Edward Rogers, claimed headright of Thomas Bulmer, 1636, in Warrasquinoake. Margaret Rogers, claimed headright of Thomas Bulmer, 1637, in New Norfolk.

Edward Rogers came to Virginia in 1623, on “the Anne”, with William Gallaway. Rogers, Edward: Leg.- *Anne Mathews (his dau.); John Moore and James Barron to whom I give 900 ac. in Stafford Co. at the head of Potomake Creek, on which Joseph Henson lives, also all property in Isle of Wight County. R. March 9, 1683. Wit. John Jones, Thomas Mason. p. 237.

*She m. (1) … Moore, (2) Anthony Mathews; (3) Thomas Davis; see IOW Court Orders, Oct 9, 1693. Anthony Mathews and Wife Anne deed to John Moore son of Anne for 300 ac. on Seward Swamp love and affection 1300 acres patented by Mathews July 30, 1660. B. 1, p. 336. Anthony Mathews: Leg.- John Moore, the eldest son of Ann Mathews, my now wife the land adjoining Edward Hale; James Barron, the plantation whereon I live after the death of his mother, my new wife. Wife Extx. R. Jan. 9, 1681. Wit: William Dodd, Robert Kae.

What follows are simple references to a Bristol basin kinship group. I have not detailed the many connections to the various branches of the same Harris family in Virginia; many reading this blog being aware of these, without agreeing about the contention of “the same Harris family”, however obvious that is.

Dec. 21, 1653; George Lobb to Richard Jordan 50 ac. on Long Bond Creek once in possession of Hugh Lee and later bought by William Crandige decd. Wit. Richard Sharp and Anthony Mathews. (B. 1).

Anthony Mathews, 640 acs. IOW Co., Feb. 1, 1664, p. 153. Beg. at head of Cranages Sw. on W. side of Edmond Palmers land. Trans. of 13 pers; Mary Gray, her sonn, Mathew Wakely, Mary Walkers, John Burnet, Mary his wife, his son, Wm. Cotton, Mary Tomlin, Peter Langleigh, Tho. Reighnolds, Rich. Lewes.

Capt. Joseph Bridger and Mr. Wm. Burgh, 7800 acs. Isle of Wight Co., or Nancimond Co., June 7, 1666, p. 512. Beg. by a White Marsh, a Medow aboute halfe a mile from the maine run of the Black Water, transportation of …. Ant. Mathews and others.

Mr. John Portis, 376 acs., Is. of W. Co., 21 Sept. 21, 1674, p. 521. Adj. Mr. Nich. Smith; a br. of Seaward’s Cr; Mr. Cobb; Mr. Tuck; Anthony Mathews; and Burnett’s land, now in tenure of sd. Portis; &c. 200 acs. granted Robert Burnet Sept. 19, 1643 and assigned to sd. Portis Apr. 9, 1664: 120 acs. purchased of Edmund Palmer, Aug. 18, 1673. Philip Thomas – creditor of the estate of Nicholas West in 1668 – his Will probated Feb. 9, 1702, witnessed by Judith Edwards (Harris), step-dau. of John Boddie, named children John, who m. Susan, dau. of John Portis; William, who m. Sarah Hill, dau. of Sylvestra Bennett and Col. Nicholas Hill.

Anne Mathews, widow, appoints son James Barron her atty. June 8, 1692. Ed Prime, Theopilus Hearn. (Boddie).

Anne Davis late Anne Mathews … her Husband Thomas Davis, Oct 9, 1693.

March 30, 1710. William Moore and wife Sara of Newport Parish to John Williams 590 ac. in Newport Parish being part of a patent for 1300 ac. granted to Anthony Mathews on July 15, 1696 bounded by John Clerke, Seward Swamp, Wm. Moore and Mirey Branch.

Court, June 15, 1728, set forth that Edward Rogers of Stafford Co. dyed seizd of 900 ac. in said Co. Inquisition 14 Aug. 1728 by Georg Eskridge Gent. Deputy Eschr. and 12 freeholders viz: Matthew Keen &c. Edward Rogers and Cha’s Hoyle in 1669 had 900 ac.. of 1500 ac. in said Co. Hoyle by Will Apr. 10, 1679, devised his right to his dau. Eliz’a Hanson, proved in Stafford Ct. Sept. 9, 1685, and Rogers by Will Sept. 13, 1683 devised all 900 ac. to Ann Matthews, John Moore and James Barren. Barren as surviving Devisee of Rogers conveyed to John Waugh of said Co. Nov. 1, 1709. Fo. 228, 229.

