498/37/14. Oct. 23, 1654), being John Holland of Nansemund, father of Michael Holland of Goochland.
John Harris, father of William and Mary, was first cousin of (1) Thomas Harris, Esq., of Prescot, who married (1632), Alice Holland, da. of William Holland, son of Francis Holland, aforesaid. (2) Mary Harris, who married Fleetwood Dormer, whose cousin, Henry Isham (who resided at Bermuda Hundred, Henrico Co.), married Katherine Banks, relict of Joseph Royal, and was the father-in-law of William Randolph, named as ‘friend’ in the Will of Major William Harris. (3) William Langford, who married Jane Jordan, of Stone Acton, Shropshire. (See Deed declaring the use of a fine levied by Edward Lutwyche: ‘1. Edward Lutwyche of Lutwyche, Esq. (as follows), 2. William Jurden of Felhampton, Thomas Langford of Stone Acton. 3. Edward Jurden of Wooston. December 27, 1632. (Shropshire Archives (S.A), ref. 5001/4/1/4).
The Jordans are well recorded in the Diddlesbury registers.
William Langford was a neighbour of Henry and John Fleming (S.A., C 5/482/9).
Samuel Jordan was likely to be of the family Stone Acton: Will of Samuel Jordan of New Kent Co., probated June 11, 1719: ‘being weak of body … It is my will that my beloved friend (br.-in-law) John Fleming have the plantation of Thomas Langford dec’d, & the management of his estate & the bringing up of his son Thomas Langford as wholely to himself … executors wife Elizabeth (Fleming) Jordan, friends Charles Fleming, John Fleming, Tarlton Woodson, and Thomas Pleasants’.
Tarleton Woodson made a deed in 1721 in Henrico Co. to William Randolph for land conveyed by Nathaniel Bacon to his grandfather, Robert Woodson, in 1674; this Robert being the br. of John Woodson,* whose son and namesake was a neighbour of Mary (Harris) Ligon and Major William Harris on Curles Swamp. *Whose da., to repeat, married William Lewis, close kinsman of Major William Harris.
William Langford and Jane Jordan had issue, (1) John Langford, who married Sarah Baldwyn, as follows. (2) Thomas Langford, of New Kent Co., who appears in this land grant: “Robinson, John. September 22, 1682. New Kent Co., granted 1,252 ac. on the Dragon Swamp and branches thereof … belonging to the land of Thomas Langford; thence … over certain branches of Arracxicoe to a Corner Red Oak by the Mill Path”. His son, Thomas Langford, being the father of “Thomas Langford, orphan”.
William Harris, son of Major William Harris, was involved in the determination of the lands of Thomas Langford, February 26, 1731. (Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 214-215).
His son was George Harris, bapt. April 13, 1701, in St Pauls Parish; a Vestry meeting there in 1719 connecting him to the lands of George Alvis, who had married the widow of Major William Harris.
George Harris was the father of William Harris, who lived at Wolf Swamp, St. Martins Parish, Hanover Co., the father of Ralph Harris, who married (2) Agnes Baldwin, on Dec. 16, 1790, and Graves Harris, who married Elizabeth Baldwin, sister of Agnes, on Nov. 20, 1787. It is almost certain that these Baldwins were of those intermarried with the Langfords.
The question of Mary Harris being described as a da. of Captain Thomas Harris rests on one of two frauds; she and her brother being adopted by their uncle, Thomas Harris, who claimed to be the Thomas of the 1624 Muster in an area settled by a Baugh kinsman, or a later fraud, perpetrated to claim land south of the James River. Richard Lygon, Mary’s son, was suspended from his position as County Surveyor for fraud.
Major William Harris held land on Ware Run, next to his kinsman, John Baugh. He was of Bredon’s Norton, Worcestershire, neighbour of the Hancocke family:
1. William Hancock, of London, Sheriff of Worcester, d. 1676, aged 82.
1.1 William Hancock, of Twyning, d.v.p., aged 43 in 1675, m. Ann, da. of Richard Dowdeswell, of Poole, Worc.
1.1.1. William Hancock, of Norton juxta Bredon, of the Inner Temple, aged 29 in 1682.
1.1.2. Richard Hancock, aged 26 in 1682, probably he who m. Joan Lygon, da. of Mary Harris and Thomas Lygon. (See Will of John Best, the son of Rowland Best of Twyning, proved 4 May 1667, which names William and Richard Hancock as legatees).
(1. Thomas Ligon, m. Mary Harris.
