These are notes to show a very strong connection between various members of a Harris family of Somerset and their Bennett cousins. They are the result of requests to show a stronger link between Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and Edward Harris, d. 1677. than I suspect to be the case. I have also been asked to consider any links between this Harris family and Sergeant John Harris – for this I have borrowed from my notes on the Derrick family – in effect, to show the peripherals connection to the heart of the matter – and between him and Thomas Harris, d. 1677, a business partner of the Blands.

The entirity of the connection between families of Bland and Harris in Virginia was initiated by the marriage of Theodorick Bland, baptised at St. Antholins on Jan. 16, 1629, with Anne Bennett, dau. of Governor Richard Bennett; the cousin of the Thomas Harris, who m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelsicombe, Somerset. To which may be added: the entirity of the connection between many families and the Harris depended on the Harris being cousins of a very influential family, which made them ‘magnets’ to which others were attracted.

Theoderick Bland’s second cousin, Jane Bland, m. (2) John Holmwood, witnessed here: March 23, 1653. Convy. of John Holmwood, atty. for Mr. Theodorick Bland, merchant, to John Barker. (John Barker was the son of William Barker, as anon, partner of Francis Derrick Jr., who purchased the land of Dorothy Harris). John Holmwood Had some connection to Thomas Felton, who made ‘covenant to build Mr. John Holmwood a dwelling house … Thomas Felton … first deducting what shall be lawfully due from the sd. Felton to the estate of Edward Bland merchant deceased’ (Lee Hutcheson Davis, Tidewater Virginia Families). Thomas Felton lived near the land which had belonged to Sergeant John Harris: William Lea and Alice (wid. of Thomas Felton), his wife, to William Heath, 150 ac. … formerly Thomas Ffelton’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 … adj. to a great swamp which divides Surry Co. from Charles Cittie Co. Rec., Nov. 10, 1660. Witness: Robert Spencer; associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672, who. on May of 1660 appointed Thomas Culmore of Surry Co. as his attorney to receive of Robert Spencer, all tobacco due him in that county. On November 5, 1666, Thomas Harris appointed his loving friend Robert Spencer as his attorney in Surry Co. to collect a debt owed by William Corker of that county. William Corker was the stepfather of Elizabeth White, wife of Robert Spencer.

Robert Spencer was the probable cousin of Ann Spencer, wife of William Cockerham (d. 1669), of Purbeck, Dorset; sister of Elizabeth Spencer (who m. (1) Robert Sheppard,(2) Thomas Warren, mother of Anne Sheppard, who m. (1) Thomas Hart, (2) William Newsome, who held land adj.that patented by Richard Bennett, aforesaid, in 1643, see hereinafter).

A binding force between those mentioned was the Bristol tobacco trade: March 19, 1653: Receipt of Robert Digby, of Bristol, mariner, to Wm. Batt, of 320 lbs. of tobacco. Wit.: Wm. Edwards, Thos. Culmer. Robert Digby was Captain of the ship ‘The Fortune’, which had been owned by Francis Derrick Sr.

The sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 inherited land adj. to that of their cousin, Thomas Blake, who m. a dau. of Edward Champion, of Somerset, their son, William Blake, m. Mary Sessums, dau. of Nicholas Sessoms and Hannah Culmer*; sister of Ann Sessums, who m. William Williams. *Dau. of Thomas Culmer.

The Derrick connection:
Francis Derrick Sr., of Long Ashton, Somerset, d. 1637,in 1632 gifted bread to the poor of St. Stephen’s, in Bristol. The same year he granted to Humphrey Hooke and others, parishioners of St Stephen’s, a yearly rent of 52s out of his tenement there. Francis Derrick was part owner in 1629 (with John Goninge and Humphrey Hooke), of the ships ‘The Hope’, ‘The Little Charles’, and ‘The Fortune’.

It was almost invariably the case that merchant partners of Bristol were in-laws.

George White was a merchant adventurer, and owned ships with Humphrey Hooke, whose dau. m. Apr. 30, 1635, Mr. Giles Elbridge, of Bristol, merchant. The chief organizers … among other men whose names figure on the list of pioneer colonists in Virginia are those of Robert Aldworth and Giles Elbridge”. (R. Hargreaves-Mawdsley, A Record of the First Settlers in the Colonies of North America, 1654-1685). John Fones was a merchant-partner of the following: The Queen and John Hill v. John Aldworth, John Fones, George Lane and George White v. Philip Cowper, Richard Barker, and Christopher Whitson.* Customs due on merchandise imported by the defendants. Bristol. 41 Eliz. (Bristol Arch, E 133/9/1413). A John Whitstone withessed the Will of Edward Brantley.

