When considering the the ancestry of William and Edward Carter of Virginia, previously of Sussex and London, England, and being perplexed as to how their family became associated with families of the Bristol basin, it is only necessary to understand that connections between families of different English regions were interconnected by the marriages of the families to which they were tenants. Above the usual intermarriages between members of provincial kinship groups was a lordship conduit that connected them to other such groups. To understand this method of survival is to understand by which means Virginia was colonised.

William Carter claimed the headright (in Henrico) of Edward Bland in 1636. He was very likely to have been the William Carter who was bapt. on May 8, 1599, in the church of St Andrew, Tangmere, Sussex (an 11th-century church, which is mentioned in Domesday Book); son of William Carter (whose wife was bur. Jan. 10, 1603), and br. of Edward Carter, bapt. in Tangmere on Jan. 31, 1597.

The sons of many provincial yeoman families were drawn to centres of trade, such as Bristol and London, to ‘make their fortune, and so it was with William Carter, who settled in London.

William Carter, of James City Co., then Surry Co., deposed in 1653 that his age was 54. He had m. at least thrice by 1636, to (1) Avis Purtley; (2) Ann Mathis; (3) Alice Croxon, who deposed to be aged 55 in 1653.

Carter lands in Tangmere are recorded here: Conveyance (feoffment). From (a) John Arnolde of Chichester, butcher, (son and heir of Agnes Androwe, deceased, formerly wife of Gregory Byrde of Tangmere), to (b) William Squyre of Tangmere, yeoman. One acre and a half acre of land in Tangmere: 3 stitches of the said acre lying in the field called the Hamme on the N. part of Boxe Rewe and the land of John Bennet (coincidentally so named – MS) on the S. part, and the other stitch of land lying in the said field called the Hamme between the land of Thomas Lewkenor on the N. part and the land formerly belonging to Robert Stent on the S. part; and the said half acre lying in a certain field called the Gaston abutting to the land of Thomas Starr on the E. part and the land of William Carter on the W. part. Witnesses: Ralph Chandler, George Ardern, John Heath, and Gregory Byrd. November 30, 1592. (West Sussex Record Office. Add Mss 28,804).

The Carters were tenant farmers of the Baker family.

In 1579, Sir Richard Baker (of Sissinghurst), and Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, conveyed Tangmere manor to John Morley (husband of Elizabeth Wotton; their da., Elizabeth, m. Sir James Kirton, of Somerset), and Thomas Crompton. (Suss. Rec. Soc. xx, 428); regranted in 1581: ‘Manor of Tangemer alias Tangimer with appurtenances, 50 messuages, 50 tofts, 2 mills, 5 dovecotes, 50 gardens, 1000a. land, 250a. meadow, 1000a. pasture, 140a. wood, 1000a. furze and heath and 50s. rent in Tangmere (but excepting 19a. meadow, 10a. pasture and 90a. wood) and the advowson of Tangmere. E442-444 20 May 1581 Deed to lead the uses of a Fine; with counterpart: (a) Thomas Crompton and John Morley. (Goodwood estate archives).

Kent/Sussex Overlord Network

1. Sir Reginald Scott, m. Mary Tuke.
1.1. Mary Scott, m. Richard Argall.
1.1.1. Elizabeth Scott, m. Sir Edward Filmer.
1.1.1.1. Katherine Filmer, m. Robert Barham.
1.1.1.1.1. Charles Barham.Thomas Harris was the cousin of Governor Richard Bennett of Virginia (both being of Wiveliscombe, Somerset), whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Thomas Harris and Charles Barham were involved in the Will of William Ridley, who was probably the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife.
1.2. Thomas Scott, m. Elizabeth Baker; aunt of Sir Richard Baker (of Sissinghurst).
1.2.1. Sir John Scott, m. Katherine Smythe; sister of Treasurer Thomas Smythe of Virginia.
1.2.1.1. (step-da.) Elizabeth Hayward, m. Thomas Knyvett (Nevett).
1.3. Catherine Scott, m. Sir John Baker.
1.3.1. Sir Richard Baker (of Sissinghurst), whose tenants were the Carter family.

