Over and above the enduring ties of familial kinship, a kinship of spirit existed, and various English  kinship groups found their paths crossing as they chased the opportunities afforded by the opening of new colonial territories. Two such groups “connected” Bartholomew Owen and George Jones. (Supra: and the same method of kinship group advancement (Darwinian survival) informs everything of the (most singular) Harris family of Blackwater.

1. William Watts: Thomas Jordan*, in the behalf of Mr William Barrett of London Merchant, have this day at a Provinciall Court held in the Province of Maryland the 21th of March 1655 protest and declare against the Said Capt. William Watts for non performance. Charles Co. Circuit Court Liber F, p. 69, March 9, 1674: Indenture from William Barrett, the younger, atty. of William Barrett, the elder, of the city of London, merchant, to Humphrey Warren, planter; by letter of atty. dated 13 Jul 1674; a judgment against Humphrey Warren, the elder, for 125,000 tobacco; a parcel called Hatton’s Point of 250 ac. /s/ William Barrett, Jr.; wit. Benjamin Rozer, John Jones. “William Barrett, the younger” was a br. of James Barrett, husband of Elizabeth Moore, dau. of Henry Moore: Charles Co., May 9, 1673 – appraisers, Francis Thornton, Francis Adams.

Robert Owen (brother of William), 743 acs., Surry Co., Oct. 20, 1689, p. 3. On the S.E. side of Chehocon Swamp; 648 acs. part granted Mr. Bart. Owen, May 14, 1673, and due sd. Robert, as son & heir; and 95 acs. for imp. of 2 pers: Jno. Sharp , and Henry Wych. The latter is given a pedigree of ‘the names the same variety’, which are common to Virginia ancestries. It was probably the case that Henry Wych was of the family of Henry Wyke, alias Henry Weekes (Esq.), connected to Sir Henry Hawley of Wiveliscombe, evidenced thus: Hawley v Wyke. Plaintiffs: Sir Henry Hawley kt. Defendants: Henry Wyke alias Henry Weekes. 1617-1621. (N.A., C 3/311/19). A patent to merchant Peter Knight included headrights for the transportation of James Hawley, his wife Ann, and three children, to the Patowmack River area in 1656.” p. 2: “A 700 ac. grant to James Hawley, re-recorded in a Westmoreland Co. deed book in 1707, was dated Sept. 12, 1662, and described a tract near the head of the Nominy River on the Herring Point branch (p. 3). A dau. m. a Knight in Northumberland Co. prior to Feb. 1660. On this date James devised a cow and calf to his “granddaughter”, Elizabeth Knight; and Jacob Lucas and Henry Hawley were said to be ‘”next of kindred”; i.e. uncle and nephew. James Hawley was vestryman in 1655, and served as a justice in 1657. In 1674, he stated his age was “46 years or thereabouts”. Peter Knight’s son, William, was the father of John Knight, b. circa 1680, who m. (it is most likely) Elizabeth Jordan, having a son, Jordan Knight. Elizabeth Jordan was the dau. of James Jordan, son of Thomas and Margaret Brasseur.

On Oct. 9, 1619, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, Elizabeth Knight m. William Owen. He may have been the nephew of Robert Owen of Bristol, kin of the Pitt family, and the father of Bartholomew Owen.

It is highly probable that Elizabeth Knight was related to Sarah Knight of Wiveliscombe, who m. Nicholas Harwood, on May 2, 1614. Nicholas Harwood may have been he of that name who was security for Thomas Joyner in a suit against William Stone in James City in 1637, p. 122. This Thomas was almost certainly the grandfather of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.
1.1. Richard Jordan, m. Elizabeth Reynolds. Appraisal of estate of Giles Driver (headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), by Robert Coleman, Thomas Green, Richard Jordan Sr., Thomas Giles, Daniel Long. B. 2., p. 150, May 6, 1679: Arthur Evans, Rich. Jordan, and Joseph Wall appointed to appraise the estate of Edward Browne, deceased. (Surry Co. Court Orders 1671–1691, p. 248). Richard Jordan’s Will was witnessed by Joshua Proctor (son-in-law of Bartholomew Owen), who, with William Rose, returned the inventory.
1.1.1. John Jordan, m. Jane Brown. On Dec. 20, 1680, John Jordan, according to bond fulfilled with his father, Mr. Richard Jordan, paid to Col. Ar. Smith, Lt. Col. Jno. Pitt, and Capt. Henry Applewhaite, for the maintenance of his wife
1.1.2. Richard Jordan Jr.; his exexutors “trusted friends Josiah Proctor and John Fort (of Wiveliscombe). Witness, Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew. Richard Jordan Junr., 260 ac. on the northeast side of Johnchecokuck Swamp in the upper parish of Surry County, beginning at the mouth of a branch which branch parts this land from sd Jordan’s own land, being part of Mr. Owen’s dividend. (B.4, p. 104).
1.2. *Thomas Jordan, m. Lucy Corker.
1.2.1 Thomas Jordan, m. Margaret Brasseur
1.2.1.1. James Jordan.*

