When pondering the origins of a Drew family of Virginia, and hard facts are in short supply, a supposition based on a common link between their associations in Virginia (and their associations in England), is a useful starting point. The Drew family of Broadhembury, Devon, were intermarried with the Symes, of Poundsford, in Pitminster, Somerset, landlords of such as the Fulgham family, and, as such, were a part of a spider’s web of interconnected families, which I have documented previously, and which appear hereinafter. The process of ‘continuation of associations’ (from England to Virginia) can be used to identify the origins of Virginia settlers, as repeated intermarriages between families within kinship groups was the mainstay of English society, and carried over to Virginia.

(The added significance of the Symes was their landed interests in Dorset, from which such as the Hardys and Joyners originated).

1. Thomas Drew, of Cullompton, Devon, probably rued the fact of descending from a junior son of the Drews of Broadhembury, as he walked the six miles between where his branch of his family lived and those of his wealthier cousins. He would have been aware of his family’s history, as put by John Preston Neale (Views of the seats of noblemen and gentlemen) in 1829: “At a remote period the family of Drewe was seated at Drewescliffe, and Higham, in Devon; in the fourth of Edward IV. they held lands in Modbury. The family afterwards removed to Sharpham, on the river Dart, and thence to Killerton, near Exeter, all in this county. Edward Drewe, Esq., of Killerton, Recorder of London, was made Recorder of Exeter jn 1592, and was promoted to be Serjeant at Law to the Queen. He purchased the estates in Broadhembury from the grandson of Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, on whom they had been conferred at the Dissolution, having been part of the possessions of the Abbey of Dunkeswell, which had here its Grange”. Edward Drewe’s grandson, William Drewe, born in 1603, m. (1) Katherine, dau. of John Symes.

1.1. Letitia Drew, m. John Barker, who patented 600 ac. on Chippokee Creek, Oct. 5, 1657. Rec’d of Mr. Jno Barker in acct of what he oweth to Mr. John Bland & Company for the plantation of Chippoades I sould him the some of 5000 pounds of tobacco with caske, this 13 Jany 1653. signed Theoderick Blande, Wit: Frances Blande. Rec’d 26 Ober 1658. Rec’d of Mr. Jno Barker in acct of what he oweth to Mr. John Blande and Company for the plantation of Chippoades sould him by Mr. Theoderick Blande, the some of 5000 pounds of tobacco and caske this 9th Nov 1654, signed John Holmwood. Wit: Arthur Allen. recd 26 ober 1658. John Barker died prior to 1679.

(It could well be that these Barkers were of the family of William Barker, the Bristol merchant and mariner (a connection to the Blands would be established). He was bapt. on May 7, 1592 in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol (his family interchangeably called Baker), who deposed his age to be 37 in 1629, who was mate of the Hopewell, which sailed fom Virginia on New years Eve of that year for England, under Captain Richard Russell, in company with ‘the Gift’ of London, under Captain Samuel Crampton and Master Edward Beale. (See P.W. Coldham, English Adventurers and Emigrants, 1609-1660, p. 23, 1984). He bought land in Flowerdew Hundred from Abraham Piersey’s dau., Elizabeth.William Barker was also a partner of Francis Derrick: April 13, 1639: ‘Bond of Francis Derrick (the younger), of Bristol, and William Barker, of Ratcliffe, Middlesex, to the King, in 1,000l. conditioned for the appearance of Derrick before the Council, to answer an accusation of piracy pretended to have been committed by him upon a Spanish ship in a voyage to Virginia, about 11th October 1636’. Francis Derrick (whose family hailed from Somerset) was associated with Sergeant John Harris: ‘Francis Derrick to Richard Johnson, bill of sale for 30 acres, October 14, 1638: ‘Whereas John Baker and Dorothy his wife, daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris, have by order of court at Henrico on the 27th day of August last surrendered to mee Captain Francis Derrick all the right and title which they and claime unto the devident of land belonging to the late deceased George Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament’ (Nugent, B. 1., part 2, p. 113).

