Bridgewater, Cannington, and Wedmore are all within a 20 mile triangle in south Somerset, and all were the abodes of families of Duke and Hooke, which exhibits a key feature of the English kinship sytem – members of the same family lived in a number of adjoining villages, and intermarried with similarly dispersed families. It is usually impossible to determine the earliest abode of families, or the exact kinship relationships within them.

This leads to a major problem when attempting to determine familial relationships between English settlers in Virginia.

This problem is not solvable through DNA analysis, as the extreme amount of interbreeding within kinship groups of this time gives closer ‘results’ than is likely to be fact. This was especially true in the remote marshland area of South Somerset.
Distant cousins were, however, socially close, as they would intermarry with the same families, and places of abode remained local. Above this, families were tenants of the same local gentry; the Hodges and Lancasters, etc., in south Somerset.
In what follows, a specific strand of a Duke family (of Cannington) is given, which almost certainly was also a Duke family in Virginia. They have been associated in Virginia with cousins of indeterminate degree, who, naturally, migrated to the same locations.

Any account of this specific ‘strand of Duke’ might pertinently commence with their association of a family of Hooke (of Bridgewater, Cannington, and Wedmore), which were associated with these Dukes in Virginia. Such ‘continuation of association’ was the hallmark of the English kinship system.

The following genealogical table shows that George Duke of Cannington married Frances Hooke, niece of Robert Hooke, and first-cousin of Robert Hooke, associated with John Duke in Virginia.

(1. Edmond Hooke. 1.1. John Hooke, bapt. March 5, 1582, Bridgwater, son of “Hooke alias Grave”. 1.2. William Hooke, m. Edith Henbury, Jan. 26, 1595, Bridgewater; sister of Thomas, who m. Alice Wythers, April 16, 1599. 1.2.1. Francis Hooke. 1.2.1.1. James Hooke, bapt. Aug. 28, 1626, Cannington. 1.2.1.1.1. Frances Hooke (als Grave), m. George Duke, May 13, 1683, Cannington. 1.2.1.2. Richard Hooke. 1.2.1.2.1. Robert Hooke, bapt. Aug 8, 1650,* Cannington, m. Frances Wiliams, May 15, 1680; issue d. inf. 1.2.1.3. Robert Hooke.** 1.2.2. Robert Hooke, involved in litigation (with wife, Sarah), concerning property in Durston, Somerset. 1627. (C 8/70/226). 1.2.2.1. Robert Hooke. Sealy v Grave. Plaintiffs: Simon Sealy. Defendants: Robert Grave alias Robert Hooke, Robert Grave alias Robert Hooke, Robert Grave alias Robert Hooke. Subject: property in Cannington, Somerset. 1667. (C 8/186/57b).

A point about the Hookes of South Somerset is that they were intermarried with the Millards, as also were the Harris family of Cheddar juxta Wedmore, from whence came, I have often suggested, the Thomas Harris who d. in Virginia in 1688.
It follows that there would be a continuation of association in Virginia between the Duke and Harris families, including the Harris of Wiveliscombe, descendants of Richard Harris, who m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; the sister of Edward Bennett, business partner of Edward Robins (whose attorney was Thomas Joyner, whose son was the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and father of Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill (see anon), who (with Edward Brantley) witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

I would suggest that the Dukes connection to Cannington and its various estates, such as Withiel, was the basis for future relationships in Brunswick Co. Withiel descended to the two daus. of George Tilley (d. 1590); Anne, who m. William Walton, and Elizabeth, who m. Edward Parham. (S.R.O., DD/MVB 20).
The ancestor of the following Duke family of Cannington may have been Edmond Duke, bur. April 20, 1602, in Bridgewater (4 miles from Cannington).
Cannington:

1. Edward Ducke, m. Elizabeth Stronge, Oct. 30, 1598.
2. Edward Ducke, bapt. Sept. 11, 1599.
2. Henry Ducke, m. (1) Christian …, Nov. 3, 1628.
2. Michael Duke, m. Mary Palmer, Oct. 15, 1632; she bapt. Dec. 23, 1612.
3. Michael Duke, bapt. March 21, 1638.
4. William Duke,*** bapt. March 25, 1676.
3. John Duke, bapt. April 25, 1634. He was probably the husband of Elizabeth, who m. (2) Robert Mercer, in 1689.
4. John Duke, sold 50 ac. (bought by his father, John Duke), to John Burnett. This deed was witnessed by William Bradshaw, and Elizabeth Mercer. William Bradshaw’s son, John, was claimed as a headright by Richard Kennon, in 1690, p. 327.

On Apr. 28, 1711, *Robert Hooke patented 80 ac. in the upper parish of Nansemond, S.W. of Summerton Creek, on the corner of John Duke. (B.3, p. 119). This was the Robert Hooke who sold (on Aug. 6, 1692, to Jacob Darden*), 200 ac. of the 400 ac. granted to **Robert Hooke, deceased, on Oct. 30, 1662. John Duke was granted land on Sept. 28, 1728, lying on the N.S. of Meherrin River in Brunswick, beginning at a white oak on Reedy Creek (S. of Three Creeks), being a corner of ***William Duke’s land. (B. 14, p. 59). Robert Hooke Sr. had deceased in 1684.

