The following is what a concensus of some Harris researchers consider to be the ancestry of a Harris family of Virginia. (I do not concur with every aspect). This is a construction that is based on my notes. As with any such construction, there is not that certainty craved in a politically correct world, in which authentic, documented proof is the only acceptable criteria. This is to judge an earlier era of lost records by the standards of today, and which consequently makes ancestry permanently unknown to us, unnecessarily so; for an understanding of how the English kinship system operated gives access to the ‘known unknowns’ of genealogy. That is, this system was based on repeated intermarriages between the same families from one generation to the next – a Darwinian game of survival – which had been the norm for centuries, and which continued in Virginia. As with most kinship groups, families circled around a family of central importance. In that the Harris family were intermarried with the Bennetts – from which was a Governor of Virginia – they were drawn into the heart of their kinship group, which explains their attraction as a focus of marriage and acquaintance. In what follows, it is simply the case that such as Thomas Harris, d. 1677, was associated with John Bland because John Bland’s br. was the husband of Ann Bennett, whose grandfather was the brother of his grandmother; and so on and so forth in a never-ending ‘game of life’.
1. …
1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.
1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, m. Agnes Bearde, July 17, 1623, and who was the headright of his br., Richard, in 1636.
1.1.2. Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, Governor of Virginia. *Sister of John and Thomas.
1.1.2.1. Ann Bennett, m. (2) Theoderick Bland, br. of (1) John Bland (husband of Sarah Greene dau. of Giles Green and Elizabeth Hill, of Poundsford Park, Pitminster; her family the landlords of the Fulghams, and were almost certainly of the same family as Nicholas Hill, of Virginia. Their son, Giles Bland, was a participant in Bacon’s Rebellion (was also Edward Harris, d. 1677?), for which he was executed. (See Browne Willis, Notitia Parliamentaria, pt. II, 1750. Warren M. Billings, Encyclopedia Virginia)., (2) Elizabeth Bland, wife of William Bearde.

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. Theoderick Bland was also the second-cousin of Frances Bland, wife of John Cogan, who proved the Will of Thomas Harris in court, Oct. 9. 1688 (in a familial capacity?; why not proved by a son?). John Cogan, probably of Chard, Somerset, was an in-law of the Burridge family, important ship owners engaged in the tobacco trade. At an earlier date, John Cogan was associated with John Corker (July 4, 1655. Letter to Thomas Gray (antagonist of Bartholomew Owen) from John Cogan to pay to John Corker 100 lbs. of tobacco); father of William Corker, who m. Lucy White; their dau., Elizabeth, m. Robert Spencer, “friend” of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. In 1659, John Corker, paid 2,000 lbs. of tobacco and a “caske to contain it” to Bartholomew Owen, to “make good the debt and damages”. For Bartholomew’s antecedance I would look no further than the marriage of William Owen and Elizabeth Knight, Nov. 19, 1619, in Wiveliscombe; she the dau. of William Knight, bapt. Oct. 27, 1570, son of Thomas Knight and (n.b.) Alice Burd (Bearde).

In my opinion, Bartholomew was a kinsman of the Bennett/Harris family, hence his connection to their connections.

Elizabeth (White) Spencer was the half-sister of Lucy Rose; this family very likely to be that intermarried with the Hodges family of Wedmore, Somerset, from which Hodges Counsell Jr., of Virginia.

This is partly constructed from Wiveliscombe records, standardising the name Bearde from such as Byrd, Burde, etc., etc. –

1.
1.1. John Bearde.
1.1.1. John Bearde, b. c.a. 1565.
1.1.1.1. John Bearde, bapt. Aug. 19, 1588.
1.1.1.2. Agnes Bearde, m. Thomas Bennett, July 17, 1623.
1.2. Alice Bearde, m. Thomas Knight, May 13, 1563.
1.2.1. William Knight, bapt. Oct. 27, 1570.
1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Knight, b. ca. 1595, m. William Owen, Nov. 19, 1619. (Perhaps the nephew of Robert Owen, of Bristol, d. 1615, as suggested in previous notes – the Rice Davis/Hodges connection).
1.2.1.1.1. Bartholomew Owen, “gent”.
1.2.1.2. Sarah Knight, m. Nicholas Harwood, May 2, 1614. Will of Nicholas Harwood (tobacco planter), dated April 1, 1639, mentiomd debt to John Stringer (“for my phisicke”), who witnessed his Will. Deposition of John Stringer (p. 183) states that he was at Mr. Burdett’s house, where he witnessed Thomas Joyner (as given hereinafter, attorney of Edward Robins) calling Mrs. Robins (wife of Obedience Robins, br. of the said Edward Robins) “dishonest”, she calling him a “knave”. Thomas Joyner was ordered to ask forgiveness by the court. (Beverley Fleet, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, vol. 2, p. 85, 1988). As will be given, Edward Robin’s dau., Rachel, m. Richard Bearde.

