Within the sheer density of kinship group intermarriages, it is possible to gain an insight into a particular family by focusing on another, so as to view through a different prism. In the case of many families of the Somerset/Gloucestershire borderlands, there is no better prism as the family of Bourne, which, because of a wealth of extant Wills, allows an insight into the complexity of relationships which assisted in the settling of Virginia, by supplying financial and physical support to those within its circle.

Bristol was at the heart of many family’s commercial (tobacco) enterprise, and this is where such as the Bennetts, Sewards, Allens, Bechinoes, Pitts, Drivers, and Pylands, etc. operated from, attracting investment from those associated with them. The Bourne family were very well-to-do, and had considerable influence.

1. Richard Bourne, of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, m. Sylvester Tybolde, who d. bef. Feb. 9, 1593, in Wells, Somerset. Richard Bourne, Will pr. March, 1594. (23 Dixy). To be buried near my wife in the Cathedral of Wells. Gilbert Bourne (eldest son) to be Exr. To him the Demesnes of Wrodiscombe (Wiveliscombe), with the custody of the great house demised to me by my Reverend brother, Bishop Bourne. My eldest da. Mary. My second son John. My sons William, Roger, Thomas, now detained in a foreign country. To Richard, 100 marks, & Jasper Bourne. A piece of plate to the Chamber of Worcester. To Jane Bourne, my best brasse pott.
1.1 Gilbert Bourne. Will proved Feb. 3, 1596: To be buried in Wells Cathedral near is wife. Son John Bourne; daus. Mary, Jane, Philippa; brothers John Bourne (Treasurer of Wells Cathedral) and Roger Bourne. He m. Eleanor Smith.
1.1.1. John Bourne, born in Wiveliscombe. Will proved Oct. 21, 1656. To be buried in Wells Cathedral near his ancestors. Eldest s. Roger, s. Henry, s. Gilbert, s. Thomas, younger sons under 16 years of age; daus. Mary, Phillippa, Silvestre, Jane, and Frances; sons in law Mr. Stanhope and Mr. Fleming; nephew Mr. William Wyke; sister Godwin. He m. Elizabeth Weare, d. bef. Aug. 16, 1660, in Halberton, Devon. Elisabeth Bourne, of Gothelney, Som., widow. Will proved by Jane Bourne, Aug. 16, 1660. (163 Nabbs). To be buried at Charlinch. To my eldest son Roger Bourne, my salt that was my cousin Bourne’s, the ring that was my Uncle Jasper’s. Ann, wife of my son Roger. My da. Frances. Roger to have the mortgage of the Manor of Curripole, Tuxwell, & Radlett. My daus. Mary, Sylvestre, & Frances. Richard Cross, gent., my son-in-law. My da. Philippa, deceased. My son Humphry Bourne, & his wife Margaret. His Aunt Stephens. To my son Gilbert, £150. My sons Henry, Thomas (Bourne Thomas, 1638 John Moone – Greer; hence associated with the Fulghams), John, Edward, William, who is under 21. My estates in Huish & Langport, to be sould by my son-in-law, Mr Robert Fleming, & my brother-in-law, Mr John Stephens. My son-in-law, John Stanope. My da. Ellinor, wife of Mr Robert Fleming. Their children Ellinor & Mary Fleminge. My house at Wells. My da. Jane Bourne, Ex. She not to dispose of herself in marriage until she hath discharged or secured all the legacies given by her Father, yet unpaid. Francis Carleil, a witness.

1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Bourne.
1.1.1.2. Roger Bourne.
1.1.1.3. Henry Bourne.
1.1.1.4. Gilbert Bourne, d. bef. June 15, 1686, m. Susanna Morley, d. bef. Sept. 15, 1715.
1.1.1.4.1. Edmund Bourne, d. bef. May 10, 1695, m. Ann Gore, d. bef. June 3, 1730.
Ann Bourne, of Gothelney, somerset, widow. April 4, 1729. Proved by William Gore June 3, 1730. To be buried at Charlinch, near my husband. To my brother William Gore all my house, lands, &c., of Gothelney, & other lands in other Parishes for his life.

