A Harris researcher of old has asked me to outline a Harris family of Hemington, given its links to Virginia: John Seward, the Bristol sea captain and merchant, held land in Somerset at Hemington, which is 4 miles fom Mells/Nunney, and named one land grant in Virginia “New Hemington.” (Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography). Thomas Harris, d. 1688, settled on adjacent land that had been John Sewards.

The researcher’s interest is in a family of Person/Parson, given here: John Parson/Person was overseer of of the will of Francis England, of Blackwater, IOW, May 13, 1677. On June 9, 1666, George Hardy (overseer of will of Edward Harris, d. 1677) deeded Francis England 100 ac. where George Branch formerly lived. Thomas Carter later sold John Parsons 56 ac. which were formerly owned by George Branch, who was the son-in-law of Francis England and Joyce, da. of Robert Flake. John Tooke of Surry Co.; his will proved Feb. 15, 1720, appointed John Parson and William Ezell executors and John Parson, Samuel Sebrell, and James Pyland as trustees. Oct. 20, 1691, 170 a. Isle Of Wight Co. adj. Mr Tooke, Capt. England, Thomas Blake, Edward Brantley formerly patented 20 Apr. 1685 to Robert Blake and by him deserted, regranted to Arthur Allen Apr. 17, 1691, for 4 persons (8:174). A reading of my previous notes will outline relationships, connected to the Bristol basin.

I can not determine if the Parson family as follows is of any connection; nor if any of these Harris have connections to Virginia:

1.
1.1. Joan Harris/John Beard/Nov. 26, 1584. (Interesting Bennett connection)
1.2. John Harris.
1.2.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. Dec. 28, 1582, d. 1656/Margaret Long/Jan. 1607.
1.2.1.1. James Harris, bapt. Jan. 26, 1611.
1.2.1.2. William Harris, bapt. Jan. 9, 1613.
1.2.1.2.1. Hanna Harris/William Persons/ Sept. 20, 1674.
1.2.1.2.1.1. William Parsons, bapt. Jun. 28, 1675.
1.2.1.2.1.2. Robert Parsons, bapt. Apr. 10, 1681.
1.2.1.2.1.3. John Parsons, bapt. Dec. 13, 1685.
1.2.1.2.1.4. Hannah Parsons, bapt. Dec. 26, 1581.
1.2.1.2.1.5. Mary Parsons, bapt. Nov. 11, 1691.
1.2.2. Alice Harris/John Tucker/June 2, 1586.
1.2.3. Elizabeth Harris/William Smale/Nov. 9, 1592.
1.2.4. William Harris/Brigit Rudge/Apr. 16, 1599.
1.2.4.1. Mary Harris, bapt. Jul. 13, 1600/Edmond Short/Nov. 29, 1632. (Interesting in context of previous notes: William Harris, m. Mary Short, grandda. of William Short, whose land had been granted to Robert Moseley on Jan. 7, 1649, and then assigned to William Short Sr., on Oct. 28, 1657. (See Tidewater Families of Virginia, p. 544). This was the land identified as adjoining that of Sergeant John Harris: lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the County of Surry in Virginia in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Moseleys, adjoining to a great swamp which divides Surry Co. from Charles Cittie County. Witnesses: Robert Spencer, John Gittings’. (Dated Oct. 4, 1660. Surry Co. Court Records. R. November 10, 1660). William Short Sr. was likely to have been he born June 29, 1626, at Mells, with sons, Thomas, bapt. May 23, 1654, and William, bapt. March 30, 1658.
1.2.4.2. Alce Harris/Philipp West/Nov. 26, 1632. (Probably related to Alice West, who m. Thomas Harris in 1635, in adjacent Mells; issue Thomas Harris, born 1636.
1.2.4.2.1. Walter West/Dorithy Hickes/Nov. 8, 1655. (Probably related to Thomas Hickes, who m. Mary Davis, Feb. 15, 1657.
1.2.4.3. John Harris/Edith.
1.2.4.3.1. John Harris/bapt. Feb. 18, 1635.
1.2.4.3.2. Christian Harris/Edward Edwards/Nov. 21, 1636.
1.2.4.3.3. William Harris, bapt. Nov. 12, 1637.
1.2.4.3.4. Thomas Harris, Dec. 6, 1640.
1.2.4.3.5. Elinor Harris, bapt. Jul. 7, 1644/Richard Smith/ Dec. 26, 1664
1.2.4.2. Edward Harris, bapt. Mar. 31, 1616/Mary.
1.2.4.2.1. Edward Harris, bapt. Mar. 30, 1656.

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