1. John Rodney, m. Elizabeth, da. of John, lord Mordaunt.
1.1. Maurice Rodney, who m. (2) Jane, da. of Sir Thomas Dyer, of Somerford, Wilts (connected to the Harris family of Nunney, as given elsewhere).
1.1.1. George Rodney, who held the manors of Over-Badgworth and Congresbury-Rodney, Somerset.
1.1.1.1. John Rodney, who bought the manor of Cheddar, whose tenants (n.b.) included the Harris family of that place.
1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Rodney, m. (as second-cousin) James Kirton, as given heretofore, whose father’s tenants were the Carter family of Tangmere, Sussex. (See John Collinson’s ‘Somerset’, vol. 3, 1791).
1.1.2. Dorothy Rodney, m. Rice Davis, Esq., of the Middle Temple, and of Tickenham, Somerset.
1.2. 1. Agatha Rodney, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583: ‘At Wedmore is a monument Sacred to the memory of Captain Thomas Hodges of the County of Somerset, esq., who at the siege of Antwerpe, about 1583, with unconquered courage wonne two ensignes from the enemy, where receiving his last wound, he gave three legacies: his soule to his Lord Jesus, his body to be lodged in Flemish earth, his heart to be sent to his dear wife in England’ (Pettigrew’s ‘Tombs’, 1857). The Hodges were landlords of the Counsell family.

1. Lewis Davis, of Carmarthenshire.
1.1. Rees Davis, Esquire, of Tickenham, Somerset, aforesaid.
1.2. William Davies, of Carmarthenshire.
1.2.1. Richard Davis, Esq, of Tickenham, bapt. Nov. 8, 1587, m. Mary Owen, da. of Mary Pitt and Robert Owen, of Bristol and Carmarthanshire, whose grandson was probably Bartholomew Owen of Virginia. Robert Owen, of Bristol, Merchant. Will pr. Feb. 16, 1615-16. (8 Cope). “My cousin Rice Davies, esq. My brother-in-law William Pitt, overseer”. William Pitt’s son, Col. Robert Pitt, d. bef. Jan. 9, 1674, in IOW, Virginia.
1.2.1.1. Robert Davis (involved in various litigations concerning the Owen estate).
1.2.1.1.1. John Davis, bapt. April 17, 1637; d. bef. 28 June 1714, m. Mary Green. The estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, was in debt to John Davis. Thomas Harris (d. 1672) 40 ac., Aug. 14, 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.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Sarah Davis m. (2) Nicholas Fulgham, son of Anthony Fulgham. 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, m. Hardy Council, son of Hodges Council Jr. and Lucy Hardy, in 1705.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Nicholas Fulgham, m. Martha Pitt.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Fulgham, m. Thomas Applewhaite, son of Henry Applewhaite.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Applewhaite, d. 1739, m. Mary Counsell, da. of Hardy Counsell and Susannah Fulgham. Henry Applewhite’s estate was returned by Philip and Mary Brantley. R. Sept. 23, 1745. Susannah Counsell’s legatee was da. Mary Brantley. (Halifax Co. NC. R. 6 Oct. 1757).
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. 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.

In 1618, the list of freeholders in Tangmere included Sir Garret Kempe for Sperlandes ‘which he holdeth by knyght service’, son of Anthony Kempe, of Slindon, Sussex, and Blackfriars, London, whose Will was proved in 1598 (P.C.C, 61 Kidd).

It may have been William Carter, the son, evidenced in this case: Carter v Pickham. Plaintiffs: William Carter. Defendants: Henry Pickham. Subject: copyhold held of the manor of Tangmere, Sussex. 1621-1625. (Nat. Arch. ref. C 3/342/3).