Returning to the family of Watts:

1.1. Peter Watts. Headright of Alexander Maddox (br. of Edward Maddox, as follows) and James Jones, 516 ac. Northampton Co. June 10, 1654. At the head of Nuswattocks Cr., bounding Wly. by a line of marked trees at the head of a former devdt. of sd. Jones. Transportation of 10 persons: Mary Leake, Dorcas Green, Peter Watts, Wm. Alesworth, Mary Bromfeild, Tho. Lentall, Jon. Devorax, Wm. Giles, Jon. Roberts, Geo. Hambleton. James Jones was the headright of Peter Knight in 1654, and was executor of the Will of Christopher Lewis, dated 1673, in which there were bequests to a son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, a dau. of Bartholomew Owen, and a dau. of James Jones.

1.2. Thomas Watts, m. Lydia … Thomas Watts/1652/William Owen & William Morgan (Greer). He was a neighbour of James Hawley: Thomas Gerratt, 300 acs. Northumberland Co., Oct. 24, 1655, p. 11. Wly. upon land sd. Garrard bought of Thomas Watts, Ely. upon land of Mr. James Hawly. 200 acs. granted unto Thomas Watts, Junr., Apr. 1, 1650, and assigned to sd. Gerrard & 100 acs. for trans. of 2 pers: Mary Wesson, Xpr. Peirce. Mr. Wm. Willdey attorney of Thomas Adderson admtr of Thomas Watts his assignment of a pattent to Thomas Gerratt. Know all men by these presents that I Wm. Willdey do in the behalf of Thomas Adderson assign over all the right and title of the land within mentioned unto Thomas Gerratt or his assignee as witness my hand the 20th of May 1656. William Willdey. Witness – Wm. Presly, Peter Knight. (Northumberland Co. Record Book, 1652 -1658).

William Owen, for the purpose of reasonable conjecture, can be taken to be he who married in Wiveliscombe in 1619; another such conjecture being that he married a sister of Peter Knight.

1. … Knight
1.1. Peter Knight., a neighbour of (1) John Upton, whose headright was Christopher Lewis. Peter Knight, Merchant, 200 acs. IOW Co., Mar. 13, 1638, p. 628. S. E. Ely. upon the maine Cr., S. W. into the woods upon land of Leift. John Upton Sly., & upon the Batchelors plantation Nly. Due by assignment & exchange to & with sd. Leift. Upton to & with Mr. Thomas Hill for 200 acs. in any other place ungraunted & by sd. Hill sold to sd. Knight for a valuable consideration. (C&P, i., p. 95. (2) Richard and Robert Bennett, of Wiveliscombe, cousins of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Peter Knight, Merchant, 200 acs. Up. Co. of New Norf., Nov. 18, 1638. On S. E. side of Nansamund Riv., & about 3 mi. up the E. side of a Cr., lying over against land of Richard Bennett & adj. land of Robert Bennett. Due by assignment from Thomas Burbage. (ibid. p. 85).
1.1.1. William Knight. (Knight, William/1648/William Ewen*/James City. P. of atty. from Jno. Jennings to Wm. Rose. Feb. 28., 1647. Convy. from Wm. Batt to Jno. Bishopp of a cow formerly belonging to Wm. Ewen. Wit. Jno. Jennings, Wm. Lea (Crozier).
1.1.1.1. John Knight, m. Elizabeth Jordan, dau. of James Jordan, son of Thomas and Margaret Brasseur. A patent to merchant Peter Knight included headrights for the transportation of James Hawley (almost certainly of Wiveliscombe), his wife Ann, and three children, to the Patowmack River area in 1656.” p. 2: “A 700 ac. grant to James Hawley, re-recorded in a Westmoreland Co. deed book in 1707, was dated Sept. 12, 1662, and described a tract near the head of the Nominy River on the Herring Point branch (p. 3). A dau. m. a Knight in Northumberland Co. prior to Feb. 1660. On this date James devised a cow and calf to his “granddaughter”, Elizabeth Knight; and Jacob Lucas and Henry Hawley were said to be ‘”next of kindred”; i.e. uncle and nephew. James Hawley was vestryman in 1655, and served as a justice in 1657. In 1674, he stated his age was “46 years or thereabouts”. Peter Knight’s son, William, was the father of John Knight, b. circa 1680, who m. (it is most likely) Elizabeth Jordan, having a son, Jordan Knight.
1.2. Elizabeth Knight, m. *William Owen, whose headright in 1652 was Thomas Watts, neighbour of James Hawley. The sale of Thomas Watt’s land being witnessed by Peter Knight, whose headright was James Jones, executor of the Will of Christopher Lewis, dated 1673, in which there were bequests to a son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, a dau. of Bartholomew Owen, and a dau. of James Jones.
1.2.1. Bartholomew Owen. Mary Brown, m. Colonel William Brown (their son, William, m. Jane Meriwether, the son of her stepfather; Col. Browne’s dau., Jane (Brown) Spencer, m. Thomas Jordan. Thomas remarried to Lucy Corker and himself died by 1685. Lucy remarried to WIllaim Rose; he m. (2) 1680, Elizabeth Meriwether, widow of Nicholas Meriwether. On Oct. 8, 1677, Bartholomew Owen granted Power of Attorney to Nicholas Meriwether, who was granted 3000 ac. in Westmoreland Co., June 1, 1654, his list incl. William Rose, who had issue: Jane Rose, b. bef. 1655, who m. (1) Richard Avery,* who departed from the Port of Bristol, in 1665. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, vol. 1, p. 56: Capt. Anthony Fulgham, 1600 ac. IOW, July 12, 1665, for transportation of 30 people, inc. Richd. Avery. (B. 5, p. 253). (2) William Rose, b. 1655, m. Lucy (Corker) Jordan, widow of Thomas Jordan, whose great-granddau. m. John Knight., second-cousin of Bartholomew Owen? Thomas Jordan’s nephew, Richard Jordan Jr.; his exexutors “trusted friends Josiah Proctor (probable son of George Proctor) and John Fort (of Wiveliscombe). Witness, Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew. Richard Jordan Junr., 260 ac. on the northeast side of Johnchecokuck Swamp in the upper parish of Surry Co., beginning at the mouth of a branch which branch parts this land from sd Jordan’s own land, being part of Mr. Owen’s dividend. (B. 4, p. 104). George Proctor’s dau., Mary, was the God-daughter of Nathaniel Knight.