John Goninge’s wife was Elizabeth, dau. of John Barker, of Bristol, merchant. She left a bequest to My son in law Sir Thomas Langton. The Langtons held the manor of Knoll, Somerset; of this family was Captain James Langton, who ma. Margery Hobbes, widow of Nicholas Hobbes, gent, Sheriff of Bristol,* son and heir of Nicholas Hobbes, deceased, and of Margery Hobbes his wife. (STAC 8/176/1). John Goninge and Elizabeth Barker had issue: Joan Gonninge, who m. Edward Stroude, son of William Stroude, d. 1666, of Shepton Malet, Somerset; son of William Stroude, d. 1592, and Elizabeth Upton, d. 1630, of Warminster, Somerset, dau. of Geoffrey Upton, of Ottery St Mary, Devon; and sister of (1) George Upton Esq., d. 1608, aged 55, in Wells, Somerset; m. Frances, d. and h. of John Newton, of Harptree. (2) Richard Upton. (3) Mary Pike.

On November 13, 1633, William Parke of Virginia identified (per Will) Daniel Boucher as purser of the ship Blessing (SH 15). This ship was of Bristol, and ca. 1613 was owned by “John Baker (and Company) of Bristol, merchant”. (See McGrath, Merchants and Merchandise in Seventeenth-century Bristol, v. 19, p. 229, 1955). That is, John Barker, of Bristol, merchant, i.e. –

John Barker bapt. Nov. 30, 1584, 1st s. of John Barker, merchant, of Hopton Castle, Salop and Bristol and Edith, da. of John Blanchard of Marshfield, Glos., educ. St. Mary Hall, Oxf. 1599. m. (1) Aug. 30, 1607, Elizabeth, da. of William Spicer, merchant, of Exeter, Devon, 2s. 5 da.; (inc. Elizabeth Goninge) (2) Apr. 10, 1626, Mary, da. of John Fownes (Fones), merchant, of Bristol, wid. of Matthew Rogers of Alderley, Glos., 1s.; bur. 8 Apr. 1636 A leading member of the revived Merchant Venturers of Bristol, His will, dated Mar. 26, 1636, requested him to be bur. in St. Werburgh’s church. John Fownes had brothers, Thomas, George, and Richard.

March 28, 1609. John Fownes, Sheriff in 1601-2, of the City of Bristol, merchant. (m. sister of William Williams, of Newport, Monmouth, gent – uncle of William* and Andrew Jones, sons of two sisters). If I die in Bristow My body to be buried in the parish church of St. Stevens within the city. He bequeaths to his wife Anne Fownes, for life all his lands and temements in Wales, in the County of Monmouth, as well as his house in Newport, and after her death these are to go to his son John Fownes and his heirs. He also mentions lands and tenements within the parish of Congresbury, Somerset, and his brother, James Fownes.

The Will of Anne Fownes, wife of John, proved Nov. 30, 1630, stated her request to be buried in St. Stephens Parish, and named grandsons William and John Fownes, Andrew and Sarah Barker; grandchildren Abel and Mathew Rogers; kinsman *’William Jones of Llansemfred’, Monmouth (her nephew); sister Catherine Watkins; cousin Elizabeth Stephens.

In 1701, Richard Fones witnessed the Will of William Rogers, in Surry.

1. Edward Rogers, b. 1598, ‘of Porberry in Somersetshire, Carver’ (Portbury); named in ‘The Muster’ of 1624, age 26, having arrived in ‘The Ann’ in 1623. He settled at Capt Christopher Lawne’s plantation.

1.1. John Rogers, m. Mary Elbridge? John Rogers, 200 acs. Surry Co., 14 May 1666, p. 523. Beg. On S. side of Cyprus Sw., S.S.W. along Daniel. Regans land, N. W. over sd. Swamp, N.N.E. upon a Ready br. Issuing out of sd. Sw. & along same to the beg. Trans. Of 4 pers.: Elinor Bray, Richard Shelley, Mary (sic.) Eldridge, Eliz. More.