1.1.1.5. Silvestre Bourne, d. bef. Dec. 31, 1668, m. Adam Bainham, of Yate, Glos., Will proved May 27, 1661. (68 May). My wife Sylvestre. My da. Silvestre Godwin. My da. Keynes. My da. Elizabeth Goodman. Goodwin, Samuell. 1650. Stephen Hamelin Charles City – as Thomas Harris, d. 1672 – Greer.
1.1.1.5.1. Silvestre Baynham.
1.1.1.5.2. John Baynham.
1.1.1.6. William Bourne, d. bef. Jan. 27, 1662.

1.1.2. Jane Bourne, d. bef. Aug. 8. 1666, m. Edward Wykes, d. bef. May 29, 1647. (Thus, a connectionto the Counsell family: Margery Wykes m. George Counsell, July 12, 1607, in Wedmore, where the Counsells were tenants of the (squire) Hodges family, which held property next to St Olave, London, where the children of Edward Bennett were baptised. The Wykes also intermarried with the family of Chapman in Somerset). Edward Wykes was the son of Nicholas Wykes and Isabell Godwin. Nicholas Wykes, of Wells, Somerset, Gent. Will proved Nov. 20, 1611, by Isabel Wykes, widow. (96 Wood). My sons Edward & William. My wife Isabel. My farm at n.b. Cheddar (tenant of the Lancasters). Deed made with James Kirton, esq., & Edward Barnard, Clothier. My son William, lands in Wedmore. My sisters, Jone Oliver, widow, & Margery, wife of Thomas Hill. John Oliver & Nicholas Hill, their sons (the latter’s son probably being he who m. Sylvestra Bennett, as hereinafter given). My cousin Thomas Godwin, & his sisters. Isabell was the da. of Anthony Godwin, of Wookey, Somerset, Gent. Will proved March 8, 1609 [26 Wingfield.] I have had manifold troubles & suits of law. I am indebted for the payment of the same to my brother in law, John Maye, Esqr. My wife Elizabeth. Robert, my son. Ten pounds out of the Rectory of Wookey to my son, William Godwyn, whom I heartily pray unto God to convert & make an honest man. My daughters, Christian Hewes & Alice Parfitt, 40/ each for a ring. Residue to my wife Elizabeth. My brothers in law, John Maye, Esqr, & Nicholas Wykes, Overseers.

1.1.2.1. William Wykes
1.1.2.2. Jane Wykes
1.1.2.3. Alice Wykes
1.1.2.4. Silvester Wykes, d. bef. Feb. 25, 1675, m. George Huntley, d. July 11, 1670.
1.1.3. Phillippa Bourne, d. bef. April 9, 1657, m. (1) Richard Adams, d. bef. April 24, 1634. The will of her first husband Richard Adams, DD, Canon Residentiary of Wells, proved April 24, 1634, appoints her his executrix, and names his brother Robert Adams, DD, and his son Robert Adams and is witnessed by John Bourne and Edward Wykes.
1.1.3.1. Robert Adams, d. bef. Jan. 26, 1655.
1.1.3. Phillippa Bourne, m. (2) Thomas Godwin, d. 1642.
1.2. John Bourne, d. bef. June 4, 1622.
1.2.1. John Bourne, m. Ann Baynard, d. bef. June 30, 1668. John Bourne, of Durleigh, Som. Will proved by Francis Carliel, & Rich. Cross, Aug. 9, 1652. (70 Bowyer). To be buried in the Cathedral of Wells, near my father & mother. I have sold my moyety of Bishop’s Teinton for £950, to be called in whenever my cousin John Bourne, of Gothelney, whose posterity is most concerned in it, doth desire it : my wife to have the interest of it meanwhile. £50 to my wife to buy her blacks. To my wife’s son, Mr Henry Still, certain furniture which was my wife’s before her intermarriage with me. My wife’s daughter, Mrs Cottesham. To my sister Bainham, £200. To my cousin Thomas Bishop, £70. Francis Bishop. Sister Anne’s children. My cousins Francis Carliel & Xtopher John Carliel. My cousin Richard Cross & his sister Philippa. My cousin Francis Cross. To my little cosin whom I adopt, my godson & my god-daughter, Mrs. Mary Georges, £3 apiece. My old friend, Ralph Wilbraham. To my cousin John Bourne, of Gothelney, my house at Wells, after the death of my cousin Goodwin. My sister Carliel. My cousin Elizabeth & Mary Benett.
1.2.2. …. Bourne, m. Adam Bainham.