(As I have given elsewhere, there is a good case to be made for Sergeant John Harris to be he bapt. in 1587, in Mells, Somerset (from whence the Shorte family, whose land was near that of Sergeant Harris), but it seems more likely than not that his line ended with Dorothy, his dau. He was of the same general family of Harris as given hereinafter).

1.1.1. Jethro Barker. 1685: Jethro Barker of upper parish to John Harris (d. 1686), of the same 120 ac. adj. sd Jethro Barker. Wit: John Barker and Thomas Cotten. Jethro Barker and Joell Barker entring themselves securities for Mary Harris due and faithfull admon. on the estate of John Harris her late father deced are accepted and ordered to give bond accordingly. Thomas Busby, Gent, to Roger Potter … 100 ac. on the head of upper Chipeokes Creeke and bounded by John Barker and the path to Mr. Stevens’ mill. Wit. William Rooking. R. 7 May 7, 1689. Jethro Barker to Jethro Barker, Jr. for 5 pds. current money, two tracts of land on north side of Otterdam Sw. being 270 acs. bounded by Harises Branch, George Barker and Hills Branch. R. Sept. 19, 1744.

1.1.1.1. George Barker. John Peebles and wf. Agnis Peebles of Brunswick Co. to William Scarbrough of Surry Co. … 245 acs. on north side of Otterdam Sw. and bounded by Thomas Cotten and Jethro Barker (being land given to Agnis Peebles, wf. of the sd John Peebles, Mary Peebles, and Elizabeth Barker, the daus. of George Barker, by the will of Jethro Barker, decd. R. Oct. 17, 1750. (B. 6, p. 124).

1.1.2. Joel Barker. Judgement is granted Joel Barker against Jno Good of Martin Brandon for 8000 pounds of tobo & casq. which appears due from ye sd Good to the sd Barker by ye will & testament of Jno. Barker, dec’d, father to the said Joel. He the said (Good) having intermarryed with the admtrx of the said decedent & it is ordered ye upon receipt of the said tobaco both ye sd Joel & Jethroe Barker singe a sufficient scharge therefore, & also allwin discount from this judgement what tobo already record from ye goods on this acct. Jan. 5, 1690, p. 328. Thomas Blount, Jr. died bef. April 15, 1719. He made a deed to John Flood, Howell Edmunds, and Joel Barker, for the land they inherited from his father’s will. Joel Barker’s wife may have been a dau. of Thomas Blount, Sr.

1.1.3. John Barker. John Barker & wf Ann deeded 75 acs. in Martins Brandon Parish to John Barker, Jr., Sept 2, 1673. Mr. John Barker, 244 acs. Up. Par. of Surry Co., adj. Mr. Benjamin Harrison, & Thomas Cotten, Apr. 20, 1689, p. 695. He m. Grace Busby: Prob. Aug. 18, 1725. Leg. dau. Sarah Lanier, 5 shilling. Thomas Busby, 475 ac. Upper Chippoakes Cr. Sept. 22, 1682; trans. Robert Atkins, Elizabeth Bond; John Harris, Robert West, William West.
Thomas Busby, 650 acs. Surry Co. and Chas. City Co. on both sides of S. upper Chippoakes, May 10, 1667… toward Jno Baker … trans. of Jno Jennings, etc., p. 59. (John Jennings was kin of the Harris family given herein, through mutual connections to the Bennetts).
Thomas Busby was mentioned as a friend of William Short in 1676, B. 2, p. 106.
Thomas Busby and John Barker, Jr. were rebels that helped take possession of Bacon’s castle. They later had to pay damages for the destruction at the home of Arthur Allen.
Thomas Busby Sr. m. Susannah Grey, dau. of Francis Grey. Though not of immediate connection with the family of Thomas Gray of Surry, he may have been a kinsman, since Thomas Gray named one of his sons Francis.
Thomas Busby Sr. gave his age as 59 in a deposition in 1691 (B. 6, p.228).
Thomas Busby Jr., m. Mary Simons, dau. of Simon Simons. On April 26, 1688, Thomas and Mary received 539 ac. in Charles City Co. on the south side of James River (Nugent II, p. 324). Thomas left an undated will, ca.1723, (R.B. Prince George Co., p. 595), naming his estate to be under the care of Henry Peebles, son Simon, and daus. Mary Mallone, Sarah Jones, and Elizabeth Brewer.