A logical possibility, as to a son of “Richard Avery, Yeoman of Yatton”:

1. Robert Avery.
1.1. William Avery, of Congresbury, d. 1585. Sep. 7, 1569: Indenture of feoffment by way of Marriage Settlement; John Iryshe of Yatton, yeoman, to Willyam Avery and Agnes his wife, one of the daughters of Iryshe. John Syms or Hurdiche and Thomas Knight of Yatton, husbandmen, appointed Attornies. (Som. Arch.. ref. DD\BK).
1.1.1. Thomas Avery.
1.1.2. William Avery, m. Dorothy, dau. of Hugh Whitcombe, of Sherborne, Dorset.
1.1.2.1. Benjamin Avery: Joseph Avery of London, Esq., and Elizabeth his wife with Samuell Avery, Alderman of London, and Benjamen Avery of Mells, gent. Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. DD\BK/2/6/13. 1648. Horner v Avery. Plaintiffs: Sir George Horner kt. Defendants: Benjamin Avery. Subject: property in manors of Mells, Cloford, Leighton etc, Somerset. (Ibid. 1666). Will of Benjamin Avery, Gentleman of Frome.Selwood, Somerset. August 4, 1676. (N.A, ref. C 8/318/132). John Symes (1573-1661), of Poundisford, Pitminster, Somerset, 1st s. of William Symes, merchant, of Chard, Som.; m. (settlement Dec. 29, 1595), Amy, da. of Thomas Horner of Cloford, Som. The Fulgham family of Pitminster were tenants of John Symes.
1.1.2.2. Joseph, of London, merchant, m. Frances, dau. of … Deedes, of London.
1.1.2.3. Christian, m. John Irish, of Yatton, Somerset.
1.1.2.4. Hannah, m. Edmund Hobbs, of Congresbury.
1.1.2.5. Samuel, of London, merchant, m. Mirabella Barnet. Sheriff, of London, 1647; a Cromwellian, who signed the act for abolishing monarchial government, May 30, 1649. Arms: a chevron between three annulets, quartering a ram’s head cabosed ar.
Master of the Merchant Taylors. Two Final Agreements: Between Samuel Avery, Esq., plt., and Joseph Avery, Esq., and Elizabeth his wife, deforcs., of 2 messes., 2 cottages, 2 gardens, orchards, 50a. of land, 50a. of meadow, 50a. of pasture. 100/- rent and common of pasture for all beasts with appurts. in Congresbury or Congresbury and Weeke St Laurence. Warranty Joseph and Elizabeth for themselves and the heirs of Joseph to Samuel and his heirs. £200. Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. DD\BK/2/6/16a-b. 1648. PROB 11/314/15. Will of Samuel Avery, Alderman of the City of London of City of London. May 4, 1664.
1.1.3. Richard.
1.1.4. Giles.
1.1.5. Jacob.
1.1.6. John.

PROB 11/241/10: Will of Richard Avery, Yeoman of Yatton, Somerset. Sept. 23, 1654.
Grant by bargain and sale of the manor of Claverham (in Yatton). Arthur Lord Capell of Haddam: Robert Whiting of Rownham, Long Ashton, gent, Richard Avery, Claverham, yeoman, William Willinge, Brockley, yeoman, Robert Davis, Claverham, yeoman. Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. DD\MGR/1. Feb. 20, 1652.

