We can know much of the Hayne family of Devon and Virginia, at the same time as knowing little of importance. That is, although it is possible to chart ‘who begat who’, the substance of their life – their everyday actions, motivations, and hopes – remain largely hidden. It is possible to construct aspects of their life from the works of social historians, and gain insight into the hardships faced by Devonshire seafaring families in the 15th and 16th centuries. By and large, many of those briefly mentioned hereinafter were of a landed class that invested their profits in shipbuilding and seafaring merchant trade, largely out of Plymouth, which greatly expanded with the colonisation of Virginia.

The brief account that follows does not describe the complexity of intermarriages that occurred between members of this kinship group, between that of Yeo and Harris, and Hamlyn and Harris, etc., or their shared tenurial connections of centuries standing. An expanded account would give more insight into the ” family collectives” that colonised virginia, yet such a truth runs counter to the Hollywood notion of colonisation through individual effort, and most would rather receive a version of “popcorn history” at the cinema.

I have included a brief footnote of the ancestry of Dousabella Harris (of Hayne) and her husband, John Beare, as their “circle” found their way to Virginia.

Hayne, (Devon) ar. a chev. gu. betw. three martlets sa.

WIlliam Holand of Weare in the county of Devon. Arms — Quarterly, of eight pieces: 1. Azure, semee de lis a lion rampant gardant Argent; 2. Gules, ten torteaux, two, three, two, two, and one, a canton Ermine; 3. Quarterly, Or and Gules, four escallops counterchanged ; 4. Azure, three bendlets Argent; 5. Ermine, a bend Gules; 6. Gules, a chevron Argent, between three plates ; 7. Gules, a fess nebuly Argent; 8. Gules, a chevron between three martlets Argent. Thus, the Hollands of Weare had intermarried with a Heiress whose family bore the Arms (differenced) of the Hayne family, which were also those of the Sanfords: ar. a chevron between three martlets sa.