Thomas Bulmer. A name that became synonomous with West Country “zider” making; phonetically Baalmer in the Bristol basin patois of the time (think of Robert Newton playing Long John Silver); probably of the Bristol family: John Langton, senr., John Langton, junior, George Bulmer. v. Sir John Wolstenholm, Knt., Henry Garway, Wm. Willett, Wm. Noy (Attorney-General): Port of Bristol. Touching the debts of Derrick Popley, late of Bristol (merchant), to the defendants, farmers of Her Majesty’s customs in the port, &c. Bristol. 10 Chas 1. E134/10Chas1/Mich60.

Thomas Harris. Appraisal by Reuben Proctor, John Harrison, Philip Wheadon, James Wilson. Signed: Judith (Edwards) Harris. March 23, 1712.

John Harris. Appraised by Reuben Proctor, William Balmer, Elias Hodges, Roger Hodges. Signed Elizabeth Harris, Aug. 8. 1713.

Joseph Wheadon, Leg. John Carrell; to Thomas Carrell, wife Joyce, br. James Wheadon, nephew Joseph Wheadon. R Feb. 25, 1744. Witnesses William Salter, William Balmer Jr. (Chapman, 151).

Philip Wheadon’s wife, Sarah, formerly Sarah Luck, and sister of John Jenning Jr., whose wife was Mary Hill, dau. of Sylvestra Bennett and Col. Nicholas Hill.

The above Harris being the key to most things Harris.

Anthony Mathews, father of Alexander: A witness for Daniel Boucher: In lieu of the horse and furniture given to Peter Vasser, Mr. Boucher gives him the second cold etc. – in the presence of Mr. Flake, Alexander Matthews, Thomas Taberer. Under his hand on the will is written: Memo. – there is a hogshead of tobacco in my house belonging to Mrs. Elinor Moseley, widow in Bristol. R. May 1, 1668. p. 53.

Inventory of estate of Thomas Joyner, decd, lists Thomas Smith, Bridgeman Joyner and Nicholas Casey. Witn. Alex Mathew. Court Orders. Matthews, Alexander: Of ye Lower Parish. Leg.- daughter Sarah ffulgham; to my three grandchildren, Thomas, A—– and Catherine. Exs., wife and son Alexander. R. June 27, 1720. Wit. John Jones, Joshua Turner, Joseph Chapman, p. 36. Matthews, Alexander. Appraised by Arthur Smith, John Dawson, Thomas Woodley, Ambrose Hadley. R. July 22, 1723. p. 135.

John Seaward (of Bristol and Somerset), 400 acs. Isle of Wight Co., June 18, 1638, p. 634. Upon Warresquike Riv. now called New Towne haven, beg. at a pynie point by a little gutt runing into the woods right over against the land of Nathaniell Floyd and neare his former pattent. Due for trans. of 4 pers.: John Seaward, John Williams, Edward Brantly, William Winnfrye, Anth. Mathews, Gersion Cromwell, John Lippett, Phillip Plumblye. (C&P). John Seward’s family intermarried with the Pitts, of Bristol. Book 3, p 290: Lt. Col. Rob. Pitt, 1200 acs. Isle of Wight Co., 7 June 1654, p. 271. Beg. At branch of Newtowne Haven Riv. &c. to Mr. Prestwoods corner tree, &c., to Mr. Seawards land & adj. his own land. 600 acs. Granted to Thomas Davis, 19 Apr. 1648 & assigned unto Rob. Sharpe, who assigned same to sd. Pitt; 300 acs. by vertue of the rights of a patent granted unto him July 3, 1648 & by him relinquished, & 300 acs. by patent Apr. 19, 1648. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, settled on land adj. to John Seward’s original patent.

James Barron of U.P. sells Andrew Woodley for 7000 lbs tbco 640 acres formerly granted Anthony Mathews, Feb 1, 1664 and by him conveyed to James Barron by Will May 6, 1681. Possession of this given to Andrew Woodley in presence of Jno Portis, Sr., Jane Portis, Thos. Davis, John Giles, John Turner (Bodie).

The general picture is extremely simple, families that intermarried within the Bristol basin area of England continued their associations in Virginia, intermarrying with those they knew.

copyright m stanhope 2018