Yatton is 12 mls fr. Bristol, the point of departure of Richard Avery.

Families (or a family of) Knight were settled on either side (Somerset or Gloucestershire) of the Bristol estuary. The following admins. are relevant to them: Knight, Jeremiah: Est.- 15 May, 1678. Signed: John Moring (appraised estate of Bartholomew Owen), Ar. Jordan, Thos. Sowerby, Wm. Newsum. (B. 2, p. 170). Knight, Nathaniel: Leg.- Nathaniel Knight, Chirugeon, makes the following bequests: To Goddaughter, Mary Proctor, dau. of Mr George Proctor … to Mary Browne 20 s. to buy a ring … to sister Abigail Brooks one half of my estate … To father Mr. Samuel Knight in “Stroode water Gloucestershire” (Stroud; 30 mls from Bristol); the other half … if father is dead to go to brother Daniel Knight. Friend Major William Browne; prob. March 5, 1677. (B. 2. p. 169). Knight, Nathaniel, of James Town, Virginia. Administration to the brother, Joseph Knight; the father, Samuel Knight, renouncing, Sept. 1678. (American Wills & Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1610-1857). Jan. 3, 1671, John Kindred, of Lawne’s Creek Parish, sold to Nathaniel Knight 300 ac. given unto John Kindred, formerly a patent, by Will of Coll. John Flood, late of the county, deceased, unto his dau., and after to Walter Flood, which tract of land lately purchased by Lt. Coll. Geo. Jordan, trustee of the Will of Coll. Flood. John Flood, by his first wife, Margaret, relict of William Finch, was the father of Thomas Flood, father of Thomas Flood, husband of Ann Rose, dau. of William, sister of Jane Avery, etc., and John Flood, who had a son, John, Jr., father of John, who m. Mary Creed, of Bristol.

Various Proctors had connections to the Harris family and those associated with them, pointing to a West England origin: Procter/Ambrose/ 1637/Nathaniel Floyd/Isle of Wight (Greer). Robert Flake, June 4, 1666, gives to John Proctor, son to Ambrose Proctor, Sen., John Proctor having been my son, and his time is out. Ambrose Proctor Jr. Will R. Jan. 9, 1672, wit. John Davis. Thomas Harris. R. March 23, 1712, appraised Reuben Proctor. (See previous notes).

George Proctor of Virginia may have been of the same family as his namesake of Pitminster, Somerset, who came to Massachusetts Bay on March 31,1635, and settled in Dorchester MA. His first child by Edith (possibly Edith Knight, bapt. May 16, 1616, in Pitminster, dau. of Roger Knight), was baptised in Pitminster on Apr. 14, 1634. A John Proctor was bapt. April 11, 1647, in Pitminster; son of Robert. A connection to the Fulghams of Pitminster would explain some future relationships in Virginia.

1.1.1. Thomas Watts, m. Frances Norgrave, dau. of Captain John Norgrave; relict of … Withers. Stafford Co. Order Book, p. 87. Court held 9th September 1690: Sampson Darrell who m. the sole dau. now living of Captain John Norgrave petitioned this Court for a cow and Signet of Armes which was left by the will of Capt. John Norgrave to one or either of his children. Captain John Norgrave’s wife, Frances, m. (2) Colonel George Mason. (3) Edward Maddox, aforementioned, after 1686; he, thus, inheriting “thirds” of a 600-acre tract south of Potomac Creek in Stafford Co. His Will, dated, 1710, shows John Hamilton died seized of 150 ac. in Richmond Co. part of 550 ac. purchased by Edward Maddock of John Waugh Clk of Stafford Co., part of 2000 ac. granted Col. John Catlett on June 2, 1666, and by conveyances vested in Maddock. (See Stafford Co. Order Book, p. 43, 1690).

(A ‘continuation of association’, typical of the kinship system of these times, is evidenced thus: 1. Margaret … m. (1) … Underwood, d. 1644. (2) John Upton, d. 1652; his headright was Christopher Lewis. (3) Thomas Lucas Sr., d. 1674. His dau. m. John Catlett. 1.1. Elizabeth Underwood, m. Francis Slaughter. She m. (2) John Catlett, Sr. (See Fleet, vol. 33, Commision of Peace, Essex Co., 1705: addressed to John Catlett Jr., Robert Brooke, Francis Merriwether, et al., “Gentlemen”). 1.2. Margaret Underwood, m. Humphrey Booth. 1.2.1. Catherine Booth, m. Robert Brooke. 1.2.1.1. Mary Brooke, m. Leonard Tarrant, sheriff of Essex Co; his Will made June 1718. 1.2.1.1.1. Leonard Tarrant, d. 1791? (who m. (1) Sarah; (2) widow Hargroves), father of Elizabeth Kirby, who m. David Kirby, son of John KIrby and Joanna Owen, granddau. of Bartholomew Owen. 1.3. Ann Underwood, m. James Williamson).