William was granted 700 ac. on May 26, 1636, upon ‘Sunken Marsh’, for the transportation of those including Alice Watkins, and Edward Bland; son of John Bland, of London; merchant, and br. of Theoderick Bland, who m. Ann Bennett, second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

His second grant of 100 ac. adjoined the first and the land of Robert Sheppard, whose da., Anne Sheppard, m. (1) Thomas Hart, (2) William Newsome; between June 10, 1669 and Jan. 4, 1670. (Virginia Historical Society Magazine, Vol. 48, p. 268). William Newsome held land next to a William Carter. In 1672, Charles Barham (associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672) and Stephen Allen, witnessed a lease from William Hare and wife Mary, late wife of George Carter, dec., son of William, to William Alderson (p.93).

On the west of his second grant his neighbour was (n.b.) Stephen Webb.

William Newsome may have been of the family of Peter Newsam, ‘scrivener’, who witnessed the Will of Richard Hinde, of St Saviour, Southwark, London, proved on December 12, 1625, with ‘Ralph Yardly of London‘, who was the father of Governor Yardley of Virginia (TNA, Prob.11/147, f).

The familial connection between William Carter’s family and that of Harris (and theirs to William Newsome) was through the Bennett and Watkins families. The Will of George Watkins, pr. Sept. 20, 1673, name wife Elizabeth Spencer, “da. of my friend Capt Robert Spencer” (associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672), cousin Charles Barham, son of my loving uncle capt Charles Barham (associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672), cousin Christopher Watkins of White Hart Court in Lone Lane London, Sunken Marsh Mill, William Newsom, friend, wife Elizabeth, and uncle Capt. Charles Barham are executors. (Surry Co., B. 2, p. 51).

(A very appreciated contribution from a renowned Harris researcher: Elizabeth Spencer was the god-daughter of George Watkins according to his 1673 Surry County will which reads as follows: “Item: I give to Elizabeth Spencer, my God-daughter, daughter of my well beloved friend, Captain Robert Spencer, three ewes and a ram out of my flock to be sheared for her use immediately after my decease”.

From Weynette Parks Hauns’s transcriptions of Surry County Court Records are these entries: “Eliz. Spensor Orphan of Capt. Robert Spensor appearing in Cort and desireing to make Choice of a Guardian being of full Age soe and doe, and makeing choice of Mr. Tho. Jordan who in Cort accepting thereof, It is ordered that he act therein accordingly.” Surry County, Virginia Court Records (Part I: Order Book 1671-1691, p. 265).

Elizabeth’s choice of guardian was because Robert Spenser’s widow married Thomas Jordan. From Surry County, Virginia Court Records (Part II: Order Book 1671-1691, are these two records: “Judgmt. is granted Mr. Jno. Watkins Admr. of ye. Est. of Ann Spencer agt. the admrx. of Mr. Tho. Jordan’s Est. for the whole of the sd. Spencers Estate two thousand three hundred & twenty pds. of tobo. & caske being discounted for the said Spencer’s Funerall Charges.” (page 510). And then, “Judgmt. is granted Mr. John Watkins who married Eliz. Spenser agt. the Admrs. of Mr. Tho. Jordan’s Estate for three yards of brod cloath.” (page 511).

The John Watkins who died in 1708 and who married Elizabeth Spenser was the son of John Watkins the cooper who died in 1655 and whose widow Elizabeth married Sackford Brewster).

1674 Guardian Accounts, Surry Co., B. 2, p. 63: David Williams presents Capt. Charles Barham and Robert Caufield as securities for estate of William Harris, orphan, son of Thomas Harris. At this juncture, it is the most simple of things to conjecture that Thomas Harris of Wiveliscombe was the grandfather of the said William Harris, yet, in this, a genealogical truth may be ignored – the families into which close cousins intermarried became the kin of all.

William Carter died in Surry Co. in 1654. His son, George, died in 1671.