1.1. Joan Ligon, m. Robert Hancock.
1.1.1. Sarah Hancock, m. Arthur Mosely.
1.1.2. Mary Hancock, m. John Hatcher.
1.1.3. Elizabeth Hancock, m. Mr. Farrar).
The Baughs and Hancocks were neighbours of the Watkins: Thomas Watkins, bapt. 12 Aug 1624, son of Richard Watkins (“of Hardwick”, Bredons Norton).
The 1704 Quit Rents lists a Thomas Watkins with four land holdings, 200 ac. in Henrico Co., 400 ac. in Essex Co., 190 ac. in Norfolk Co., and (Thomas Jr.) 125 ac. in King & Queen Co.
In 1667, Henry Watkins helped survey the land of Richard Cocke.
In 1678, he testified in court, concerning the Malvern Hills area lying between the James River and the Western Run, that “Mr. Rich’d Cocke Senr. desired me to goe along with him (and) Colonel Ligon to carry the chaine”.
The Hancocks of Bredon were also intermarried with the Johnsons (William Hancock m. Jane Johnsons, on October 29, 1624; and John Tanner married Margarite Johnsons in nearby Churchill in Oswaldslow, on October 29, 1621; which may have had some relevance to later associations in Virginia. One of the best views of the Malvern Hills is from Bredon Hill.
Other neighbours were the Taylors – Thomas Taylor, married Jane Powell, on April 21, 1605. In 1625, John Taylor made a disposition about a transaction which happened when Henry Watkins had been overseer for Lady Dale “about the tyme of our Lord 1620” – and the Chiles.

HARRIS GROUP C

Of a Harris family of Southwark, London. William Harris married Elizabeth Stanlie, on February 20, 1602, at St. Olave’s, Southwark. 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 (Nat. Arch. (N.A), ref. C 5/2/38). The same families were also involved in the case of Mary Garlande widow v. William Stanley and others in 1651, also concerning ‘money matters’ (N.A, C 5/12/13, 1651). A Garland family of Southwark are first evidenced in 1561, when the Will of John Garland, innholder, requested that he was burried at St Saviour Church (6).
The marriage records of St Olave’s record, on May 25, 1643, William Harris marrying ‘Elizabeth Arnell’. It can fairly be summised that he was closely related to William Harris, aforesaid, who married Elizabeth Stanlie, on February 20, 1602, at St. Olave’s; wherehas it is certain she was of the Arnold family of Southwark.
A John Arnold died in 1620 (PROB 11/136/408. Nov. 8, 1620). His Will mentions his brother, Thomas, whose son, Thomas Arnold, by Will dated June 14, 1669, gave to the churchwardens of St Olave’s parish the sum of £40. Thomas Arnold gift is administered by his son, George Arnold Esq. Both father and son are witnessed in this court case: ‘Fauntleroy v Arnold. Plaintiffs: Henry Fauntleroy. Defendants: Thomas Arnold and George Arnold. Subject: water supply St Martin Ludgate, London (N.A, C 6/134/61. 1657).
A William Harris was born in St Olave in 1647, and, again, his exact relationship the aforementioned Harris of St Olave’s can not be adduced; the wave can not be seperated from the tide, but this tide seems to have headed for Louisa Co., Virginia, carrying families of Arnold, Garland, Hampton, Harris, Overton, Terrell, Thornton, and Stanley; where ‘Wm. Harris and wife, Hennerettah, of the 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’ (Louisa Co., Va, B. 2, p. 298).
This refers to the bequest made in the Will of William Harris, prior to 1734, in Hanover Co. Louisa Co. was formed from Hanover Co. in 1742. William Harris, the son, I suggest, married Temperance Overton, da. of James Overton, son of John Overton of St Sepulchres, London. He held ‘1500 acres, New Land, Hanover Co., adj. Mrs. Arnold and George Woodroof’s lines; on Overton’s fork of Elk Creek (Nugent, C&P, vol. iii., p. 303, April 11, 1732.). William’s brother was John Harris, who held 400 ac. New Land, Hanover County; adj. Ambrose Joshua Smith, Capt. Thomas Carr and Ann Arnold; on low side of Great Rockey Creek (ibid. p. 414). William Harris, the grantee of 1725, was ‘William Harris, Gent. (who was granted) 76 ac. (new lease), 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. 389).
At a Vestry held Lower Church in Saint Pauls Parish, January 2, 1726 – ‘Thomas Anderson and Charles Hudson were elected and appoint’d Vestry men in room of William Harris and James Overton having both first ‘Subscribed the Test’. (VBSPP, p. 116).