*Jacob Darden, m. Ann, dau. of Nicholas Hill and Sylvestra Bennett, aforesaid. Their son, Stephen Darden, witnessed a grant of land by Hodges Counsell (grandson of Hodges Counsell), to William Edmondson. Rec. Sept. 28, 1724. Hodges Counsell the elder witnessed the Will of Daniel Boucher (of Bristol), rec. May 1, 1668. which named his “friends” John Hardy and Thomas Taberer as overseers. John Hardy was the likely father of (1) Debora Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner (guardian of a son of Thomas Harris, d.1688); (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell.

The said Richard Kennon m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Worsham. His mother-in-law m. (2) Francis Eppes, son of Francis Eppes, the immigrant. Richard and Elizabeth Kennon had issue:

(1) Judith Kennon, who m. Thomas Eldridge, of Surry, who was likely of Samuel Eldridge’s family: June 21, 1665. Samuel Eldridge, of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by Thomas Moore, of Bristol, who m. the relict. Security George Moore, Thomas’s brother. Their sister, Katherine Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake (partner of Samuel Eldridge). George Moore’s dau., Ann, m. Thomas White. Their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
(2) William Kennon, who m. Ann Eppes, dau. of Francis Eppes, the younger.
(3) Mary Kennon, who m. John Bolling, son of Robert Bolling

The Eppes/Kennon alliance was an inter-dynastic one, wherein families of high standing (from different kinship groups), intermarried, so strengthening each family’s social and economic status. The resultant sharing of associations leads to placing familes in the wrong kinship group. The Harris associated with the Eppes were a distinct entity from the Harris associated with the Kennons.

5. John Duke. On Oct. 8, 1750, he was granted land in the Co. of Lunenburg (established on May 1, 1746, from Brunswick Co.), beginning at John Taylor Duke’s white oak on Flat Creek (B. 30, p. 299).
6. Robert Duke, m Isabel, dau. of Thomas Vincent, who d. in 1766, in Northampton Co. He was probably the headright claimed in 1687 by Francis Eppes, the younger (p. 73), and who Robert Bolling sued in Charles City Co. in 1696. These Vincents were probably of Wiveliscombe (see previous notes), kin of the Bennett and Harris family of that place.
7. Robert Duke, m Priscilla, dau. of Joseph Crenshaw (a neighbour of John Taylor Duke), who eventually owned land on Persimmon Branch, Lancaster Dist., SC.
8. William Duke, d. bef. March 19, 1810, held land adj. William Cauthen in Lancaster Dist., SC.
9. William Duke, d. 1855, m. Nancy, dau. of William Cauthen, removed to Lowndes Co., AL. Nancy’s sister, Susannah, m. Peter Vincent.
10. Eldridge Jefferson Duke, of Lowndes, m. Caroline, dau. of Joshua Merritt.

3. Edward Duke.
4. Edward Duke.
3. James Duke, bapt. Jan. 7, 1649.
3. Charles Duke, bapt. Apr. 13, 1647, m. Frances Seward, Jan. 11, 1669.
4. Charles Duke, b. ca. 1670.
4. Henry Duke, bapt. Dec. 10, 1671. An indenture of May 7, 1725 between his relict, Elizabeth, of Martin Brandon Parish, Prince George Co., sold to Robert Hall half a tract of land on the N. side of Blackwater Swamp, ” beginning at the corner between William Harris and the sd Elizabeth Duke; witnessed by Richard Kennon, Elizabeth Mallory, Wm. Short (father-in-law of William Harris, likely the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688).

In her admin. of her husband’s estate, Elizabeth deposed that what “my father, Captain John Taylor … did in his lifetime or at the time of his death give or bequeath to me is no part of the estate of the said Henry … but that the sole right and property is by virtue of the said act vested in me the July 14th, 1719”. Francis Eppes, the younger was appointed by the Court to audit Henry’s estate.

Elizabeth Taylor’s sisters, Henrietta and Sarah, m. the brothers, John and Francis Hardyman, sons of John Hardyman and Mary, dau. of Francis Eppes, the younger. John Hardyman Sr. (n.b. business partner of Richard Bland*) was the son of John Hardyman of Bristol, taylor, who gave letter of attorney to collect the debt of William Hudson of Nansemond Co., in 1667. Richard Kennon was the executor of Francis Hardyman’s Will of 1741. *Kinsman of the Bennett/Harris families of Wiveliscombe.
5. Henry Duke. June 16, 1727, grant, of land to Robert Harris, 100 ac. “beginning at a corner Gum upon the New Found River belonging to Henry Duke, thence along the said Duke’s line … to a corner Hickory on New Found River. (B. 13, p. 149).
6. John Taylor Duke. Brunswick, B. 2, pp. 277-281: John Taylor Duke sold 273 ac. of his patent to Richard Lanier of Brunswick Co. His wife, Jane Duke, relinquished her right of dower.

