1. …
1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570.
1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, who m. Agnes Beard, July 17, 1623, and who was the headright of his br., Richard, in 1636.

1.1.2. Governor Richard Bennett,* bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in 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 dau., Ruth, m. John Numan, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.2.1. Ann Bennett, who m. (2) Theoderick Bland, the second-cousin of Frances Bland, wife of John Cogan (very likely to have been of Chard, Somerset, from whence Charles Barcroft, whose headright was claimed by Anthony Fulgham, IOW, 1650; likely to have been the parents of “John Coggins”, of Bristol, who witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Theoderick’s brother, John, m. Sarah Green, dau. of Giles Green and Elizabeth Hill, of Poundsford Park, Pitminster; her family the landlords of the Fulghams. Their son, Giles Bland, was a participant in Bacon’s Rebellion, for which he was executed. (See Browne Willis, Notitia Parliamentaria, pt. II, 1750. Warren M. Billings, Encyclopedia Virginia).

Giles Bland’s attorney was Robert Kae (of Bristol), p. 98, son-in-law of George Bechinoe, whose father, Edward, appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, with Richard Corsey, whose Will, rec. May I, 1679, was witnessed by Thomas Moore, son-in-law of Charles Barcroft, aforesaid. Thomas Moore’s sister, Katherine Moore, m, (2) Robert Flake, a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants. By her first husband, she had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England, as follows.

1.1.2.2. Elizabeth Bennett, m. Charles Scarburgh, son of Edmund, and br. of Littleton Scarburgh (whose headright was the Bristol merchant, John Watson), in 1652. As will be repeated: Thos. Bourne binds himself to pay Edmund Scarborough mercht 180 lbs tobo 10th Oct. next. Dated May 25, 1653. Signed Thomas Bourne, witnessed by Robt. Pitt, p. 139.

1.2. John Bennett, b. March 1, 1566, d. 1601.
1.2.1. Thomas Bennett, b. c. 1590, listed in the 1624 census on the south of the James River, near Lawne’s Creek. In that year, Elizabeth Pierce, dau. of his wife Alice, chose her stepfather, Thomas Bennett, as her guardian. Anthony Barham (the first husband of Elizabeth Pierce) died in 1641, naming “Mother Bennett” and his brother-in-law Richard Bennett in his Will. Elizabeth Pierce m. (2) Richard Jackson, by whom she had issue (1) Sarah, who m. Arthur Smith Jr. (who with his wife gave to George Hardy deeds for the land on Blackwater, in 1666, the deed reciting that Sarah and (2) Mary (wife of George Hardy, appraiser of estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677😉 were daus. of Richard Jackson and granddaus. of Alice Bennett. (B. 1, pp. 69, 70).
1.2.1.1. Richard Bennett, d. 1709. His first wife was (circumstantially) Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Mr. Charles Barham Ex., Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Thomas Tuke overseers, were officers of the will of William Ridley, who was probably the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife. Richard Bennett, d. 1709: This Indenture made the 14th day of January Anno Domini 1668 betw. Thomas Wood Sonne of Arthur Wood and Sarah Wooton, his mother, and relict of Arthur Wood decsd of the one part and Richard Bennett of Blackwater of the other part … A certain parcel of Land containing 100 ac., this aforesaid land lying at Blackwater, this said land being included in a pattent of 746 ac. taken up by Francis England in the year of our Lord 1645. (B. I, pp. 199-200). Thomas Harris, d. 1688, settled on adjacent land.
1.2.1.1.1. Richard Bennett.
1.2.1.1.1.1. William Bennett, m. Mary Hardy, dau. of George Hardy, and sister of Martha Hardy, wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Ann Bennett, a beneficiary in the Will of Mathew Fones (1704), witnessed by Philip Pardoe, who witnessed the Will of Martha, wife of Edward Harris. Mathew Fones witnessed the Will of George Hardy (1704). Philip Pardoe’s wife was Jane George, dau. of John, and almost certainly related to the second wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Their dau., Joyce Pardoe, m. Phillip Brantley. (The common connector in all this are the Sewards, of Bristol).