James Overton is recorded thus: ‘James Overton, 400 ac. (new lease), Hanover Co.; on N. side the S. fork of Elk Cr.; on John Raglin’s line; Feb. 20, 1723, 40 shill’.
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 a niece of John Stanley.
The said James Overton was the likely son of John Overton and Sara Garrett: “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, Printer” (LML, 1676).
He was a likely close relative of William Overton, who married Elizabeth Waters, da. of Samuel and Anne Waters, of St. Sepulchre, London, and sister of John Waters, who bought land from William Thornton in Virginia.
In 1677, Overton married, secondly, Sara, sister of the printseller John Garrett, who is known to have been a friend of his. 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‘ (Brit. Mus., cit. Tyacke pp. 130-4).
James Overton, son of John Overton, the printer, was likely to be Captain James Overton. Temperance Overton, on chronological grounds, was most likely a da. or niece of James Overton. She married William Harris, descended from the Harris family of Southwark, London, and not a stranger from Wales.

HARRIS GROUP D

Of a Harris family of Somerset. the earliest notice that I can find is of Thomas Harrys of Mells, carpenter, born 1494; his likely son, John Harris, witnessed a deed concerning Mells in 1555. His son, John Harris, d. 1616, married Alice, d. 1599, in Mells, their son being John Harris, bapt. February 17, 1587, in Mells (St Andrew), who m. (1) Grace Haine, in 1608, in Mells; (2) Mary Tomlin (on November 9, 1620), and was bur. October 18, 1636, in Mells.
Their son, Thomas Harris, married Alice West, on Oct. 1635, in Nunney (juxta Mells).
He was likely to have been the Thomas who died in Charles City in 1677.
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.
His son was Thomas Harris, bapt. Aug. 14, 1636, in Nunney.
A Thomas Harris, on March 3, 1690, petitioned that John Echols be summoned to the next court. This was either he who made a deposition in 1692 that he was 25 years old (B. 1, p. 52), and was the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and his second wife, Alice Newman, or a son of Thomas Harris, who died in 1688.
The John Harris baptised in 1587 was the brother of Elizabeth Harris, bapt Oct. 25, 1590, in Mells, who married George Hill, on Jan. 27, 1619, in Mells. They were the likely parents of Nicholas Hill, who, on Sept. 30, 1664, patented 750 ac. in the Upper Parish, part of the estate of Edward Bennett, of Wivelscombe, Somerset, and St Olave, London.
A contemporary of John Harris who witnessed a deed concerning Mells in 1555, was John Harris, of Wedmore (Allerton), who married (1) Joanna, d. 1579, (2) Alicia, d. 1585; their son being William Harris, who married Dorothy West, on August 31, 1562, in Wivelscombe.
Their son, Richard Harris, married Elianor Bennett, at Wivelscombe, sister of Edward Bennett, of Lawne’s Creek.
Thomas Bennett, d. 1616, in Wivelscombe, a brother of the afors. Elianor and Edward Bennett, was the father of Thomas Bennett, claimed in 1635 as a headright by his uncle, Governor Richard Bennett; he the father of Alice Bennett, who married John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569: Mr. John Hardie patented 1150 acres in IOW Co. on June 5, 1666; beginning at the upper corner tree of Mathew Tomlin’s old land, running SSE by Wm. Westwrayer’s land &c. SW on Mathew Tomlin’s new land.
Their daughter, Lucy Hardy, married Hodges Counsell, of Wedmore, Somerset.
Thomas Bennett, d. 1616, was also the father of (1) a da. who married Richard Jackson, who patented 450 acres in IOW adjacent to Justinian Cooper; he the father of Mary Jackson, who married Capt. George Hardy, who patented 500 ac. 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. 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. I have elsewhere given an account of the Tucke family of Somerset.
The son of Richard Harris and Elianor Bennett was Thomas Harris, who married Judith Blake, on November 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe.
He was the second-cousin of (1) Anne Bennett, b. 1641, who m., 1st, Theodorick Bland of Westover; their son, Theodorick Bland (born 1663) married Margaret Mann; their son, John Bland (born December 8, 1698), married Ann West; (2) Elizabeth Bennett, sister-in-law of Matilda Scarborough, who married Lt. Col. John West. Margaret Mann was probably a da. of Thomas Mann, who, with his wife, Elizabeth, sold 150 ac. on Blackwater River to Theophilus Joyner, adjoining property owned by William Mayo and (his br.-in-law) Bridgeman Joyner. (Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1688: ‘my sonne William Harris to live with Bridgeman Joyner seven years).