1.2. Edward Bennett. Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, was a son of Thomas Joyner, the immigrant; transportee and “late servant and attorney unto Edward Robins, merchant, deceased“. Court approves land grant to orphans of Edward Robins, deceased, for transportation of Thomas Joyner, Nicholas Raynehard … Edward Bennett gave affidavit in High Court of Admiralty, London Aug. 24 1635, stating that goods returned from Virginia on the “Revenge” belonged equally to Edward Robins and himself. This cargo was claimed by Nicholas Raynehard, et al., Boddie, p. 273-4). Thomas Joyner was a headright of Rachel and Elizabeth Robins, orphans of Edward Robins. Rachel Robins m. Richard Beard, br.-in-law of William Burgess (probably a Quaker); who was originally of Jamestown, but led a group of settlers to Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He established a fleet of ships trading between Maryland and Bristol. He was probably of this merchant family: Merchants and others of the Cities of London and Bristol, s. sh. fol. B.M. The Petitioners pray that the growing of Tobacco in England may be prohibited. The Petition is signed, “For the Merchants and Traders of Bristoll, William Burgess.” 1650.

It was not without risk to be a Quaker in Bristol; consider William Prynne’s tract of 1655, ‘The Quakers Unmasked’, which identified them as “the spawn of Romish Frogs, Jesuits, and Franciscan Friars; sent from Rome to seduce the intoxicated giddy-headed English Nation’. ‘By an Information newly taken upon Oath in the City of Bristol, Jan. 22. 1654’. It is likely that Richard Beard, aforesaid, was related to the wife of Edward Bennett’s nephew. In essence, whomever Thomas Joyner married, his family had close connectionsto the Bennetts, and, hence, to the family of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. The Joyners were of Bere Regis, Dorset, some 10 mls fr. the original home of the Pitt family of Bristol and Virginia, and 25 mls. fr. the home of a Hardy family (Beaminster), which probably was of no little significance to alliances in Virginia. The route to the Harris family was via the Bennetts.

1.2.1. Silvestra Bennett, m. Nicholas Hill, aforesaid, on Sept. 30, 1664, he patented 750 ac. in the Upper Parish, part of the estate of Edward Bennett. Nicholas Hill witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.3. Elianor Bennett. m. Richard Harris, Oct. 6, 1594, at Wivelscombe; son of William Harris and Dorothy Westbrooke, m. Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe. As previously given, a John Westbrooke was associated with William Newsome.
1.3.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, November 20, 1623, at Wivelscombe, d. 1672. Whom he m. is not proven. 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).
1.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1677 in Virginia. He was a trading associate (in tobacco) of John Bland, br. of Theoderick Bland, as given, husband of Ann Bennett, great-niece of the said Elianor Bennett. “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 (aforementioned) confesses to. Maj. Jno. Stith, Guardian. At a Court at Westover, Oct. 15, 1679: ‘Admin, granted Jno. Hardeway (almost certainly of Bristol) on the estate of Ebbett Harris dec’d’. Ebbett was not an uncommon West Country name. There are no proven children of this Thomas Harris.

1.3.1.2. John Harris, m. (2) Elizabeth Church, their dau. m. Nicholas Fulgham, in a Quaker ceremony. This is the only recorded familial connection between the Fulgham and Harris families. The Fulghams were the link to Hodges Counsell Jr., of Wedmore, Somerset, and Virginia: The Hole family which intermarried with the Fulghams were probably they of Wedmore. 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, Heathhouse, Wedmore, yeoman : ¼ part of free chapel. Reciting letters patent April 14, 1603, granting the free chapel to Michael Cole and John Rowdon who sold it to Robert Sherwell. April 15, 1625. (Bristol Arch. HA/D/357). Robert Sherwell m. (n.b.) Maria Bearde.

1.3.2. 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. 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; who 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 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.
1.3.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677 in Virginia. Posterity is not certain.
1.3.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688 in Virginia. His Will was appraised by John Cogan, married to a Bland cousin of the Harris.
1.3.2.2.1. Robert Harris.
1.3.2.2.1.1. John Harris, m. Avis White, granddau. of George Moore (of Bristol) and a dau. of Charles Barcroft, headright of Anthony Fulgham, Isle of Wight, 1650. The Barcrofts held land in Chard, Somerset; the Cogan connection.
1.3.2.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, m. Hannah Judkins; descendant of Samuel Judkins, whose relict m. Thomas Pitman, As previously given, Thomas Pitman was almost certainly of Wedmore, Somerset (deposition date matches that of baptism), who would have been well acquainted with such as Hodges Counsell Jr. of that place.
1.3.3. Richard Harris.
1.3.3.1. 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).
1.3.3.1.1. John Harris. May 20, 1710: Thomas Ward of Lawne’s Creek Parish to John Chambers of same Witness: William Newsum and John Harris. (p. 10).
1.3.3.1.1.1. 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.
1.3.3.2. Thomas Harris
1.3.3.2.1. 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 (his uncle – MS) *Mr. John Harris; adj. William Newett, and the Sunken Marsh Path

1.4. John Bennett, b. March 1, 1566, d. 1601.
1.4.1. Thomas Bennett, b. c. 1590, listed in the 1624 census on the south of the James River, near Lawne’s Creek. stepfather of
Elizabeth Pierce. who m. (2) Richard Jackson, having issue Mary, wife of George Hardy (father-in-law of Edward Harris, d. 1677); see B. 1, pp. 69, 70.
1.4.1.1. 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.
1.4.1.1.1. Richard Bennett.
1.4.1.1.1.1. William Bennett, m. Mary Hardy, dau. of George Hardy, and sister of Martha Hardy, wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.4.1.1.1.1.1. 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. Their dau., Joyce Pardoe, m. Phillip Brantley.
1.5. 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 (nephew – MS) Edward Harris‘.

A game of life, played with very predictable dice.

copyright m stanhope 2018