(George Hardy was “kinsman George Hardy” named in the Will of George Hardy, proved April 14, 1655; who setled on Lawne’s Creek, adj. Alice Bennett’s land. (Nugent, p. 140). Lawrence v Lawrence. Plaintiffs: William Lawrence. Defendants: William Lawrence, John Hardy and George Hardy. Subject: property in Wraxall and Rampisham, Dorset. 1669. (C 8/246/34), which is 40 mls S.E. of Wiveliscombe, Somerset. Thomas Lawrence bailiff of half of the manors of Rampisham, Chilfrome, Wraxall and Mapperton from the 29th of September 1603 to the 29th of September 1604. WARD 2/18/70/13 PROB 11/180/52 Will of Thomas Lawrence or Laurence, Yeoman of Rampisham, Dorset. June 27, 1639. Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset, vols. 5-6, p. 99, 1639: Thomas Lawrence of Rampisham, yeoman, in 1639 left the rent of certain land to be used for ever “towards the helpe and maintenance of twoe laboureing husbandmen of Rampisham”).

1.3. Robert Bennett, bapt. April 27, 1571; d. circa 1623, in Virginia, m. Alice … neighbour of George Hardy Sr.

1.4. William Bennett, bapt. June 15, 1572; m. Alice Storey, Nov 9, 1603. (As per register). This is another Harris connection. Robert Woolcott m. Anstis Harris (aunt of Richard Harris, husband of Eleanor Bennett, as follows); their son, Robert Woolcott, m. Mary Sorey, sister of Alice, wife of William Bennett, Jan. 25, 1616.

1.5. Edward Bennett, bapt. Feb. 2, 1577, m. Mary Bourne. He received a patent on condition that he settled 200 persons, in association with his brother, Robert Bennett, and his nephew, Richard Bennett. Edward Bennett’s dau., Silvestra, m. Nicholas Hill (as his second wife and her second husband) when he was advanced in age. Nicholas Hill appraised the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

THE HARRIS CONNECTION

1.6. Eleanor Bennett, m. Richard Harris, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe.
1.6.1. Thomas Harris, who m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe. If it is allowed that he was he who d. in 1672, his son was John Harris, who m. 2. (April 13, 1689), Elizabeth Church, having issue Isabella Harris, b. April 17, 1695, according to the records of Chuckatuck Monthly Meeting; she d. after 1749, having m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, and Martha Pitt; son of Nicholas Fulgham and Sarah Davis; br. of Michael Fulgham, whose dau. supposedly m. a son of Robert Harris, d. 1688. It may seem that this stretches chronological plausibility.
1.6.2. Richard Harris.
1.6.2.1. John Harris,* bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, m. Unity … John Harris: Estate by Unity Harris, widow and admin. of John Harris. May 1687. Signed Wm Newsum, John Clarke, Wm. Newitt. (B. 3, p. 82).
1.6.2.1.1. William Harris, d. bef. 1693, m. Elizabeth …
1.6.2.1.1.1. John Harris. May 20, 1710: Thomas Ward of Lawne’s Creek Parish to John Chambers of same (his mother was Olive Ruffin; his sister, Mary, m. Richard Hardy). Witness: William Newsum and John Harris. (p. 10).
1.6.2.1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Mary Drew. Will of Edward Drew, prob. March 8, 1746, SH Co. “son Newitt; grandson Newitt Harris, son of my dau. Mary Harris”. Witness, James Ridley. John Harris: Will prob. Dec. 13, 1764, SH Co. – “son Drew, son Nathan, son John, wife, son Newitt, son Thomas, dau. Ann, dau. Martha”. Ex: son Nathan and Edward Drew. Wit.: Simon Harris and Jesse Jones. (W.B 2, p. 108).
1.6.2.1.2. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett, aforementioned, d. 1709.
1.6.2.2. Thomas Harris.
1.6.2.2.1. William Harris, sonn & heire of Thomas Harris, 850 acs. Surry Co. S. James Riv. , on N.W. & S.E. sides of Sunken Marsh above & below the mill; June 2, 1668. Granted sd. Thomas Feb. 13, 1657, p. 55. Jan. 4, 1685: William Harris and wife Mary Harris, to William Newsum … 220 ac. now in the tenure of *Mr. John Harris; adj. William Newett, and the Sunken Marsh Path. Wit. Robert Ruffin. R. Jan. 5, 1685.
1.6.2.2.1.1. William Harris.
1.6.2.2.1.1.1. A son or dau.
1.6.2.2.1.1.1.1. Harris Taylor.