The William Harris who married Dorothy West was contemporary to John Harris, who married Joan Stubbs, on Feb. 10, 1569, in Wedmore, father of John Harris, of Wedmore, bur. July 31, 1599; father of Robert Harris.
He was probably this Robert Harris: December 1634, William Lacey leased James Tooke 500 acres on the east side of Lawne’s Creek; on Oct. 26, 1646, James Tooke sold to Robert Harris all his right and title to this lease.
This Robert Harris was probably the Robert who was the father of Edward Harris, bapt. 8 Aug. 1624, probably he who d. in 1677, in Virginia.
The said Robert Harris was the brother of (1) Thomas Harris, who married (1) Joane. (2). Hester (bur. November 24, 1679), in Cheddar, juxta Wedmore. He was the father of Thomas Harris, bapt. December 31, 1637, in Cheddar, probably he who d. in 1688, in Virginia. (2) John Harris, who married Agnes Coomer, on February 4, 1635, in Cheddar.
(1. John Counsell, bapt. 1573. 1.1. John Counsell, bapt Nov. 28, 1601, married Mary Coomer, on Nov. 26, 1631; the sister of Agnes Coomer, who married John Harris in the adj. parish of Cheddar, in Feb. 1635; uncle of Thomas Harris, bapt. Dec. 31, 1637, in Cheddar. 1.2. William Counsell, bapt. Aug. 5, 1610, married Mary Hayne. 1.3. Richard Counsell, bapt. Sept. 3, 1613, married (1) Joan Taylor, August 12, 1640, (2) Elizabeth Hix, on August 12, 1647, da. of William Hix and Grace Morton, who married January 23, 1625. 1.3.1. Hodges Counsell. He was the very likely son of Richard Counsell, 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).

HARRIS GROUP E

1. William Harris (‘Captain Billy’, about whom ‘Jamaica Inn’ was written), ob. Jan. 12, 1546, m. Thomasine Hayne, of Hayne, ob. ante Jan. 1546.
1.1. John Harris of Hayne, ob. 1551, OF Ottery St. Mary, m. Elizabeth Kelly, fl. 1551.
1.1.1. William Harris of Hayne, m. Mary Greville, d. o. Sir Fulk Greville of Beauchamp’s Court.
1.1.1.1. Arthur Harris of Hayne and Kenegie (d. 1628) m. Margaret Davils, d. o. John Davils of Totely.
1.1.1.1.1. John Harris of Hayne and Kenegie m. (1) Florence Windham, d. o. Sir John Windham; (2) Cordelia Mohun , d. o. Sir John Mohun, 1st Lord of Oakhampton.
1.11.1.1.1. Sir Arthur Harris of Hayne and Kenegie, Bart., m. (1673) Theophila Turner, d. o. John Turner. Lease for 2 lives, 1607: 1. Arthur Harris of Heyne, esq, William Roe of Stowford, yeoman, John Turner of Eggloskerrye, Cornwall. 2. William Marten, junior, and Priscilla his wife. Premises, ie. messuage and appurts, 10 acres of meadow, 20 acres of pasture, 10 acres of wood, 40 acres of furze and heath at Over Spry, Stowford.
1.1.1.1.2. Arthur Harris.
1.1.1.1.2.1. Christopher Harris of Hayne and Kenegie, m. Elizabeth Martin, d. o. William Martin, of Linderidge.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. William Harris of Hayne, Sheriff of Devon (d. 1709). Lease in reversion for 99 years or 2 lives, and counterpart. 1694: 1. William Harris of Hayne, Esq, William Burne of Stowford, John Turner of St Giles-in-the-Heath, Phillip Caddy, Peter Drown, William Bole, all of Stowford, yeoman 2. William Martyn of Stowford, yeoman. Premises: as in 891/597, held by 2. for term of his life.
1.1.1.1.2.1.2. Joseph Harris.
1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1. Major John Harris, of Saint Stephen’s Parish, Northumberland Co., will proved 1713.
1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.1. Sarah Harris, m.. Anthony Haynie, will proved 1709.