1.3. Roger Bourne, m. Jane Tothill. Roger Bourne, of Wells, Som., Esqr. Will proved May 5, 1624. To be buried in the Cathedral of S. Andrew’s, Wells, where my father & mother lie interred. My wife Jane Bourne. My brother Jasper Bourne, of London, gent, & my cousin John Bourne, son of my brother, Mr John Bourne, decd. To my niece Jane, £400 paid her & her husband. My niece Philippa, £400. To my nephew John Bourne, their brother, the Farm of Wilscombe (Wiveliscombe), left by my father to his father, & by him to my nephew, John Bourne, his son. My cousin Adams. My cousin Weekes. Arthur Duck (Duke), D. of Laws, Robert Eyre, Esqr., & my cousin Edward Wykes, gent., to be overseers.

1.4. Jasper Bourne, m. Joan. Jasper Bourne, of Stanmore Magna, Midd., gent. Will Proved by John Benitt, May 4, 1636. [67 Pile.] My wife Joan. My son (in-law) John Benett, of London, merchant, standeth bound to my nephew John Bourne, of Lincoln’s Inn, in £100. My grandchildren, children of my daughter Elizabeth Benitt, Pictures of my late Brothers William and Thomas Bourne, decd. My da. Sylvestre, wife of my son William Hutchinson, clerke. My grandson Jasper Fell, son of Henry Fell, late of Hampsted, Midd., gent., & of my da. Sylvestre, now wife of William Hutchinson. My da. Mary, wife of Edward Benett, merchant. The children of Benett & Hutchinson. My cosin John Cayne, the elder, of North Petherton, Som. My wife’s grandson, John Norwood, of London. My wife’s da. Elisabeth Ireland, alias Norwood. My sisterJane Bourne, late wife of Roger Bourne, of Wells, Som. My brother deceased. My niece Mrs Elizabeth Bishop, wife of Thomas Bishop, of Minehead. My niece Susan, widow of Mr John Cross, Master of Arts, deceased. My niece Mrs Ellinor Carliel, widow of Francis Carliel, gent., decd. My nephew Jasper Bourne, son of my nephew John Bourne, of Gothelney. My nephews John Bourne, of Gothelney, & John Bourne, of Durleigh, Overseers. My son John Benitt, Residuary Legatee & Exr.
1.4.1. Elizabeth Bourne, m. John Bennett.
1.4.2. Sylvester Bourne, m. William Hutchinson.
1.4.3. Mary Bourne, m. Edward Bennett, b. Feb. 2, 1578, in Wiveliscombe, d. bef. Sept. 30, 1664. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, 20 Nov. 1623, almost certainly he who died in Virginia in 1672. Thomas Harris, son of Richard Harris, who m. (8 Oct. 1594), Eleanor Bennett, of Wiveliscombe, sister of Edward Bennett, aforesaid. Thomas Harris was the cousin of Richard Bennet, whose 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. Thomas Harris, Will recorded Nov. 13, 1672. Security: John Newman, br.-in-law by his second wife.

(John Davis, bapt. 17 April 1637; d. bef. 28 June 1714. The inventory of Edward Harris, d. 1677, states that he owed money to “Mrs Davis”; almost cartainly the wife of John Davis (great-nephew of Rice Davis), i.e. Mary Greene; da. of Thomas Greene and Mary Moone, and cousin of Martha Greene, who m. Anthony Fulgham, of Pitminster, Somerset.

The Will of John Davis of the Upper Parish, dated Dec. 31, 1712, names da. Mary the wife of William Murray, br. William Green, friends Nathaniel Ridley (half-br. of William Ridley, aforesaid), and James Day to make the division of my estate.

Thomas Harris (d. 1672) 40 acres, 14 Aug. 1652. At the head of one of the branches of the Pagan Cr., bounded with his own land on N.E. Fran. Smith on S.W., Thomas Prichard on S.E. and John Davis on N.W. for trans. Peter Bell.