Edward Madox’s dau., Alice Cale, was not the widow of this William Strother. King George Co., B, 1, p. 95: William Strother, I give and bequeath my whole estate both real and personal to be equally divided between my dear and loving wife *Margaret Strother and my six children, namely Elizabeth, Alice, Agatha, Margaret, Anne & Jane Strother, the 2d day of March 1732. Westmoreland Co. Court, 26th of March 1718: Upon the Petition of William Strother who intermarried with Margaret, the dau. of Richard Watts, Gent., deced. it is ordered that John Chilton, Gent., who intermarried with Mary, the relict and executrix of Richard, Gent., deced. do pay to William Strother all and singular the Estate which of right doth belong to Margaret out of the Estate of her father. King George Co., B, 1, p. 95: To all Xtion People .. I Margaret Strother of Hanover Parish King George Co. widow for natural love unto my son William Strother granted 300 acres formerly given by Deed of Gift by my grandfather Anthony Savage gent. deced to my father Francis Thornton Gent. and my mother Alice his wife for their natural lives and by reversion to me and my heirs forever said land lying on north side of Rappahannock River commonly called Mangikamux and now lying in ye Parish of Hanover … to be taken out of the thousand acres of land belonging to the sd Anthony Savage. Sept. 1, 1727. Ibid., pp. 449-451: Indenture, August 10, 1727, betw. Thomas Harwood of King George Co. Planter and Margaret his wife and William Strother of same gent. … by deeds of lease and release … for eighty pounds sterling money of Great Brittain sold 150 ac. on head of Rappahannock River below the falls thereof and between the land of Wm. Brent and John Robins … as by a deed Sept. 14, 1710 granted unto a certain Maurice Clark late of the Co. of Richmond & by sundry means conveyances vested in ye said Thomas Harwood & Margaret his wife. Presence of Anthony Thornton, Thomas Harwood.

1. William Strother, d. 1702, m. Dorothy Savage. (Circumstantially deduced). He made his Will in Richmond Co., probated Nov. 4, 1702. He bequeathed his eldest son William Strother, 150 ac. including plantation I live upon … except that while my wife Dorothy shall live she shall peacefully and quietly possess one half of said plantation … to son James 150 ac. next to William, the remainder of my land to be divided between sons Robert and Benjamin.
1.1. William Strother, d. bef. March 2, 1736, m. Margaret Thornton, April 2, 1678 – Aug. 1, 1727.
1.1.1. Robert Strother, d. 1735, m. Elizabeth Berry.
1.1.2. Francis Strother, d. 1752, m. Susannah Dabney.
1.1.2.1. William Strother, b. April 30, 1726, m. Sarah Bayley, d. 1774.
1.1.2.2. Elizabeth Strother, b. April 22, 1744, m. James Taylor Gaines.
1.1.3. Wiliam Strother, d. March 2, 1733, m. Margaret Watts.
1.1.4. Benjamin Strother, m. Mary Woffendall, dau. of Adam.

Richard Watts (father-in-law of William Strother) was the son of:

1.2. John Watts, who held a tract at the head of Mattox Creek, orignally patented by Nathaniel Pope Sr. who willed it to his son Nathaniel, who sold it to Watts in 1665. After the death of his first wife, Elizabeth Vaughan, he m. Margaret Weire, dau. of Major John Weire and Honoria … (See Baldwin’s Maryland Calendar of Wills, vol. 1, p. 208, and Rappahannock Co. Grants, Deeds, etc., vol. 4, 1654-1692). John Watts is given power of attorney by Honoria Weire, Executrix of John Weire; John Watts is given assignment of notes and bills in estate of Major John Weire, whose widow m. George Jones.

Margaret Watts, nee Weire, m. Abraham Blagg, and Honoria’s Will mentions her son-in-law, Abraham Blagg, and her grandsons, Edward Blagg and Abraham Blagg, and Richard Watts. John Vaughn, Will probated April 27, 1664: Wife Ellen exx. and guardian of two sons, Samuel & William; son-in-law John Watts and his wife Elizabeth 1000 ac. on Mattox Creek, Westmoreland Co. 314 ac. in the body of the main forrest betwixt the two rivers of Potomack and Rappahannock adjoining land of Lt. Col. John Washington, and John Watts.