1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.1.1. John Haynie, m. Hannah Neale (b. July 12, 1684 in Northumberland Co.), d. o. Elizabeth Holland and Daniel Neale; Elizabeth the d. o. Daniel Holland: “Holland, Daniel, Northumberland Co., 17th Apr., 1672 – To dau. Eliza:, 20 ac.. in Newman’s Neck. Wife Joyce, execx. and residuary legatee. Test: Edward Elliott, Jeremy Robins, n.b. Francis Cussan, Paul Winbery. (1. 564).
1.1.2.1.2.1.1.2. Grace Haynie, m. Capt. George Ball, will proved 1746.
1.1.3. Thomas Harris of St. Hilary, m. Joan Harte. HW/15, Dec. 1, 1628: Assignment (i) John Harris of Hayne in Devon, Esq (executor of his father Arthur Harris. (ii) n.b. Thomas Harris of St Hilary (brother of i); Mansion etc. in Treveneth Marhasse (Trewarmeneth near Marazion) in St Hilary.

Richard Flint of Cherry Point in Northumberland County and Martha his wife and da. of John Gresham late of Great Wirkoromico in the aforesaid Co. of Northumberland sold for 16,000 pounds of good tobacco unto John Harris of Great Wirkoromico in the Co. of Norlthumberland 520 ac. of land situated lying in ye said Co. of Northumberland formerly granted to ye aforesaid John Gresham by patent dated ye fifth of May, 1652. January 7, 1670. (Northumberland Co., B. 16, 1666-1672, p. 95).
Northumbeland Co. B. 4, 1678-1698: 21 August 1678. John Harris obtained a judgement for 1200 lbs of tobacco confessed to him by Jno Hudnall atty of Jno Palmer.(4.2)
21 August 1678. John petitions to have his land surveyed to fix the boundries. (4.3).
17 October 1678. John swears that Tho Marshall owes him 908 lbs of tobacco. (4.8).
19 February 1679. John is arrested at the suit of Edw. Feilding for an obligation, dated 23 May 1677, of 8640 lbs of tobacco. John produced a bill of lading signed by Mr. John Teaque, master of the ship Phonix of Bristol, dated 14 February 1669, that “said Harris did by the name of John Hamilton” consign to Feilding 9 hhd of tobacco for which he had rec’d no credit.(4.26)
16 August 1682. John arrests Mrs. Jane Wildey for a debt, but he does not appear at court. Nonsuit awarded to Mrs. Wildey.(4.141)
1 December 1684. To John Harris and John Haynie, Sr. 200 ac. binding on land of Rd. routt &c. 150 AC. on Scotts Creek (Fairfield Co.).
2 July 1694. 200 ac. to John Harris & Edward Fielding on main branch of Wiccomoco River, separating from the Eastmost branch. (Virginia Land Office, Rd. Proprietors Grants, B. 2, pp. 92, 176, 197)
15 July 1696. John given a certificate for 250 ac. of land for importing 5 persons to the colony.(4.733).
16 November 1698. Mr. John Harris appointed a Justice in Northumberland Co .(4.841)
On 21 May 1707, John Harris takes oath to prove the will of Tho Ingram which he witnessed on 12 October 1700. (Northumberland Co., B. 17, 1706-1720, p. 21. (17.21).
On 31 January 1709, John Harris witnesses the will of Anthony Haynie, husband of his daughter, Sarah. (Northumberland Co. B. 17, p. 107).
The will of John Harris was probated on 18 June 1713. Its provisions were as follows:
“I give unto my daughter Sarah Haynie any one slave and any one bed and furniture &c. 2ndly – whereas formerly I was willing my sd. daughter should live with me and take part of what I had and did promise her husband, Anthony Haynie, that if he and my daughter his wife, would bring what they had and live with me that I would make over to him one hundred acres of land on which I live and his daughter Grace, my grand-daughter the one-half of what personal estate I should then have to be equally divided between them and their heirs &c. I give unto my daughter Sarah Haynie the land I live on to her and her heirs &c. and all other land or lands I have – my daughter Sarah Haynie and my grand-son George Ball, Exrx and Exor.” Wit: George Dameron, Josiah Dameron, John Bentley, George Nash, Hancock Nickless, Onecephorus Harvey.
11 January 1668. Mrs Grace Hopins. Widow of Mr Thomas Hopkins to have inventory taken of his est. (3.51).
21 January 1668. Mrs Grace Hopkins. Her servts Eliz Evans and Isaaac Hudson having run away, the sheriff ordered to take them “and give them 20 stripes a pece on their backes untill the blood come” and deliver them to their mistress’ house”. (Northumberland Co, B. 18. 1710-1713, p. 318).
