From the swampy lands of Somerset, kinship groups set forth to Virginia, surviving through joint effort, as of centuries past.

The following notes give some indication of Welsh families with connections to Somerset and Virginia.

1. John Proctor, m. Alice Gray (She was probably closely related to Thomas Gray, “ancient planter”, who deposed that his age on March 7, 1653 “60 years or thereabouts”. (Surry D&W 1, p. 41). John Proctor arrived in Virginia with William Strachey (grandfather of John Strachey, who m. Jane Hodges, of Wedmore, Somerset, as hereinafter given); on board the Sea Venture, who wrote: “The cloudes gathering thicke upon us, and the windes singing, and whistling most unusually,… a dreadful storme and hideous began to blow from out the North-east, which swelling, and roaring as it were by fits, some houres with more violence then others, at length did beate all light from heaven; which like an hell of darkenesse turned blacke upon us, so much the more fuller of horror”.
1.1. George Proctor b. 1621, Paces Paines, Jamestown, d. March 1681, m. Elizabeth Marriott (relict of (1) John Bishop; (2) Major William Marriott, sister of Katherine Flake, wife of: “Robert Flake, aged 70, said that Wm. Evans on his death bed said that Mr. James Benn should have a deed of 400 acres out of his 500 ac. on Kinsale as Mr. Benn has paid for it”. (Aug. 10, 1692). Katherine Flake was the da. of John Moore, and sister of George Moore, who m. a da. of Charles Barcroft, uncle of John Barcroft, of Chard, Somerset (30 mls N. of Wedmore).

Robert and Catherine Flake had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. William Jennings of Bristol, surgeon, appts. Thomas Moore* (br. of George), 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.

George Moore had issue: (1) Eleanor Moore, who 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. (2) Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White.

The estates of Ann Moore and her husband were appraised between betw. 1741 and 1742 by Thomas Day, John Goodrich, and Edward Brantley, who was security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

*Overseer of the Will of John Jennings, dated Oct. 19, 1678; witness of the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, who named son-in-law William Seward, grandson of John Seward, the Bristol sea captain and merchant, on adjacent land to whom settled Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

(Christopher Lewis sold to John Goodricke (of Tickenham, where his cousin, William Goodricke, m. (1) Eleanor Davis, da. of Rees Davis and Mary Pitt), a parcel of land bordering upon Francis England, east side of swamp. Dec. 5, 1651; to John Burgess, 200 ac. in James Town at place called Blackwater adj. James Pyland, Thos. Taberer and Francis Higgins as expressed in Charter of orders from Directors of the Company dated Nov. 18, 1618, and said Christopher Lewis his patent July 4, 1649, paying 4 shillings at Feast of St. Michael Archangel. Test. James Pyland, Richard Sharp. Thomas Taberer as attorney for Nicholas George (father-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672) of Lancaster county, in behalf of said George and myself, sell to Francis Ayres 900 acres upon Blackwater as by patent to Nicholas George, Thomas Taberer and Humphrey Clarke, Feb. 1656. Test. Robert Bird, Thomas Lewer. N.B. John Owen was a headright of Christopher Lewis, in IOW, in 1652).

1.1.1. George Proctor, d. March 23, 1729.
1.1.2. Joshua Proctor, d. c. 1720, m. Katherine Owen (by Jan. 3., 1681), da. of Bartholomew Owen. She was named in the will of her God-father, Christopher Lewis, in 1674. On Aug. 10 1676, the title to two cows with calves was recorded in her name at the request of her father.