1. Walter Hayne, born c. 1410. Quit Claim Thomas, son of John Beaumont to John Waylock and Margery his wife. Lands: tenement and garden in Pilton, between land of Walter Hayne of S. and land of John … on the N. and Podyngdon meadow on E and the road on the S. Wits: Walter Hayne, John Chive, John Colt, Hugh Geffrey, Thomas Colson. 9 Nov. 1442. (North Devon Record Office (N.D.R.) 1239 F/T 3). Feoffment: Lands and tenements in Barnstaple. Henry Hunte, s. and h. of John, to John Holand, Rector of Heanton (illigitimate half-brother of Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter) and Walter Hayne merchant. (N.D.R, B1/496. c. 1450). Charter: Robert Haywode and Richard Holemore. To the brothers and lepers of St. Margaret’s Hospital, Pilton. A tenement and adjacent garden in Pilton, in Smythynstrete: the tenement of Barnstaple Long Bridge to the east, that formerly of Walter Hayne to the west and the king’s highway to the south; to pray for the souls of Walter, his wife Joanna and their children, parents, benefactors and all of the faithful dead. (N.D.R., B1/4925. February 20, 1461). Pilton is in Barnstaple.
1.1. Thomas Hayne. Wytheman v Hayne. Plaintiffs: William Wytheman. Defendants: Thomas Hayne. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to land in Fremyngham. Devon. (National Archives (N.A.), C 1/175/59 1486-1493). From Fremington to Pilton is 4 miles. The Harris family held land in Pilton to at least 1693.
1.2. John Hayne. Hayn v Brase. Plaintiffs: John Hayn, son of Joan Hayn, deceased. Defendants: Phelype Brase and John Laplod. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to messuages and lands at Woddhouse in Sidbury. Devon. (N.A., C 1/141/66. 1486-1493).
1.3. William Hayne.
1.3.1. Edward Hayne.
1.3.2. Walter Hayne. Hayn v Hayn. Plaintiffs: Walter, son of William Hayn, of Bratton. Defendants: Robert Hayn. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to land in Stowford. Devon. (N.A., C 1/205/60. 1493-1500). Hayne v Hayne. Plaintiffs: Edward, son of William Hayne. Defendants: Walter Hayne, brother of complainant. Subject: Portion of corn and other goods due to complainant according to the custom of the hundred of Lyfton Frankelyn, by which the residue of a deceased man’s goods, after debts and legacies paid, were divided equally between executors for the health of his soul, his widow and his children, or, the wife not surviving, between executors and children. Devon. (N.A., C 1/205/92. 1493-1500).
1.3.2.1. Walter Hayne. Robert Hamlyn of Devon v William Gregory, Walter Hayne and Richard Meryfelde: a messuage and lands in Sprytown [in Stowford], Devon. (N.D.R., REQ 2/6/40. 1492 and 1547). This family of Hamlyn intermarried with a junior (Marwood) branch of the Harris of Hayne.
1.3.3.1.1. Walter Hayne, Esq.
1.3.3.1.1.1. Thomasine Hayne, married William Harris, died by January 12, 1547 (‘Captain Billy’), about whom ‘Jamaica Inn’ was written).
1.3.3.1.1.1.1. John Harris of Hayne, died 1551, of Ottery St. Mary, married Elizabeth Kelly, fl. 1551.
1.3.3.1.1.1.1.1. William Harris of Hayne, died February 23, 1591, married Mary Greville, daughter of Sir Fulk Greville of Beauchamp’s Court.
1.3.3.1.1.1.1.1.1. Arthur Harris of Hayne and Kenegie (died 1628) married Margaret Davils, daughter of John Davils of Totely.
1.3.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Harris, buried May 1661.
1.3.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Christopher Harris of Hayne and Kenegie, died May 25, 1687.
1.3.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. John Harris of Hayne & Kenegie (born cica 1596, died March 6, 1656.
1.3.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.3. Joseph Harris.
1.3.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.3.1. Major John Harris, born circa 1640, of Saint Stephen’s Parish, Northumberland Co., will dated 20 September, 1718, mentions a legacy left by his uncle William Harris “of Hayne in parish of Stowford in County of Devon”.  In this construct, I have not followed the various guess works of  Mr. Vivian, and those who assign brothers to different generations on the sole basis that one died substantially before the other. It can also be noted that one brother may have married at the age of 23, another (probably for a second time) at the age of 46, adding to the confusion about generations.
1.3.3.1.2. David Hayne. David Hayne. Beare v Hayne. Plaintiffs: John Beare. Defendants: David Hayne. Subject: Land in Barnstaple late of Thomas Beare, deceased, father of complainant. Devon. (N.A., C 1/1174/38. 1544-1551). Bond by David Hayne to Robert Cade, Mayor, and to the Aldermen and Burgesses, for releasing and quit claiming all rights under the Manor of Barnstaple to the Castle Green, the Castle Bayley, and the Rack Haye. 12 January 1585. (Barnes, ‘Barnstaple records’, 1900. (Chalden v Chaldon. Plaintiffs: Alice Chalden, widow. Defendants: Miles Chaldon (her son). Subject: land in Pilton, Devon, agreed to be demised to the plaintiff, Alice Chalden, widow, and the defendant, Miles Chaldon (her son) by John Pinchard). (N.A., C 2/JasI/C3/30). 1603-1625.
1.3.3.1.2.1. William Hayne.
1.3.3.1.2.1.1. Thomas Hayne, bapt. March 4, 1540, Barnstaple.
1.3.3.1.2.2.2. David Hayne, married, September 13, 1564, in Barnstaple, Julyan Cotten.
1.3.3.1.2.2.2.1. Robert Hayne, Barnstaple.
1.3.3.1.2.2.2.2. Gilbert Hayne, Barnstaple.
1.3.3.1.2.2.2.3. William Hayne, Barnstaple.
1.3.3.1.2.2.2.4. Oliver Hayne, bapt. August 15, 1565, Barnstaple, married, February 25, 1612, at Plymouth, St. Andrews, Devon, Margaret Hitchens.
1.3.3.1.2.2.2.4.1. Hugh Haynes.
1.3.3.1.2.2.2.4.2. William Haynes.
1.3.3.1.2.2.2.4.3. Thomas Haynes, bapt. December 28, 1619. Thomas Hayne v James Yeo: money matters, Devon. (N.A., C 10/6/12. 1648). Thomas Haynes (died 1679), of Northumberland Co, bequeathed his brother, William Haynes, all his estate in houses, &c., in England, ” which may be known by my father’s will.” His will Rec. May 24, 1679, further bequested to son James Haynes my plantation. Daus. Elizabeth and Margarett Haynes land bought in partnership with Mr. Robt. Griggs upon a creek called Slaughters creek. My “nevie” Thomas Reave 5000 lbs. of tabacco. “Nevie” James Haynes who is also now in Va. Brothers James Haynes & his son. Wm. Haynes and his son Thos. Haynes all my estate in England after death of my sister Joan to whom I do give it for her life time, which came to me by my father’s will. Exors: Wife and children. Wits: John Molyne, Thos. Burroughs. (W.B. 5, p. 54). Lancaster Co, Court, March 9, 1697: James Haynes, William Jones, Thomas Gaskins, Thomas Pinkard, and Elizabeth Curtis comeing into Court and moveing for administration of their Mother, Elizabeth Pinkard’s, estate the same is therefore granted and itt is further ordered yt an Inventory of ye Estate be taken and returned upon Oath to ye next Court. Capt. William Jones married by 1681 Margaret Haynes, stepdaughter of John Pinckard and daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Haynes: Lancaster Court of September 14, 1681, “The difference depending att this Court between John Pinckard & Elizabeth his wife, Relicte of Mr. Thomas Haynes (deced) & William Jones as marrieing Margaret, Eldest Daughter of the sde Haynes (deced) is to be referred to the next Court.” Deed 1704, Sept. 20, Capt Wm Jones & Margaret his wife by her atty Wm Jones Jr., land to Robert Carter, Mr. Hancock Lee atty Robt Carter”.
1.3.3.1.3. Thomas Hayne.
1.3.3.1.3.1. Peter Hayne, bapt. November 28, 1578, Barnstaple.
1.3.3.1.3.2. John Hayne, bapt. February 11, 1581, Barnstaple.
1.3.3.1.3.3. Ezekiell Hayne, bapt. July 5, 1584, Barnstaple.
1.3.3.1.3.4. William Hayne, bapt. December 3, 1586, Barnstaple.
1.3.3.1.3.5. Thomas Hayne, bapt. April 6, 1589, Barnstaple.
Dousabella Harris is one of those from the distant past whose name, preserved on a grave-slab in St Olave’s, Hart Street, gives a nudge toward wanting to know more of her. She and her husband, John Beare, have been recorded in stark abstraction: ‘Nave. Floor slab: John Beare, merchant, died 29 Jul 1696 aged 77 and Dousabell (Dulcibella) née Harris his wife, died 2 June 1688 aged 77; married ca. 1654’. Burial Register: 1688 June 9: ‘Mrs. Dulcibella, wife of Mr John Beare, Mrch was buried in ye south side chauncell; 1696 Aug. 7 Mr John Beare buried in ye south chancell’ … Arms: (Argent), three bears’ heads erased (sable), muzzled (or) (Beare); impaling: (Sable), three crescents (argent) (Harris). Crest: A bear’s head erased (sable), muzzled (or). Such genealogical shorthand hides a wealth of information, hinted at by Strype in his ‘Worthies’, who commented that they ‘both descended from good Families in the County of Devon’, and he ‘had lived for 42 years at St Olave Hart Street’.