On 22 June 1669, Mrs Grace Hopkins, relict of Tho. Hopkins decd., appointed one of the overseers of the will of Jno Ingram decd. (3.65).
April 29, 1670. Thomas Ingram’s Discharge. I have rec’d of Mrs. Grace Harris als. Hopkins and by her order of Robert Jones of Fleets Bay full satisfaction for four store horses, six mares and three foales, to be delivered by sd. Grace by first of May next &c. I convey my whole right and interest to all the rest of the whole breed of horses formerly belonging to John Ingram my late father, dec’d. or to Mr. Thomas Hopkins dec’d. Wit: Thomas Morriss, John Field. (Northumberland Co., B. 16, 1666-1672, p. 128).

HARRIS GROUP F

Westbury-on-Severn: Manors and other estates. The Crown retained the manor of Rodley until 1625 when it granted it to Robert Cary, later Earl of Monmouth, and Sir Henry Cary his son and heir; they sold the manor in 1632 to John Berrow of Quedgeley and five others Glos. (R.O., D 326/T 5-6).

CRUMPE
1. John Crompe. Byrde v Hyott. Plaintiffs: Margaret Byrde, widow, and John Broke. Defendants: Thomas Hyott, feoffee to uses. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to land in Rodley, late of John Crompe. Gloucestershire. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 1/386/1, 1515-1518).
1.1. John Crump. In August 1545, William Walton, vicar of Westbury, witnesseD the Will of John Crump, of Rodley. (Bristol and Glouc. Arch. Soc., vol. 19, p. 33).
1.1.1. John Crumpe, d. 1576 (Chancery Proceedings).
1.2. Thomas Crump.
1.2.1. John Crumpe, inherited lands in Westbury Manor from his deceased cousin. Plaintiffs: John Crompe. Defendants: John Shotte and Thomas Westbury. Subject: claim as heir; messuage and land in the parish of Westbury (Westbury-on-Severn), Gloucestershire, late the estate of John Crompe, deceased, from whom plaintiff deduces his title as cousin. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 2/Eliz/C18/19, 1576).
1.2.1.1. Robert Crumpe. Lease of lands in Rodley and Chaxhill for 31 years. The Mayor and Burgesses of the cyttie of Glouc. To Thomas Best, one of the aldermen and sherife of the said cyttie of Glouc. Lease of lands in Rodley and Chaxhill formerly in the possession of Christopher Younge and Robert Crompe or one of them, for 31 years. Rent 13s 10d. 6 Jan. 22 Eliz., (1579/80). (Gloucestershire Archives, ref. D3270/140). Will of Robert Crompe of Westbury, Gloucestershire, 24 July 1595. PROB 11/86/147.
1.2.1.1.1. John Crumpe, of Leckhampton, deceased 1621. (Glouc. Arch., ref. GDR/B4/2/C 34).
1.2.1.1.1.1. Ralphe Crumpe. Norwood v Randoll. Plaintiffs: Francis Norwood. Defendants: Katherine Randoll widow, John Tanty, Thomas Lumbord, Ralph Crumpe, Walter Cherington and others. Subject: manor of Leckhampton, Gloucestershire. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 6/85/63, 1654). Francis Norwood was the son of Richard Norwood, son of William Norwood, Sheriff of Glouchestershire, and Elizabeth Lygon, of Arle, Madresfield, Worcestershire. Norwood v Stywards. Plaintiffs: William Norwood esq. and Richard Norwood his son and heir apparent. Defendants: Nicholas Stywards LLD. Case concerning divers lands in the counties of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, and elsewhere, but does not specify particulars. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 2/Eliz/N3/10). Norwood v Folliott. Plaintiffs: Richard Norwood and (his son) Francis Norwood. Defendants: Sir John Folliott kt, (Norwood) and others. Subject: property in Up Hatherley, Gloucestershire. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 3/369/25. 1623).
1.2.1.1.2. Robert Crumpe, m. Sep. 17, 1605, Margaret Harris, in Painswick (4 mls fr. Quedgeley).
She was either the da. of William or Richard Harris (bapt. Sept. 21, 1559) of Quedgeley, the former being the likely son of John Harris, Vicar of Quedgeley; the latter being the son of Walter Harris, of Quedgeley. John and Walter Harris were the probable sons of John Harris, of Quedgeley, probate 1544. Right hand indenture of fine. (1) Richard Crump; Robert Crump; Edward Beard (querents). (2) Joseph Morwent and Sarah his wife (deforciants). Two messuages, 2 barns, 2 gardens, 2 orchards, 2 acres of land, one acre of meadow, 6 acres of pasture, and common of pasture during the whole year with appurts. Rodley, Wesbury, Sawle, and Standish. Consideration: £60. Michaelmas term 1633. (Glouc. Arch., ref. D2957/139/70).