George Moore, of Bristol, aged 78 in 1710, m. Jane Barcroft, dau. of Charles Barcroft, whose family held land in Chard, alongside the Burridge and Cogan families. (Anthony Fulgham, of Pitminster, Somerset, transported Charles Barcroft, IOW, 1650).

The will of Aldworth Elbridge, “of the city of Bristol, merchant”, Sept. 1, 1653: “Imprimis, to my cousin Thomas Moore (his executor), twenty punds of lawful English money”; meaning his br.-in-law, wife of his sister, Elizabeth, as specified in the Will. He identifies himself as son of “Giles Elbridge merchant deceased”. Thomas Moore (the executor) died in the lifetime of the testator. His son, Thomas, b. circa 1610, who “died in parts beyond the seas”, took over admin. of this estate in 1680. Thomas Moore Jr. was possibly the father of Thomas Moore and: (1) George Moore (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, Isle of Wight, 1650). (2) 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. George Moore had issue: Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White. They had issue Thomas and John White, brothers of Avis White, who m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

George Moore’s brother, Thomas, was an overseer of the Will of John Jennings, dated Oct. 19, 1678 (witness of the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), who witnessed the Will of George Hardy, proved April 14, 1655, who came to Virginia before 1636, when he is called “Shipright”. In 1644, he patented 300 ac. situated upon Lawne’s Creek and bordering upon Alice Bennett’s land, and bequested “To my kinsman George Hardy 3000 lbs. of tobacco to buy two servants”; he, aged 37 in 1670, appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, with Edward Bechinoe (of Bristol), Richard Corsey, John Williams, and Richard Hansford. The Will of Francis Corsey, rec. May I, 1679, was witnessed by George Moore.

On Oct. 9, 1619, in Wiveliscombe (from whence the Bennetts and Harris), Elizabeth Knight m. William Owen. He may have been the nephew of Robert Owen of Bristol (who held land in Portbury), 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; probable grandfather of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.1.1. William Rogers, d. 1727 (B.7, p. 706), who bequested to ‘ Mary Bennett (m. James Bennett, son of a namesake, son of Richard Bennett, d. 1709), Priscila Proctor (m. Nicholas Proctor, their dau. Elizabeth m. Joseph Andrews. (all by second wife, Elizabeth Cartwright). His first wife was Jane Owen, the widow of Bartholemew Owen, by whom he had a son named William. Captain Henry Browne’s will was probated in Surry on Feb. 19, 1734 (B. 8, p. 458).’I give William Rogers, Sr. ten pounds current money. Henry Browne was the son of William Browne and Jane Meriwether, dau. of Nicholas Meriwether (On Oct. 8, 1677, Bartholomew Owen granted Power of Attorney to Nicholas Meriwether ). He was the son of William Browne Sr., who bequested (1704) to ‘grandaughter Mary Sowerby wife of Francis Sowerby’. His second wife was Elizabeth, widow of Major Nicholas Meriwether. Lt. Coll. Wm. Browne, Capt. Robt. Spencer and Ben. Harrison and Mr. Merriwether are by the Exor. & legatees of Lt. Coll. George Jordan on fryday next who are by the Court approved of & requested to pforme the same 9br 5th 1678. (Ibid. p. 224).
1.1.2. John Rogers Jr.
1.2. Richard Rogers. Widow Grace Rogers was granted probate on June 22, 1678 (B.2., p. 174), He lived at Cabin Point, near the Charles City line, on land bought from Edward Collier in 1688, whose nephew and executor, John Collier, m. Mary, probable dau. of Thomas Sowerby* (see Boddie, p. 78). Brother of Francis Sowerby, who m. (2) John Vinson.
1.2.1. William Rogers who was left land from ‘ye oulde rode to Barker’s cart Path’.
John Bowcher (half br. of Henry, probably father of Daniel), merchant of Bristol, son of John Boucher, late Alderman of Bristol, deceased. My mother Mary. My sister Mrs Joan Langton. My brothers George and Phillip. My sister in law Mrs Ann Bowcher, widow. My sister Elizabeth Andrews. My brother inlaw Mr Hooke. Proved June 10, 1641. (Mr. Derrick’s partner).