Sarah Davis, John’s dau., d. bef. Jan. 6. 1720, m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Anthony Fulgham, aforesaid, and Martha Green. Their son, Nicholas Fulgham, m. Martha Pitt (of the Bristol merchant family); their da., Elizabeth Fulgham, m. Thomas Applewhaite, son of Henry Applewhaite, who moved from Barbados to IOW Co., before 1668.

Anthony Fulgham’s son, Michael Fulgham, m. Anne Izzard; having issue (1) Anne Fulgham, who m. Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (2) Susannah Fulgham, who m. Hardy Counsell, son of Hodges Counsell Jr. and Lucy Hardy, in 1705.

Thomas Harris, d. 1688, whose Will was witnessed by John Coggan of Bristol, placed his orphan son under the care of Hodges Counsell Sr.

Henry Applewhaite (br. of the said Thomas), m. Mary Counsell, da. of Hardy Council and Susannah Fulgham. His son, Henry Applewhaite, of the parish of St Luke, d. 1783, m. Ann Harris. Marriage bonds of Henry Applewhite and Ann Harris, Nov. 7, 1756. Ann Harris was the da. of Edward Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

Henry Applewhate’s da., Mary, m. John Barham, son of Benjamin Barham (grandson of Charles Barham, connected to Thomas Harris, d. 1672), of the parish of St Luke, Will R. 10 June 1779, witnessed by James Ridley, son of Nathaniel Ridley (half brother of William Ridley and Elizabeth Day, the relict of Matthew Jones, and da. of John Day and Mary Bennett, da. of Edward Bennett, br.-in-law of Richard Harris, of Wivelscombe, Somerset).

1.4.3.1. Susan Bennett, bapt. St. Olave, London, m. Richard Beale, d. 1664.
1.4.3.1.1. Richard Beale, b. 1645, d. 1703. Richard Beale, the son of Richard, and grandson of Alexander Beale, of Frittenden resided at Hayle Place, and was in the commission of the peace for Kent. He m. Susan, daughter of Edward Bennet, deputy to the Hamburgh company, and dying in 1664, was s. by his son, Richard Beale, a Hamburgh merchant, b. in 1645, who d. without issue in 1703, leaving his nephew, Richard Beale, esq. the son of his brother Alexander, his heir.
1.4.3.2. Sylvestra Bennett, bapt. Oct. 25, 1630, in St Olave, London, d. Jan. 9, 1707, m. Nicholas Hill, d. bef. Oct. 20, 1675. The will of Nicholas Hill, dated April 19, 1675, named legatees: wife Silvestra; son Richard; son Ralph; daughter Agnes (a mantle that was her Mother’s and her wedding ring): da. Martha; son George; da. Mary; son Nicholas; da. Anna; da. Elizabeth; my wife and her six children to have the legacy given her by Major General Bennett; my three children by a former wife. Overseers: Major James Powell, Mr. Thomas Taberer, Mr. William Bressie & John Jennings. Witnessess: John Grayham, John Newman, & Mary Davis. Recorded Oct. 20, 1675. Thomas Taberer , John Jennings , and John Newman were all associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.4.3.2.1. Mary Hill, d. bef. Dec. 31, 1695, m. John Jennings, d. bef. June 9, 1698.
1.4.3.2.2. Elizabeth Hill, d. aft. 1700, m. William Thomas, d. aft. Aug. 18, 1710.
1.4.3.2.2.1. William Thomas. The will of William Thomas named legatees: wife Mary; son Richard, land on the Meherrin river, adj. Samuel Smith; son Samuel, the plantation on which I live. Wife Executrix. Witnesses Lewis Brantley, Nathaniel Morrell, & Ann Gray. Rec. July 27, 1741.
1.4.3.2.2.2. Elizabeth Thomas, m. John Boddie, b. 1685, d. bef. April 25, 1720.
1.4.3.2.2.2.1. William Boddie, m. Mary Bennett, b. c. 1710.
1.4.3.2.3. Richard (als Bennett). The will of Richard Bennett of ye Upper Parish dated March 30, 1720 named legatees: son Richard; son ….. land to be taken out of Mr. John Coffer’s patent of 1,450 acres; to Jane Coffer and her sons, Robert and John Coffer, the land where I now live which I bought of Mr. William Manggum; da. Silvestra. Executors: Jane Coffer and William Allen. Friends: John Carter and James Carter to see that my will is performed. Witnessess: John Carter, James Carter & William Allen, Sr. Recorded May 23, 1720.
1.4.3.2.3.1. Jane Bennett, m. John Coffer.
1.4.3.3. Mary Bennett, d. aft. 1701, m. John Day. (She m. (2) Thomas Bland. Sept. 12, 1668, “Mary Bland, widow, daughter of Jasper Bourne of Stanmore Magna, Middlesex, son of Richard Bourne, gentleman of Wells.
1.4.3.3.1. Ann Day, m. Charles Chapman. The will of Charles Chapman, dated Dec. 20. 1710, named legatees: son John; grandson Charles; friend Arthur Smith; son Joseph. Executor: son Joseph. Witnessess: Arthur Smith, Robert Brock. Rec. Feb. 26, 1711.
1.4.3.3.1.1. John Chapman. The will of John Chapman, of the Lower Parish, dated Sept. 10, 1736, named legatees: da. Patience Wiles; son John my “Bath Seal”; son Charles; da. Mary; son Joseph; sons William and Thomas to live with their mother until they are 14; wife Mary; da. Elizabeth. Executors, wife Mary and son Charles Chapman. Witnessess: Charles Fulgham, Jr. and Mary Bevan. Rec. Nov 28, 1737.