1.7. Richard Bennett, bapt. Oct. 9, 1573, d. Aug. 28, 1626, in VA, m. Judith … ‘The will of Judith Bennett of St. Dunstans in the East, London, widow was proven by Edward Harris, executor, Nov. 23, 1638. (P.C.C. 164 Lee. ) Her children were evidently deceased as she left all to her kinsman Edward Harris‘ (probably a son of Richard, husband of Eleonor Bennett).

He was certainly the Edward Harris of St. Dunstan in the East, London, merchant, aged 45, named in the Hubberday v. Penniston court case of 1641, which stated he received tobacco from Virginia with Captain Thomas Cornwallis. E.D.N., p. 7, 1875: ‘Among the first sale of negro servants is that made by *Richard Bennett, when a Virginia merchant, to Thomas Cornwallis. About the year 1643 he sold two Africans for fifty pounds sterling. From that period black laborers increased. Bennett after this was made Governor of Maryland by Cromwell. He was the nephew of Edward Bennett (as, probably, Edward Harris – M.S), a London merchant, who had been Deputy Governor of the English traders at Delft, Holland.

While Bennett did not shrink from selling negroes, he sent a letter to Boston, by his brother Philip, asking that some Puritan ministers might be sent to preach the “pure gospel” to the non-conformists in Nansemond county, Virginia. After a Few years these dissenters moved to the vicinity of Annapolis, Maryland. Subsequently a grandson of Bennett owned thirteen hundred negro slaves, and lies buried at Bennett’s Point, Queen Anne County, Maryland’.

The same Richard Bennett, nephew of Richard Harris (probable father of Edward) was associated with Rice jones, who was in bond to him for 1,200 lb. of tobacco. John Bell was a “servant” of Rice Jones, having finished his indenture, Jan. 10, 1652, p. 24. (John Bell; headright of Thomas Bourne, nephew of Eleanor Bennett, wife of Richard Harris). Thos. Bourne binds himself to pay Edmund Scarborough mercht 180 lbs tobo 10th Oct. next. Dated May 25, 1653. Signed Thomas Bourne, witnessed by Robt. Pitt, p. 139.

Rice Jones patented 88 ac. in Lanc. Co., on N. Side Rappa, adj. land of Edward Harris (deceased) Sept. 2, 1652, he subsequently sold this land to Howell Powell, Jan. 22, 1652, p. 53. This land had been sold to Rice Jones by Richard Bennett, as part of his patent of Nov. 4, 1642. It is almost certain that Edward Harris also held land of this patent. Rice Jones also sold land to Howell Powell, on N. Side Rappa. adj. land of Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51. The last record of this William Newsome appears November 1, 1657 in a promissory note to John Flower (a Bristol merchant) from “William Newsome of Lower Chippoakes in James, Virginia, planter”, p.111. His son and namesake received grants of land were made to him in partnership with Robert Ruffin and Arthur Allen, a Bristol merchant. (B. 6, p. 650-654). He m. a granddau. of William Spencer, alluded to here: Indenture, Wm. Cockerham to Wm. Harris, 150 acres in Hog Island granted to Wm. Spencer, late of the County, dec’d February 1, 1637. Beginning at a marked white oak very neare a saw pitt in the line twixt said Cockerham and Robt. Barham, orphan (son of Charles), associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
THE VIEW OF SOME HARRIS HUNTERS (A SUMMARY)