(1. Thomas Harris, carpenter, born 1497, of Mells, Somerset.
1.1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, Aug. 31, 1562.
1.1.1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, in Wiveliscombe, Oct. 8 1594, sister of Edward Bennett: 1. Edward Bennett, b. Feb. 2, 1578, in Wiveliscombe, m. Mary Bourne. 1.1. Sylvestra Bennett, bapt. Oct. 25, 1630, in St Olave, London, d. Jan. 9, 1707, m. Nicholas Hill, d. bef. Oct. 20, 1675. 1.1.1. Mary Hill, d. bef. Dec. 31, 1695, m. John Jennings, d. bef. June 9, 1698.
1.2. Mary Bennett, d. aft. 1701, m. (2) Thomas Bland. Sept. 12, 1668.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, in Wiveliscombe, Nov. 20, 1623.
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672
1.1.1.2. Richard Harris.
1.1.1.2.1. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, m. Unity. He was a headright of Thomas Busby Sr. in 1682.
1.1.1.1.2.1. William Harris, m. Elizabeth … Elizabeth Harris, widow, estate admon. by Henry Harris. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker, Thomas Cotton. (B. 6, p. 52).
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. John Harris. John Harris, estate admon, Mr. John Barker and Patrick Lashley. Feb. 11, 1698. Mary Harris admx. (B. 5. p. 165).
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Mary Drew, dau. of Edward Drew and Frances Newett, da. of William Newitt and Elizabeth Jones.
1.1.1.1.2.1.2. William Harris, probably m. a dau. of Nicholas Thompson, who witnessed a deed of Carter Crafford, of Lawnes Creek Parish, with Samuel Lancaster (see as follows).
1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1. Thompson Harris. In 1756, Thompson Harris, of Bedford Co., ‘sells to William Heath’, who was a grandson of this William Heath: ‘Indenture between Wm. Lea & his wife Alice, and Wm. Heath, planter, of Southwarke Par., Surry Co., for a parcel of land, 150 acres, formerly Thos. Felton’s deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes (Surry B. I, 1652-1672, p. 161)
1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, and wife, Sarah (Lane) Harris, Mary Lane, and Faith Lane, sell ‘110 acres within the main Swamp and bounded by Col. John Allen’ (1741); daus. of Thomas Lane, d. in 1721 in Surry Co.
1.1.1.1.2.2. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel Lancaster. November 9, 1708: Samuel Lancaster was granted the administration of the estate of John Harris. Security by Samuel Lancaster, William Chambers and John Harris on the estate of Unity Harris, deceased.
1.1.1.2.2. Richard Harris. Richard Harris: bequeaths to son-in-law, Walter Taylor (m. Mary Harris), dau., Jane Stringfellow (m. Richard Stringfellow), wife, Jane Harris. Prob. June 16, 1679. Wit: Thos. Waller, Walter Taylor. Carter Crafford and wife Sarah Crafford, of Lawnes Creek Parish, to William Phillips of the same for 21 pounds 15 shillings sold 100 ac. in Lawnes Creek Parish. Land is bounded by said Phillips and Col. Phillip Ludwell, and Carter’s Swamp. Signed, Carter Crafford, Sarah Crafford. Witnesses: Thomas Waller, Samuel Lancaster and Nicholas Thompson. R. Nov. 2, 1708
1.1.1.3. Edward Harris.
1.1.1.3.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677).