THE BLAND CONNECTION
1.
1.1. Thomas Bland.
1.1.1. Elizabeth Bland, m. Edward Holmwood, in 1620.
1.1.2. Gregory Bland.
1.1.2.1. Frances Bland, m. John Coggan, of Bristol, who witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.2.2. Jane Bland, m. (1) Edward Bland son of John Bland and Susan Delabere. She m. (2) John Holmwood.
1.2. John Bland.
1.2.1. Theodorick Bland, m. Anne Bennett, da. of Governor Richard Bennett, cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. It is absurd not to think that there was at least a very close connection between these Harris.

THE BENNETT CONNECTION
1. Robert Bennett, a tanner, of Wivelscombe, Somerset, m. Elizabeth Edney.
1.1. Thomas Bennett, d. 1616, Wivelscombe, m. Ann Spicer.
1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe; m. Agnes Beard, July 17, 1623.
1.1.2. Richard Bennett, b Aug. 6, 1609, Wiveliscombe, d. 1675, Virginia; his Will bequesting: “To William Yearret of Pagan Creek and to the wife of Mr. Thomas Taberer, to each of them two thousand pounds of tobacco”. His da. Ruth m. John Numan, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2. Elianor Bennett, bapt. Mar. 5, 1567, m. Oct. 7, 1594 Richard Harris, son of William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrook, Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe.
1.3.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, at Wivelscombe.

1.4.3.3.1. James Day, m. Mary Thompson (He m. (2) Priscilla Applewhaite). The will of James Day, dated Aug. 10, 1700, named legatees: son James; son Thomas; son William; daughter Elizabeth; wife Mary; aunt Mrs. Silvestra Hill; my brother and sister Chapman; my brother and sister Swann; Mrs. Isabella Havield; Mr. John Havield; Major Henry Baker; Major Henry Tooker; Major Arthur Allen. Wife and Luke Havield Executors. Friends, Mr. Micajah Perry, Mr. Thomas Lane and Mr. Richard Perry to dispose of my property in ye Parish of St. Peters ye Poor in London. Witnessess: Thomas Rieves, George Benchinoe, Barnaby Mackinnie.
1.4.3.3.1.1. Elizabeth Day, m. Nathaniel Ridley.
1.4.3.3.1.2. James day, m. Juliana Norsworthy, da. of George Norsworthy and Elizabeth Pitt, da. of Robert Pitt of Bristol; hence a connection to the Owen family of that place, and very likely to Bartholomew Owen.

copyright m stanhope 2017