Daniel Boucher, a Quaker, of Bristol, d. 1668, IOW, m. Elizabeth (Fenn?). On Aug. 27, 1647: Daniel Boucher witnessed Henry White relinquish his title to George Stephens, Jan. 4, 1651, father-in-law of Robert Pitt, the Bristol sea captain and merchant. Daniel Boucher and John Monger were overseers of the will of Timothy Fenn. Daniel Boucher’s Will was rec. May 1, 1668, which left a bequest to ‘Hodges Councill the younger’, who was …. Daniel Boucher estate inventory was conducted by Mr. Robert Flake, whose wife’s dau. m. Francis England, who stood as security for the sister (as I view it) of Hodges Counsell Jr., guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

(1.Timothy Fenn (of a Somerset/London family), Oct. 10, 1642, 300 ac. beg. & c. on a parcel of land in the tenure of Charles Barcroft, father-in-law of George Moore. 1.1. Timothy Fenn, m. Elizabeth Kae, dau. of Robert Kae, of Bristol (atty. of Theoderic Bland), who bequeathed to his four grandchildren, “the daus. of Tomothy Fenn and his wife, Elizabeth” (R. Dec. 10, 1688; B. 2, p. 289). Elizabeth Kae’s brother, Robert, m. (1) Alice Bechinoe, dau. of Edward Bechinoe, who appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. 1.1.1. Kae Fenn, m. John Fiveash, 1709. (B.2, p. 509), br. (as I view it) of Thomas Fiveash, who m. (1712) Alice Harris, da. of John Harris. (D.B. 7, p. 288). He was the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).

1.1. Elizabeth Boucher. Mr. John Hardy (possible br. of George Hardy, father-in-law of Edward Harris, d. 1677) and Mr. Thomas Taberer appraised the estate of the dau. of Daniel Boucher, Elizabeth Boucher, July 24, 1669. (1. Thomas Taberer, m. (1) Ann Bennett, probable sister of Richard Bennett, d. 1709, second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

Chard is central to understanding Harris links in Somerset: (1. … 1.1. John Barcroft, died in Virginia. 1.1.1. John Barcroft, noted in an assignment of interest in 1652 as John Barcroft, late of Chard, Somerset. 1.2. Charles Barcroft, d. Sept. 23, 1661. Administration on Charles Barcroft’s estate granted to his son-in-law George Moore. (Anthony Fulgham transported Charles Barcroft, Isle of Wight, 1650). George Moore, Bristol Merchant, was the uncle of Joyce Moore, wife of Francis England. George Moore had issue: (1) Eleanor Moore, who married 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 married Thomas White, as given.

John Monger’s headright in Virginia in 1650 was William Hadway/Hardaway/Hathaway. July 29, 1650: John Monger, 800 acs. on N. side of Rappa. Riv. in Corotoman Riv. on the N. side of the Eastermost br. thereof, bounded by a cr. that divides this from land of Ellyas Edmonds. 29 July 1650, p. 215. Due sd. Manger for trans, of 16 pers: Charles Barcroft the 4th tyme, George Moore, Anthony Peace, Hugh Cary, William Hadway, William Lucas, Jose Scriver, Garrett Williams, Zachary Pady, Henry Page, John Macduell, Walter Keyes, Walter King, James Price, John Tallott, Tho. Fry, Nicholas Hawkins, Robert Sidney, William Stalmy, John Hobbs, Mary Munday.

John Barker’s probable brother was William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592 in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner, who deposed his age to be 37 in 1629, and 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 Coldham, P.W., English Adventurers and Emigrants, 1609-1660, p. 23, 1984). He bought land in Flowerdew Hundred from Abraham Piersey’s da., Elizabeth. This property passed to his son, John Barker, in 1655, who left the plantation to his sister, Elizabeth Limbrey, wife of Philip Limbrey, mentioned (as son-in-law?) in the Will of Lawrence Brinley of Exeter, Devon (married to Mary Minifie, dau. of John Minife); uncle of Rose Brinley, wife of Giles Baker, of Ripple, in Kent, who was decd. bef, 1666.

This probably explains the origins of John Baker, who m. Dorothy Harris.