William’s grandda., Elizabeth, m. Robert Crawford; their son, Carter Crawford m. Sarah Swann, da. of Matthew Swann; their son, Carter Crawford, Jr., m. Elizabeth Kearney, whose sister m. William Bennett, Jr. (as his second wife), who d. in Northampton Co. in 1757. William Bennett, Jr’s first wife was reportedly Mary Hardy, whose family were his neighbours in IOW. William Bennett was very likely the son of Richard Bennett Jr., son of his namesake, Governor of Virginia, the cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

On Jan. 9, 1706, Robert Lawrence sold to Robert Crawford of Lawne’s Creek Parish, Surry, 150 ac. of land granted to his father on Sept. 28, 1643. On April 8, 1706, William Bennett leased this land to Robert Lawrence of IOW in the presence of Carter Crawford and William Brantley. This Robert Crawford m. Elizabeth, da. of George Carter, John and James Carter witnessed the will of Richard Bennett, Jr., in 1720.

William’s br., Col. Edward Carter , Esqr., was granted 1650 acs. in Lancaster Co., on N. Side of Rappa. Riv., on Apr. 29, 1665 (p. 155), beg. at a point on the NWd. side of the mouth of Harrises Cr., adj. land of Edward Harris … &c. crossing Brices Cr. granted to Mr. Thomas Brice Oct. 27, 1652 , given by will to his wife Martha & by Sd. Martha amd her second Husband, William White, mortgaged unto Mr. John Jefferyes & Mr. Thomas Coldclough of London, Merchants; sd. land given by her will unto the orphans of sd. William White and by order of the Govr. & Council put in possession of Col. John Carter, Atty of sd. Jeffereys amd Coldclough for payment of the sd. debt, the overplus to remain to Mr. Jeremiah White & Mr. George Hewett, guardians of sd. orphans for their use; sd. land afterwards sold unto sd. Col. Edward Carter and his heirs forever by the sd. John Carter, he being authorized by a Joint letter of Atty. under the hands & seals of sd. Jefferies & Coldclough & the sd. guardians.

There were a number of John Carters born within 7 mls of William Carter, at the same period, and a cousinship relationship may be presumed.

From Sussex to London, then Virginia, where their paths crossed in the method described herein.

Various footnotes:

1. Robert Bennett, a tanner, of Wivelscombe, Somerset, m. Elizabeth Edney.
1.1. Thomas Bennett, d. 1616, Wivelscombe, m. Ann Spicer.
1.1.1. Governor 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.
1.1.1.1. Richard Bennett Jr.
1.1.1.1.1. (Probably) William Bennett, m. (1) Mary Hardy.
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.
1.2.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, at Wivelscombe.Thomas Harris was almost certainly he who d. in Virginia in 1672, a close cousin of Edward Harris, of Wedmore, tenant of the Hodges family; as the Counsell family. John Goodrich m. Anne Bechinoe, da. of Edward Bechinoe (who owned property in Bristol); an appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. June 9, 1679: Edward Bechinoe Estate, appraised by Richard Bennett, cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1.2. Ann Bennett, m. Theoderick Bland, br. of Edward Bland, a headright of William Carter, in 1636.