This should be enough to excite enquiry, for it is immediately obvious that Dousabell was of the Harris family of Hayne, whose members had strong connections to Virginia – ‘Sir Fulke Greville of Beauchamp’s Court, married (1526) Elizabeth Willoughby, b. Apr. 28, 1510, their daughter, Mary Geville, married William Harris of Hayne, Esq., Sept. 11, 1553, at St Dunstan In the West, London. She was the sister of Edward Greville, who married Jane Grey; their issue included (1) Frances Greville, who married (1) Nathaniel West (Lt. Col.) of Virginia, (2) Abraham Piersey; (3) Samuel Matthews, Governor of Virginia‘; the said William Harris being the ancestor of Major John Harris of Northumberland Co., whose daughter, Sarah, married a member of her Devonshire kinship group, Anthony Haynie (Haynie being a variation of Hayne, in Stowford); their daughter, Grace Haynie, marrying another probable member, Capt. George Ball, 1683-1746, of ‘Bay View’, son of Capt. Wm. Ball, and Margaret, granddaughter of Col. William Underwood. Capt. Wm. Ball married (1) Mary or Margaret Williamson, daughter of James Williamson, of Rappahannock Co. David Ball, William Ball’s brother (born September 26, 1686; died December 14, 1732); married (2) May 29, 1727, Ellen Heale, daughter of George Heale, of Lancaster Co.