1. John Warren, m. Anna dau. of Sir William Crafford; her sister, Alice, m. John Meriwether, of Sheperdswell, in 1613. 1.1. William Warren, of Ripley Court, m. Catherine, dau. of Thomas Gookin, of Ripple, in 1619, br. of Daniel Gookin, 1582-1633 (who m. Mary Byrd, dau. of Richard Byrd, Sacrae Theolog. of Essex); sons of John Gookin and Catherine Dyne, sister of Henry Dyne, Esq., whose grandson, John Dyne, m. Margaret, dau. of Gregory Baker, of Ripley court (The Baker family purchased the manor of Ripple from the Darells of Calehill in 1553 (Archaeologia Cantiana, vol. 25); whose arms of three swans’ heads were those of the Bakers of Sissinghurst: 1. Sir Reginald Scott, m. Mary Tuke. 1.1. Mary Scott, m. Richard Argall. 1.1.1. Elizabeth Scott, m. Sir Edward Filmer. 1.1.1.1. Katherine Filmer, m. Robert Barham. 1.1.1.1.1. Charles Barham. Thomas Harris was the cousin of Richard Bennett, d. 1709, of Virginia (both being of Wiveliscombe, Somerset), whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barhams sister (see Douglas Richardson, Plantagenet Ancestry). 1.2. Thomas Scott, m. Elizabeth Baker; aunt of Sir Richard Baker (of Sissinghurst). 1.2.1. Sir John Scott, m. Katherine Smythe; sister of Treasurer Thomas Smythe of Virginia. 1.2.1.1. (step-da.) Elizabeth Hayward, m. Thomas Knyvett (Nevett/Newett). 1.3. Catherine Scott, m. Sir John Baker. 1.3.1. Sir Richard Baker (of Sissinghurst), whose tenants were the Carter family. William Carter claimed the headright (in Henrico) of Edward Bland in 1636. He was very likely to have been the William Carter who was bapt. on May 8, 1599, in the church of St Andrew, Tangmere, Sussex; son of William Carter (whose wife was bur. Jan. 10, 1603), and br. of Edward Carter, bapt. in Tangmere on Jan. 31, 1597.1.1.1. Thomas Warren bapt. 1624, whose relict m. William Newsum.

William Barker was 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, ca. Oct. 11, 1636’. William Barker was the father of (1) Sarah Barker, who m. Richard Tayler; their dau., Elizabeth Tayler, m. John Hamlin, grandson of Stephen Hamlin, whose headright was Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

Francis Derrick’s son and namesake was mentioned as being in Virginia in 1639 (Passenger and Immigration List), and as dying there in 1640. His estate inventory describes him as a merchant venturer ‘who dyed beyound the Seas’ (Bristol Record Office; appraised May 7, 1640). He bought land that had been given by George Cawcott to Dorothy Harris, dau. of Sergeant John Harris, from Dorothy and her husband, John Baker, on October 14, 1638, p. 668. This Francis Derrick was the br. of William Derrick,and they were probably brothers of Elizabeth Derrick, mentioned in the Will of ‘Mary Eyton, of St Stephens’, Bristol, in 1645, as “cousin”, also mentioning her “kinswoman Mary Hathaway dau. of Thomas Hathaway – Haddaway/Hardaway, etc. – (Twiss, 45).

Either Francis or William was the probable father of Henry Derick of the Parish of St. Stephen in the City of Bristol, now resident in Virginia. Will proved Oct. 6, 1677. All my debts to be paid. All my estate to be divided between my mother Mary Derick and my wife Sarah Derick, but if my wife have a child, it is to have one third. To my cosen Thomas Derick all my wearing apparell. Executrix: Wife Sarah. Overseers: Mr. Phillip Hanger, Mr. Samuel Pilsworth. Witnesses: Robert Hutchinson, Thomas Cock. (V.H.M., 198).

Either were the father of the said Thomas Derick, father of Isabel Derick was was bequeathed (1704) 50 ac. by Thomas O’Donnel, who also bequeathed 200 ac. to George Brent, son of Captain George Brent; these lands being surveyed on Feb, 23, 1692 by Theoderick Bland. George Brent sold this land to Rice Hoe Sr, and Rice Hoe Jr,; it being noted as adj. that of Isabella Derrick. Captain George Brent was left a mourning ring in the Will of Richard Fossaker, of Stafford Co. (“now on board the Raphannocke Merchant bound for England) … I desire my friend Mr. Samuel Phillips to sell whatsoever belongs to me on board and return the proceeds to Virginia”); proved July, 24, 1676 (V.M.H., pp 196). Richard Fossaker’s wife (Mary Withers) was the relict of Thomas Hathaway. (This concerns the Virginia/Bristol/London tobacco trade).