1.2.1.1.2.1. Thomas Crumpe, gent., Burgess, February, 1632-3; d. 1636. It is probable that he m. a da. of Rev. Richard Buck. In March, 1654-5, the Assembly made the following order: “In the case of John Bromfield, pet., and the widdow Crump, defendant. It being found that the will of Richard Buck, from whence the land descends to the orphant, there does not appeare any estate past to Bridget Bromfield, late wife of John Burrowes”. John Burrowes m. Bridget Buck, the da. of Richard Buck. Bridget Buck m. (2) William Davis, (3) John Bromfield. John Burrowes was almost certainly from Awre/Quedgeley, Gloucestershire.
1.2.1.1.2.1.1. John Crumpe. In 1654, he had a grant of 1,250 ac. in James City Co. near Mr. Batte’s landing and the Glebe land, 750 of which were granted to Richard Buck, clerk, January 20, 1619, and 500 granted Peleg Buck in 1638, “and both tracts now the property of John Crump by inheritance”.
1.2.1.1.2.1.2. Robert Harris, alias Crumpe. He was as likely to have been a Crumpe than a Harris, with him taking the alias in respect of maternal inheritance; a common enough practice. This Harris family were not without influential contacts, as witnessed by the remarriage of Agnes (bur. Elmstone Hardwick, Feb. 26, 1587), widow of Walter Harris, to Thomas Viner, of Cerney, Feb. 26, 1581. In these records, Walter is designated as “Walteri Harris de Heydon”, that is, Heydon Hayes, in Awre, the manor of the Berewe family. Thomas Viner was grandfather to Sir Thomas Viner (1588-1665), lord mayor of London. If a Harris, on chronological grounds, Robert being a son of William Harris, and contemporary of Mary Jane Jennings, would be a reasonable supposition.
1.2.1.1.2.1.3. Richard Crumpe. Crompe v. Crompe. Plaintiffs: Robert Crompe. Defendants: Richard Crompe. Subject: Property in Westbury, Gloucestershire. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 5/600/114, 1641).
1.2.1.1.2.1.4. John Crumpe. Jennings v. Crumpe. Plaintiffs: John Jennings and Martha Jennings his wife. Defendants: John Crumpe, Richard Crumpe, Nathaniel Saunders, Thomas Saunders and Mary West. Subject: property in Rodley, and Westbury, Gloucestershire. 1656. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 6/150Pt2/6). Capital messuage called Rodley Farm, with lands; settlement before marriage between Thos. Saunders of Rodley, yeoman, and Frances Hayward of Charlton (Somerset). (Gloucestershire Archives, ref. D326/T136, 1659). Peter Wilson Coldham (‘English Estates of American Colonists’) identifies Robert Harris as recorded in the Perogative Court of Canterbury: ‘Harris alias Crump, Mary (Jane in margin, the same person; Mary Jane), of Virginia. Administration to daughter Martha (Harris), wife of John Jennings’. (June 1656). Martha (Harris) Jennings was the sister of Mary Harris, wife of Anthony Spilltimber. In 1668, her dower land was the subject of a suit between her husband and John Jennings. Spilltimber said that he sold his rights to John Clay Sr., “upon which he now liveth”.

JENNINGS
1. Thomas Jennings 1566. Apr. 26, 1564, Quedgeley.
1.1. John Jennings, m. (1) Jul. 3, 1561, Alys Barnes. (2) Jul. 6, 1570, Jone Vaughan.
1.1.1. Thomas Jennings, m. Ann Rice, Jan. 27, 1609.
1.1.1.1. Mary Jane Jennings, m. Robert Harris (alias Crumpe), possibly the son of Robert Crumpe and Margaret Harris. Robert Harris alias Crumpe being the brother of John Crumpe and Richard Crumpe, who sued Martha Jennings over their deceased brother’s lands in Rodely. Did Mary Jane Jennings marry, firstly, Edward Rice?
