The answer is in the soil, as a famous historian once remarked; a medievalist who sought to explain that families connected by blood or marriage tended to “flock together”. What appears as happenchance in Virginia is so explained. This generality is so very simple. The Fulgham family (tenants of the Symes) were ensconced in Pitminster, but 3 miles from Bishop’s Hull, from whence a family of Herring; that is:

1. John Hearinge, m. Alice Peret, July 18, 1565.
1.1. John Herring “the elder”.
1.1.1. John Herring, m. Eleanor Parsons (bapt. June 12, 1602), on Nov. 25, 1626.
1.1.2. Andrew Herring (d. 1636), m. Ann Shute, June 15, 1630.
1.1.2.1. William Herring, bapt. Jan. 13, 1632, m. Mary Proctor, April 24, 1655.
1.1.2.1.1. William Herring, bur. Feb. 7, 1670.
1.1.2.2. John Herring, bapt. Feb. 28, 1635.
1.1.2.2.1. (It is suggested) Anthony Herring, d. 1744 in Bertie Co.; in 1718 bought 150 ac. from Benjamin Joyner on Blackwater Swamp, br. of Martha Joyner who m. Thomas Turner, as follows.
1.1.2.2.1.1. Anthony Herring, m. Bridget (Joyner?).
1.1.2.2.1.1.1. John Herring
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1. Simon Herring. Granted 200 ac. in Johnston Co. NC (B. 4, p. 1043).
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1. Simon Herring.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Sussana Herring, m. John Harris, in Wayne Co., NC
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, born Nov. 12, 1800, in Wayne Co., d. 1839, m. his cousin, Elizabeth Herring.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.2. James Herring (1777-1845).
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Herring (1806-1884).
1.1.2.2.1.2. Daniel Herring. The Will of John Tomlin (son of Mathew Tomlin) was witnesses by Daniel Herring, John Harris, & Martha Tomlin. Recorded Feb. 6, 1752. Mary Fulgham’s Will, recorded Feb. 7, 1760, mentioned her br. John Fulgham, cousin Anthony Fulgham Jr., and was witnessed by Daniel Herring and Ann Harris (see previous notes).
1.1.2.3. Robert Herring.
1.1.2.3.1. Edward Herring, bapt. 1664.
1.1.3. William Herring, bapt. Dec. 20, 1618.

The Fulghams intermarried with the Hole family of Wedmore. John Harris, d. 1625, was the son of a namesake (d. 1597) who was named as a ‘Servant’ of Robert Sherwell’ (gent), who m. (Oct. 6, 1578), Maria Beard, da. of John Beard (this family intermarried with the Bennetts of Wiveliscombe). Conveyance from Robert Hole, Wedmore, yeoman, son and heir of Marie Hole, sister and co-heir of Robert Sherwell, and Temperance his wife to Richard Counsell (ancestor of Hodges Counsell Jr., guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), of Heathhouse, Wedmore, yeoman: ¼ part of free chapel. Reciting letters patent April 14, 1603, granating the free chapel to Michael Cole and John Rowdon who sold it to Robert Sherwell. April 15, 1625. (Bristol Arch. HA/D/357).

John Harris (d. 1625) m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore (the dau. of Thomas Millard and Amy Counsell (m. Jan. 1, 1575), the likely sister of John Counsell, and aunt of the said Richard Counsell). Their son, Thomas Harris, m. Joan Kirton, bapt. Apr. 15, 1621, dau. of Thomas Kirton, a junior member of the armigerous family intermarried with the Rodneys. Thomas Kirton was the son of William Kirton, the brother of James Kirton, m. to Elizabeth Rodney, dau. of Sir John Rodney (The History of Parliament, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris, 2010), of Rodney Stoke and Cheddar, who m. Jane Seymour (dau. of Sir Henry Seymour), brother of Queen Jane; and also father of Agnes Rodney, who  m. Thomas Hodges, of Wedmore juxta Cheddar; another ancestor of Hodges Counsell Jr., of Virginia. Thomas Harris and Jane Kirton had issue Thomas Harris bapt. Dec. 31, 1637, Cheddar, who probably died in Virginia in 1688; his Will being witnessed by John Cogan.

To some unknown degree in England, Thomas was “kin” of the Turner family of Wedmore:

1. William Turner, m. (May 28, 1612, in Wedmore), Jane Rodney.
1.1. John Turner, bapt. May 14, 1618, a headright of Richard Tye (in 1650), whose relict m. the said John Cogan. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, placed his son George with John Turner and his wife, a dau. of Mathew Tomlin.
1.1.1. Mary Turner, m. Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.1. West Harris.
1.1.1.1.1. Turner Harris.
1.1.1.2. James Harris, d. 1749, m. Cheary (sister of Mathew Joyner, son of Thomas Joyner, Will dated April 13, 1740; the son of Thomas Joyner (br. of Bridgeman Joyner, the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688).
1.1.1.2.1. James Harris, m. Elizabeth Norfleet, dau. of Marmaduke Norfleet, son of Thomas Norfleet, who bought adjoining land from Robert Counsell (NC. Edg. Co. D.B. 1., p. 204), and was mentioned as a neighbour of Robert Counsell and Thomas Turner (J. Bryan Grimes, Abstracts of North Carolina Wills, p. 17).
1.1.2. Joseph Turner.
1.1.2.1. Mary Turner, m. West Harris. (It may be assumed).
1.1.3. Thomas Turner, d. bef. September 5, 1751, m. Martha Joyner. dau. of Thomas Joyner (br. of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688).

1. William Kirton, bur. Dec. 31, 1617, Cheddar.
1.1. Thomas Kirton, m. Joan (perhaps Thurston, bapt. Oct. 15, 1596, in Wedmore).
1.1.1. Joane Kirton, bapt. Apr. 15, 1621, m. Thomas Harris.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris bapt. Dec. 31, 1637, Cheddar. (Old cal. 1636).
1.1.1.1.1. Robert Harris .
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Avis White (not Holman).
1.1.1.1.2. Edward Harris, d. March 25, 1734, in IOW, m. Mary Turner, dau. of John Turner, who d. aft March 25, 1705.
1.1.1.1.3. George Harris, m, Martha; his Will recorded Aug. 22, 1720. Wit. Martin Harris, Daniel Doyle, John Bowen.
1.1.1.1.3.1. William Harris. William Harris to Nathan Counsell of IOW Co., dated Apr. 8, 1756, 100 ac. adj. Bridgman Joyner Jr. S: William Harris, W: Jesse Jones, Sarah King, and James Kitchen. (Southampton D.B. 2, p. 97).
1.1.1.1.3.1.1. William Harris.
1.1.1.1.3.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Sussana Herring.
1.1.1.1.3.2. George Harris.
1.1.1.1.3.3. Robert Harris.
1.1.1.1.3.4. Joseph Harris.
1.1.1.1.3.5. Elizabeth Harris.
1.1.1.1.3.6. Sarah Harris.

It is somewhat difficult to disentangle the various branches of this Harris family, they sharing each others associations, but, generally, the Counsells. Herrings, and Turners are signals of specific association.

copyright m stanhope 2018