Att a Cort holden at merchts hope 8br. 4. 1656 Itt is ordered that Mr John Cogan and Mr Rice Hoe or either of them shall by the end of the next Com Cort pay to Lt. John Banister for Thomas Tanner fifteene pounds of good beaver for w’ch they ingaged themselves for appeance of the King of Weynoke, wherein he failed, and all costs incident to the proceedings of Thomas Tanner ag’st the sd King of Weynoke, als exec agst them or either of them and costs. Thomas Tanner. John Cogan witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

Theodorick Bland, husband of Anne Bennett, dau. of Governor Richard Bennett; the cousin of the Thomas Harris, who m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelsicombe, Somerset was:

(1) The uncle of Giles Bland, whose attorney 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.
(2) The brother of ‘Mr. Jno. Bland of London’. 1677, Charles City Order Book: Administration is granted Ebbet Harris upon the estate of Thomas Harris, dec’d, she to return to the next court a true inventory with security, p 165. Admin, of the estate of Thos. Harris dec’d is granted Jno. Eckles and Jno. Hardaway (Hathaway/Haddaway/Hadway), jointly both of Westover Par. Samuel Phillips enters as security, p. 107. “At a Court at Westover, Feb. 7, 1789: “Mrs. Sarah Bland proves her letter of atty. from her husband, Mr. Jno. Bland of London. John Hardeway John Ekoll on behalf of the orphans of Thos. Harris, dec’d., agst. Mr. Jno. Bland for 700 lbs. tob. owed for an ox which debt Mrs. Sarah Bland* confesses to. Maj. Jno. Stith, Guardian. At a Court at Westover, Oct. 15, 1679: ‘Admin, granted Jno. Hardeway on the estate of Ebbett Harris dec’d’. Ebbett was not an uncommon West Country name.

*Sarah Greene. Giles Green m. Elizabeth Hill of Poundsford Park, Somerset. (Where the Fulghams were tenants of the Hills/Symes). Their son became clerk of the New River Company. A dau., Sarah, m. John Bland of London, naming her son Giles Bland after her father. He 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).

(3) The brother of Edward Bland.
(4) Second-cousin of Frances Bland, who m. John Cogan (associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1688), br.-in-law of Robert Burridge. Robert Burridge’s son, Robert (father of Robert and John), m. Mary Tucker (see Dorset Parish Registers, vol. 3). John Burridge, of Lyme Regis, Dorset. b. ca. 1651, 1st s. of Robert Burridge, merchant, of Lyme Regis, by Elizabeth, sis. of John Cogan of Bristol. educ. Wadham, Oxf. matric. Mar. 13, 1668, aged 18. unm. suc. fa. 1676. Burridge’s father, of Taunton origin. (The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983).The importance of the sons and grandsons of Robert Burridge (d. 1675) to the English south coast trade with Virginia was vast. Robert ‘King’ Carter corresponded with them, as summarised by Edmund Berkeley, Jr. – “Burridge, Robert (1683-1752), a merchant of Lyme Regis, Dorset, who came from an ancient Somerset family. He was mayor of Lyme in 1710 and 1721. His brother John was a London merchant who represented Lyme in Parliament. In Robert Carter’s letter to Robert Burridge of July 13, 1720, he mentions “Mr. Joseph Paise Yor. Partner“. (Pace). John Cogan m. Joyce, the widow of Cheney Boyce and Richard Tye in 1659. Their dau. Rebecca m. Francis Poythress, who died in 1688. Their dau., Rebecca Poythress, m. Richard Pace, by 1699.

The Burridges were in some way connected to the Hardy family of Beaminster, Dorset, which, I suggest, was the family of George Hardy (father-in-law of Edward Harris, d. 1677, in Virginia): Hardy v Burridge. Plaintiffs: William Hardy. Defendants: Robert Burridge, George Hardy, Elizabeth Hardy his wife, Richard Waddon, Anne Waddon, Robert Colmer (Culmer), Elizabeth Hodder and William Clapp. Subject: personal estate of John Hardy, Beaminster, Dorset. 1669. (N.A., C 8/222/21).

(*He was Sheriff of Bristol in 1589, following William Vawer. John Barker held this office in 1594; William Carye in 1599, John Langton (1614); William Pitt (1624), John Gonninge (1631); Joseph Jackson (1642).

Mayors of Bristol: William Birde (1590); John Horte (1600); William Vawer (1602); John Barker (1606); John Boucher (1608); John Barker (1625); John Langton (1628); Humphrey Hooke (1629).