1.
1.1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, who m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe. (I suggest that he is the Thomas Harris who d. in 1672. Some Harris researchers of old believe him to be the father of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. I do not share that view.
(See https://walterfitzgilbertdehamilton.wordpress.com/2018/06/07/balance-of-harris-association/).
1.1.2. Richard Harris.
1.1.2.1. John Harris,* bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, m. Unity … John Harris: Estate by Unity Harris, widow and admin. of John Harris. May 1687. Signed Wm Newsum, John Clarke, Wm. Newitt. (B. 3, p. 82).
1.1.2.1.1. William Harris, d. bef. 1693, m. Elizabeth …
1.1.2.1.1.1. John Harris. May 20, 1710: Thomas Ward of Lawne’s Creek Parish to John Chambers of same (his mother was Olive Ruffin; his sister, Mary, m. Richard Hardy). Witness: William Newsum and John Harris. (p. 10).
1.1.2.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Mary Drew. Will of Edward Drew, prob. March 8, 1746, SH Co. – “son Newitt; grandson Newitt Harris, son of my dau. Mary Harris”. Witness, James Ridley (of the family associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
1.1.2.1.2. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett, aforementioned, d. 1709.
1.1.2.2. Thomas Harris.
1.1.2.2.1. William Harris and wife Mary Harris, to William Newsum … 220 ac. now in the tenure of *Mr. John Harris; adj. William Newett, and the Sunken Marsh Path. Wit. Robert Ruffin. R. Jan. 5, 1685.
1.1.2.2.1.1. William Harris.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1. A son or dau.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1. Harris Taylor.
1.1.3. Edward Harris, of St. Dunstan in the East, London, merchant, aged 45, named in the Hubberday v. Penniston court case of 1641, which stated he received tobacco from Virginia with Captain Thomas Cornwallis. E.D.N., p. 7, 1875: ‘Among the first sale of negro servants is that made by *Richard Bennett, when a Virginia merchant, to Thomas Cornwallis. The same Richard Bennett, nephew of Richard Harris (probable father of Edward) was associated with Rice Jones, who was in bond to him for 1,200 lb. of tobacco. John Bell was a “servant” of Rice Jones, having finished his indenture, Jan. 10, 1652, p. 24. (John Bell; headright of Thomas Bourne, nephew of Eleanor Bennett, wife of Richard Harris). Thos. Bourne binds himself to pay Edmund Scarborough mercht 180 lbs tobo 10th Oct. next. Dated May 25, 1653. Signed Thomas Bourne, witnessed by Robt. Pitt, p. 139. Rice Jones patented 88 ac. in Lanc. Co., on N. Side Rappa, adj. land of Edward Harris (deceased) Sept. 2, 1652, he subsequently sold this land to Howell Powell, Jan. 22, 1652, p. 53. This land had been sold to Rice Jones by Richard Bennett, as part of his patent of Nov. 4, 1642. It is almost certain that Edward Harris also held land of this patent. Rice Jones also sold land to Howell Powell, on N. Side Rappa. adj. land of Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51. The last record of this William Newsome appears November 1, 1657 in a promissory note to John Flower (a Bristol merchant) from “William Newsome of Lower Chippoakes in James, Virginia, planter”, p.111. His son and namesake received grants of land were made to him in partnership with Robert Ruffin and Arthur Allen, a Bristol merchant. (B. 6, p. 650-654). He m. a granddau. of William Spencer, alluded to here: Indenture, Wm. Cockerham to Wm. Harris, 150 acres in Hog Island granted to Wm. Spencer, late of the County, dec’d February 1, 1637. Beginning at a marked white oak very neare a saw pitt in the line twixt said Cockerham and Robt. Barham, orphan (son of Charles), associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.3.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, m. Martha Hardy; in the convention of these days, a (Bennett) kinswoman.

Some researchers “of old” would also have either of these:

1.1.3.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688? Again, as noted, I do not share that view.

1.1.3.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1672.  I can more readily understand this reasoning.

Given the Bennetts intermarriage withe the Edneys, Edward Harris Sr, is likely to have been recorded here: Edney v Harris. Plaintiffs: Peter Edney (of Sonerset – M.S). Defendants: John Harris and Edward Harris. Subject: money matters, London or Middlesex. 1643. C 5/1/38.

There are no certainties, either from record or DNA ‘evidence’ (given the profound interbreeding of this and other English kinship groups), so, thus far, everything boils down to choice; and might always do so; a balance of probability being the only ‘proof’ available.

copyright m stanhope 2018