1.1.1.1.1. Martha Harris (alias Crumpe), m. John Jennings, her cousin.
1.1.1.2. John Jennings.
1.1.1.1.2. Mary Harris (alias Crumpe), m. Anthony Spilltimber

BURROW
It seems very probable that Bridget Buck, wife of Thomas Crumpe, remarried to a John Burrowes of this family:
I. Walter Berewe, m. Elizabeth Derehurst, da. and heire to Thomas Derehurst, and had issue a son —
II. John Berewe, who mar. Jone (Joan) Hariffeild, d. and heire of John Hariffeild, of Hariffeild.
They had issue, a son —
III. Richard Berewe, who mar. Jone (Joan) Hawkins, d. and heire of Richard Hawkins. Richard Berewe was buried at Quedgeley.
Co. Gloucester, March 1564, according to the register of that parish. They had issue —
1. Edmund Berewe (IV).
2. Antony Berewe, named in wills of brothers Roger (1566), and Edmund (1570).
3. James Berewe, named in will of brother Roger in 1566.
4. Henry Berewe, also named in same will; aged 36 “and more” in 1567. Next heir to brother Roger.
5. Roger Berewe, of Hardwick, bur. at Quedgeley, 25 July 1566. (P.R.). Will pr. at Gloucester, 22 October 1566.
IV. Edmund Berewe, eldest son of Richard Berewe, was of Felcombe, als. Felcourt, and was bur. in the Lady Chapel,
Awre, 22 August 1570 (P.R.). His will was proved at Gloucester, 30 September 1570. His Inq. p.m. was taken at
Cirencester, 18 September 1570. He m. Frances, da. of James Clifford, of Frampton, in Com. Glo’ster, and had issue, four sons and four daughters : —
1. James, eldest son (V).
2. Edward.
3. John.
4. Richard.
1. Margaret, mar. John Sternhold, 4 October 1570; and secondly, Henry Triffett, 21 October 1582. Both marriages are
recorded in the Awre Parish Register.
2. Eleanor, m. John Nicholls, 8 October 1570. (Quedgeley Parish Register).
3. Elizaheth.
4. Mary.
V. James Berewe, eldest son of Edmund Berewe (IV) married as his first wife, Elizabeth, da. of Edmund Foxe, of
Ludford. Where the children of this marriage were baptised is not at present known. She was bur. at Quedgeley, 8 October 1584 (P.R.). By this marriage James Berewe had issue, three sons and three daughters : —
1. Edmund Berewe, of Felcourte, son and heir (VI).
2. John, whose will was proved at Gloucester, 1645. He m. Martha, da. of Charles Foxe, and had a da., Elizabeth,
bap. 1 October 1633 (Quedgeley P.R.), and a son, Charles, bap. at Awre, 23 February 1640 (P.R.).
3. James, d. s.p.
1. Dorothy, who m. at Awre, 1 July 1594 (P.R.), Warren Gough, who d. 18 December 1636, at St. Briavells. His Inq. p.m. was recorded 13 April 1637. See Gloucester Records, vol. iii, Index Library, text at length).
2. Mabel.
3. Frances, bur. at Awre, 31 July 1581 (P.R.).
James Berewe married, as his second wife, Catherine Boulton, by whom he had issue : —
1. Richard, bap. at Quedgeley, 29 August 1591 (P.R.).
2. Thomas, bap. at Awre, 18 March 1593. (P.R.); bur. at Awre. (P.R.) 13 February 1665.
1. Susan, bap. at Quedgeley, 31 March 1588 (P.R.). She mar. Richard Dover.
VI. Edmund Berewe, son of James Berewe (V), born about 1576, mar., as his first wife, Mary Fowler, of Salop. (Harl. 1041), and had issue, four sons and four daughters: —
1. William, bap. 10 April 1608 ; bur. 12 May 1626 (Quedgeley P.R.).
2. John.
3. James, bap. 12 September 1613 ; bur. 15 Jan. 1674 (Awre P.R.).
4. Richard, bap. 28 December 1614 (Awre P.R.) ; d. 11 Oct. 1651 (Quedgeley, M.I.). He married firstly, Eleanor . . .
He married secondly, Angeletta (Quedgeley, M.I.).
1. Elizabeth.
2. Mary.
3. Martha, bap. 2 March 1620 (Awre P.R.).
4. Eleanor, bap. 21 August 1622 (Awre P.R.).
Edmund Berewe married, as his second wife, Kleanor Helmes, by whom he had no issue. He was bur. at Quedgeley, 29 November
1641 (P.R.), and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son —
VII. John Berewe (Capt.), who married, as his first wife, 29 November 1632, Mary Hastings (Quedgeley P.R., and see Visitation, Oxon., 1631, Harl. Soc., vol. v, p. 262).

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