Baliffs of Bristol: Richard George (1598); John Harrisone (1600); John Fownes/Fones (1602); John Doughtie (1607); John Barker (1612), John Gonninge (1613); Miles Jackson (1631), Thomas Woodward (1636), George White (1647), George Hart (1647).

(What is given here are the mercantile/political elite of Bristol, who funded much of the colonisation of Virginia, east and west of Seward’s Creek).

1. William Harris (“of Glastonbury”), m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe, Somerset. (These Westbrookes probably migrated to Virginia: Westbrook, John appraisal by Nathaniel Ridley, Edward Brantley, who witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. (his son, John, m. the widow of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30), and Thomas Cook; signed by John Person, Oct. 28, 1734. (B. 4, p. 25). John Westbrooke m. Amy Foster, da. of Christopher Foster and Alice Forte. (The Fortes were of Wiveliscombe).
1.1. Richard Harris, m. Elianor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, sister of Edward Bennett, b. Feb. 2, 1578, in Wiveliscombe, who m. Mary Bourne, having issue: (1) Sylvestra Bennett, bapt. Oct. 25, 1630, in St Olave, London, d. Jan. 9, 1707, who m. Nicholas Hill (appraiser of estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), d. bef. Oct. 20, 1675. (2) Mary Hill, d. bef. Dec. 31, 1695, m. John Jennings, d. bef. June 9, 1698.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623. He was the cousin of (1) Governor Richard Bennett. (2) Thomas Bennett, b. c. 1590, listed in the 1624 census on the south of the James River, near Lawne’s Creek, father of Richard Bennett, d. 1709, whose 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. Thomas Bennett’s son, Richard Bennett, d. 1709, was the grandfather of William Bennett, who m. Mary Hardy, dau. of George Hardy, and sister of Martha Hardy, wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677. William’s dau., Ann Bennett, was 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).
1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672. A headright of Thomas Harris was Giles Driver, witnessed here: Bridgman Joyner (guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688): Appraised by Thomas Mandew, Giles Driver, Andrew Griffin. R. Dec. 4, 1719. Signed Ann Joyner. (G.B. 23).

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. Wit. Wm Newsum, John Clarke, Wm. Newitt. (B. 3, p. 82). 1.1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1709. 1.1.2.1.1.1. William Harris, d. bef. 1693, m. Elizabeth. 1.1.2.1.1.1.1. John Harris. May 20, 1710: Thomas Ward of Lawne’s Creek Parish to John Chambers of same (son of Olive Ruffin). Witnesses: William Newsum, and John Harris. (p. 10). 1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. 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”. Witnesses, John Harris, James Ridley.
1.1.2.2. Thomas Harris, granted 850 acs. Surry Co., Feb. 13, 1657, p. 168. On S. side of James Riv. & on N. W. & S. E. sides of the head of the sunken marsh above & below the mill, Nly. on the rich Neck & land of Robert Webb & Mr. Edward’s lands, Ely. on William Carter, Sly. on Chipoaks path to the mill & on Mr. Green’s land. 300 acs. granted unto Mr. Jno. Holmwood, Oct. 26, 1650, & by Holmwood assigned to sd. Harris & 500 acs. for trans, of 11 pers,
1.1.2.2.1. William Harris, inerhited this land. He and his wife Mary, 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. William Harris was the great- grandfather of Harris Taylor

1.1.3. Edward Harris. 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 her nephew 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. 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. The same Richard Bennett was associated with Rice Jones, who 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. Newsum, April 6, 1653, p. 51. The last record of this William Newsum 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 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 ac. in Hog Island granted to Wm. Spencer, late of the County, dec’d Feb. 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.
1.1.3.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (I suggest this is not the case, and this Thomas Harris was he born in Cheddar in 1636/1637, who was a more distant kinsman of the Wiveliscombe Harris).

(I heavily conjecture:
1.2. Thomas Harris. 1.2.1. Sergeant John Harris, b. 1587. 1.2.1.1. Dorothy Harris.(Named after grandmother). 1.2.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1677. (I suggest that this Thomas Harris was most likely a brother of Edward Harris, d. 1677).

Sergeant John Harris has been a lure to those claiming descent from him. He was probably of the family as described heretofore, but the references to his land read very much as an escheat record. The various constructions given, making him the father of a, b, or c, and he the father of x, y, or z, are of a hopeful nature.

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