John Watts m. (2) Frances Place. Lancaster Co. Rec. Book 2, p. 104, 1655: Francis Place conveyed a tract of land formerly in IOW containing 300 ac. patented by him September 7, 1654, lying on the north side of the “freshes” of the Rappahanncok River, about ten miles above Nazemum Town and certain cattle by deed of gift to ‘My dau. Mary Place when she arrives at 18 years”, if she dies without heirs, then ‘to dau. Margaret Place, my youngest dau.”. Mary m. Thomas Powell by 1666, when they deeded this same land to James Coghill. Rappahannock Co. D.B. 3, p. 317: “Thomas Powell and Mary, his wife, sell to James Coghill for the valuable consideration of nine barrells of good Indian corne as also for divers other considerations 300 ac. on the north side of Rappahannock River patented September 7, 1654. Mary Powell, dau. to Francis Place, doth appoint her loving friend, Mr. Daniel Gaines her true and lawful attorney to acknowledge said deed”. Daniel Gaines, of Bristol. Rappahannock Co. Will Book 1682-1687, pp. 47-48. Signed sealed and delivered and declared this to be My last will and Tesamt in the presence of Wm. Murrow, John Catlett, Wm. Browne. His dau., Elizabeth, was the wife of John Catlett Jr., son of Elizabeth Underwood.

Essex Co. Dec, 30, 1672. The Will of Honoria Jones: “To my dau., Margaret Blagg, sole executrix, that seat or tract of land I purchased of Coll. John Vassell on s. Rappahannock River “. Essex Co. Order Book, 1701-1704, p. 109: This indenture made the eleventh day of May in the fourteenth yeare of the reigne of our sovereign Lord William the third &c. and in the yeare one thousand seaven hundred and two between Margaret Blagg of the Parish of Washington in the Co. of Westmorland in ye Colony of Virginia, widow, of ye one part: and David Gwyn of ye Parish of Farnham in the Co. of Richmond in the same colony, merchant, of the other part. Acknowledged in Essex Co. Court ye 11th day of May 1702. Test. Francis Meriwether; he being half-brother of William Browne (son of Col. William Browne and Jane Meriwether, dau. of Nicholas Meriwether, and sister of Francis); half-br. of Jane Jordan, Mary Jordan, and Jane Flood.

1.3. Edward Watts, m. Ann Martin, b. Jan. 4, 1667, dau. of John Martin and Joanna Waddington: King George Co. Deed Book 1; pp. 120: February the 5th 1730. The Deposition of Ann Mackferson of Stafford Co. aged about 63 years the Deponent … being duly sworn sayeth that Frances Golber came to her & asked her whether or not she was the dau. of Francis Waddington’s wife, which the aforesaid Ann said she was then replyed Frances Golber you are my own cousin for your mother & my mother is two sisters. Deponent further sayeth that her mother which was, then Waggington’s wife, but sometime before had been the wife of John Martin deceased, informed her at several times that Frances Golber was her own sister’s child & the deponent further declareth that the aforesaid Frances Golber which was after was the wife of Thomas White Deceased always acknowledged Waddington’s wife to be her aunt. 5th February 1730, Ann Mackferson came, made oath which on motion of James Jones admitted to record. Ibid.: The deposition of Mary Reynolds of King George Co. aged about ninety one years the deponent being duly sworn sayeth that Frances Golber afterward wife of Thomas White deceased informed her about thirty years ago that she had heard that Francis Waddington’s wife who some time before was the widdow of John Martin deceased was her kinswoman & desired the said Mary Reynolds to go with her to know the certainty. Ann Martin was the relict of Jacob Hubbard, she m. 3. Daniel Macpherson

Stafford Co. Will Book M; 1729-1748; pp. 314-315: In Name of God Amen I Anne Mackpherson of Stafford Co. Widow being sick, but of sound memory, doe make this my last will and Testament. First I give my Soul unto God and for my body to the Earth to be buried. Such worldly Estate … I give in manner following.
Item I give to my Loving son Jacob Hubbard one negro wench named Hannah.
Item I give to my Loving Son Mathew Hubbard one Servant man named John Page.
Item I give to my Loving Son Thomas Watts one Feather bed rugg and pair of blanketts and a pair of sheets, with a bolster and pillow.
Item I give to my son Francis Watts one bedstead and feaster and table and drawer.
Item I give to my grand daughter Anne Jones daughter of George Jones and Margaret his wife 1 feather bed and boulster a Silk rugg and pair of blanketts and 1 pair of sheets one iron pot one frying pan three pewter dishes, three pewter bacons, and half a dozen of pewter plates
Item I give to my Loving son Edward Watts 1 negro man named Jockey four cows and calves, 2 stears of 3 years old, 1 feather bed and bolster rugg and blanketts and sheets.
Item I give to my Loving daughter Margaret Jones wife of George Jones all my wearing cloaths and a chest with a Lock and Key to it.
Item I give to my loving Son Edward Watts the plantation whereon 1 now live during his life and after his decease to Joseph Waugh.
Item I give to my loving son Edward Watts all my Indian Corn.
Item I give all the rest of my Estate to be equally divided between my loving sons Mathew Hubbard, Edward Watts and George Jones. My debts being first paid out of my crop of Tobacco.
Item I appoint my loving son Edward Watts and George Jones my Executors to this my last Will and Testament .. and I desire that my Estate should not be appraised .. set my hand this 5th January 1741.
Presence James Waugh, Anne Mackpherson James Hughes, Margaret French.
At Court held for Stafford Co. (March 9, 1741), Will presented by Executors.