1. Lewis David Meredith, Esquire, m. Joan, da. of Rhys ap John ap Howel of (n.b.) Gernos, Llangynllo, Cardiganshire.
1.1. James ap Lewis, Esquire, of Penbryn, owner of extensive Cardiganshire properties, and ones in Cenarth and Laugharne, Carmarthenshire; 20 and 15 mls from Abergwilli, the abode of Robert Owen, of Bristol, as follows. He m. (1) Elizabeth, da. of John Stedman of Ystrad Fflur (High Sheriff in 1580 and 1588), and Anne, da. of William Philipps of Pentypark, Pembrokeshire; (2), in 1577, Anne Wogan, widow of Rhys Lloyd, da. of n.b. John Wogan of Wiston, Pembrokeshire. See as follows for connection to the Hodges family of Wedmore.
1.1.1. Sir John Lewis, b. 1580, educated at Jesus College, Oxford and at the Inner Temple. M.P. Card. 1611.
1.1.1.1. Richard Lewis, b. 1609, likely he who m. Frances Miles. C&P 4, p. 384: ‘Richard Lewis. 200 acs. Lancaster Co., 16 Jan. 1658. On the head of Sunderland Cr., beg. at white oak of Mr. Cuthbert Potter, running to land of Thomas Willis & Robt. Midleton. Trans. of 4 pers: Adry White, Tho. White, Tho. Surfleete, Jno. Castle. Renewed in his name, Jan. 11, 1663’.
1.1.1.1.1. William Lewis. Middlesex Co. Orders, p. 151, Feb. 4. 1683. ‘Administration of all and singular the personal Estate of William Lewis, deceased, is granted to Grace Lewis, Robert Williamson (as marrying Katheren Lewis), Margaret Lewis they being the daughters of Richard Lewis, deceased, and sisters to the said William Lewis, deceased. And that they joyntly give and put in good security to this Court for the said Estate and that it bee appraised and that the Sherriffe summons Capt. Henry Nichols, Mr. Robert Price, Mr. Matthew Bentlye, and Mr. Richard Willis or any three of them being sworne by Mr. Abraham Weekes or ye next Justice of Peace and that the clerk be there to take the Inventory and that the Administrators give Bond with good securitie for dew administration’.

Catherine Lewis m. Robert Williamson, son of Robert Williamson and Joan (Allen) Proctor, da. of of Arthur Allen (A Bristol merchant) and Alice (Tucker) Hardy. Joan (Allen) was the sister of Katherine Allen, who m. Robert Johnson, having issue: (1) Catherine Johnson, who m. Robert Councell, son of Hodges Councell and Lucy (Hardy) Councell. (2) Priscilla Johnson, who m. John Councell, br. of Robert.

Siblings with issue:
1.1.2. David ap Lewis, d. 1609, m. Gwen v. Thomas.
1.1.3. Rhys ap Lewis, m. Anne Hurst.
1.1.4. Huw ap Lewis, m. Mary Philipps.

Of this family:

1. John Lewis, of (n.b.) Gernos, Co. Cardigan, m. Sarah Wykes, da. of Edward Wykes, son of Nicholas Wykes. Sisters of Sarah Wykes were Silvestra, wife of George Huntley of Boxwell, Co. Gloucester; Alice, wife of George Godwin, of Ford, Co. Wilts. Nicholas Wykes purchased a fifth share in the Manor of Mudgley, Wedmore, as did Richard Councell, his portion made up of 3 messuages in Heathhouse.
1.1. John Lewis. William Webb bought the share of Sarah Lewis from John Lewis, her son. William Webb (of Welsh lineage) was the uncle of Johanna Webb, bapt. April 14, 1594, who m. George Harris in 1623, in Wedmore, father of a William Harris, who m. a Lyte. See previous notes for the intensly interbred kinship group of Wedmore/Cheddar, which included the Harris, in which everyone was some degree of cousin.
1.1.1. Christopher Lewis.
1.2. Christopher Lewis (possibly), associated with Bartholomew Owen.

(1. Robert ap Owen, of Abergwilli, Carmarthenshire.
1.1. Robert Owen.
1.1.1. John Owen, headright of Christopher Lewis.
1.1.2. Bartholomew Owen
1.1.2.1. Katherine Owen, God-daughter of Christopher Lewis).

1. Thomas Hodges.
1.1. Thomas Hodges, m. Agatha, da. of George Rodney, of Westbury.
(1. George Rodney. 1.1. Maurice Rodney, Esq., m. Joan, da. of Sir Thomas Dyer of Somerford, Co., Wilts. 1.1.1. Dorothy wife of Rees Davis* of the Middle Temple, and of Tickenham, Esq. 1.2. Agatha Rodney, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583.

(1. Lewis Davis, of Carmarthenshire.
1.1. *Rees Davis, Esquire, of Tickenham. 1.2. William Davies, of Carmarthenshire. 1.2.1. Richard Davis, Esq, of Tickenham, bapt. November 8, 1587, m. Mary Owen, da. of Mary Pitt and *Robert Owen, of Bristol and Carmarthanshire, whose grandson was probably Bartholomew Owen. 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 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. 1.2.1.2. John Davis. 1.2.1.2.1. Richard Davis. Ancient lease: Agnes Davis to Christopher Lewis (born 1637, on Wrington, son of John) and Richard Davis. Property – Congresbury (Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital lands): assignment of lease. 1684. Bristol Archives, ref. BCC/F/E/6134. This Christopher Lewis, a Virginia settler, was a likely nephew of the namesake associated with Bartholomew Owen. *Robert ap Owen, of Abergwilli, aforementioned).