1.2. Richard Drew, bapt. June 20, 1619, in Cullompton (I suggest); d. after Apr. 4, 1679, Surry Co., and bequeathed to son Edward 400 ac. next to Capt Baker, to son John land at Blount’s Corner, to son Richard home plantation; to wife Mabel the rest of estate with housing for life, then at her death to dau. Mabel Drew. To my son, Edward Drew, 400 ac. bounding upon Richard Harris and Captain Baker. Son, Thomas, executor.
1.2.1. Thomas Drew.
1.2.2. Edward Drew, m. Frances Newett, da. of William Newitt and Elizabeth Jones.
1.3. Thomas Drew, bapt. 1 Feb. 1, 1628.
1.4. William Drew, bapt. Jul. 8, 1637
“This Indenture Made ye. Second day of Janry. 1667 & in ye. Ninteenth Yeare of ye. Reigne of our Sovagine Lord Charles ye. Second by ye. Grace of God of greate Brittain France & Ireland King defendr. of ye. faith &c. betweene Richd. Drew & Mabell his wife of ye. one p:te & Richard Harris of ye. other p:te both of ye. p:ish of Lawnes Creek & County of Surry witnesseth that ye. sd. Richd. Drew & Mabell his wife for a vallueable Condidr:ation in hand all redy received of ye. sd. Richd. Harris before ye. ensealing & de-livery hereof where with ye. sd. Richd. Drew & Mabell his wife doth Really Acknowledge themselves fully satisifed & paid & doe by these pr:sents acquit exonerate & discharge ye. sd. Richd. Harris his heirs execrs. Admrs. from ye. same orany p:te or p:cell thereof fully really & absolutely for ever have for themselves their heirs or either of theire heirs Execrs. & Admrs. or assigns sold & allinated & doe by these pr:sents bargaine assigne alien & sell unto ye. sd. Richard Harris fower hundrd. Acres of land Cittueate in ye. sd. p:ish being ye. Eatermost halfe of ye. Eight hundrd. Acres granted to him ye. sd. Richd. Drew by patten bearing date ye. 24?th. Aprill 1667. To Have & to hold ye. sd. Land wth. all houses Edifices buildings orchards gardens Easmts. wayes back sides wth. all woods Marshes heridamts. & all manner of p:fitts gains & advantages whatsoever arising upon ye. same”.

Mar. 3, 1672, Surry Co. Rich’d Harris of Lawnes Creek Parish, Surry Co., planter, in consideration of marriage formerly had between Walter Taylor & Mary s’d wife of s’d Walter one of my daughters etc. grants to Walter Taylor 100 acres of land now in possession of Walter of Lawnes Creek Parish, part of a tract formerly patented by me Richard Harris and Rich’d Drew bounding E. on Rich’d Drew, N on Mr. Arthur Allen, formerly belonging to one Rich’d Blunt dec’d. Wit. Geo. Proctor, Wm. Sherwood .

Walter Taylor and Thomas Harris (son of Thomas, d. 1672) were among those mentioned in a long “List of debts owed to Thomas Jordan, dec’d,” dated Mar. 1, 1686.

On Jan. 30, 1695, in Surry Co. Court, a bond of Arthur Long, Wm. Peacock & Rich’d Taylor was presented to deliver Susanna Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor, orphans of Walter Taylor dec’d, their parts of his estate. Wit: John Edwards & John Price.

June 8, 1681, Surry Co. tithables: Nicholas Wilson with Frances Taylor and Patrick Brady; (next) William Cockerham with Edward Taylor; (next) William Seward with John Greene; (next) Walter Taylor with William Crudge. Invent. of estate of Mary Long widow. July 4, 1682. Son George Long. Wit. Walter Taylor, Thos. Drew, p. 309. Acct. of estate of James Tayler, June 20, 1665. Payments to Lawrence Baker … Richard Harris, for wines and attendance on the doctor, Mr. Holmwood, Mr. Yarrett, William Corker, Francis England. Signed Nicholas Hill, p. 66.

A survey of the land of Capt. Thomas Adams and Roger Delk decd., wit. Thomas Culmer (associate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), Richard Harris, Richard Drew. Dec. 22, 1662, p. 205. May 5, 1675, a jury to continue until next court: Wm. Rookings, Richard Drew, Richard Harris, p. 15.

Jeremiah Grey, 150 ac. James City co. upon the land of Mr. Grindall, & lying bet. land of John Bishop & Mr. Ewin … trans. Richard Harris, etc., May 22, 1642, p. 775.

copyright m stanhope 2018