GEORGE JONES:

1. John Vassall: He is mentioned in the the Will of William Borough Esq., alias Burrows, proved November 28, 1598, an abstract being: ‘And I give unto Judeth the wife of John Vassall and to Susan the wife of William Kinge, being my said brother’s daughters, twenty pounds apiece … To the poor of Stepney twenty pounds … To the poor of Northham in Devonshire twenty pounds. John Vassall was a subscriber for two shares of stock in the Virginia Company with an investment of £25.10.0 in 1618. He married, firstly, on September 25, 1569, Anne Hewes; secondly, Anne Russell, of Ratcliffe; and, thirdly, Judith Burough, daughter of Stephen Burough and Joan Overye, of Stepney.
1.1. Anne Vassall, daughter of Judith Burough, born January 10, 1595, buried July 24, 1640, married John Jones, rector of St. Nicholas Acons, London, who died May 14, 1636. John Jones held a Crown stipend. He would have relied on two elected churchwardens to run the day-to-day business of his parish, who were usually educated members of the local elite. A common sermon of Puritan clerics involved with those emigrating to Virginia was from the seventh chapter of the second book of Samuel: ‘I will appoint a place for my children Israel, and I will plant them’. John Jones may have encouraged his congregation to become ‘trees of rightiousness’ in the new land, wishing that his descendants followed this dictum.
1.1.1. Robert Jones, died at Fleet’s Bay, Northumberland County, Virginia. He is recorded in the registers of St. Nicholas Acons in a baptismal entry of October 22, 1618: ‘Robert Jones the sonne of John Jones p’son of this p’ishe’. His brothers are also recorded, an entry of March 26, 1626 recording: ‘Thomas Jons the sone of Mr John Jons Rector and Ano his wife’; other entries being: William Jones (1620), and Richard Jones (1621). The registers of St. Nicholas Acons also contain entries for families associated with the Jones in Virginia, such as the baptism of ‘John Hewes the Soonne of Richard Hewes’ in 1563; and of ‘Thomas Dogget ye soonne of Thom: Dogget’, on July 24, 1609.
Mr. Robert Jones died in 1676, his Will being probated on March 1st of that year, naming ‘my loving friends Mr. Thomas Haynes and Mr. George Flowers’ to be overseers; and witnesses ‘Benj. Doggit’ and ‘Mathew Burrowes’. Mrs. ‘Martha Jones exc’rx’ was granted administration, her securities being Col. St. Leger Codd and Mr. Jno Harris; her appraisers being ‘Mr. John Haynie, Maj. Thos. Brereton, and Mr. Edward Porteus’. Essentially, the colonisation of Virginia was achieved through the recreation of English parishes, complete with the kinship relationships they contained. (John Harris was the son-in-law of John Haynie; they of Devon).
1.1.1.1. Captain William Jones, m.  Margaret, dau. of Thomas Haines. On March 21, 1694, the three brothers Capt. Wm. Jones, Samuel and Robert, united in a suit against Mr. Jno. Eustace for trespassing. Samuel Jones died in October of 1697 without male issue, and a few months after, Capt. Wm. Jones was appointed administrator of his deceased brother, and petitioned the court to appoint as appraisers Hancock Lee, Chas. Lee, Jno. Curtis, Thos. Curtis, and James Haynes. Robert Jones had married Elizabeth Brereton.
1.1.1.1.1. Captain Willam Jones, who died in 1741, in Northumberland Co., married Leeanna Lee, dau. of Charles Lee, Sr. and Elizabeth Medstand. Charles Lee was the son of Richard Lee and Anne Constable, and a very strong indication of his association to the Lees of Coton, Shropshire, is evidenced by several members of that family also having residence in St. Olave’s, Southwark, from whence many of this account originated or had connection.
1.1.1.1.1.1. William Jones, of Faquier County, Virginia. His Will was proved December 22, 1800 (W.B. 3, p.320), naming wife Mary, sons James and William, and daughters Cary, Hannah, Sarah, and Lucretia. William Jones was a tenant of Col. Robert H. Lee: Lease between Col. R. H. Lee of Westmoreland Co and William Jones … for yearly rent of 247 acres … Signed Richard Henry Lee. Recorded May 24, 1764 (Fauquier Co. D.B. 2, pp. 1-33, April 9, 1764).
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Jones, of Bourbon and Warren counties, Kentucky, married Elizabeth Shanks, widow of Daniel Gillespie, and daughter of Christian Shanks, whose estate was assessed by Thomas Strother. The Strothers were also associated with the descendants of George Jones of Rappahannock, who might reasonably be presumed to be of close association of Thomas Jones, as follows, brother of Robert Jones Sr. of Fleet’s Bay.
1.1.1.2. Elizabeth Jones, married Thos. Haynes.