George Heale was probably of a prominent Devonshire family, kin of the Harris of Hayne. Margaret Harris, sister of the heretofore mentioned Arthur Harris, husband of Margaret Daville, married William Crimes, gent., buried September 9, 1621; their daughter, Elizabeth, married Sir Francis Glanville of Tavistock and Kilworthy, who died 1638, Serjeant-at-law, whose sister, Joan, was the wife of Sampson Heale of Gnaton, Sheriff of Devon, fl. 1621. Likewise, the Ball family were also probably of Devonshire stock. A Ball family were established at Totnes (Will of William Ball, Gentleman of Totnes, Devon November 3, 1602), and at Frithelstock nr. Barnstaple, where William Harris of Hayne held land (see Will of William Ball, Yeoman of Frithelstock, Devon, September 15, 1650).

April 17, 1667. *William Ball and Thomas Chetwood. 1600 acres on North Side of Rappahannock River in Rappahannock County. Due for transportation of 32 persons: William Ball, his son, Hannah Ball (his daughter, who married David Fox*), her daughters, Mary Jones, Martha Jones. This indicates that Hannah Ball, born March 12, 1650, was a ‘widow Jones‘.

Nov. 12, 1718: Will of William Fox: “Wife Anne; daughter Mary; sisters: Hannah Spellman, Anne Fox, and Catherine Heale. Nieces Frances Spellman and Frances Fox. Nephews: David Fox and Richard Kenner; Elizabeth Vaulx, Hannah Harris, Elizabeth, Sarah and Ellen Heale, daughters of George Heale; Wm Dare; Jas. Reeves; Wm. Attchison; Thos. Frazer; Mr. Geo Hele; Maj Wm Ball; James Ball, Wm Payne. Extrs: Wife Anne and Mr Wm Payne. Wits Nicho. George,* Geo. Wall, Eliz. Diggles (B. 10, p. 275). Inventory above estate recorded February 13, 1718. Proved by Anne Chichester, late Anne Fox, and Wm Payne.

Hannah Harris was a daughter of Rodham Kenner and Hannah Fox, sister of William Fox. After the death of Rodham Kenner, Hannah Fox married Clement Spelman. Hannah Kenner was the wife of John Harris. After the death of William Fox, his widow married (Marriage bond dated July, 1719). Richard Chichester, 2nd son of John Chichester of Widworthy and Margaret Ware, who came to Virginia in 1702, bringing with him his son, John.

The Chichester family held land in Frithelstock, as did Balthazar Beare, grandfather of John, husband of Dousabell Harris: Devon Record Office, Calendar of Deeds, membrane 17, 17d. May 5, 1565: Frithelstock: Bargain and sale by John Chichester of Frithelstock, esq, to John Dennis of Orleigh, esq, and John Boteler of Parkham, gentleman, of a third part of the manner and rectory of Frithellstocke which he holds for the term of the life of Dame Honor Lisley, widow.

Visitation (J. L. Vivian (1895), Devon, 1531 + 1564 + 1620 + additions, ‘Beare of Ash’).
Arms: (Argent), three bears’ heads erased (sable), muzzled (or).
1. George Beare, d. 1577, married Julian Harper.
1.1. John Beare, of Barnstable, Devon, married Agnes Snidall, daughter of John Snidall.
1.1.1. George Beare, married (2) Mary Newcourt, daughter of *John Newcourt of Pickwell, widow of William Stone of St. Minver.
1.1.1.1. John Beare, married Dousabell Harris.

John Newcourt bought the manors of Georgeham and Pickwell in 1560. The oldest inscribed tomb in the churchyard is that of John Newcourt, who died in 1602 … ‘To the pios memorie of Tobie Newcourt of Pickwell in this parish Esqr who married Mary third daughter of Arthur Harris of Heane Esq.’ (Denise Smith, Brian Harris, A Brief History of the Church in Georgeham, 2007).

1. John Harris, Seargeant-at-Law, Recorder of Exeter, 1544.
1.1. William Harris of Hayne, m. (1) Mary Greville.
1.1.1. Arthur Harris, of Hayne & Kenegie, Sheriff of Cornwall (b. by 1561, d. May 16, 1628), married Margaret Davils, daughter of John Davils and Mary Malet. John Davils was the nephew of Amy Davils, who married Richard Dennys, of Exeter; younger brother of Sir Thomas Dennys, who married Anne Paulet, daughter of William Paulet, 3rd Marquess of Winchester.
1.1.1.1. Mary Harris, married Tobyas Newcourt, of Pickwell.
1.2. Anthony Harris, of Marwood, buried April 10, 1618, 4th son.
1.2.1. Mary Harris, married John Newcourt, of Pickwell.
For Harris, see misc Cornwall (Kenegie in Gulval, etc) deeds and papers and misc Harris family papers, c. 1270-1842.

copyright m stanhope 2017