1. Robert Braswell, m. Rebecca … Sept. 24, 1652: Deposition by William Chapple, mariner, James Vawer, pilot, and John Fisher Carpenter, all of the ship Mary of Accomac in Virginia: They were at Accomac last July, bound for Bristol, when they met one John Jones. This Jones died of fever, after saying that he had 40 hhds of tobacco in the hands of Robert Braswell, a merchant living on Pagan Creek on James River in Virginia (p. 104). The Deposition Books of Bristol, Volume 13, p. 105.

John Jones was a Bristol sea captain, commander of the David.The same source informs that Captain John England (almost certainly the brother of Francis England*) was “master of the shipp Charles of Bristol”, taking over from George Webb in 1652, under whom James Vawer was his pilot; the ship being used in the Barbados/Bristol sugar trade.

*June 10, 1658: Thomas Wilkinson (m. 2. Ann Izard), used Robert Braswell as a headright for his patent on Patomack Creek. His first wife, Elizabeth, was the relict of Griffith Dickinson, who named “my friend Capt. Tho. Pittman to pet. for me & in My behalfe to ye worll. Court of Surry County to grant Me an ordr. agt. Joh. Dolleys Estate”, March 14, 1664 (B.2., p. 250).

*Thomas Pittman. 1. John Pittman, m. Elizabeth Day. 1.1. Thomas Pittman, bapt. Dec. 24, 1613, Wedmore, Somerset, almost certainly of Virginia.

*Jan. 20, 1661. Robert Braswell and Joseph Bridger owned land adjoining 300 ac. patented by Richard Izard.

*Robert Braswell’s estate was appraised on May 11, 1668 by Gyles Driver (B. 2, p. 55), headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

*March 6, 1670: Thomas Taberer assigned a bill to John Gardner against Rebecca Izard. Thomas Taberer. 1. Thomas Taberer, m. (1) Ann Bennett, probable sister of Richard Bennett, d. 1709, second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1. Ruth Taberer, m. John Newman, br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. The Newman family were of Wedmore, Somerset.

1.1. Robert Braswell, received one-half of his father’s 1,300 acres, m. Suzanne Burgess (The Will of Joyce Cripps (1679) named Susan Braswell “my sister’s daughter”. who she ‘Cut off with a shilling’.
1.2. Richard Braswell. On May 1, 1668, George Gwilliam and Richard Izard qualified to act as overseers of Robert Braswell’s two sons until they were of age; they were bonded by *Thomas Green and Richard Penny. Richard Braswell, planter, sells Wm. West 100 ac., part of a pat. of 400 ac. owned by Mr. Robert Braswell, Dec. 14 Mar. 1673.
1.3. Martha, m. Walter Rutter. Walter Rutter and wife Martha sell to Joseph Bridger for 1200 lbs tbco. parcel of land in called Herring’s plantation – to James Benn’s line. Feb. 8, 1696. Wit. Thos Godwin, Edward Streeter, Tristram Norsworthy, Thomas Owen.
1.4. Rebecca Braswell, m. William West, son of Henry.
1.4.1. Mary West, m. William Green, son of *Thomas Green. William Green’s Will of 1728 named legatees son Bartholomew, the land on which Christopher Dickinson now lives, also my mill in the Upper Parish now in the occupation of Henry White, for Capt. Joseph Bridger’s* life; son George my land at the “Freshet”, now in the tenure of William Davis; wife Mary; dau. Sarah Bevan; to Martha Montgomery; to Mary, Elizabeth and Green Green, the daus. of Mary Green, widow; dau. Prudence; dau. Rebecca. My estate to be divided by Samuel Davis, John Davis, Arthur Smith, and Christopher Dickinson. Executors, wife Mary and Samuel Davis. Proved by Richard West, Oct. 27, 1729.