1. John Hardy (probably related to George Hardy, esquire, of Somerset), m. Olive Counsell.
1.1. George Hardy, m. Mary Jackson. He appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. On June 9, 1666, George Hardy deeded Francis England 100 ac. where George Branch formerly lived called “Shadow Rock”. (p. 545).
(1. John Moore, mariner and merchant of Bristol, m. Ann Rogers.
1.1. George Moore m. Jane Barcroft, da. of Charles Barcroft, a London vintner.
1.1.1. Eleanor Moore, m. Richard Piland, the son of James Piland, bapt. on 30 August 1604, in St Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, headright of Francis England, in 1642.
1.1.1.1. James Piland. On 28 April 1720, he, Benjamin Hodges, and Roger Ingram witnessed the Will of Robert Lancaster.
1.1.2. Ann Moore, m. Thomas White. The estates of Ann Moore and her husband Thomas White were appraised between 22 March 1741 and 26 July 1742 by Thomas Day,  John Goodrich, and Edward Brantley. (Chapman, Wills, p. 142). Edward Brantley was security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. John Goodrich was an overseer of the Will of Francis England; a witness being Richard Bennett (cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2. Katherine Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake (a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants). By her first husband, she had issue:
1.2.1. Joyce, who married (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. Francis England, George Cripps. William Jennings of Bristol, surgeon, appts. Thomas Moore of Pagan Creek his atty. to collect from Arthur Skynner, Gyles Dryver (headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Joseph Whitson, and by virtue of a letter of atty. from John Hardiman of Bristol, taylor, to collect from William Hodson in Nansemond. June 29, 1667. (Bodie, vol. 2, p. 550). Francis England was probably closely related to John England: Surrender of lease – John England of Bristol, merchant to John Seymour. (Bristol Archives, 8017/24. 20 April 1676).
1.1.1. Mary Hardy, m. William Bennett.
1.1.2. Richard Hardy,
1.1.2.1. Richard Hardy: Estate appraised by Peter Fiveash, Jeremiah Pierce, John Bennett. Signed, Mary Hardy. R. June 3, 1756. (p. 218).
Fiveash, Peter – appraisal April 28, 1702, by William Thomas, John Brantley, and Richard Hardy. (B. 2. p. 449).
Fiveash, Thomas – of the upper parish. Will dated Jan. 4, 1723. Legatee cousins Martha and John, children of John Fiveash; cousin Mary, da of Thomas Fiveash; brother Peter Fiveash exc; sister-in-law Martha Harris, the clothes belonging to my wife. Witness James Pyland and Elizabeth Sparkman. (G.B, 194).

1. John Fiveash, m. Joyce Pettway, da. of Edward Pettway, as Will Jan. 27, 1686.
1.1. Thomas Fiveash. James Pyland witnesses the will of Thomas Fiveash, Jan. 4, 1725.
1.2. Peter Fiveash, appraisal April 28, 1702 by William Thomas, John Brantley, and Richard Hardy. Thomas Harris, Will recorded Nov. 13, 1672, appointing relict Alice as exc. Security John Newman and Edward Brantley.
1.2.1. Thomas Fiveash, m. (1712) Alice Harris, da. of John Harris. (D.B. 7, p. 288). He was the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

James Piland, bapt. on August 30, 1604, in St Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, headright of Francis England, in 1642, m. the widow of Thomas Greenwood. She next m. Thomas Edwards, who claimed Greenwood’s land, and sold 150 ac. of it to John Jennings (overseer of the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).

On April 28, 1720, James Piland Jr., Benjamin Hodges, and Roger Ingram witnessed the will of Robert Lancaster, whose son, Thomas, m. Elizabeth Harris, da. of John Harris, whose likely relationship to those described herein I have elsewhere given.