1.1.1. George Hodges, succeeded grandfather in 1600.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Hodges, m. Eleanor, da. of John Rose, of Shepton Beauchamp, son of Nicholas Rosse, of Shepton Beauchamp, son of John Rose and Agnes Heron, da. of John Heron Esquire, of East Brent. Agnes Heron m. (2) John Wogan, Esquire, as follows. In Virginia, a William Rose, m. Lucy (Corker) Jordan, widow of Thomas Jordan. Bartholomew Owen sold cattle of William Rose, for the benefit of Jane, William, Ann and Mary Rose, son and daughters of William Rose and his wife, Ann. Rec. 1666. Wit: Luke Mizelle, John Morecocke. In 1695, Robert Owen sold 110 acres of his father’s patent to Joshua Proctor (D&WB 5, p. 89), describing it as adjacent to Richard Jordan.
1.1.1.2. George Hodges, m. Ann Mansell, who m. (2) Jeremy Horler. ‘Neare to this place rest the bodies of George Hodges, esq; and Ann his wife, since the wife of Jeremy Horler, clerk, in hope of a joyful resurrection. George Hodges died Feb. 1, 1654. Ann died July 26, 1684. On a grave stone in the nave floor: ‘To the pious memory of William Counsel, of East-Stoughton in the parish of Wedmore, who died June 4, 1671’.
1.1.1.2.1. Jane Hodges, m. John Strachey, grandson of William Strachey, Secretary of the Colony of Virginia, aforementioned
1.1.1.2.2. Anne Hodges, bapt. Wedmore, August 1612, m. George Lyte; of Boxwell, Glouc., d. 1681. He m. 2. Mary Huntley, da. of Matthew Huntley, of Boxmore.
1.1.1.2.3. Mary Hodges, m. (1) Henry Wogan, son of John Wogan, Esq. and Sarah Lutterell, da. of George Lutterell and his second wife, Sylvestra Capper, who later m. (1) Sir Edmund Story; (2) Gyles Penny, Esq. By his first wife, Joan, da. of Hugh Stewkley, Esq. of Marsh, Somerset, George Lutterell was the father of Thomas Lutterell, his heir); (2) Edmund Clarke. Henry Wogan (Will proved Feb. 9, 1661) was the nephew of Col. Thomas Wogan, M.P. of Cardigan, owner of Wiston Manor, and one of the judges of Charles I; and Rowland Wogan, of Carmarthenshire, sons of John Wogan (b. 1588, 1st s. of Sir William Wogan, son of John Wogan, sheriff of Cardiganshire, of Wiston and Sybil, da. of Sir Hugh Owen of Bodeon, Anglesey and Orielton, Pemb.); and Jane, da. of Sir Thomas Colclough of Tintern, co. Wexford. ‘The progenitor of the many branches of the Wogan family (there were branches at Boulston , Wiston , Picton , Llanstinan , Stonehall , and elsewhere in Pembrokeshire , as well as in Ireland and England) is supposed to have been Gwgan, lord of Brecknock , one of whose descendants married the heiress of Wiston, who was a descendant of Wizo the Fleming , lord of Daugleddy’. (D.W.B.). More concretely,
Mary Hodges m. (2) Edmund Clarke.
1.1.1.2.4. Barbara Hodges, m. William Morgan. Morgan v Strachey. Plaintiffs: William Morgan and George Lyte. Defendants: John Strachey, Jane Strachey his wife, Edmund Clarke, Mary Clarke his wife, and Robert Creighton. Subject: property in Wedmore rectory, Somerset. 1666. C 8/182/193.
1.1.1.2.5.1. John Morgan.
1.1.1.3. John Hodges: Lease: John Hodges, gent., to George Barber of Ashmore, Dorset, gent.: messuage etc., Wedmore, Somerset. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, ref. 2667/1/36/4). He m. Margery … : Lease: Margery Hodges of Heathhouse, Wedmore, widow, to Richard Counsell of Wedmore, husbandman and Joan his wife: Wedmore, Somerset. 1648. (ibid., ref. 2667/1/36/2).
1.1.1.4. William Hodges: Counterpart of bargain and sale: George Barber of Ashmore, gent., to William Hodges, gent., messuage etc., Wedmore, Somerset. 1653. (ibid., ref. 2667/1/36/5). Counterpart of release: Robert Barber of Ashcombe, Wiltshire, esq., to Edward Counsell of Wedmore, yeoman: Wedmore, Somerset. (ibid., ref. 2667/1/36/22).