1.1.2. Thomas Jones. In 1664, Thomas Ligon patented land adjacent to the land of Thomas Jones which lay along Powell’s Creek, in Bermuda Hundred. In January 1662, Thomas Jones claimed headrights for nine people, including William Flowers, of Bristol: June 20, 1668: ‘Know all men by these presents that I Walter Baker of Bristoll, wollens draper, have nominated and appointed my loving freind Wm. Morgan of ye Citty of Bristoll, mercht. (William Ewen’s partner) my true and lawfull attorney for me to sue, receive and recover of Wm. Flower, late of ye Cittie of Bristoll and now of Wickocomicoe or thereabouts in ye Country of Virginia, farmer’. March 8, 1663: ‘Job Edmonds bound to pay unto Wm. Flower or his assignees, ‘the full sume of two thousand six hundred and fourty pounds wt. of sound merchantable tobacco in caske at or before the 10th day of November next … As security he promises to bind over the plantacon I now live on in Wiocomococ … being two hundred acres of land … Wit.: Jo. Haynie, Andrew Pettigrew’ (Deed and Will Abstracts of Northumberland Co., 1666–1670, p. 41). Northumberland Co. Court, convened on May 20, 1685: ‘A Commission of Administration is granted John Flowers of the estate of his deceased father William Flowers, he giving security for his due Administration to Law. Bond: John Flowers, Mr. John Harris, and Mr. Ebenezer Sanders do oblige themselves jointly and separately in the penal sum of thirty thousand pounds of tobacco and cask to the Justices of this County, that the said Flowers shall duly administer upon his deceased father’s estate and exhibit an inventory therof according to law’. Thomas Jones, married Mary Repps; she married 2. Edward Skerme. ‘We Mary Skerm of Bermooda Hundred, Henrico Co., and Thomas Jones, my son, agree to peacably occupy land which was my husband’s, Thos. Jones, dec’d, bounded by the river and the high road, called The Hundred Path, equally. Mary Skerme to hold the part joining the creek toward Wm Ligon, and Thomas Jones, the part joining the swamp, next to Edward Stratton’. Rec. Aug. 1684.
1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Jones, married Philip Turpin.
1.1.2.2. Martha Jones, married 1. John Branch, 2. Thomas Osborne.

1.2. William Vassall, mother Anne Russell.
1.2.1. Anne Vassall, married, before July 1655, Nicholas Weire of Rappahannock Co., merchant, who was named executor of the Will of her father.
1.2.2. John Vassall, appears as a headright in the land patents of Virginia on August 20, 1650; 560 a. described as ‘Lyeing upon the third swamp SW by W from Henry White’s plantation’. John Vassall was chosen as guardian, on February 24, 1670, by his nephew, John Ware, who was: ‘Major John Weire of Rappahannock Co., Va: ‘To wife Honoria, dower rights’ (Maryland Wills, Liber 9, folio 78). By September, 1684, his widow had married George Jones of Rappahannock, and was acting as Administratix of Jones’ estate (Rappahannock D.B, 1683-1686, p. 40). George Jones had been a co-administrator in 1679 with Amory Butler of the estate of Col. John Catlett, husband of of Elizabeth Underwood, sister of Col. Wm. Underwood.

George Jones was the father of John Jones: ‘In the Name of God Amen. I John Jones of Richmond County, Smith … Item: I give unto my loving wife Ann Jones two feather beds … I give to my son John Jones one hundred and fifty two acres of land which I bought of Nathanl Vickars … I give to my son George one Negro man named Tom … I give to my son Richard Jones my dwelling plantation and land thereto belonging to bind upon the south side of the western branch of Muddy Creek … I give to my son Edward Jones ye plantation whereon he lives to him and his heirs forever and a suit of clothes’ (King George Co., W.B. A, 1721-1752, p. 37). His son, John Jones: ‘Know all men we James Grant and Catherine his wife Parish of Brunswick King George County are bound unto James Hewett … in sum one hundred pounds current money of Virginia … 24th January 1743. Condition … that whereas Catharine wife to the sd Grant & Relict of John Jones by the will of John Jones deceased has some pretension to land given by said Jones will to his son John Jones by him sold to William Flowers .. and by said Flowers sold to said James Hewett .. and whereas Grant and Catharine .. being unwilling to engage themselves in a doubtful Law suit do therefore … for sum Twenty shillings current money … oblige themselves to make a good title … Presence Nicholas Strother, James Grant, James Strother, Anth. Haynie, Catharine Grant. At a court held 4th January 1744 . .. Bond recorded. This 24th January wee the subscribers do testify that we heard Catharine Grant, Mother to John Jones, that sold his land to William Flowers say that her son was twenty one years old & upwards near 22 years of age at time of sale … Nicholas Strother, James Jones, Anth. Haynie, James Strother’.

A simplicity would be to learn the method of kinship group survival; but a simplicity too far in an era of the cult of the individual. John Wayne conquered America, so the (Hollywood) story goes.

copyright m stanhope 2018