1.
1.1. William Counsell.
1.1.1. George Counsell, bapt. 15 July 1584, m. 2 July 1607, Margery Wyke. The relationship betw. Margery Wyke and Edward Wyke, who m. Sara Chapman, 9 Feb. 1640, in Bridgwater (St Mary), 16 mls fr. Wedmore, can not be known
1.2. John Counsell, bapt. 1573.
1.2.1. John Counsell, bapt 28 Nov. 1601, ‘f. Joannis Counsell’, m. Mary Coomer, 26 Nov 1631; the sister of Agnes Coomer, who m. John Harris in the adj. parish of Cheddar, 4. Feb. 1635.
1.2.2. Johanna Counsell, bapt. 28 Nov. 1601 (twin), m. (1) Philip Lawrence, 20 Aug. 1618, (2) John Chapman, 26 April 1624.
1.2.3. Richard Counsell, bapt. 3 Sept. 1613 (Blackford vill. par. Wedmore), m. (1) Joan Taylor, 12 Aug. 1640, (2) Elizabeth Hix, 12 Aug. 1647, da. of William Hix and Grace Morton, who m. Jan. 23, 1625, and niece of Margaret Hix, who m. Simon Day, Jan. 14, 1632.
(Lease: Margery Hodges of Heathhouse, Wedmore, widow, to Richard Counsell of Wedmore, husbandman and Joan his wife. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. ref. 2667/1/36/2). Sale: 15a. land occ. by Thos. Brooke, 2a. land occ. by Hy.Symes, mess. and ten. and 40a. land occ. by Rich. Counsell, all in Wedmore, sold by co-heirs of Geo. Hodges to Wm. Prowse of Compton Bishop. (Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. DD\FD/10. 1665).
1.2.3.1. Hodges Counsell, the very likely son of Richard Counsell, by either wife. Richard Counsell was the br.-in-law of Susan Lancaster, and Hodges Counsell may have received his Christian name after her husband, William Hodges, a member of the very influential Hodges family, squires of Wedmore, who was probably his Godfather.
Hodges Counsell, d. bef. Aug. 9, 1699, was named as the husband of Lucy Hardy in the Will of John Hardy (B. 2, p. 419).
1.2.3.1. Hardy Counsell.
1.2.3.1.1. Mary Counsell, m. William Brantley, son of Edward Brantley (associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672, who received a grant of 40 ac. in I0W, Aug. 14, 1652, at the head of Pagan Creek, bounded with his own land on the northeast, Francis Smith on the southwest, Thomas Pritchard on the southeast, and John Davis on the northeast. The inventory of Edward Harris, d. 1677, shows him to owe money to a “Mrs. Davis”, John’s wife.

1. William Lyde, b. 1562.
1.1. William Lyde, of Week, Stanton Drew, Somerset, b. Feb. 25, 1604; m. the da. of Cornelius Sage, of Clutton, Somerset.
1.2. Thomas Lyde, m. Agnes Bailey, as second wife, Nov. 28, 1581, in Wedmore; the source of the following records:
1.2.1. Thomas Lyde.
1.2.1.1. John Lyde ‘of Heathouse’, bapt. Oct. 8, 1620, m. (n.b.) Jocosa Webb, on Oct. 22, 1640. Jacosa Webb was bapt. Apr. 14, 1594, da. of Thomas Webb, and relict of George Harris, ob. Apr. 4, 1640, whom she m. Apr. 28, 1623. Robert Harris, br. of George, was the father of Edward Harris, bapt. Aug. 8, 1624, in Wedmore. Robert Harris was very likely he associated with Thomas Tooke in Virginia. Edward Harris was very likely to have been he who d. in Virginia in 1677. To recount: On the west of William Carter’s second grant his neighbour was Stephen Webb. His br., Edward Carter, held land adj. Edward Harris.
The Webbs of Wedmore were also intermarried with the Coomes/Coomers, kin of the Counsell family of Wedmore.
1.2.1.1.1. Thomas Lyde, bapt. Feb. 7, 1646.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Anna Lyde, bapt. Nov. 20, 1676, m. Robert Champion, on Aug. 20, 1709. Note, as follows, Edward Symes m. (2) Susannah Champion, widow, Oct. 12, 1676, in Bath. Edward’s br., James Symes, was the grandfather of Robert Symes, who m. (1719) Phillis Fort, in Virginia, her first husband being Francis Fiveash, whose nephew, Thomas Fiveash, m. (1712) Alice Harris, da. of John Harris. (D.B. 7, p. 288). Phillis Fort was the sister of Elias Fort: Appraisal by Edward Brantley, John Britt, William Baldwin, and Edward Champion. R. April 9, 1679. These Champions originated from Meare, 5 mls fr. Wedmore.

Thomas Harris of Mells/Nunney, Somerset, carpenter, was almost certainly the progenitor of this Harris clan; but, as certainly, the Thomas Harris who died in Virginia in 1672 was central to it, and any denial of this is absurd.

How different it all would be now if one ounce of the great weight of effort which went into Harris  research had  followed new leads, instead of justifying belief dressed up as research.

copyright m stanhope 2017