1. Robert Morgan, Esqire, of Maperton, Dorset, m. Mary Wogan, da. of John Wogan, Esquire. ‘I John Wogan of Sylvyng in the parishe of white lakington in the Countie of Somersett Esquye to Nicholas Rose my sonne in lawe (stepson) I gyve the greate maris Coulte and my best gowne / Item unto his brother Cuthebert Rose a gowne at his mothers rewarde. She m. (2) William Stourton, of Fauntleroy Marsh, Dorset. In the name of God amen I Mary Stourton sicke of body but perfecte of memorie thanckes be to Allmightie god Doe make and ordaine this my Last will and testament in manner and forme followeinge … Item I give to my sonne Troyelus Turbervile Twentie poundes. Item I give to my daughter Cassander Turbervile Twentie poundes Item I give to Henry Rodney my god sonne Fower poundes. Item I give to mistris Jane Rodney the wife of John Rodney Esquier a Longe Cushion of Clothe of gold to be chosen by her self of one of my owne. Item I give grannte and confirme unto William Morgan my sonne all my Landes and tenementes whatsoever To have and to houlde the said Landes And I doe make the overseers of this my will John Rodney Esquier and John Crookehorne esquier … July 9, 1596.
1.1. Ann Morgan, d. 1585, m. Nicholas Turbervile of Winterborne, Whitechurch, d. 1579. She m. (2) Alexander Brent, of Somerset
1.1.1. Troilus Turbervile, of Morden, Dorset, d. 1609, m. Ann Washbourne
1.1.1.1.Troilus Turbervile, d. 1645, m. (2) Bridget …
1.1.1.1.1. George Turberville, of Shropshire.
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Turberville, of Virginia, d. 1728, m. Elizabeth Lee, 1654-1714, da. of Colonel Richard Lee and Ann Constable.
1.2. Christopher Morgan. esq. Will dated Jan. 7, 1590, naming ‘my two daughters Elizabeth & Mary Morgan, & William Morgan, gent, my brother, my Manor of Witherston, lands in Broad Winsor Dorset, after the decease of Mary Stourton my mother, until my heir attains the age of 21 … My kinsman & servant Edward Morgan … son Christopher … Ann Lutterell* alias Morgan, relict of the decd. testator. Further Admon. Dec. 7, 1627, to Elizabeth Trenchard alias Morgan, wife of Sir Thomas Trenchard, and da. of Christopher Morgan. *Ann Bampfield, widow of Christopher Morgan, m. (2)John Luttrell.
1.3. George Morgan, of Wormister, Somerset. Admon. June 3, 1595, to Mary Stourton alias Morgan, his mother, & William
Morgan his son.
1.3.1. William Morgan.
1.4. John Morgan, executed for murder of Nicholas Turbervile.
1.5. William Morgan, m. Mary, da. of John Style, of Wells.
1.5.1 John Morgan, of Wormister, m. Mary, da. of John Baskerville. His Will was proved Nov. 28, 1622. My wife Mary. My brother William Morgan. My daughter Mary Morgan. My son John Morgan. Manor & Prebend of Wormister. My brother John Camington.
1.5.1.1. John Morgan.
1.5.1.2. William Morgan.
1.5.2. William Morgan, of Wells, m. Gertrude, da. of Tristram Tucker, gentleman. His Will was proved Mar. 21, 1653, by the relict. ‘Poor of Pulton & Wootton, 40/. To my wife, the parsonage of the same, & my house at Wells, then to William Morgan, son of my brother John Morgan. My brother George Morgan. My sister Mary Cannington, Wife of William Cannington, of Burtell. My cousin Mary Fry. Moneys which my brother Baskerville & my brother Robert Morgan gave. My cousin Mary Ivey. John, son of my brother John Morgan. My wife Extrix. He married Gertrude, daughter of Tristram Tucker, of Newcot, co. Devon.
1.5.2.1. William Morgan, m. Barbara Hodges.
1.5.2.1.1. John Morgan.

Of this family: John Morgan. Order for the transportation by their consent of John Green, Mary Deane alias Baskerville, Thomas Ratcliffe and John Morgan. 1656. Bristol.

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