1. Lewis Davis, of Carmarthenshire.
1.1. *Rees Davis, Esquire, of Tickenham.
1.1.1. John Davis, d.v.p., m. Alice Knight, Oct. 9. 1606.
1.2. William Davies, of Carmarthenshire.
1.2.1. Richard Davis, Esq, of Tickenham, bapt. Nov, 8, 1587, m. Mary Owen, da. of Mary Pitt and Robert Owen, of Bristol and Carmarthanshire.
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. June 28 1714, m. Mary Green, dau. of *Thomas Greene and Mary Moone, and cousin of Martha Greene, who m. Anthony Fulgham, of Pitminster, Somerset. In IOW Court, January 11, 1672, Thomas Tooke (associated with Thomas Harris, d.1672), as attorney, calls John Davis “his loving brother”. Mary Davis was the executrix of her husband, to whom the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, owed money.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Sarah Davis, d. bef. Jan. 6, 1720, m. (1) *Joseph Bridger. 2. Nicholas Fulgham.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Bridger, d. 1811, Edgecombe Co., m. Robert Pitt (b. 1738, d. 1806, Edgecombe Co.), son of Joseph Pitt.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Sarah Davis m. (2) Nicholas Fulgham, son of Anthony Fulgham. Anthony Fulgham’s son, Michael Fulgham, m. Anne Izzard; having issue (1) Anne Fulgham, who is claimed to have m. Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (2) Susannah Fulgham, m. Hardy Counsell, son of Hodges Counsell Jr. and Lucy Hardy, in 1705. Certainly, isabel Harris, dau. of John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, according to the records of Chuckatuck Monthly Meeting 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., as said. supposedly m. a son of Robert Harris, d. 1688. Chapman’s ‘Marriages’ of IOW, records that Nicholas Fulgham m. Isabella Harris, dau. of John Harris, in 1736.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Nicholas Fulgham, m. (1) Martha Pitt.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Fulgham, m. Thomas Applewhaite, son of Henry Applewhaite.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Applewhaite, d. 1739, m. Mary Counsell, da. of Hardy Counsell and Susannah Fulgham.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2. Nicholas Fulgham, m. Isabel Harris.

*Joyce Cripps. George Moore, of Bristol (stated to be “age 78 years” when he made his will in 1710 (Chapman, IOW Wills, p. 54), and who m. Jane Barcroft, dau. of Charles Barcroft, whose family held land in Chard, Somerset. Administration on Charles Barcroft’s estate granted to his son-in-law George Moore. (Anthony Fulgham, of Pitminster, Somerset, transported Charles Barcroft, IOW, 1650). He was also the br. of Katherine Moore, who m. (2) Robert Flake, a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants. By her first husband, she had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. Francis England, George Cripps. William Jennings of Bristol, surgeon, appts. Thomas Moore 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 Hudson in Nansemond. June 29, 1667.

A headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was Giles Driver, witnessed here: Bridgman Joyner (guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688): Appraised by Thomas Mandew, Giles Driver, Andrew Griffin. Ordered in October Last past. R. Dec. 4, 1719. Signed Ann Joyner. (G.B. 23).

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. They had issue Thomas and John White, possibly the same who died in IOW, c. 1754, and whose estate was appraised by John Barlow, Jr*. (p. 177). George Barlow. Leg.-son *John; dau. Elizabeth; son George; dau. Sarah; dau. Mary; son Thomas. Wife Extx. with the assistance of John Brantley (who appraised the will of John George, almost certainly of the family of Nicholas George, father-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672); son of Edward Brantley*, brother of Edward Brantley Jr. (half), Phillip Brantley Sr., and James Brantley. *He witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

Court Orders, IOW, Oct. 9, 1694, p. 51: Order is granted Susannah Braswell ag.st John Collins sen.r for foure hundred pounds of tobo: for looking after the sd Collins his wife in her late extremity when beaten by the sd Collins with costs, atty Thomas Taberer. Proved by oath of Mr. Thomas Moore.

Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and William Bressie were named security in the spoken Will of Edward Newley, Sept. 23, 1669. The executor was William Yarrett. William Yarratt, 150 ac. April 3, 1641. Upon a branch of the lower bay called Seaward’s Creek, adj. Hugh Wynn and John Seward. Due for trans. of himself and 2 pers. Adjacent land was settled by Thomas Harris, d. 1688, which was also adjacent to that settled by Francis England. 1.1. Ann Taberer, m., as his first wife, Robert Spencer, “loving friend” of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was security, with John Monger, for the estate of Samuel Griffin (whose dau. sold land to John Newman in 1662, br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), recorded March 26, 1666. Mary Davis was the executor, to whom the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, as given, owed money. John Monger patented 800 ac. on the north side of the Rappahannock River on July 29, 1650, for the transportation of 16 persons, among which was a Thomas Joyner, most likely the Thomas who settled in IOW Co., who patented 1300 ac. in Cypress Swamp, his headrights including Ann Bell. Thomas Joyner, Jr. sold this to Arthur Purcel (husband of Mary Joyner, sister of Bridgman Joyner (the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), in Apr. 1699, in a deed witnessed by his brother, Bridgeman Joyner.

The sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 inherited land on Seward’s Creek which adjoined land, s. westerly, of Nathaniel Floyd. Interestingly, immediately west of Floyd’s land was that of Thomas Tooke, associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672; his abutted the 1670 patent of Thomas Blake; Blake being the name of the mother (or wife) of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

John and Thomas Harris, 365 ac., Upper Parish of IOW County; on north side of the Ashen Swamp, near the head and on west side of Seaward’s Creek, April 20, 1685, p. 441. 250 ac., part granted Nathaniel Floyd, Nov. 20, 1637, and conveyed to said Harris’ father, by Captain Francis Hobbs and his wife, who was the relict and administratrix of said Floyd, Jan. 13, 1659; and among other lands found to escheate; granted to Honorable Colonel Joseph Bridger, July 22, 1678, who sold to said John and Thomas Harris the Feb. 6, following (1679), to be equally divided according to their father’s will, dated last day of March 1672. 115 ac. being waste land; and the whole beginning by a marsh near the head of Seaward’s Creek; near Colonel Bacon, etc; due for the transportation of 3 persons.

Page 181. March 26, 1711. John Harris of the Upper Parish to Thomas Harris of the same, 365 acres (being land they owned jointly by patent dated 20 April 1685) on Seaward’s Creek. For brotherly love, they wish to divide this tract which consists of 250 acres taken up by their father (not named) and 115 acres which they, John and Thomas Harris, took up. Land adjoins Dry Bridge Branch and the north part is to go to John Harris and the south part is to go to Thomas Harris. Thomas Davis and wife now rent part of the land in the southern part. Witness: William Bridger and John Scott. Signed John Harris, Thomas Harris.

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 settled on land that had been John Sewards. April 27, 1686: Matthew Tomlin 1227 ac., lower par. IOW Co. on borders of Blackwater, 781 ac. being part of 1200 ac. granted to Mr. John Seward, April 16, 1648; 448 acres being waste adj.; beg. at a br. dividing land of John Turner and his daughter Marie’s, by William Westray, adj. Mary Turner, and Thomas Harris (d. 1688), to the bottom of Pig Neck; transp. of 9 persons. (B 7, p. 510). This Thomas Harris pat. 240a. adj. Mathew Tomlin, March, 26, 1686 (B.7, pp. 510-11), reasonably close to the 250 ac., pat. granted Nathaniel Floyd. Hence, the suggestion that Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was the father of a namesake, d. 1688. The bottom line being that, whatever the case, they were closely related, got their hands dirty, and not of the silver-spoon-in-mouth Crixse ensemble, ancestors only by obsession.

John Seward patented land in 1638: “Upon Warresquioke River … into the woods right over against the land of Nathaniell Floyd and near his former pattent. “Francis Hobbs’ now wife Mary was former wife of Nathaniel Floyd deceased”. Francis Hobbs’ da. was the wife of John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, who died in 1672. Francis Hobbs Jr. left a legacy to “cousin John Davis”, and “brother John Harris”; his Will being recorded on June 9, 1688.

That the Thomas Harris families, of 1672 and 1688, were near neighbours has been known for some time, as much as their many shared associations; yet, like some dark family secret, it is not spoken of in polite circles; those that do not ‘rock the boat’, so becalmed by the Harris Albatross.

 Samuel Taylor Coleridge could have invented the Harris story.

copyright m stanhope 2018