3. George Duke, b. ca. 1650, m. Frances Hooke (als Grave), May 13, 1683, dau. of James Hooke, bapt. Aug. 28, 1626, son of Francis Hooke.
4. William Duke, bapt. Jan. 31, 1689. Oct. 13, 1727: Capt. Jas. Baker of IOW, land patent in Brunswick Co., on the north side of Meherrin River on Rocky Creek, adj. William Duke. (B. 13, p. 187). Sept. 28, 1728: Grant to William Duke, 317 ac. in Brunswick Co. on the south side of Reedy Creek, beginning at a corner tree of Nathaniel Greene. (B. 14, p. 31). July 1, 1742: William Duke the elder of Brunswick Co. and Elizabeth his wife to William Duke the younger of Brunswick, that tract of land on the south side of Reedy Creek, containing 317 ac. Sept. 28, 1728. (B. 2, p. 168).
5. Joseph Duke, m. Mary Eppes. Will of Joseph Duke made 11 January 1778, Bute Co, NC, pr August 1779, Bute Co: my son Major Duke, my daughter Mary wife of Wilson Whatley; my daughter Alice wife of James Jackson; my daughter Delilah wife of Mills Drury; my sons William Duke and Buckner Duke; my daughter Martha Duke; my loving wife Mary Duke; my five sons Isham Duke, Sherrod Duke, Hardy Duke, Repps Duke and Ransom Duke. Wit. Thomas Machen, William Park, Rose Brewer (Warren Co, NC Will book 3, p 15).
6. Eppes Duke.

Will of Mary Duke of Warren Co, NC. made 20 Feb 1789, pr Aug 1789: my beloved son Isham Duke my land that lies on the east side of the Spring branch including his improvements up to Kicker’s line; my son Hardy Duke my land that lys on the upper side of Opossom Quarter Creek; my son Ransom Duke the land I now live on including my plantation except the part to his brother, Isham; my beloved son Eppes Duke tract of land I own in the piney woods; my beloved daughter Pattey; wit Will Johnson, Ben E. Brewer.

5. William Duke, m. Mary Green, d. Jan. 7, 1794, in Warren Co., dau. of Edward Green, of Brunswick. Isaac House to Edward Green, both of Bute Co. 5 pds. for 100 ac. S. of Reedy Creek adj. Wm. House, part of a grant to William House. (Warren Co., B. 2, p. 314). March 3, 1746: William Duke of Granville to Edward Green of Brunswick, a tract of land on the Reedy Creek in Granville Co., being a tract of land granted the said Wiliiam Duke by patent of April 20, 1745. Witnesses, West Harris, James Rose. West Harris was the son of Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, br. of Nathan Harris, who m. Catherine Walton, father of Walton Harris.
6. Mary Duke, m. Isaac House Jr.

(1. … 1. Thomas Howse, m. ‘Susana Hixe‘, May 28, 1638, in Compton Martin, Somerset (25 miles from Cannington, 10 miles from Wedmore).
1.1. Thomas House, m. Francis Millard (her family being a general connection to such as those of Hooke and Harris), May 29, 1664, in Compton Martin, she bapt. June 10, 1628, dau. of Henry Millard and ‘Alison Hickes‘, who m. on Apr. 16, 1621. 1.1.1. James House, bapt. Sept. 1, 1666, Compton Martin; his Will being witnessed by John Duke and John Taylor Duke, in Brunswick, Feb. 9, 1735. 1.1.1.1. Isaac House. His indenture of Dec. 8, 1746, to Peter Daniel of St. Andrews Parish, Brunswick, was witnessed by Lewis Parham, Roger Tillman, and Richard Lanier (B. 3, p. 257), son of Richard Lanier, uncle of Rebecca Lanier, wife of Walton Harris. 1.1.2. Thomas House, bapt. Aug. 12, 1677, in Compton Martin. His Will of Feb. 16, 1734 was witnessed by John Duke (executor), John Taylor Duke, and David Case).
6. William Duke, m. Mary Parham. Marriage Records of Brunswick Co., 1730-1852, Fothergill: August 15, 1789. William Duke m. Mary Parham, dau. of James. (W.B. 5, p. 415).

7. Lewis Parham Duke.
7. William Parham Duke.
7. Rebecca Duke, m. (1) Lewis Lanier, (2) Capt. John Washington, of Walnut Grove, Granville Co, NC.
6. Sarah Duke, m. Thomas Christmas.
6. Merrit Duke.

The general narrative is one of an exodus from south Somerset of members of a vastly intertwined kinship group to Virginia. The momentun of this dispersal gathered pace after the ‘Restoration’ (of the monarchy) in 1660, with supporters of the Commonwealth seeking a safe haven of new opportunity. This kinship group settled in the same areas, replicating their geograpical closeness in England. Members of the same family (be it Duke or Harris), of whatever degree of cousinship, have been assumed to be more closely related than was the fact, or denied any relationship by rival DNA ancestor claimants.

The task is one of determining how people were related in England and discovering that replication on Virginia.

Seemingly impossible, yet the method of discovery is a simple one.

copyright m stanhope 2019